The Best Views of Assisi

Sitting at the absolute highest point of the city, the views from the walls of the Rocca Maggiore fortress are simply unrivaled in their scope and majesty. From this incredible vantage point, the entire sprawling city of Assisi is laid out beneath you like a meticulously detailed scale model. Beyond the city walls, the view opens up to reveal the incredibly vast, patchwork agricultural fields of the Umbrian valley stretching all the way to Perugia. The sheer elevation provides a thrilling, breezy perspective that makes the massive basilicas below look surprisingly small. Reaching this viewpoint requires a steep, demanding climb, but the visual reward is absolutely, undeniably worth the effort. It is the ultimate location for watching the sunset paint the sky over central Italy.

The vast, emerald green lawn stretching out in front of the Upper Basilica provides one of the most iconic, incredibly photogenic perspectives in all of Assisi. Standing at the far end of the piazza, you are treated to a perfectly unobstructed, monumental view of the breathtaking Gothic facade set against the sky. Turning away from the church, the low stone walls offer a magnificent, sweeping view over the lower valley plains and the distant forested hills. The sheer scale of the space makes you feel incredibly small, while the harmonious geometry of the architecture is incredibly pleasing to the eye. It is an absolute must visit spot, particularly in the late afternoon when the pink stone of the basilica positively glows.

Unlike the sweeping valley views found in the town, this unique viewpoint offers an incredibly dramatic, deeply intimate look into the rugged nature of Mount Subasio. The hermitage is built precariously over a steep, densely forested mountain gorge, creating a profoundly vertical, dizzying perspective. Standing on the small stone bridges connecting the complex, you look down into a deep, silent chasm of ancient oak and holm trees. The air here is noticeably cooler, and the dense canopy filters the light into a beautiful, dappled green haze. It is an incredibly atmospheric, slightly eerie, and profoundly peaceful visual experience. It allows visitors to visually comprehend the extreme isolation and wild beauty sought by the early hermits.

The expansive, open piazza situated directly in front of the Basilica of Santa Chiara acts as a magnificent, sprawling balcony overlooking the southern Umbrian valley. Without any buildings to obstruct the view, the terrace provides a breathtaking, 180 degree panoramic vista of the incredibly lush, rolling agricultural landscape below. It is an extremely popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, who sit on the low stone walls to rest, chat, and take in the scenery. The view is incredibly expansive and peaceful, perfectly capturing the idyllic, pastoral beauty of central Italy. Taking a moment here while the bells of the basilica ring is an incredibly memorable, quintessential Assisi experience.

For those willing to drive or hike up the winding mountain roads, the bald, grassy summit of Mount Subasio offers an utterly staggering, god like perspective over the entire region. From this incredible elevation, you are no longer looking at Assisi, but rather looking out over the entirety of Umbria, with panoramic views that stretch across multiple valleys and distant mountain ranges. The landscape here is stark, windy, and characterized by vast, open meadows where wild horses frequently graze. It is an incredibly exhilarating, deeply isolating experience that perfectly highlights the dramatic geography of the area. The sheer silence and vastness of the view are deeply awe inspiring and humbling.

Tucked away in the narrow, winding alleys directly opposite the Basilica of San Francesco, this highly secret viewpoint offers a completely unique perspective of the famous monument. From this slightly elevated, incredibly peaceful little piazza, you look back across the rooftops directly at the massive side profile of the basilica and its colossal supporting arches. Because it is hidden away from the main pedestrian flow, you will often have this stunning, picture perfect framing entirely to yourself. The tight framing of the medieval houses in the foreground beautifully contrasts with the massive scale of the church in the background. It is a highly prized location for photographers looking for an unconventional, dramatic angle.