There are many beautiful places to stay in Umbria and choosing where to stay will influence your overall experience of this picturesque hidden gem in Italy. The best way to start planning where to stay in Umbria is to decide what you would like to do during your trip and which towns you would like to visit. From luxury castles, bed and breakfasts on wineries to rustic farm homestays and boutique guest houses in the Umbrian valley, there are many different types of accommodation options in Umbria.
Luxury Castles
Even the fairytale of staying in a luxury castle in the Italian countryside can come true in Umbria. And if you think this sounds impressive, you’ll be blown away by the broad collection of castles there are to choose from. So much so that Tripadvisor ranked the top 10 castles to stay in Umbria. This is the type of accommodation to choose if you are happy to spend a lot of time at the place you are staying, because time in an ancient castle is an experience in itself. If you are looking for something extraordinary like spending the night in a stunning medieval castle with grand interiors and traditional hexagonal towers, then staying at a luxury castle in Umbria is for you. Just make sure that you are flexible with your budget because not all fairytales are cheap! :)
Bed and Breakfasts
For the action-packed traveler who is on a mission to tick as many things off the bucket list as possible, a bed and breakfast is probably a good option for you. Cheaper than the luxury castle option, you can save your vacation budget for activities. There are so many beautiful bed and breakfast accommodation options in Umbria. With trusted websites like Booking.com, you can’t really go wrong when you choose a bed and breakfast in Umbria. If you are just looking for a place to sleep and have a quick breakfast in the morning before heading out for a day of activities, then this option will suit your trip well.
Boutique Guest House
Quaint by nature, there are so many boutique guest houses dotted in the Umbrian countryside. When you choose a guest house in Umbria, make sure that you choose one which makes the most of the iconic picturesque views. The location of the guest house is important as it will dictate the activities of your trip and some guest houses offer activities onsite or nearby. La Residenza del Pilota has a lavish garden, an infinity pool, 360 views of rolling hills with Sagrantino vineyards (perfect for wine tasting), and it is walking distance from a once-in-a-lifetime Italian experience: a hot air balloon ride over the Umbrian countryside. Umbria is known as the green heart of Italy for its breathtaking rolling hills covered by vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages and there’s no better way to appreciate its beauty than from a hot air balloon. If you are looking for an idyllic setting (that won’t break the bank) with unique activities nearby, then staying at a boutique guest house in Umbria would be a great option.
Rustic Farm Home-Stays
Probably more suited for travellers who are staying for a bit longer, Workaway offers accommodation in exchange for volunteering on a variety of family farms in Umbria. From an olive farm and art hub to eco projects, sixteenth-century farmhouses and even a professional dog training center on a farm, these homestays in Umbria are ideal for the more adventurous types. If you are looking for a truly authentic Umbrian experience with very cheap or even free accommodation and don’t mind working a few hours in exchange, then staying at a rustic farm homestay in Umbria is for you!
Umbria is still a relatively unspoiled, deeply rural region that might remind travelers of Tuscany back in the days before mass tourism. Where to stay in Umbria can be a challenging choice because there really are so many spectacular places to choose from. If you can, pick a combination of the above accommodation types and if not, choose the type which will best suit the style of trip to Umbria you have in mind. Whichever option you go for, you are guaranteed to have an amazing time in this beautiful central region of Italy.
