Things to Do in Assisi: Basilicas, Hours and a One-Day Plan

The best things to do in Assisi fit into one long day, but the town is at its best when you stay the night. This guide puts the sights in a practical order, with current opening hours, what is free and what costs money, and how to get up from the station without a car.

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Assisi in one day or two

• One day: Basilica of St. Francis in the morning, lunch near the Piazza del Comune, then Santa Chiara and the Rocca Maggiore. In winter, see the Rocca first in the afternoon, since its last tickets go on sale at 4:15 p.m.
• Two days: add the Eremo delle Carceri on the second morning, then Santa Maria degli Angeli on the way back to the station.
• With a car: pair Assisi with Spello and Montefalco. Without one, Perugia is a short regional train ride away.

Staying overnight changes the experience. After the day groups leave, the streets empty and the basilica façade glows in the evening light. For hotels, see our list of places to stay in Umbria; Assisi also charges a nightly tourist tax, explained in our guide to the Italy tourist tax.

Things to do in Assisi at a glance

Prices and hours in this guide come from the official sites linked in each section (checked November 2026).

The Basilica of St. Francis

The basilica is really two churches built one on top of the other, plus the crypt with the tomb of St. Francis. Entry for individual visitors is free and needs no ticket, according to the basilica’s booking office; only groups book. Start in the Lower Church, which is darker and older. Then go down to the tomb, and finish in the Upper Church, where the light is best in the late morning.

Hours come from the basilica’s official timetable (checked November 2026). As in most Italian churches, plan to cover your shoulders and knees, and keep your voice down inside. In 2026, the basilica is also marking 800 years since the death of St. Francis, with a Franciscan Jubilee that runs until January 10, 2027. As a result, some days are busier than usual, so arrive soon after the Upper Church opens.

Walk the old town: Piazza del Comune and the Temple of Minerva

From the basilica, Via San Francesco climbs gently to the Piazza del Comune, the main square. Its star is the Temple of Minerva, a Roman temple from the second half of the first century BC with six columns still standing. In 1539 it became the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, which is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in winter and until 10:00 p.m. in summer, according to Visit Assisi (checked November 2026). The walk is short but steep in places, so wear shoes with grip.

The Basilica of Santa Chiara

At the other end of town, the pink and white Basilica of Santa Chiara holds the tomb of St. Clare and the crucifix that, by tradition, spoke to St. Francis at San Damiano. Visits run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 to 5:45 p.m. in winter, with no midday break on weekends and holidays. Since late October, Vespers and last entry are at 5:45 p.m., according to the basilica’s website (checked November 2026). So avoid the midday break if you are short on time.

The Rocca Maggiore

The medieval fortress above town gives one of the widest views over the valley. A full ticket costs €8, and a reduced ticket costs €6 for ages nine to 18, visitors over 65 and university students. Children up to eight go free. A combined ticket (€14 in total) covers the Rocca plus the Roman Forum, the Pinacoteca and the Torre del Popolo, with an audio guide. From November to February the Rocca opens from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the ticket office closes 45 minutes earlier, according to Visit Assisi (checked November 2026).

Beyond the walls: the Eremo delle Carceri and Santa Maria degli Angeli

The Eremo delle Carceri is the hermitage where St. Francis withdrew to pray, about 4 km from Assisi at 800 meters on Mount Subasio, according to the sanctuary’s website. The road climbs the whole way, so a car or taxi is the easy option. It opens from 6:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and from 7:15 a.m. on Sundays, according to Italia.it (checked November 2026).

Down in the plain, Santa Maria degli Angeli is a vast basilica built around the Porziuncola, the tiny chapel where the Franciscan movement began. It opens from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 7:00 p.m., and its museum closes on Wednesdays, according to the Porziuncola website (checked November 2026). In addition, there is a Sunday Mass in English at 11:00 a.m. (checked November 2026). Since the basilica stands near the train station, it works well at the start or end of a day trip.

Getting to Assisi and up to the old town

Assisi’s station sits in the plain below the town. From the station square, buses leave about every 30 minutes and take about 10 minutes to reach the center, according to the basilica’s travel page (checked November 2026). Service can be thinner on Sundays and holidays, and a taxi is the backup. The local line C runs via the station to San Francesco and Piazza Matteotti, and Busitalia’s Assisi Link combines the train and the bus in one ticket. For the full train plan from Rome or Florence, see our Assisi day trip guide.

Driving? The old town is a limited-traffic zone with seasonal hours, so never follow your GPS through a gate. Instead, use the paid parking lots at Giovanni Paolo II, Mojano, Porta Nuova or Matteotti, or the free areas near the cemetery and Porta San Giacomo, listed by Visit Assisi. Hotel guests may drive in only to load and unload, with a permit from the hotel. For the rules across Italy, read our guide to driving in Italy.

What to skip in Assisi

• Skip the midday rush at the basilica. Instead, go early or in the late afternoon.
• Skip walking up from the station. It is a long, uphill road; take the bus.
• Skip driving into the center. Park outside the walls and walk in.
• Skip planning Santa Chiara at lunchtime on a weekday. It closes from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Tours and experiences in Assisi

A guide makes the most difference inside the basilica, where the fresco cycles are easy to miss. Compare a guided tour of Assisi with going on your own. For a view from above, there is also a hot air balloon flight near Assisi. Then, to fit Assisi into a longer trip, follow our Umbria itinerary or start from the Umbria travel guide.

Things to do in Assisi: frequently asked questions

Is the Basilica of St. Francis free?

Yes. Entry for individual visitors is free and needs no ticket. Only groups book in advance.

How many days do you need in Assisi?

One full day covers the two basilicas, the main square and the Rocca Maggiore. A second day adds the Eremo delle Carceri and Santa Maria degli Angeli.

How do you get from Assisi station to the old town?

Take the bus from the station square. Buses leave about every 30 minutes and take about 10 minutes to reach the center.

Is Assisi worth staying overnight?

Yes, if you can. The day groups leave in the late afternoon, so the evening and early morning are much quieter.