Things to Do in Gubbio: Cable Car, Palazzo dei Consoli and Corsa dei Ceri

The best things to do in Gubbio sit on a steep slope of Monte Ingino. The stone palaces and the Roman theater are at the bottom, Piazza Grande hangs in the middle and the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo is at the top, reached by an open cable car. This guide covers the sights, the current hours, the Corsa dei Ceri and how to get to Gubbio from Perugia without a car.

Last updated: November 3, 2026

Getting to Gubbio

Gubbio has no train station of its own, so without a car you arrive by bus.

• From Perugia: Busitalia line E001 leaves from the Perugia Bus Terminal and takes about 60 to 75 minutes to the Teatro Romano stop, next to Piazza Quaranta Martiri (signed “Piazza 40 Martiri”), according to the winter schedule, which runs until June 8, 2027 (checked November 2026). Check return times for your day before you go.
• By train: take a regional train to Fossato di Vico–Gubbio station, then the Busitalia bus from the square in front of the station to Piazza Quaranta Martiri. Busitalia sells this route as Gubbio Link. For tickets and validation, see our guide to trains in Italy.
• Inside town: a free Busitalia shuttle loops from Piazza Quaranta Martiri past the Roman theater, Largo del Bargello and Piazza Grande to Via Dante, near the cable car. It runs every day from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., about every 15 minutes, according to Busitalia (checked November 2026).

A one-day plan for Gubbio

1. Morning: get off the bus at the Teatro Romano stop, look at the Roman theater, then take the free shuttle up to Piazza Grande for the Palazzo dei Consoli.
2. Midday: visit the Palazzo Ducale and the cathedral, then have lunch in the old town before the cable car’s afternoon session.
3. Afternoon: ride up to Sant’Ubaldo after 2:30 p.m. and come down before 5:00 p.m. in winter. Then walk back down through Via dei Consoli. On a winter Wednesday, skip the cable car and enjoy the lower town instead.

Gubbio works as a day trip from Perugia, and our Umbria itinerary includes it in the longer versions. For a base nearby, see the Perugia travel guide, and for the rest of the region, read the Umbria travel guide.

Things to do in Gubbio at a glance

Prices and hours come from the official sites linked below (checked November 2026). The cable car operator does not publish its fares online, so the table does not list them.

Piazza Grande and the Palazzo dei Consoli

Piazza Grande is a terrace built out over the slope, and the Palazzo dei Consoli rises from its edge. Inside, the civic museum keeps the Eugubine Tables, bronze tablets inscribed in the ancient Umbrian language. They are the main reason to go in.

Hours and prices come from the Palazzo dei Consoli ticket page (checked November 2026). Those prices apply until April 25, 2027, during the Dario Fo exhibition. The museum also closes on December 25, on the morning of January 1 and on several days around the May festivals, so check the page before a spring visit.

The Palazzo Ducale

The Palazzo Ducale stands across from the cathedral, a short climb above Piazza Grande. It was the Gubbio residence of the Montefeltro dukes. According to the Ministry of Culture page (checked November 2026), it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Mondays from 2:00 to 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets cost €5 and visitors aged 18 to 25 pay €2. Entry is free for EU citizens under 18, and the page lists no free category for non-EU children. The Dario Fo exhibition also runs here until April 25, 2027.

The Colle Eletto cable car and Sant’Ubaldo

The Colle Eletto cable car opened in 1960, and according to its operator it climbs from 532 to 803 meters in about six minutes. At the top, a short walk leads to the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo. The basilica holds the remains of Gubbio’s patron saint, and it is where the Ceri race ends every May 15.

Hours come from the official cable car website (checked November 2026). The December 2026 schedule had not been published when we checked, so look at the page before a December visit. The operator’s site also lists walking trails up the mountain, an option if you prefer not to ride. Bring a warm layer in winter, since the top station is much higher than the town.

The Corsa dei Ceri and Gubbio’s festivals

The Corsa dei Ceri takes place every year on May 15, the eve of Sant’Ubaldo’s feast day. Teams carry three tall wooden “candles” through the streets and then race them up the mountain to the basilica, according to Italia.it. In 2027, May 15 falls on a Saturday, so expect a full town and book a room early.

Two other events are worth planning around:

• Palio della Balestra. A medieval crossbow contest in Piazza Grande, held in late May. It took place on May 31 in 2026, according to Umbria Tourism. The 2027 date had not been published when we checked.
• The Christmas tree on Monte Ingino. Every December, lights on the mountainside form a tree about 750 meters tall, according to the official site, which says 2026 is its 46th edition. The 2026 lighting date had not been announced when we checked. For more December ideas, see our guide to Italy in December.

What to skip in Gubbio

• Skip a Wednesday from November to March if the cable car matters to you, because it does not run that day.
• Skip the climb on foot from Piazza Quaranta Martiri. The free shuttle does the steepest part for you.
• Skip May 13–16 for a quiet museum visit. The Palazzo dei Consoli closes on several of those days for the Ceri.
• Skip relying on the last bus back. Check the schedule for your day and aim for an earlier run.

Things to do in Gubbio: frequently asked questions

Is Gubbio worth visiting?

Yes, if you like medieval towns and don’t mind hills. Without a car, plan on two to two and a half hours of round-trip bus travel from Perugia.

How many days do you need in Gubbio?

One full day covers the main sights. Stay overnight if you visit for the Corsa dei Ceri on May 15 or want an evening in Piazza Grande.

How do you get from Perugia to Gubbio without a car?

Take Busitalia line E001 from the Perugia Bus Terminal. The ride takes about 60 to 75 minutes to the Teatro Romano stop.

When is the Corsa dei Ceri?

The Corsa dei Ceri takes place every year on May 15. In 2027, that date falls on a Saturday.