Spotlight on Perugia: The Perfect Family Detour from Rome
Updated: Sep 5
Traveling in Rome with your family? Consider a side trip to Perugia, a hilltop city in Umbria—Italy’s green, landlocked heartland.
Perugia hits the sweet spot for a family getaway: It’s vibrant enough to explore for days, yet small enough to navigate without stress. Packed with hidden alleyways, underground tunnels, and world-famous chocolate, it feels like a grand medieval fortress seamlessly adapted for the modern world.
Getting There from Rome
Reaching Perugia from Rome is straightforward, whether you prefer rail or road:
By Train: Direct regional and Intercity trains run daily from Rome (Termini Station) to Perugia. The journey takes under 3 hours.
By Car: The drive is roughly 110 miles (175 km) via the A1/E35 highway, taking 2 to 2.5 hours depending on Rome traffic. Note: The highway gets a bit windy near the hills, so keep motion sickness remedies handy for sensitive travelers.
By Bus: Direct long-distance coaches (such as FlixBus) run daily, with travel times between 2.5 and 3 hours.
What Makes Perugia Great for Families
1. Layers of Living History
Unlike cities built on flat plains, Perugia is a vertical labyrinth featuring 3,000-year-old Etruscan walls, massive stone arches, and bustling piazzas.
Rocca Paolina: Beneath the surface lies an entire 16th-century subterranean neighborhood preserved under modern streets. Today, public escalators cut through these giant vaulted brick corridors, allowing you to walk through ancient archways that feel straight out of a fantasy film.
Via dell'Acquedotto: Walk along a 13th-century aqueduct converted into a narrow, pedestrian-only footbridge. Floating high above residential alleyways, it provides brilliant views and keeps kids thoroughly entertained.
2. Italy’s Capital of Chocolate
Perugia is world-renowned for its sweet tooth. It is the birthplace of Perugina—the creators of Baci, the iconic foil-wrapped hazelnut chocolates containing hidden love notes.
If you visit in the autumn, the city transforms for Eurochocolate, one of Europe's largest chocolate festivals.
Sandri dal 1860 is a historic and delicious stop that will please the whole family. Enjoy a decadent chocolate milk and pastries. This is no powder chocolate mix; it’s an experience in and of itself.
Planning a trip? Check out our complete Perugia chocolate guide to discover factory tours, tasting rooms, and hands-on workshops for kids.
3. Delicious Food Options
There’s a rich variety of dining options in Perugia that will please the whole family. For the pickiest eaters, opt for Pizzeria Reginella. The pizza here is definitely a huge improvement over most U.S. delivery options, but the dishes are familiar enough to get kids to take a no-thank-you bite and delicious enough to have them reaching for seconds and thirds.
There’s no going wrong with any of the coffee shops here. You’ll love the espresso, and kids are sure to fall in love with the cornetti, a popular Italian crescent-shaped pastry that look and take a whole lot like a French croissant.
We like this Via Rosa guide to the restaurant scene.
Quick Tips for Perugia
Strollers vs. Carriers: Perugia is a steep hill town with endless stairs, cobblestones, and narrow passages. If you have toddlers, a sturdy baby carrier will serve you much better than a stroller.
Public Escalators and Lifts: Map out the scale mobili (public escalators). They cut through the massive elevation gain and make navigating the city manageable for little legs.
Easter Season: The springtime is an extra special time to visit Perugia; find painted eggs around town and pop-up chocolate stories featuring giant chocolate eggs.
