A house in Umbria could be in a Medieval village, by a lake or in beautiful green countryside. Even farmhouses and homes in hilltop villages can be easy to reach from the airport and are considerably more affordable than in nearby Tuscany.
For this article we are focusing only on those areas with property in Umbria no more than 45 minutes from the airport.
Umbria’s Hills and valleys, mountains and plains boast a variety of natural and man-made attractions. As well as, vineyards and oak forests, there are chestnut trees and truffles to discover. One of the highlights are The Marmore Falls (Cascata delle Marmore), which are the highest man-crafted waterfalls in the world.
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Umbria is the “Green Heart of Italy”, where you breath fresh clean air on one of its many countryside, mountain or nature park trails. Such as, the hike from Assisi to the nearby historic town of Spello. This route takes in the breathtaking views of the forests and countryside from Monte Subasio. Enroute you will see natural springs and the gorges of the Marchetto Canyon.
Spello
Both Assisi and Spello are less than 20 minutes’ drive from Umbria airport, making this a great area to buy property. Spello has the official designation of one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”. (I Borghi piu belli d’Italia). It boasts an interesting combination of Medieval and Roman architecture. You’ll discover ancient stone houses and craft shops on winding alleyways. But then, there are also sights to spot from the Roman era, such as parts of the city walls, the remains of the theatre, the baths and amazing stone gateways. A highlight is a beautifully preserved mosaic floor, now housed in the art museum.
Spello in the mist
Check out these properties:
- Two bedroom stone property in Spello’s Historic Centre €280,000
- A 16th century estate near Assisi
Umbria Mountains
There are over a thousand mountains in Umbria. The most prominent being Monte Cucco. However, one of the most popular mountains to walk up is Monte Tezio, Which is north of Perugia city. A circular walk takes about two hours and offers amazing views of the surrounding Umbrian countryside.
If you don’t want to climb a mountain, you can still enjoy amazing views of the Apennines from the Funivia Colle Eletto (small cage cable car) that departs from the town of Gubbio.
The mountain side here is also a must see at Christmas, as it is covered in thousands of lights in the shape of a Christmas tree. With a base of 450 metres and a height of 750 metres, the Christmas tree of Gubbio is entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest Christmas tree in the world.
Gubbio
Gubbio is a medieval town with architecture from many periods of history. The cathedral boasts 16th-century paintings and a Baroque chapel, while the civic museum is located within a Gothic palace with crenelations and arched windows. In addition, there are also the remains of a Roman theatre.
The Roman theatre was completed by the magistrate Gnaeus Satrio Rufus around 20 BC. It was built with large limestone blocks worked in rustic ashlar, which is stone blocks that sit tight together, while the face is chipped rustically textured.
Gubbio has a population of around 33,000, and has everything you need for year-round living. Located in the far northeast of the province of Perugia, Gubbio is nestled on the lower slope of Mount Ingino. There are three scenic road routes from Umbria airport to Gubbio, the quickest takes just 35 minutes. Gubbio is also 1 hour from Ancona airport and the sea.
Properties for sale: A historic house in village near Gubbio, for €450,000
Lake Trasimeno
Heading west from Umbria airport you will reach Lake Trasimeno in about 25 minutes. Lake Trasimeno is a natural paradise for wildlife, such as ducks, cormorants, kites and kingfishers. The surrounding area includes woods, olive groves, and sun flower fields. Plus, there are castles and fortresses to explore.
Peaceful activities on and around the lake include, boating, fishing, swimming, walking, horse riding and cycling. Or you can hop on a ferry to the island of Maggiore. Special events, include the Trasimeno Music Festival, Trasimeno Blues, and food events. One of Italy’s most prestigious golf courses, The Lamborghini Golf Club, is also nearby.
There are several municipalities around Lake Trasimeno. These include the charming towns and villages of Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, Monte del Lago, Panicale, Passignano sul Trasimeno and Castel Rigone. All around the area you will find lovely stone houses for sale. In fact, singer Ed Sheeran chose to buy a farmhouse in Paciano.
Castiglione del Lago – by Lake Trasimeno
Castiglione del Lago is 45 minutes’ drive from Umbria airport and has over 15,000 inhabitants. The town is built on a limestone spur that plunges directly into Lake Trasimeno, forming a small peninsula. It is considered the most important village overlooking Lake Trasimeno, and is listed as one of “the most beautiful villages in Italy”.
Castiglione del Lago has a beautiful lakeside promenade full of bars and restaurants and a green park. The historic centre is at the upper part of the town, accessed through gateways in the medieval walls.
Once inside the walls, a walk along Via Vittorio Emanuele, passes restaurants, and shops where you can taste and buy typical products. A highlight of the year is the Tulip Festival in April, when floats completely covered in tulips can be seen parading through the streets.
If you are looking for a farm house, then this is great area to look. Your Overseas Home currently have some beautiful examples of farm houses for sale near Castiglione del Lago. As well as large individual properties, some have been split into smaller units with shared pools and gardens. This makes them ideal as a holiday home.
Part of a building with own garden and shared pool €350,000
https://www.youroverseashome.com/property-for-sale/italy/property-detail/692068/?maxPrice=450000
Monte del Lago – by Lake Trasimeno.
On a promontory on the opposite side of the lake is the small village of Monte del Lago. It is conveniently located just 30 minutes drive from Umbria airport and 25 minutes from the city centre of Perugia. The village is entirely surrounded by walls, with a steep pedestrianised road through the centre. Along this street there are beautiful stone buildings and the lake opens up in front of you, like a painting.
While the village itself is small and has less than 200 inhabitants, there are some lovely houses in the vicinity and you are surrounded by beautiful countryside. Zocco beach is just along the shoreline and for shopping you can visit the town of Magione, which has a train station.
A home near the lake, in Monte del Lago, Magione in village €230,000
Festivals and events in Umbria
Being in an area with popular festivals and events can add value to your home in Italy, especially if you’re willing to rent it out. The region stands out for its unique and immensely popular festivals.
If you plan on renting out your house in Umbria, you can do well when a big festival is on in town. One event not to be missed is the Perugia Eurochocolate exhibition in October. The annual event is entirely dedicated to the culture of chocolate, and is a dream for chocolate lovers.
The Cascata delle Marmore (Marmore Falls)
Umbria Jazz
Umbria Jazz, is one of the most important jazz festivals in the world, held in Perugia in July and in other Umbrian cities in November and December. It welcomes thousands of music fans from all over the world.
Gubbio’s Ceri Festival
On 15th of May each year is the Ceri Festival in Gubbio, in which three wooden structures with statues of the patron saints are carried in a race around the town and up the hill to the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo. It is the cheers from the thousands of spectators that keep the runners going.
Large numbers also flood the town of Spoleto for the Festival Dei Due Mondi, which runs for around 20 days between June and July. In Spoleto you can find apartments, luxury villas and farm houses for sale. Currently accommodation facilities in Spoleto for two people are charging anything from €450 up to over €1,000 per week, for two people in July.
Spoleto
Although Spoleto is 55km from Umbria airport, due to a good road link it is only a 40-minute drive. It’s a town rich in art and history, including a cathedral, the Albornozian fortress, a roman aqueduct and a roman theatre. As well as the historic parts there are newer residential, industrial and commercial areas close by, that include a hospital, shopping centre, and train station.
Perugia
Even when you live in a village or farm house in Umbria, it is reassuring to know there is a city nearby for emergencies, shopping and sightseeing. The capital of the Umbria region is Perugia, which is a lively city with thriving businesses. It has a young vibe, thanks to the two historic universities, the University of Perugia founded in 1308 and the University for Foreigners. It’s is a great place for young people and families as it is safe, and there is plenty to interest them. Such as, the Mirabassi Museum of Puppets, the museum of games and toys and the adventure park in Ponte Felcino.
The historic centre of Umbria’s capital is still like a 14th-century village, and is one of the most beautiful in Italy. Highlights of a visit to Perugia include spending time in Piazza IV Novembre with its Maggiore Fountain, Palazzo dei Priori and the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. Then there is the Perugia aqueduct and the irresistible Chocolate House to visit.
Flights to Umbria
Aeroporto dell’Umbria “S. Francesco d’Assisi” is the main arrival point for anyone travelling to Umbria, lower Tuscany and some of the provinces of Marche and Lazio. It is easily accessible thanks to being close to major roads towards Siena, Ravenna, Ancona, Assisi and Rome.
There is a large car park in front of the main entrance of the airport, and many car rental companies are located inside the terminal. In fact, from here it’s possible to drive to Siena in 1 hour 20 minutes, Ancona in 1 hour 15 minutes, and Rome in about two and a quarter hours.
The airport is served by several airlines which operate scheduled connections to national and international destinations. Some are year-round, and others are summer only. From the UK there are flights with Ryanair from Stansted and BA from Heathrow. Other great destinations include Cagliari, Olbia, Brindisi, Palermo, Malta, Barcellona, Vienna, Bruxelles and Rotterdam.
Towns near Umbria Airport.
Most visitors want to drive no more than 45 minutes to reach their holiday accommodation in Umbria. The regional airport is located between Perugia city and Assisi and you can drive to either town in about 20 minutes.
Other big towns within an hours drive include Corciano (25 minutes), Foligno (25 minutes), Magione (30 mins), Marsciano (30 mins), Umbertide (26 mins), Gubbio (37 mins), Todi (40 mins), Castiglione del Lago (45 mins), and Spoleto (40 mins),
Houses in Umbria with an income
Deciding to purchase property in Umbria, allows you to participate in the area’s economic development and reap the benefits of increasing tourism.
Buying an Umbrian house, to set up a hospitality business, or even just to offer holiday rental, holds a lot of potential. In July 2023, Umbria had an increase in tourist arrivals of 2.6% compared to the same month in 2022, and a positive change of 13.2% compared to 2019.
Read more about making money from agri-tourism businesses in Italy here.
Country homes in Umbria
Farmhouses may be referred to as “casale”, “case coloniche” or even “cascine”, on Italian websites. These countryside properties are the most popular type of house for sale in Umbria. Built in local stone and featuring character features such as fireplaces, stone courtyards, large gardens and land.
Some of the larger houses in Umbria have been renovated and split into smaller units with shared pools and gardens, making them ideal for holidays. As well as traditional village houses, the region’s towns and villages also have apartments, and prestigious houses with frescoes. Property prices in general start at around €110,000.
Property prices in Perugia
The price for a house in Umbria compares well with neighbouring Tuscany, although the popularity of Perugia is reflected in its property prices. According to one of Italy’s leading property portals, in August 2023 the average price of a residential property in Perugia municipality was €1,169 per m², compared to €1,119 per /m² across the whole region.
Umbria is made up of only two provinces, Perugia and Terni. As Perugia province is home to the regional capital, Umbria International airport and is near Tuscany it attracts the most interest. To see more properties for sale in Umbria, visit Your Overseas Home.
