Car Hire in Perugia

About Perugia

Perugia is the capital of the Umbria region, located in central Italy. It is a special city, not only because of the turbulent history of this region and the artistic spirit of the city but also because of its location. It is located on a hilltop and besides the hilltop, it also includes some valleys around this high hilltop. The Umbria region is perfectly located for those who want to take a road trip through Italy. You can either choose to stay in the Umbria region itself or expand your plan to the neighbouring regions of Tuscany, Lazio and Marche.

Perugia has a really rich and long past, witnessed by many buildings and other monuments connected with the history of this city. It is one of the most popular college cities in Italy and also a cultural and artistic centre of the country, where many famous artists found inspiration or even lived in Perugia. Today it also hosts many festivals and other cultural events, which makes this unique city even more interesting for Italians and tourists from all over the world.

Perugia is not as popular as other larger cities nearby, such as Florence, Rome and Bologna, but is no less interesting than these cities. Perugia has a lot to offer and thanks to the many students in the city, Perugia is a very lively place with a very lively nightlife and a great cultural offer. You can visit Perugia all year round and you will always find something interesting to see and do. It is important to know that the city is very safe and there have been no security problems for tourists in Perugia.

And of course, when you are in Italy, you must enjoy gastronomy. As in all Italian cities and villages, you can enjoy delicious food. You can combine it with delicious Italian wine or other traditional drinks from this area and last but not least, you should not skip the great Italian desserts (e.g. gelato) and a fine espresso or cappuccino. Moreover, you will be surrounded by wonderful people, as the locals here are known to be very friendly and talkative and will do their best to make your vacation here special.

Basic info and car hire in Perugia

• Location: Umbria region, Italy
• Population: 168,066
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Perugia has a humid subtropical climate    
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Perugia are in good condition.
• Car hire in Perugia:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Perugia is Perugia Airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Perugia!

 Driving in Perugia

If you want to explore this area properly, a rental car is the best solution for you. Driving in the Umbria region is not very demanding and should be a good experience for any driver, all you need is some patience and a plan. There is a modern highway in this region, so you can usually get from one city to another quite quickly, but of course, you can also use the local roads. If you use the local roads, you'll have a better view of the countryside and the small villages surrounding the larger towns, but you'll spend a bit more time driving, so the decision is yours.

What you need to know about Perugia is that the city is located on a hill, so you should be prepared for some hilly roads. When you get to the city centre, it's best to park your car in one of the many parking lots and use public transportation instead of your car. Driving here can be quite exhausting at times, especially when you get to the area with the old, narrow streets that are quite common here. A large part of the city centre is a pedestrian zone, which you cannot enter by car. To preserve the old centre, a traffic restricted zone, the Zona a Traffico Limitato (ZTL), has been established to limit access for cars. The area is monitored by a Sistema Integrato del Traffico Urbano (SITU), which automatically controls cars entering the area from outside and provides information on the number of parking spaces available. Also, you can explore most of the city centre on foot, so you do not need a car to get to the centre of Perugia.

• Age limits: 21 years old-25 for larger vehicles
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passport), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance.   
• Additional requirements: Glasses (in case you need glasses, you must always have a spare pair in the car), light bulbs (are usually already in the car and are provided by the car rental company), warning triangle (2 are required for all vehicles registered in Italy and 1 if coming from abroad), high visibility vest (recently made compulsory)- First aid kit (not compulsory, but we strongly recommend you have it with you, just in case).
• Children in the car: Children up to the age of 10 may only be taken in the back seat and a suitable child seat must be available up to a height of 1.50 meters.
• Driving side of the road: Right hand
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: The speed limit in cities is 50 km/h, although in certain areas the speed limit may be reduced to 30 km/h. Main highways are limited to 130 km/h, non-major highways to 110 km/h, and local roads to 90 km/h.

Popular day trips from Perugia

Thanks to its location, Perugia is a great place from which to make great day trips. Since it is a famous wine region, you can visit many wineries in the countryside. Also, there are some natural parks in Umbria that are worth a visit.

But there are also some great medieval towns that you should not miss when exploring the Umbria region. One of the most beautiful medieval towns here in Orvieto, which you should put on your list. But of course, there are many other hill towns that you should visit and you definitely will not regret it.

Other destinations for a day trip from Perugia: Lago Trasimeno, Assisi, Cannara wine cellar and olive oil tasting, Gubbio,

What to see in Perugia

Perugia is known as a great tourist destination, with all kinds of activities to do and attractions to visit. From stunning architecture that is often a mix of styles and eras to a rich cultural and artistic offering and of course great culinary options. All of this makes Perugia a very welcoming destination for travellers who want to experience real Italy.

For art lovers, a visit to the National Gallery of Umbria should be among the top priorities. This huge gallery is located next to the main square, Piazza IV Novembre, and you can admire a wide selection of paintings by artists from this region. Here are exhibited mainly works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, but you can also admire temporary exhibitions because there is a special part of the gallery with different exhibitions that are constantly changing.

You can also visit many churches here and each of them has its history and unique appearance that you can admire. Probably the most famous church in Perugia is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. This mainly Gothic building houses some famous works of art and is worth a visit. Outside the city centre, you can visit another church that is very different from the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo. This modest church is also a must-see in Perugia, as it is a counterpart to the rich and ornate cathedral.

For those in good shape and willing to climb 232 steps, the Sciri Tower is a place to visit. It is part of the ancient city walls and was primarily used to defend the city. There are many stories and myths associated with this tower and the locals will be happy to tell you some of these stories. From here you can enjoy the view of the city and also the great surroundings of Perugia.

The city was supplied with water thanks to the great aqueduct Via dell'Acquedotto, which is four kilometres long. Today it is mainly used as a walkway, but in the past, it supplied the fountain of Piazza IV Novembre with water from the hill.

Piazza IV Novembre is the heart of the city of Perugia. This is the liveliest part of the city with many bars, cafes and restaurants and of course the main attraction of the square, the Fontana Maggiore. You should take your time and relax a bit in this square.

Other things to see and do in Perugia:

Admire the Palazzo dei Priori, take a boat trip to the islands in Lake Trasimeno, watch the sunset from the Giardini Carducci, visit the Oratorio di San Bernardino, go to the Museo Archeologico, visit the chocolate factory in Perugia...

Drive your rental car beyond Perugia

When in Perugia, you have a great opportunity to explore the Umbria region or the other regions in the area. Perugia is located in central Italy, making it an ideal place to explore this wonderful and diverse land. If you have decided to stay in the Umbria region and make a road trip through this area, one of the activities you should put on your wish list is undoubtedly truffle hunting. This region is famous for its truffles and truffle hunting is truly a unique experience. In the countryside you will find many experts in the search for these "black diamonds" and besides truffle hunting, you can also learn a lot about the history of the region and the daily life of the locals.

The Marmore Waterfalls are another sight not to be missed when travelling through the Umbria region. These are the largest man-made waterfalls in the world and the second-largest waterfalls in Italy. These amazing waterfalls were created by the Romans who wanted to divert the Velino River to use more fertile land. For this reason, the Marmore Waterfalls are one of the most visited attractions in this region.

For people who prefer a more active vacation, there are many activities here, for example, rafting on the Nera River, biking in nature, visiting the Monte Cucco Regional Park, a side trip to San Pietro

But of course, Italy is so much more than the Umbria region. There are so many places to visit in Italy that you need to make a good plan if you decide to take a road trip through Italy. Italy is a very diverse country with a lot to see and do. But one thing is for sure, there is something for every kind of tourist here. Italy is known for its fantastic beaches, amazing cities, a large number of historical, religious and cultural monuments, great gastronomy, volcanic islands, the Alps, the Mediterranean Sea, wonderful lakes and rivers, breathtaking landscapes, etc.

The capital is Rome, which of course is a must-see. It is known as one of the most iconic cities in the world and certainly, the city most talked about in the history of mankind. Travelling from the north to the south of the country, you can experience so many different landscapes, people, cultures, cities and traditions that make Italy a special place. If we then add the truly rich and turbulent past of this boot-shaped country, there is no doubt that you should visit Italy at least once in your life.

If you prefer winter and winter sports, then you should go to the Dolomites, because there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world, such as Cortina d'Ampezzo. However, if you are more interested in history, you should visit Pompei and other cities in the south of the country.

Where to eat, drink, and party in Perugia

Like everywhere in Italy, the culinary offer in Perugia is an amazing experience. In Italy, it's not just what you eat, but how you eat. The cuisine here allows you to truly enjoy the food. Local ingredients and fantastic recipes are the main reason for the great gastronomic experience you will have here in Perugia. Truffles are one of the most important ingredients in the local cuisine and you can enjoy these "black diamonds" in all kinds of dishes with many different ways of preparation.

Besides truffles, you should also try strangozzi (a kind of square spaghetti), spelt/farro and sheep's cheese.

Of course, we can not forget the great wine from this region. There are many wineries you can visit and each of them has its program. You can participate in extraordinary wine routes, taste the delicious local wine and combine it with some local delicacies.

Best restaurant in Perugia

Al Tartufo

Piada & Delizie

Passatempo BBQ

Avverso Ristorante

Ristorante Il Giurista

Pinseria Hamburgheria Torre Degli Sciri