Orvieto packs an extraordinary amount of history into its compact hilltop centre. The city was a major Etruscan settlement (Velzna) from the 8th century BC, then a papal refuge in the Middle Ages. Today, the main things to do in Orvieto centre on the Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece, and the labyrinth of 1,200-plus caves beneath the streets. Most attractions sit within a 10-minute walk of Piazza del Duomo. Here are the essential things to do in Orvieto, with practical details for each. See also our Orvieto weather by month for more information.
Things to Do in Orvieto: Landmarks and Monuments
Duomo di Orvieto (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta)
The Duomo dominates Orvieto both physically and culturally. Construction began in 1290 under Pope Nicholas IV and continued for three centuries. The facade is a wall of gold mosaics, carved marble, and bronze doors by Emilio Greco. Inside, Luca Signorelli’s fresco cycle of the Last Judgment (1499 to 1504) in the San Brizio Chapel influenced Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. The Corporal of Bolsena, a blood-stained altar cloth from a 1263 miracle, is kept in the Cappella del Corporale. Tickets cost €5 for the full complex (cathedral, Museo Emilio Greco, and underground chambers), or €9 including the Museo Claudio Faina across the piazza. Open Monday to Saturday 09:30 to 17:00 (November to February), 09:30 to 18:00 (March to October); Sundays 13:00 to 17:00. The ticket office is at Piazza Duomo 25. See also our best time to visit Orvieto for more information.
Pozzo di San Patrizio (St. Patrick’s Well)
Commissioned by Pope Clement VII in 1527, this 62-metre-deep well was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger as a water supply for the fortress above. Its defining feature is the double-helix staircase: two spiral ramps that never intersect, allowing mules to descend one side with empty barrels and ascend the other fully loaded without colliding. There are 248 steps down and 248 back up. The 72 windows cut into the central shaft create a cool, cathedral-like light. Tickets cost €5 (reduced €3.50). Open daily 09:00 to 19:00 (April to September), 10:00 to 17:00 (October to March). Located at Viale Sangallo, a 5-minute walk from the funicular station. See also our Orvieto events and festivals for more information.
Torre del Moro
This 47-metre clock tower at the intersection of Corso Cavour and Via del Duomo offers the best panoramic view of Orvieto. Climb 236 steps to a terrace that looks north across Umbrian hills, south toward Lake Bolsena, and straight down onto the Duomo’s roof. The tower dates from the 13th century and served as a civic watchtower. Ticket: €3. Open daily 10:00 to 19:00 (April to September), 10:30 to 16:30 (October to March). The tower faces the Church of Sant’Andrea, whose 12th-century bell tower is another landmark. See also our best neighborhoods in Orvieto for more information.
Things to Do in Orvieto: Underground and Archaeology
Orvieto Underground
Beneath Orvieto’s streets, a network of more than 1,200 man-made cavities stretches through the tuff rock. These were excavated by Etruscans, Romans, and medieval residents for wells, storage, olive presses, dovecotes (for raising pigeons as food), and bomb shelters during WWII. The guided tour covers two main caves and lasts about 1 hour. You will see an intact medieval olive press, Etruscan cisterns, and walls scarred with pickaxe marks. Tickets cost €7 (reduced €5). Tours run daily at 11:00, 12:15, 16:00, and 17:15 (more frequent in high season). The entrance is at Piazza Duomo 23, next to the tourist office. Temperature underground is a constant 15°C (59°F), so bring a light jacket even in summer. See also our where to stay in Orvieto for more information.
Necropoli Etrusca di Crocifisso del Tufo
This Etruscan necropolis on the northern edge of the cliff dates from the 6th to 3rd centuries BC. The tombs are arranged in a grid pattern of streets, each chamber built from tuff blocks and marked with the family name carved into the lintel. The site museum (Antiquarium) displays funerary objects found during excavation: pottery, bronze mirrors, and jewellery. As of late 2025, parts of the site are closed for accessibility renovations; check the current status at the tourist office in Piazza Duomo. Entry is €4 when fully open. Located on Via Volsinia, a 15-minute walk from Piazza della Repubblica. See also our Orvieto travel tips for more information.
Things to Do in Orvieto: Food, Wine and Walking
Orvieto Classico Wine Tasting
Orvieto Classico is a crisp white wine made primarily from Trebbiano and Grechetto grapes grown on the tuff-rich slopes around the city. The DOC zone covers 1,480 hectares across the municipalities of Orvieto, Castiglione in Teverina, and surrounding towns. Several cantinas in the historic centre offer tastings: Cantina Foresi (Piazza Duomo 2) charges €10 to 15 for a flight of 3 to 4 wines with local cheese and salumi. Enoteca Regionale dell’Umbria (Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo) stocks over 200 Umbrian labels and pours by the glass from €4. For a deeper dive, book a tour at Decugnano dei Barbi (10 km south), a family-run winery that also produces a sparkling metodo classico. See also our Orvieto travel guide for more information.
Walk the Rupe (Cliff Edge Ring)
A roughly 5 km walking loop traces the edge of the tuff cliff around the entire city. Start from the Fortezza Albornoz near the funicular station and follow Via della Cava clockwise. The path alternates between paved lanes behind houses and gravel sections with open views. You will pass the Porta Romana, the Etruscan temple remains at Belvedere, and the medieval aqueduct arches on the south side. The full loop takes 90 minutes to 2 hours at a leisurely pace. Wear sturdy shoes: some sections are uneven. Best in early morning or late afternoon when the low sun lights the valley. Free, open year-round.
