Hertz in Orvieto

Sitting atop a volcanic rock, the city of Orvieto occupies a majestic position in the sumptuous region of Umbria. One of the oldest hill towns in Italy, local life flows over two levels. You’ll find plenty to keep you entertained across both high and lowlands.

Car rental in Orvieto allows you to make the most of your Italian adventure, getting around the town and exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding Umbrian region, too. You’ll find a convenient pick-up location at the rail station in the center of Orvieto.

You can browse our range of available vehicles online and reserve your ideal car before you arrive. There are no hidden fees, and we also

Driving in and around Orvieto

Orvieto is a wonderfully preserved medieval city that holds many secrets. Behind the rustic facades of its peach and honey-colored buildings, you’ll discover cozy eateries, underground tunnels and more.

As with many places in Italy, there are traffic restrictions in place to reduce emissions in central areas. This is called a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) and you’ll see clear signage as you get nearer.

Make sure you don’t drive into a ZTL during the hours stated as you land a fine. Instead park up and head in on foot. If you’re staying within a ZTL, call ahead to let them know you’re arriving by car and they’ll arrange for a temporary permit.

It’s easy to find parking in Orvieto, with parking lots operating on a pay-and-display system. To admire the architectural landscape of the winding hilltop streets, park near the Campo della Fiera on the lower level of the city.

This is one of the main parking lots and is well signposted from the main SR71 highway. You can then hop on the funicular, a type of cable car, to travel up the hill.

Italians drive on the right-hand side, and highways are called autostradas. You’ll notice that major routes have two references, with A referring to national networks (autostrada) and labels beginning with E indicating that it’s also part of a wider European highway.

If you’d like to venture out and explore more of central Italy, Orvieto is a great place to start. Located approximately halfway between the major cities of Florenceand Rome, you can drive to both of these popular destinations on the A1 highway.

Follow the A1/ E35 northbound for two hours to reach Florence and soak up its Renaissance splendor. Steal a couple of days and travel southbound on the A1/ E35 to visit the capital city of Rome, just over an hour-and-a-half away, where Trevi Fountain, Vatican City and a wealth of other UNESCO World Heritage sites await.

A quick guide to Orvieto

An intriguing destination full of history, there’s more to Orvieto than meets the eye. Delve underground, scale viewing towers and seek out theaters tucked away in old monasteries.

Marvel at the cathedral

Italy is renowned for its architectural masterpieces. and Orvieto Cathedral warrants a place among the finest. The gothic exterior of the Duomo di Orvieto is intricately designed, with lavish, painted panels and mosaic detail giving you a taste of the beauty that’s captured inside.

Dating back to 1290, the cathedral deserves a leisurely visit. Give yourself enough time to study the elaborate detailing of the carved facades and the extravagant frescos.

There are several other churches well worth a visit, too. See stunning archways in the Church of San Francesco and Romanesque stone murals in the Church of San Lorenzo de’Arai.

Experience the medieval quarter

This city may be small but its historical significance is arguably the greatest in the whole Umbria region. Enter the old town through the Porta Maggiore, the original doorway into the medieval city. Visit the oldest part of town near San Giovenale – originally built in 1004, it’s the oldest church in the city.

Across the hilltop, you can admire the remains of the excavated Temple of Belvedere near the Pozzo di San Patrizio – St Patrick’s Well. You can also see the fascinating remnants of the Etruscan rock, now taken over by nature.

Visit the Orvieto National Archaeological Museum to see an incredible collection of ancient artefacts. Painting a picture of historical life – from the 9^th century through the Roman era and the Middle Ages – the exhibits include black pottery, wall paintings and excavated stone carvings.

Go underground

Beneath your feet, there’s a secretive side to Orvieto. Delve underground to the epic subterranean city, where 1,200 wells and grottos intertwine in a massive, sprawling network.

Embrace the chance to step back in time through the city’s fascinating Etruscan past, and walk through the Orvieto Caves, a labyrinth of tunnels and caves that stretch back almost 2,500 years.

Visit the Pozzo di San Patrizio well, following 200 steps down the spiral staircase to the bottom. Also known as St Patrick’s Well, this ingenious underground feature was constructed in the 16^th century.

Over the years the caves and wells have continued to help and support the local community, providing protection as bomb shelters during World War II, as well as a cold place to store food and wine. You can take a tour of the museum to learn more about this amazing underground network, found next to the city’s grand cathedral.

Unearth the interesting history of this Italian city and discover more fascinating sights in the surrounding areas with Hertz car rental in Orvieto.