Hertz at Perugia

The historic attractions of the ancient city of Perugia make it one of the most attractive destinations in Umbria. The medieval hilltop city also forms an excellent base to explore the landscapes and sights of the rest of Umbria.

It’s a large, hilly, rural area so having a car is a real bonus if you need to get around. We’ve picked our office locations to help you get into a vehicle and on the road as soon as possible. If you plan to hire a car in Perugia, you’ll see that we’re based at the main railway station in the city itself and at the airport.

We’ve got a great range of cars available and we guarantee there are no hidden charges. It's free to change or cancel your booking up to two days before collection and in the unlikely event that you find Hertz car hire cheaper, we’ll refund the difference.

Driving in and around Perugia

Perugia stands in the middle of Italy and is one of the country’s oldest cities. This makes is wonderful for sightseeing – but introduces a few restrictions for drivers. The steep hill that holds old Perugia is enclosed within pre-Roman city walls. Within these there are various laws preventing driving and parking aimed at preserving the old buildings. Once you’re strolling in the old streets, you’ll appreciate the tranquil atmosphere.

Nevertheless, it’s worth checking what the current restrictions are because Perugia police monitor the entrances to the old city with automatic cameras that issue fines to those without the correct permits.

Usually you can’t drive into this part of the city on any weekday mornings. If you are staying or working within the restricted area your hosts will advise you. Some visitors are able to park within the restricted zone, others may be able to drop luggage.

It’s all part of the unique experience of exploring Perugia. You’ll find that underground parking garages around the perimeter of the hill town offer a series of mini subways, lifts and escalators to whizz you up into the centre on foot anyway.

Away from the centre though, it’s an easy place to drive around. The SS75 trunk road runs through the south of the city and allows you to get to Lake Trasimeno and the A1 motorway to the west and explore the sacred site of Assisi to the east. The SS3 meanwhile runs north to south, going up through the hills to Citta di Castello and down to Terni and ultimately towards Rome.

A quick guide to Perugia

Umbria is Tuscany’s quieter, less touristy neighbour but it’s equally full of wonderful landscapes and beautiful old towns.

Perugia is a fitting capital because it is one of the most attractive and certainly one of the oldest cities. The heart of community is the Centro Storica (old city centre) within the city walls that encircle a steep hill.

Inside the walls this is a maze of cobbled alleys and narrow winding streets, with arches and stairways opening into tiny piazzas and huge palaces. From the top there are inspiring views of the terracotta roofs below and across the Tiber Valley and the rolling landscape of Umbria.

Exploring the historic sights

The whole of the Centro Storico is a sight worth exploring. It’s a charming place to wander through shady squares with fountains and climb well-worn steps under 500-year-old arches to find quirky little churches. But there are few landmarks worth ticking off too.

The National Gallery of Umbria is an art museum where you can gaze at one of Italy’s most prized collections. There’s a lot of art here - it is housed in 40 galleries within the vast medieval Palazzo dei Priori, the former medieval town hall. Try to find the highlights, which include masterpieces by Renaissance stars like Pisano and Della Francesca.

When you step outside don’t miss the Fontana Maggiore, an impressive medieval fountain that serves as one of the symbols of the city.

Across the square is the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. It hasn’t got the prettiest exterior but this simple gothic edifice dates back to 1300. Spot the little pulpit on the wall for priests to preach to people outside in the square. Inside, it’s a different story. You’ll find all sorts of Renaissance treasures to see.

Modern Perugia

Amid all the history, Perugia is also a thriving university city. There are modern suburbs but most students seem to be drawn to the old city after dark, creating a warm atmosphere around the cafes on the pavements and terraces. Look out too for a series of big annual festivals, including a jazz festival in April and a chocolate festival in October.

Away from all the history, fans of Italian fashion shops will find glossy high-end contemporary boutiques lining the main streets.

Access Assisi

It’s less than 30 minutes away by car, so there’s no excuse for not visiting one of Italy’s great landmarks. From the thousands of pictures and figurines in gift shops you’ll soon realise that Assisi is the birthplace of St Francis. There’s still a saintly atmosphere in the picturesque town perching on the side of Monte Subasio. The 800-year-old Franciscan monastery is a dominating landmark but take a stroll and you’ll find historic churches and castles throughout the town.

Lake Trasimeno

Trasimeno is a great destination for a day trip. Just a 40 minute drive to the west of Perugia, one of Italy’s largest lakes is a peaceful place for shoreline walks. The energetic can tackle swimming, volleyball and watersports, while the less energetic can find simple trattorias dotted along the water’s edge and watch them doing it.