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Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi

Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi: Our most recommended tours and activities

Assisi 3-Hour Small Group Tour & St. Francis Basilica Visit

1. Assisi 3-Hour Small Group Tour & St. Francis Basilica Visit

Explore Assisi on a 3-hour walking tour with a guide who will tell you about the history, art, and local traditions of one of the most famous hill towns of Italy. Meet your guide and head to the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater, which was later put to use in the Middle Ages as a quarry for stone to build local houses. See how the amphitheater later was turned into a private neighborhood. From this vantage point, the view of the Rocca Maggiore medieval castle is one of the best in the city. Continuing along narrow alleys and through medieval squares you’ll reach the Cathedral of Saint Rufino Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Claire, and Piazza del Comune, the main city square. At the square you’ll see the Minerva temple, one of the best-preserved Roman temples in Italy. It is surrounded by imposing medieval government buildings. The tour then continues on to the Saint Francis Basilica, which is well known for its 13th and 14th-century frescoes created by Italian masters of the time, including Giotto.

Assisi: 3-Hour Private Walking Tour and St. Francis Basilica

2. Assisi: 3-Hour Private Walking Tour and St. Francis Basilica

Explore the birthplace of St. Francis on this private guided walking tour of the historic city, and learn more about one of Italy’s most famous patron saints. Explore the oldest part of the city to admire Roman ruins that have been perfectly integrated into medieval houses, and are still lived in by locals. Go to Assisi Cathedral, dedicated to Rufinus of Assisi, and see the ancient stratifications of the church where Francis was baptized. Then, go to the Basilica of Saint Francis, the sumptuously decorated 13th-century double church built in his honor. Take an interactive and immersive guided tour of the church and the life of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan religious order, which will be anything but dry and dusty.

From Florence: Assisi and Cortona Full-Day Guided Tour

3. From Florence: Assisi and Cortona Full-Day Guided Tour

Head out from Florence into the rolling green hills of Tuscany and Umbria to discover the architectural jewels of Assisi and Cortona. Your 11-hour tour begins in Assisi, the home of San Francesco. Your guide will lead you along the narrow, winding streets of the medieval town as you learn about its history. Inside the Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi you’ll admire Giotto’s frescos of the life of San Francesco and discover why this is such an important pilgrimage site. See the interior of the Basilica of Santa Chiara, dedicated to a follower of San Francesco. Afterwards you’ll have free time for a stroll around this mystical city. Your tour will then continue with a visit to Santa Maria degli Angeli Church, the birthplace of the Franciscan Order. Cross back into Tuscany to the town of Cortona, built by the Etruscans, and noted for its architectural wonders and panoramic views over the surrounding landscape. Cortona is also well known as the setting for the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun.

Assisi & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

4. Assisi & Orvieto Day Trip from Rome

Escape Italy's busy capital for one day on this trip to Assisi and the Umbrian hill town Orvieto. On this tour, you will unveil the religious architecture of Umbria (such as the famous Cathedral of Orvieto) and discover the wines and local products of Tuscany. Leaving Rome in a northerly direction and driving along the Tiber Valley, reach Orvieto as your first stop, a small town of Etruscan origins where you will stop to admire the magnificent 14th century cathedral, a masterpiece of gothic architecture. The tour continues through the green Tuscan Hills covered in olive groves and vineyards. This is the land of some of Italy’s best known D.O.C. (quality controlled) wines, which include Orvieto, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcin. You will then have a further stop, where you will taste some local wines and other typical Umbrian and Tuscan products. Afterwards, enjoy lunch, consisting of traditional local dishes. In the early afternoon you will continue your journey and drive along the shores of Lake Trasimeno. Finally, reach Assisi, which is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. Assisi is famous for being St. Francis' birthplace. You will see the Church of St. Claire*, St Francis’ birthplace and his childhood home, the Townhall Square. Around the Townhall Square, you will see the People’s Palace and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. One highlight of the tour will be the visit of St Francis’ Basilica, located close to the ancient city walls, with its magnificent frescoes painted between the 12th and 14th centuries. You will reach Rome around 19:30/20:00, where you will be dropped-off in the vicinity of your hotel.

Best of Italy: 5-Day Escorted Tour from Rome

5. Best of Italy: 5-Day Escorted Tour from Rome

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a spritz or Prosecco with your guide to cap off a day of discovery. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

Assisi: Walking Tour with Basilica of Saint Francis Ticket

6. Assisi: Walking Tour with Basilica of Saint Francis Ticket

Explore the rich culture and history of Assisi, the birthplace of one of Italy's most famous patron saints, Saint Francis, on a guided walking tour. Along your way, marvel at long-standing Roman ruins and admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi up close. Walk through the town's oldest quarters, marveling at the ruins of the Roman amphitheater that still stand strong today. These ruins are perfectly integrated between the medieval houses that are still inhabited by locals today. Then, admire the city from a different vantage point from the medieval Rocca Maggiore. Afterwards, stroll through the town to visit the Cathedral of San Rufino. Here, learn about Saint Francis' baptismal in the cathedral and take your time walking under its impressive and historic arches. Next, see the Basilica of Santa Chiara and the Piazza del Comune, which is the main square of the city. Here you can admire the Temple of Minerva, one of the best preserved Roman temples in Italy, surrounded by some impressive medieval government buildings. Finally, walk through the splendid Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi with your guide. Perched atop a hill overlooking the surrounding landscape, the basilica's many archways, open squares, and stunning 13th and 14th-century frescoes will stay imprinted in your mind.

Assisi: St. Francis Basilica Smartphone Audio Guide

7. Assisi: St. Francis Basilica Smartphone Audio Guide

Download an informative audio guide to explore Assisi’s most famous site. Discover everything about the Upper and Lower Basilica, the House of the Tomb, as well as the crypt of St. Francis. Learn all about the masterpieces contained within including pieces by Cimabue and Giotto, and frescoes by Giotto. Learn fascinating stories about the façade of the upper Basilica, with its large portal with double doors and a large rose window framed with symbols of the evangelists that dominate Assisi’s skyline. Interestingly, this façade does not rest on the walls of the lower Basilica and did not suffer any damage as a result of the 1997 earthquake which caused extensive damage inside, destroying artworks by Giotto and Cimabue which have to date been only partially, albeit masterfully, restored. With this audioguide, you will discover the most fascinating masterpieces Cimabue, Giotto, Pietro Cavallini, Jacopo Torriti were involved with and at a later time also the Sienese painter Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti. Once inside, you will be able to see frescoes by Giotto, considered to be one of the most important painters of the Middle Ages and the inventor of perspective. Please note that the Basilica is free to visit. This experience isn't a ticket entrance, but a digital audio guide so you can learn and appreciate all the masterpieces inside one of the most magnificent Churches in the world.

Assisi: Private Guided Tour of the Basilica of Saint Francis

8. Assisi: Private Guided Tour of the Basilica of Saint Francis

The Basilica of Saint Francis is the most-renowned church of Assisi, a breathtaking masterpiece of medieval art and architecture. Discover the secrets of Saint Francis, who lived the high-spirited life typical of a wealthy young man until he had a mystical vision of Jesus Christ, and decided to dedicate his whole existence to the poor and sick people. Admire the marvellous frescoes painted by Giotto, father of modern realistic art, "the most sovereign master of painting in his time”. Visit the Upper Church, slender and bright thanks to its Gothic style and the colorful glass windows, and the Lower Church, where the mortal remains of Saint Francis are preserved among amazing frescoes by the greatest Italian artists of the Middle Ages, like Cimabue and Simone Martini.

Assisi: Basilica of Saint Francis Tour

9. Assisi: Basilica of Saint Francis Tour

You will start your visit from the lower floor by entering the tomb of Saint Francis and then you will keep exploring the church in the altar area where the frescoes about the life of Jesus are located. See the friary cloister. The upper church at the end will make you know the life of Saint Francis through the famous cycle of paintings decorating the church’s side walls. The Basilica of Saint Francis is a bilevel 13th century building which preserves the tomb of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most beloved saints in the world. This grandiose gorgeously embellished church also preserves frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti and other well-known medieval painters of Italy. Indeed, it is one of the most focal points of both art and spirituality. This church is a powerful place for believers and art lovers alike.

Guided Tour Assisi: with Saint Francis Basilica

10. Guided Tour Assisi: with Saint Francis Basilica

It's not all about St Francis on this guided tour on foot. Assisi is the most popular town of central Italy, where pilgrims and tourists arrive every year from all over the world. Realize that Assisi is an amazing site with an ancient history that goes far beyond Saint Francis, however. The tour stars from the main square Piazza del Comune and continues to Chiesa Nuova, St. Clare Basilica, and St. Rufino, which is the cathedral of Assisi. During this tour you will discover that Assisi was a shrine town many centuries before St. Francis. The tour will continue to St. Francis Basilica, a massive, 2-level church, consecrated in 1253. Admire the 13th-century frescoes inside, portraying the life of St. Francis. These frescoes have been attributed to such artists as Giotto and Cimabue. Tours are bilingual and conducted in Italian and English.

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What people are saying about Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 360 reviews

Excellent walking tour with our guide Alessandra. Alessandra was extremely knowledgeable, helpfully flexible with our tour start time when we had public transport delays, and provided an overall first class tour for us. I cannot recommend this tour enough - take it when you visit Assisi, it is enjoyable, good value, you will learn a lot, and the tour price you pay will feel money well spent

Everything beautiful!!! The guides super. The driver too! Assisi and Orvieto speechless. Enjoy everything very much. I recommend it without hesitation

An absolutely fabulous tour with a knowledgeable guide who made it interesting for both the adults and kids in our small group

I really enjoyed the tour, but Assisi is far superior to Orviedo, having far more interesting sights and history.

Great experience! He made us enjoy the beauty of Assisi with competence and sympathy.