Perugia
Urban RiverfrontPerugia sits atop a hill in Umbria, Italy's landlocked heart, commanding views across rolling countryside from its medieval walls. The city has been a major center since Etruscan times—one of the twelve great Etruscan cities—and that layered history shows everywhere: Roman gates stand beside Renaissance palaces, underground passages connect ancient streets, and the Palazzo dei Priori dominates the central piazza with austere Gothic power. The Perugini are known for their independence and civic pride; the city resisted papal control for centuries and maintains a distinct identity within Italy. Today it's a university town with genuine student life, not a museum piece. The Corso Vannucci, the main pedestrian street, pulses with locals grabbing espresso and catching up, while side streets reveal workshops, galleries, and trattorias where regulars have sat for decades. Perugia is also famous for chocolate—Perugina and other makers have deep roots here—and hosts the Eurochocolate festival each October. The surrounding Umbrian landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and small hilltop towns makes it a natural base for exploring the region.
Italian For A WhileConnect
Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Italian For A WhileBecome ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
Keep reading. It is free.
Sign in to read the rest of this guide.