Spoleto
A dramatic hill town spanning a gorge, with a world-famous arts festival and Lombard treasures.
About Spoleto
Spoleto rises dramatically above the Umbrian plain, its medieval streets climbing to a fortress connected to the opposite hillside by the Ponte delle Torri—a breathtaking 80-metre-high aqueduct bridge spanning a forested gorge. The town has been a cultural powerhouse since 1958, when composer Gian Carlo Menotti founded the Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds), which every June-July fills Spoleto with world-class opera, theatre, dance, and art. Beyond festival season, Spoleto rewards with Lombard-era churches (including the Basilica di San Salvatore, a UNESCO site), a beautiful Romanesque cathedral with Fra Filippo Lippi frescoes, and atmospheric streets that combine medieval grandeur with daily Italian life.
Best Time to Visit
June to July for the Festival dei Due Mondi. April to October for pleasant exploring. The forested gorge walk is spectacular in autumn colours.
Local Tips
- Walk across the Ponte delle Torri.
This 230-metre medieval aqueduct bridge spans a dramatic gorge at 80 metres high. A local will walk you across and continue on the panoramic trail through the forest to the hermitage on the other side.
- Attend a Festival event.
The Festival dei Due Mondi stages world premieres in extraordinary venues—from the Roman theatre to the Duomo piazza. A local will navigate the programme and find the intimate performances alongside the blockbusters.
- See the Lombard basilica.
The Basilica di San Salvatore, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most important early Christian churches in Italy. A local can explain its Lombard architecture and combine it with the church of San Ponziano nearby.
(the local lens)
Meet the Local Experts
Your on-the-ground insiders . The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Manuela
Palermo, Florence +13
0.0(0 reviews)Born and raised in Rome, with family roots in Sardinia, I developed a deep appreciation for Italy’s regional diversity and cultural identity from an early age. For years, I have accompanied my guests across Italy, gaining hands-on knowledge of the country’s landscapes, traditions, and local communities. My approach is rooted in authenticity, meaningful connections, and a true understanding of how Italy works beyond the surface.
Eleonora
Palermo, Syracuse +10
0.0(0 reviews)Hello, I’m Eleonora. I was born in Tuscany, just outside Florence, where growing up surrounded by history, shaped my curiosity and love for art. I studied Art History at the University of Florence, specializing in the Renaissance. I began guiding students early on, and it was there that I developed a passion for storytelling — because there is nothing more challenging than engaging teenagers and young adults. I later expanded my focus to the broader history of Italy, leading groups throughout the country, from Venice to Sicily. Eventually, I moved to Rome, where I now work as an expert tour guide, leading visits to the city’s most iconic sites, including the Vatican and the Colosseum, as well as off the beaten path, to some of its hidden gems. In my free time I love to drive around Italy to its myriad hilltop medieval towns, where each one is a new discovery, both architectural and natural and also, of course, culinary! Over the years, many travelers have asked me for advice and suggestions to help plan the rest of their itineraries. That is why I’m happy to connect with you even before your trip begins, sharing my insights and helping you make the most of your time in Italy.