The best time to visit Assisi
Spring and early autumn for walking, and around 4 October the town is full of pilgrims.
- Best
- spring and early autumn
- Busiest
- Around 4 October
- Summer
- Hot and muggy in the valley
Assisi is easiest to visit in spring and early autumn, when walking needs no shade. The exception is around 4 October, the Feast of St Francis, patron saint of Italy, when the town is packed with pilgrims.
Spring and early autumn: walking without strain
In spring and early autumn the loop from the basilica to the Rocca Maggiore can be walked without a break for the heat, and the climb to the fortress needs no shade. The hours of the Rocca Maggiore change by month (Mar, Apr, May, Oct 10–18; Jun–Aug 10–20; Sep 10–19; Nov–Feb 10–17).
If you only pick one month — May. Temperature is the mean over the whole day (not the daily high), and a rainy day has at least 1 mm of rain; averages for 2021–2024.
The pilgrim feast
The Feast of St Francis, patron saint of Italy, falls on 4 October, and the crowd around the basilicas is bigger than at any other time of year. If you come then, expect queues and a full town; if you are not coming for the feast, pick another day that autumn.
Muggy in the valley
Summer is hot and muggy, and you feel it most in the valley, where Santa Maria degli Angeli is. Longer hours help: the Basilica of St Francis is open summer: lower basilica 6–18.30, upper 8.30–18.45 (Sun/holidays 13–18.45); winter: lower 6–18.30, upper 8.30–17.45, and the Rocca Maggiore stays open later than in the other months. Leave the Eremo and the valley for the morning and the basilicas for the middle of the day.
Shorter hours
In winter the hours shrink: the upper basilica closes earlier than in summer, and the Rocca Maggiore runs shorter (Mar, Apr, May, Oct 10–18; Jun–Aug 10–20; Sep 10–19; Nov–Feb 10–17). Start the day earlier.
- In spring and early autumn, pick days other than 4 October.
- In summer, leave the Eremo and the valley for the morning and the basilicas for the middle of the day.
- In winter, start earlier: the basilicas and the fortress close earlier.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
When is the best time to visit Assisi?
Spring and early autumn, when walking is easiest. Around 4 October, the Feast of St Francis, the town is full of pilgrims.
What is 4 October in Assisi?
The Feast of St Francis, patron saint of Italy. The town is packed with pilgrims, so queues around the basilicas are the longest of the year.
Is summer in Assisi bearable?
Yes, with the Eremo and the valley in the morning and the basilicas in the middle of the day. The heat is worst in the valley.
Ready for Assisi?
Where to next
Assisi in 2 days
→Day one for the four main sights of the centre, day two for the Eremo delle Carceri and the valley — in the…
Val d'Orcia · 83 km
→Five small towns and the vineyards between them, seen only from a car
How well does Assisi suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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