Is Tuscany Better than Umbria?

I don’t think that anyone would argue that Tuscany isn’t the most well known of these two Italian regions. Tuscany attracts 7 times more visitors than Umbria each year. And, when it comes to foreign visitors, Florence is the 4th most visited city in Italy. Surprisingly. there isn’t even a city in Umbria that features in this list’s top 40! If you ask someone to name a city in Tuscany, they would probably rattle off a few suggestions quite easily – Florence, Siena, Pisa – but I’m not sure the same would be true for its neighbour, Umbria.

Tuscany’s popularity is not a recent phenomenon either. As far back as the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, Tuscany attracted renowned poets, authors, composers, artists and gentlemen of the upper classes when they came of age. The opportunity for the last group to view some key pieces of art and architecture was deemed essential to their education. The incredible Renaissance works that Florence is home to meant many could easily spend a few months there. Other Italian cities that would feature heavily in their Grand Tour included Turin, Venice and Bologna but Umbria’s smaller cities didn’t really get a look in!

But, does this mean Tuscany is better than Umbria? We’d argue not! We think that Umbria definitely holds its own against its more famous neighbour. Here are four good reasons why you may prefer a stay in villa in Umbria rather than a villa in Tuscany. Followed by our top tips on which region to choose, depending on the type of holiday you’re planning. 

1. It’s cheaper!

You’ll typically get much more for your money on a villa in Umbria than in Tuscany. Due to the increased number of visitors in Tuscany, you’ll find demand for accommodation that little bit higher which in turn leads to higher prices, not just for a hotel or a Tuscany villa or apartment rental, but also for food and excursions. You are also much more likely to find inflated ‘tourist’ prices for food in Tuscany in the Summer months whilst in Umbria prices tend to stay much more constant all year round.

2. It’s just as beautiful!

There is no denying that Tuscany is incredibly beautiful. Its cities are just as breathtaking as its rural landscape from the vineyards of the Chianti countryside to the rolling hills of the Val d’Orcia. And to top it all, it can also boast a glorious coastline with swathes of beautiful beaches. However, we reckon you’ll find Umbria’s hilltop villages just as charming and attractive. And one of the most beautiful natural sights in the world is the wildflower fields of Umbria’s Castelluccio di Norcia. Across May and June each year, the Pian Grande and the Pian Perduto are filled with a rainbow of colour as poppies, cornflowers, daisies, violets, orchids and other wildflowers bloom and blossom. The spectacle is quite simply jaw-dropping.

3. It’s more authentic!

Whilst, of course, it’s still possible to find places off the beaten track in Tuscany, we do find Umbria is that little bit more authentic than Tuscany. For us, Tuscany is the place to explore iconic cities that are instantly recognisable, whilst Umbria is a chance to discover smaller towns and villages away from the crowds. In fact, Umbria really only has two really major cities – Perugia and Terni – with Assisi and Orvieto the next largest places in Umbria in terms of size. Instead the ‘green heart’ of Italy is dotted with charming and picturesque hilltop towns and villages. Our favourite of these is Spello but coming a close second is the walled town of Montefalco, followed by Spoleto, Norcia, Bevagna and Narni.

4. Life is just that little bit slower!

For us, Umbria epitomises the slow travel movement. Slow travel is an approach to travel that focuses on connections with people and the local culture. This is not about instagram-worthy photo opportunities but about the opportunity to take a step back from day to day life and instead truly submerge yourself in what the country has to offer. Whereas you may find yourself ticking off the bucket list attractions in Tuscany’s big cities on an almost military schedule – the Uffizi, Santa Maria del Fiore, the Accademia and the Ponte Vecchio for example – in Umbria, you will have the time to embrace the simpler pleasures… a long leisurely lunch for example or the chance to explore a hidden church that didn’t even feature in the guide book. For us, these ‘slow’ experiences create the more genuine, longer lasting memories. And if travelling ‘slow’ means that you don’t manage to get everything done in one trip…. it doesn’t matter. We think it’s always wise to leave a reason to return!

Best for City Lovers: Tuscany

Tuscany is definitely more famous than its neighbour to the East, Umbria, and part of the reason for this is its cities. Think of Tuscany and a whole host of cities spring to mind including Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano. Whilst we love Umbria’s capital city, Perugia, it simply can’t compete with Tuscany’s capital, Florence, which is arguably one of the most famous cities in the world.

Best for Families: Too close to call!

We just couldn’t call this one. Wherever you go in Italy, you’ll find it exceptionally family friendly. Italians love children and family holidays don’t get much better than a holiday in Italy. Enjoy a holiday in a villa in Umbria and the kids can run around the Park of the Monsters, enjoy the rides at Italy’s oldest amusement park just outside Perugia or learn about the ancient Romans either underground in Amelia or above ground in Spello. But enjoy a holiday at a villa in Tuscany and you can take the kids to the birthplace of Pinocchio, get close to nature at a dolphin watching experience off the coast or help them to prop up the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Check out all the family friendly things to see and do in Umbria and in Tuscany.

Best for Nature Lovers: Umbria

Not an easy call to make but Umbria just pips it for us on the nature front. What sways it for us is the incredible spectacle in the Sibillini mountains which straddle both Umbria and neighbouring Le Marche. Here, in the late Spring and early Summer, a blanket of wild flowers cover the plains of the Piano Grande. Nothing can prepare you for just how beautiful or colourful or far-reaching the sight is. However, other events such as the Infiorata in Spello also impacted on our decision. A very different way to enjoy nature, the Infiorata is an annual floral spectacle in the heart of the old town of Spello. You’ll find artists working on their floral masterpieces throughout the night so that local residents wake up the following morning to a town literally paved with petals.

Best for Foodies: Too close to call!

We just couldn’t come off the fence on this one! Each region is renowned for their culinary specialities. You’ll certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to food options at either a stay in one of our villas in Tuscany or one of our villas in Umbria. Think of Tuscany and you’ll perhaps think of the famous bistecca alla Fiorentina, their delicious panzanella salad, their mouth watering pappa al pomodoro soups or perhaps their incredible seafood and renowned salt cod. However, think of Umbria and you’ll be dreaming of Italy’s ‘green heart’ home to some of Italy’s finest olive oils, cured meats, salami, wheat, honey, lentils, game, meat, truffles and wild mushrooms. Our favourite meat dish in Umbria is porchetta which can rival Florence’s incredible steaks any day. Plus, for those with a sweet tooth, Perugia can lay claim to being the chocolate capital of Italy each October when it hosts the annual Eurochocolate festival. Check out foodie guide to Italy for more mouth watering dishes from both Tuscany and Umbria.

Best for Wine Enthusiasts: Tuscany

We hope our vineyard-owning friends in Umbria still speak to us after this one! Both regions can boast a plethora of fine wines. Umbria’s most famous are the white Grechetto and the red Sagrantino and Sangiovese grapes. The Arnaldo Caprai vineyards in the Montefalco region of Umbria produce one of our absolutely favourite sagrantino wines. Also of note are Umbria’s Avignonesi vineyards and Casanova di Neri. And yet, Tuscany is Italy’s oldest wine-producing region and home to Italy’s most famous and largest wine producing region – Chianti. Tuscany is also home to one of the most sought-after wines in the world from the Sassicaia estate at Bolgheri.

Best for Art Lovers: Tuscany

We decided you can’t beat the art and architecture on offer in Tuscany. The sheer volume of art on offer in Tuscany’s capital city is impossible to match. Florence is home to some of the most famous artworks in the world, among them Michelangelo’s David, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise. And during your stay at one of our villas in Tuscany, you’ll keep coming across incredible art and architecture in every Tuscan church, village, town or city. But again, don’t underestimate the incredible art and architecture that Umbria can boast too. Head into the local village church in Umbria and you will be amazed at what hidden gems you will discover.

Best for Sports Enthusiasts: Umbria

Both Tuscany and Umbria offer some great cycling options, both on and off road. There are also plenty of opportunities in both regions to try horse riding too. But, for us, Umbria takes the edge when it comes to offering something for the sporty folk out there. Head to Lake Trasimeno in Umbria during your stay in one of our villas in Umbria to enjoy a range of water sports including sailing and windsurfing. Or opt for the Perugia Wake Park to try your hand at kitesurfing and wakeboarding. Alternatively, head to the Nera River in Umbria to enjoy a white-water rafting trip. Or make your way instead to the Roccagelli Gorge, where you can enjoy some canyoning, making your way down seven successive waterfalls, the largest of which is 16 metres high. In the Winter, you can even ski in Umbria with some fantastic cross-country skiing to be enjoyed on Monte Subasio (although admittedly the snow can be a little erratic!)

Best for the Beach: Tuscany

As a landlocked region, it’s hard for Umbria to compete on this one. So many of Tuscany’s beaches are absolutely stunning and Tuscany’s coastline is perfect for those looking to enjoy a beach holiday in Italy. However, that’s not to say that Umbria doesn’t have any beaches. Head to Lake Trasimeno and you will find a number of lakeside beaches to spend the day at.

Best for Romance: Umbria

To be fair, we would argue that anywhere in Italy is pretty romantic! Italy oozes romance. It was also the home of Romeo and Juliet, Casanova and St Valentine. And the latter is part of the reason Umbria pips Tuscany when it comes to romantic stays. St Valentine was a former resident of Terni in Umbria and is now the town’s patron saint as well as being the Patron Saint of lovers. So if you’re looking to kindle some romance during your holiday in Italy, what better place to do so than in birthplace of St Valentine’s Day! However, to be fair, Terni is far from the best example of Umbria’s charming hilltop towns and villages. Instead, opt for a romantic break in Spello, Orvieto, Montefalco, Assisi or Spoleto. These may not be able to compete with Tuscany’s larger cities in terms of size but in terms of authenticity, charm and romance, they win hands down.

All that being said, you won’t go wrong with either a Tuscany villa holiday or an Umbria villa holiday. Both regions are stunning and both have a timeless appeal that draws holidaymakers and tourists back year after year. Yes, we often prefer the slower pace of Umbria to the hustle and bustle of Tuscany, but that perhaps reflects the need to escape from the crazy pace of normal life for a week or two.

If you’d like some help finding the perfect Tuscany villa or Umbria villa, then do get in touch with Italy villa rental specialists, Bookings For You.