A farmer’s hands hold freshly harvested black grape bunches, symbolizing harvest and traditional farming

10 activities to discover Umbria in autumn

Unforgettable experiences among olive groves and vineyards, forests, museums and food & wine events

Vineyard with neatly aligned rows of vines with yellow and red leaves, and a misty autumn landscape in the background.
Picking grapes among the vines

September and October are the quintessential months of the grape harvest! Amid golden hills and the sweet scent of ripe grapes the vineyards, like those of Montefalco’s Sagrantino or Gamay del Trasimeno, offer the chance to take part in the harvest. Cap it off with a picnic among the vines and a taste of freshly pressed must.

Hand holding a sprig of wild fennel in a field, with blurred trees in the background.
Foraging for wild autumn herbs

Accompanied by experts, an autumn walk can become the perfect opportunity to forage late-growind wild plants like chicory and dandelion, as well as precious herbs used to flavour traditional Umbrian dishes, such as calamint and wild fennel.

Stone interior of a historic olive press with a wooden press and an amphora, lit by warm lights
Visiting Umbria's museums

It’s the season for “slow” museums: small gems that preserve traditions, perfect for autumn. Don’t miss Wine Museum in Torgiano, where you can learn about the art viticulture, and Museum of Olive Tree and Olive Oil in Trevi, which explores the culture of green gold and its ancient roots. Unfiltered experiences to savour.

Forest path covered in red and yellow leaves, surrounded by trees autumn under clear skies
Walking through forests and taking unforgettable photos

A burst of red, gold and rust sweeps from Mount Subasio to the Sibillini Mountains, passing through Monteluco di Spoleto and brushing the slopes of Monte Cucco: each trail challenges your camera lens to keep up. The path unfolds through a tunnel of colours , with damp earth underfoot and leaves crunching at every step. Every turn offers a breathtaking shot.

Chestnut burrs and dry leaves at the base of a tree in a green forest during autumn
Chestnut picking in centuries old woods

Chestnuts are one of the season’s most beloved fruits, perfectly paired with new wine. In Umbria, chestnut groves such as those around Spoleto host genetically unique varieties like the “Castagna Grande di Pompagnano” and “Marrone della Vallocchia,” while near Foligno stands the 400 year old Vallupo chestnut tree.

Celery stalks with leaves on a burlap-covered stall at an open-air market
Explore the black celery market

October in Trevi celebrates the town's signature vegetable: black celery. Its prize stalks grow over a metre long, and are completely stringless. The stars of the Mostra Mercato del Sedano Nero, it is a cherished ingredient featured in many delicious dishes like stuffed celery.

Two herons backlit at sunset: one flying and one perched on a post over Lake Trasimeno
Watching bird migration at Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno, a top destination for birdwatchers, becomes a lively stopover for autumn migrations: swallows, martins, hawks and storks head for warmer regions, while coots, mallards, great crested grebes and tufted ducks arrive from the north to winter along its shores.

Dark chocolate bars topped with dried figs, walnuts, almonds, and candied orange and ginger peels, displayed on a counter.
Tasting chocolate at Eurochocolate

Autumn in Perugia is scented with cocoa thanks to Eurochocolate, a must attend festival for chocoholics. Chocolate sculptures, show cooking, tastings and delicaces from around the world turn this event into a multisensory experience in the medieval heart of the city.

 

Hands holding freshly picked black and green olives, with a woven basket full of fruit in the background during traditional harvesting.
Experiencing olive picking and tasting new oil

Between October and November, Umbria celebrates one of its most eagerly awaited moments: the olive harvest. Many farms open their doors to families, offering a full experience of green gold production - from grove to mill, ending with a warm bruschetta topped with freshly pressed oil.

Close-up of freshly harvested purple saffron flowers with their vivid red stigmas clearly visible Olive Harvest
Savouring saffron based dishes

In October, the delicate purple saffron flowers bloom, ready to be harvested for their red filaments, yielding the prized spice that gives a unique colour and aroma to any dish. Renowned saffron fairs held in towns with a strong cultivation history like Zafferiamo in Città della Pieve and Mostra Mercato dello Zafferano di Cascia in Cascia, offer the perfect chance to discover all the secrets of Umbrian saffron.

Night-time funfair with Ferris wheel lit by purple and blue lights, with colorful rides and stalls in the foreground
Ad finally ... Perugia’s unmissable “Baracconi” funfair

For over a century, autumn evenings in Perugia have come alive with “Baracconi,” the city’s historic funfair where everyone become a child again, surrounded by lights, candy floss and the sound of rides!