What to see in Passignano sul Trasimeno, the lake gem of Umbria

Passignano sul Trasimeno is a village of around 5000 inhabitants in the province of Perugia, one of the most beautiful villages in Umbria. It is located on the northern shore of the lake not far from the regional border with Tuscany (more specifically, the province of Arezzo).

This highly strategic geographical position makes Passignano sul Trasimeno a place that can boast good transport infrastructures, thus facilitating travel both by personal and public transport.

To get to Passignano sul Trasimeno from Perugia you can choose between different options: in particular, you can travel by car following the highway junction 6 towards the A1 highway with a specific exit for Passignano (about 30 minutes journey); by train starting from Perugia Silvestrini station with destination Passignano (about 20 minutes, every two hours); or even by bike riding along the provincial roads next to the junction RA06 (about 2 hours).

Passignano sul Trasimeno can also be reached easily from two large cities and tourist centers.

Starting from Rome (about 2 hours and half), you can get to Passignano by car following the A1 up to Bettolle and continuing on the RA06 towards Trasimeno, or by train moving towards Chiusi-Chianciano Terme, then Cortona and finally Passignano.

Starting from Florence (about 1 hour and half), instead, you can reach your destination by car driving on the A1 and taking the exit for Bettolle, or by train moving towards Arezzo-Cortona, finally arriving on the banks of Trasimeno.

Once we finally arrive at our destination, we are ready to discover together what to see in Passignano sul Trasimeno! The first stage par excellence is surely the historic center, developed close to a small peninsula overlooking the waters of the lake around the ancient medieval fortress.

The evocative atmosphere of the towers and terraces of the fortress of Passignano, over 30 meters high, represents the ideal context allowing visitors to enjoy a spectacular view of Trasimeno and the hills in the hinterland, the perfect place to take really fantastic photographs!

The bastion also houses the Boat Museum, an exhibition of great cultural value that tells the story and tradition of the Trasimeno population through boats, the most iconic objects of lakeside life.

From a mere fortified hamlet, useful as a defensive and commercial outpost given its strategic position, between 1500s and 1600s the historic center of Passignano sul Trasimeno progressively developed according to the simplest canons of the city. Walking through its alleys, don't miss some of the most representative symbols of the landscape of Passignano, such as the curious Triangular Tower, the ancient Church of San Cristoforo built on the remains of a pagn temple, and the panoramic point beneath the Clock Tower.

Among the unmissable attractions in the most recent area of Passignano sul Trasimeno we certainly recommend the Sanctuary of Madonna dell'Oliveto, a Renaissance religious building which houses prestigious sacred artworks, including a Madonna and Child by Ascanio da Cortona.

One of the most important reasons that push tourists to visit Passignano sul Trasimeno is exactly the lake, an enchanting blue expanse in the green territory of Umbria, the perfect destination for those looking for an evocative green travel experience in touch with nature.

The lakeside promenade of Passignano sul Trasimeno offers the right setting to enjoy splendid and relaxing walks, or even lighthearted bicycle rides, making the most of the slow rhythms and tranquil atmosphere of the lake.

Particularly fascinating are the little tourist port and the lake pier, the latter one of the symbols of the town and a point of reference for travelers looking for excitement and adventure on Trasimeno. A true little heaven on Earth for water sports lovers, in particular kayak and sailing, which makes Passignano one of the most important lake tourist destinations in Italy.

Among the wonders to discover when exploring Trasimeno, you cannot miss the three islands of the lake, namely Polvese, Maggiore and Minore, which can be visited by ferries departing from the small port of Passignano too. These islands represent the natural habitat of many particular species of birds, and preserve a great naturalistic heritage. Isola Maggiore, the only one permanently inhabited by 15 people, also houses the evocative Guglielmi Castle dating back to 1887, a sumptuous residence directly overlooking the lake.

A lake holiday on Trasimeno is also ideal for sporty tourists who, anyway, prefer to stay away from the water, venturing out to discover the hills in the hinterland instead following the paths suitable for hiking or even mountain biking.

Speaking of hills in the hinterland of Passignano sul Trasimeno...the time has come to get to the charming hamlet of Castel Rigone, a small, perfectly preserved medieval village located on one of the highest peaks in the area, about 650 meters above sea level.

This wonderful terrace overlooking Trasimeno, about 10 km away from Passignano, contains all the charm of the Middle Ages in its alleys and small squares, giving visitors the thrill of traveling through time and rediscovering the sensations of a life from times gone by.

Castel Rigone is a real fraction of the municipality of Passignano sul Trasimeno, reachable by bike riding on the SP142 (about 30 minutes) or even on foot, venturing along the uphill paths following the internal country roads (about 2 hours).

The origins of Castel Rigone are very ancient and date back to 543 AD, the year of the foundation of a first barbarian fortification to control the territory during the invasions following the fall of Rome. Today there is no trace of that ancient settlement except for the name, deriving from Arrigo, lieutenant at the head of the troops here in Umbria; however, today the magic of this small hilltop hamlet can still be rediscovered in its walls dating back to 1200s, with its three towers and gates, exceptionally preserved over time.

If you get to visit Castel Rigone in summer, don't miss the famous and evocative Barbarian Festival in the first week of August, a celtic-style celebration commemorating the foundation of the village. Instead, if you want to enjoy a night of music and enchantment within the medieval walls, then the appointment is with the International Festival of Young Concert Artists, with the participation of Italian and international musicians.

Among the most beautiful attractions to visit in Castel Rigone there is certainly the Church of Madonna dei Miracoli, one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the region and embellished with frescoes made by the most influential art masters of the time.

Speaking of art, why not ending your trip to Umbria at best treating yourself to a fantastic adventure discovering the artistic masterpieces of the region?

On this tour, "The Lands of Perugino", you will be able to admire from a close persepctive the wonderful works of art of the master Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci, known simply as Il Perugino, visiting some beautiful villages in the region south of Trasimeno such as Città della Pieve, Panicale, Piegaro and Paciano.

The rich program of visits includes, respectively: access to the Oratorio dei Bianchi and the Diocesan Museum of Santa Maria dei Servi; access to the Church of San Sebastiano, the Tulle Museum, the Caporali Theater and the Sbarra Museum; access to the Glass Museum; and access to the Trasimeno "Memory Bank", or "TrasiMemo".

Are you planning a trip to Umbria? Check out our week-long itinerary across the green heart of Italy and our guide discovering the unmissable mystical places in this wonderful region!