The truth is that there are towns like Spoleto in every corner of Italy. Just because this one is being highlighted here doesn’t put it above the rest. The ideal situation is exploring every single of the small towns, the gorgeous nooks and crannies, and the culture of these towns. Some of which may not even exist in a half-century due to the population shifting.

Spoleto (in Umbria, near Assisi) has many of the hallmarks of Italian towns in the countryside. One thing that makes it truly unique is its escalator system. If you’re staying at the base of the city, there are a set of escalators that take you up to levels of the town, culminating in the top level where the fort lies. While there, I stayed at San Luca, which was a fantastic hotel that I can’t recommend enough. It’s close to a few grocery stores but away from the main roads for some peace and quiet. Plus, it’s a family-run operation. The rooms are charming and have plenty of space, but their decoration style is so unique in a fun way. There’s also an amazing lobby with a bar available to enjoy drinks and a spacious and peaceful courtyard for anyone who wants to relax.

There’s plenty of restaurants near this part of the town. In addition, there’s quick access to the escalators (less than ten minutes walk).

Those escalators are truly the thing that make Spoleto so unique and such a hidden gem to explore. If you venture up them, there are a few exits you can make. There are five main stops that you can hop off at.

Teatro Nuovo will lead you to the theatre, Piazza Mercato will lead you to shops and restaurants, or take it all the way to the top at Piazza Campello, which will put you close to the fortress at the top of Spoleto. Keep in mind that the scale mobili will close. That said, it’s still open for a long range of hours. The typical hours being 6AM to 2AM. You should still be cautious or else you might be in for a bit of a hike back down to the base of the city (where there is parking available).

One of the iconic images of Spoleto is the Ponte delle Torri, but as of the visit when I went (in 2022), there were structural issues preventing you from walking or driving across the bridge. Still, as you approach the fort, it’s still a great view and a great picture.

If you opt to explore the Albornozian Fortress (also known as Rocca Albornoziana) at the top of Spoleto, you can take the escalators all the way up and get off at Piazza Campello, but then there’s still a bit of a substantial hike to get up to the fort (there’s an easy way and a steep way and because I went in through the big gates and not the entrance closest to the escalator, I accidentally took the steep way. Don’t be like me and make the same mistake, unless you’re looking for some uphill training). You can also go inside (for a fee) and explore if that’s up your alley. From the fort’s extensions, you can spot other Umbrian towns in the distance (such as the little speck that is Assisi) while simply enjoying not climbing uphill any longer.

If you’re done exploring and want to eat, descending into some of the piazzas will offer both shopping & restaurant options. Maybe you just want to grab a mid-afternoon drink or a coppa di gelato. Either way, you’ll have plenty of options available to you.

As I mentioned at the top – Spoleto is a charming town in a country full of charm. However, its mechanical marvel of an escalator makes it highly accessible to explore history, the gorgeous countryside, and to shop, eat, and wander. It’s a fantastic stop if you’re spending some time in Umbria, and I can’t recommend it enough.

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