Umbria Villas & Luxury Vacation Rentals : Rental Escapes

Your Guide to Umbria Villa Rentals

While Tuscany gets all the tourist attention, neighbouring Umbria benefits from a much slower pace and a ton of natural beauty – along with plenty of history and culture of its own. Umbria villa rentals let you experience the best of this region of Italy in an authentic, unparalleled way, especially if you’re travelling with a group

Known as the “green heart of Italy,” Umbria is located in central Italy and is celebrated for its beautiful landscapes and its rich history. It’s home to mountains, lakes, rolling hills, vineyards, and beautiful medieval towns.

From the Roman era, villas in Umbria have been a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. In the Middle Ages, villas were fortified to protect against the conflicts of the time. By the Renaissance, villas were being restored and renovated, reflecting a growing appreciation for the arts.

Today’s villa rentals in Umbria draw from these traditions to offer an authentic, serene taste of the Italian countryside. They are independently owned and operated and often have been passed down across generations. And while they maintain their distinctive, traditional character, they also offer plenty of modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay.

Renting a villa in Umbria is easy with Rental Escapes. The first step is to decide on your travel dates. Secondly, look at your approximate party size, as well as your budget. From there, your Rental Escapes reservations specialist will be happy to present you with the best options for your group.

Luxury Villas in Umbria

For a part of Italy that’s so connected to the land, it’s no surprise that luxury villas in Umbria focus on offering the best countryside experience possible.

Usually located atop a hill and offering spectacular views of the surrounding verdant landscape, luxury villas in Umbria offer guests unparalleled privacy and comfortable amenities in their quest for relaxation, serenity, and the Umbrian way of life.

Umbria Villa Rentals with Pool

With such great weather and beautiful landscapes, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible outside. Umbria villa rentals with pools let you do just that with large pool areas, elaborate al-fresco dining areas, and panoramic views of the countryside. They include:

Dulfa: Just outside the city of Perugia you’ll find Dulfa, a carefully restored villa and cottage centred around its large outdoor pool area and carefully manicured gardens. Dine al fresco with wildflowers around you, gaze out over the green hills, or just relax by the heated pool – this is country living, Umbria-style.

Lavise: A classic, restored, two-floor cottage, Lavise offers exceptional views of the Umbrian countryside, as well as a warm and comfortable atmosphere inside. The infinity pool is a perfect place to relax, unwind, and soak up the sun. It’s one of the smaller villas in the area with three bedrooms, making it perfect for a small group.

La Villa: Easily one of the most luxurious villas in Umbria, La Villa offers a modern, upscale take on traditional country living. From its large infinity pool to its sophisticated interiors, La Villa is an open-concept villa that combines Italian styling with the peace and serenity of the countryside. Between its elaborate terraces, ornate landscaping, and high-end furnishing, La Villa is a work of art.

Historic Umbrian Villas

Umbria is full of interesting history, and this extends to its villas as well. These villas have a story of their own to tell, one that’s often been passed down and lovingly maintained across generations. They include:

Quinta: One of the most distinct villas in Umbria, Quinta is a former defensive fortification from the Middle Ages that has been converted into a five-floor villa. It features a large outdoor pool, a rooftop deck with life-affirming views, and a children’s bedroom with two bunk beds, making it ideal for families.

Rasina: A converted monastery brimming with rustic, country charm, Rasina offers up to 23 guests the chance to experience the traditional Umbrian lifestyle. It’s also centrally located within Umbria and just a short distance to some of the best sights in Florence as well. Between its old chapel, cavern-like bar, covered terrace, and outdoor swimming pool, there’s no shortage of ways to unwind and relax. A one-of-a-kind villa that’s also a great value, considering the number of people it sleeps.

Cleante: A restored medieval farmhouse, Cleante is a beautiful combination of modern and historical set on a hill outside Perugia. Everything about this villa is rooted in refined simplicity, from its elegant furnishing to its tasteful materials, through to the outdoor living areas and large pool. And with nine bedrooms, six inside the main building, one inside a stand-alone cottage, and two inside another building, it makes a great choice for groups and families travelling together.

Umbria Farmhouse Rentals

So much of the Umbrian experience is about enjoying good food and good wine in good company. Umbria farmhouse rentals let you do that in the traditional way Umbrians have been enjoying for centuries. They include:

Dedala: Perfectly secluded amid verdant green hills in the heart of Umbria, Dedala offers the ultimate restored farmhouse experience. From its stone façade to its wood-beamed ceilings, through to the breathtaking chapel at its heart, Dedala truly lets you experience the peace and serenity of this region, just as it has for generations.

Jaja: Though not exactly a farmhouse, Jaja is actually a restored 14th-century church, made immediately evident from its exterior design. Inside, painstaking detail has been exercised to make this villa modern and comfortable. This extends to the outdoor living areas as well, where you can take a dip in the large pool or dine al fresco while admiring the lush, green hills that Umbria is famous for.

Banaxiana: A restored 13th-century farmhouse, set in a verdant grove where the owners grow their own organic vegetables and olive oil, Banaxiana is a true country home with a distinct character, with everything from the owner's books to their collection of masks out on display. Truly a villa with a personality all its own.

Umbria FAQ

What are the Entry Requirements for Umbria?

Italy is part of the Schengen area, so you only need to show your passport once upon entering the area if you are travelling from outside of it. This includes if you are travelling from the US, Canada, or the UK.

How to Travel to Umbria?

Because of its central location, there are a number of different ways to reach Umbria. The main airport is Perugia International Airport. While it does service flights from across Europe, many are seasonal.

Overseas travellers will most likely be landing at Florence Airport or Rome Airport. From Florence, it’s about a two-hour train ride to Umbria, while a train from Rome is about two hours and a half.

What’s the Best Way to get around Umbria?

Once you’re in Umbria, the best way to get around is by rental car or private driver. This will allow you to experience the best of the beautiful countryside that surrounds you while letting you explore the charming towns and villages that dot the landscape.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can assist with airport transfers, rental cars, private drivers, and more.

When is the Best Time to Visit Umbria?

Summer is peak season in Umbria and a great time to visit if you plan to spend a lot of time by the pool or the lake and want the warmest temperatures.

That said, for many, shoulder season in spring and autumn represents the best time to go. Spring sees the wildflowers start to bloom and is an especially fragrant time of year. Autumn, meanwhile, sees some of the leaves start to turn, creating a rich canopy of colour amid Umbria’s rolling hills.

Winter is decidedly low season, but it can still be a good time to visit if you want the smallest crowds and a taste of authentic Umbria. Prices are also lowest at this time.

Do Villas in Umbria have Air Conditioning?

While many villas in Umbria do have central air conditioning, others, especially older and more rustic properties, may only have air conditioning in certain rooms (such as the bedrooms). That said, these villas are usually made of heavy stone, which keeps the heat out in the summer months.

Your Rental Escapes villa specialist will be able to give you more information on any specific villa.

What are the Best Things to do in Umbria?

Visit Assisi: The home of Saint Francis, Assisi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity. A UNESCO Heritage Site, it’s also a beautiful medieval town that is brimming with history. Take at least a full day to experience this important town and all its sights.

Visit Perugia: For a different experience, be sure to visit Perugia, Umbria’s capital city. A bustling university town, it’s also home to some of the region’s most impressive landmarks, including the Fontana Maggiore, the Palazzo dei Priori, and the National Gallery of Umbria.

Visit Orvieto: Known for its Gothic Cathedral, with its stunningly elaborate facade and its dizzying array of mosaics and stained glass, Orvieto is a charming hill town whose narrow lanes and well-preserved architecture evoke the mystery of the Middle Ages. It’s also a top destination for wine lovers, thanks to its many local wineries and its famous Classico wines.

How’s the Food in Umbria?

Umbrian cuisine is based on using fresh, local ingredients, prepared simply using traditional methods.

The region is known for its truffles and olive oil, both of which factor heavily into its dishes and cooking style.

Rustic cuisine is also very popular, and many of the best restaurants focus on offering elevated takes on traditional favourites.

Umbria’s most famous dishes include: strangozzi, a wide and flat pasta; crescie, a flatbread often served as an appetizer; porchetta, a type of slow-roasted pork; and Trasimeno lake fish, which includes perch, pike, and eel.

Umbria is also famous for its wines, which include Sagranito, Montefalco Rosso, Orvieto, and Torgiano Rosso Riserva.

Your Rental Escapes concierge can also assist you with private chef service and villa pre-stocking on any Umbrian villa rental.

How’s the Weather in Umbria?

Umbria benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm, clear summers and mild winters.

Summer is the warmest time of year, with temperatures hovering around 25-30°C (77-86°F). It’s also the driest season, with only 30-40 millimetres (1-2 inches) of rain.

By autumn, temperatures drop to 15-20°C (59-68°F), and by late fall, it’s enough for there to be some beautiful foliage. Autumn is also rainy season, with about 80-100 millimetres (3-4 inches) of rain.

Temperatures drop further in winter, where they average between 5-10°C (41-50°F). Winter is also the wettest season with 120-140 millimetres (5-6 inches) of rain. There’s even a chance of snow at this time.

By spring, temperatures pick back up, averaging around 15-20°C (59-68°F) once again. Expect about 80-100 millimetres (3-4 inches) of rain around this time.

Book a Villa in Umbria with Rental Escapes

If you’re visiting this beautiful part of Italy, Rental Escapes can elevate your Umbria villa rental into a true luxury experience.

Our portfolio includes the finest villa rentals in Umbria, including villas with private pools, historic villas, farmhouse villas, and more.

Your Rental Escapes reservation expert can find the best villa for your group, and your concierge personalizes your trip to create the ultimate Umbrian villa experience.