Experience in Perugia, Italy by Anna

What is it like to live in Perugia? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I live in Perugia since 1982 and I can say that my love for this towns has increased year by year. I find that Perugia is special: the streets, the squares, the stones of the old palaces and the light at certain time of the day and of season especially if you go to the Giardini Carducci at sunset.

I strongly recommend it!

It is a town full of history, like a small Florence, with the vantage of beeing quiet, safe and not crowded most of the year.

What is the student lifestyle like in Perugia?

Students normally meet in the main square Piazza IV Novembre or Corso Vannucci during the day, and in the many pubs and bars during the night. The Università per Stranieri and the city itself offer the opportunity to enjoy extraschool time, by lots of activities: Italian movies, music concerts, cooking courses, trips and excursions in the town and surroundings.

No risk to be bored!

How much does it cost to live in Perugia?

A single bedroom in a shared apartment is from a min of 200 to a max of 300 euros per month, utilities generally not included.

To eat and drink is not so expensive, there are a lot of restaurants, pizzerie and trattorie with medium prices ( 15 to 20 euros per meal).

Supermarkets in the city centre are a little more expensive than the ones outside, but you can find reasonable prices in the market of "Mercato Coperto" under Piazza Matteotti.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Perugia? Is there any advice you can give?

There is a great variety of accomodation, unfortunately some of them are not so worth to be called houses, rather than garages. I visited a lot of properties which were undergroung placed, totally unsunny, wet and sometimes dirty.

So..be careful in choosing them and ask always to see some pictures before!

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Delicious, both salt and sweet. My favourite are Torta al Testo, Pizza Perugina and Tiramisù.

What places would you recommend visiting in Perugia?

All the old area: the heart of the town, that is the Piazza IV Novembre, the Palazzo dei Priori with the Galleria Nazionale dell'Umbria, the Rocca Paolina.

The area of Piazza Braccio Fortebraccio ( or Piazza Grimana) and Corso Garibaldi until the beautiful Church of San Michele Arcangelo and Cassero. And do not forget the Via Appia.

On the opposite side, there is the church of San Domenico and the Museo Archeologico and at the end of the street the church of San Pietro with the Orto Medievale and the Giardini del Frontone.

Is it good to eat out in Perugia? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

• Osteria il Gufo in via della Viola
• Al Mangiar Bene in a lateral street of corso Vannucci
• La Pasteria in Via Baldo
• Gryp Pizzeria in Piazza Matteotti
• Osteria Dal Mi Cocco in Corso Garibaldi
• La Lumera in Corso Bersaglieri
• Yogurteria Yo in via Baglioni

Is the nightlife good in Perugia? Where is good to go?

Very good! Lots of pubs, bars:

• Merlin in via del Forno
• Joyce in via Bonazzi
• Shamrock in the via of Pozzo Etrusco

What advice would you give future students heading to Perugia?

Perugia is an ideal place to come for study and enjoying the extraschool life. Old town, full of history, young environment, safeness.

For any suggestion or help, you can contact me, I will be happy to give some information about my town.

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