Europe
Italy
Umbria
Province of Terni
Orvieto
Things to Do in Orvieto
Orvieto Underground

Orvieto Underground: Address, Phone Number, Orvieto Underground Reviews: 4.5/5

See all things to do

Orvieto Underground

See all things to do
See all things to do
Orvieto Underground
4.5
2,012
#11 of 59 things to do in Orvieto
Caverns & Caves
Read more
Write a review
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Orvieto Underground
See all
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
151 within 3 miles
Il Malandrino Bistrot
1,098
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Ristorante Il Giardino da Giovanni
2,234
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Healthy
Il Labirinto di Adriano
267
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly
Trattoria La Palomba
2,029
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Bottega Vera Enoteca Degustazioni
308
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Wine Bar • Gluten Free Options
Enoteca Al Duomo
608
327 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Deli
FE3.0
260
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Trattoria del Moro - Aronne
2,579
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Ristorante Pellegrini
79
355 ft$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Central-Italian
Osteria da Mamma Angela
935
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Healthy
See all
Attractions
66 within 6 miles
Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche
42
2.3 ftVisitor Centers
Cappella del Corporale
263
92 ftReligious Sites
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
115
107 ftSpeciality Museums
Palazzo Soliano
41
120 ftSpeciality Museums
Museo Emilio Greco
33
135 ftArt Museums
Cappella Di San Brizio (Duomo)
683
139 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Duomo di Orvieto
6,253
174 ftArchitectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals
Centro Storico Orvieto
233
467 ftHistoric Walking Areas
Museo Claudio Faina
172
199 ftSpeciality Museums
il Gioco
1
450 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,012 reviews
Excellent
1,065
Very good
726
Average
176
Poor
24
Terrible
21
Matthias W
Vienna, Austria433 contributions
Unusual but very interesting
I visited Orvieto mainly to see the Duomo but looking for additional interesting things to do, Orvieto Underground caught my eye too. Tickets can be purchased in a shop just opposite of the cathedral, tours run both in Italian and English. The underground areas were pretty interesting, similarly the stories regarding the man made caves (some were used to house pigeons as "easy to grow" source of food in case of sieges. The tour lasts about 1 hour.
Written January 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris H
Yorba Linda, CA1,610 contributions
Interesting, historical (and cool) tour!
Couples
This is a must-do activity in Orvieto! Reservations highly recommended in advance. We arrived for our 12:30 English tour and heard them offer the next tour at 3 or 4:30. On a hot June day, the cool caves were the perfect place to be! The history was interesting and kudos to our guide who was able to get past the two loud, crying babies to deliver a very professional, informative tour! Be prepared for some stair climbing up and down, narrow passageways and sandy floors. An interesting historical tour and well worth the one hour time in Orvieto!
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
courtney9384
Washington DC, DC247 contributions
Unique Tour!
This was my second time to Orvieto but first to see the Orvieto Underground. The caves are extraordinary, and essentially honeycomb beneath the entire town. The Orvieto Underground tour is a thorough description of the caves and the engineering work necessary to create this intricate design, which I believe started around 500 BC, which is fascinating. Very reasonably priced. There are a few stairwells underground that are narrow and steep, so be aware, in case that is an issue. Also, the views into the countryside for the first five minutes (and last five) as you enter and exit the caves are stunning! Stay towards the rear of the group, so you can stop and take photos as you wish.
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mario D
Kiama, Australia33 contributions
A very pleasant surprise
Our one hour tour was very informative. Well worth the visit. Our time in Orvieto was well worth the effort of getting there.The funicular railway access to the medieval town was a delight. Psst, try the coffee at the railway cafe, sensational. It was the best of any we had while in Italy for 21 days. You will need at least 3-4 hours to absorb the town, its ambience and attractions.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,904 contributions
CITY UNDERGROUND
Couples
This is a fascinating tour underneath the city of Orvieto. The Etruscan civilisation kick started this wonderful labyrinth of caves, then it was continued during the Mediaeval and Renaissance period. They ran out of room above ground, hence creating more space underneath. This space was used for various types of industry.

The tour lasted around one hour. Tickets can be purchased from Piazza Duomo 23 and the tour leaves just outside their door. Cost was 6euros and 5euros for reduced rate. There is a tour in English, which we did. The guide we had was very passionate about the history of Orvieto and answered many questions thrown his way.

Their brochure times are tours everyday at 11am, 12.15, 16.00 and 17.15, however, their website states, "during periods of greater tourist attendance, every 15 minutes."
Other than English and Italian, according to their website, they conduct tours in, French, German, Spanish and Russian.
For more information check their website www.orvietounderground.it

If you are in Orvieto this is well worth your time.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Written May 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ira R
Coral Springs, Florida, Usa11 contributions
Orvieto Underground, living over and under the city of Orvieto, Italy
Friends
Under the city streets of Orvieto, in the Tuscany region of Italy lies the old "City Underground" featuring a series of tunnels and caves dug by Etruscans living 3,000 years ago. As part of an inexpensive city tour package allowing access to all the ancient and medieval attractions in this beautiful mountaintop city the "underground" offers a glimpse of everyday living for thousands of years. When Italy was made of up hundreds of city states who often were at war with each other, the safest and most defensible place to live was on the top of a mountain. The enemy had to advance up the mountainside to advance and was always in plain view. Unfortunately, the people living on the mountain were unable to come down when their enemies surrounded them. They had to dig under the city to mine the soft volcanic rock to make the bricks to build their city, and and to dig wells to get water. In the underground caves that resulted from mining, they thrashed wheat in stone mills, raised pigeons for food, and created private storage areas and escape routes for its inhabitants. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, spoke multiple languages including English, and made the visit definitely worthwhile. PS: The guide told us that there are still two restaurants in Orvieto that serve pigeon and guess what, it tasted pretty good.
Written December 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
joaoribeiromarques
Porto, Portugal34 contributions
Interesting but not immensely rich
Couples
Located in Orvieto's village these etruscan caves were used as an underground working place, they were fresh all year round and that was crucial for the olive oil and wine they produced. You will see a lot of walls with small cavities where pidgeons used to nest, they were groomed by the etruscans and used as pidgeon posts or as food.

During World War caves were also used as refuge as below the vale where orvieto is situated the train tracks were commonly used by the military which made them a military target.

Practical info:
- You can buy the tickets at the tourism office at the center of the city, near the Dome
- It will cost you around 6 to 7€ per person
- It takes around 1h
- Bring a jacket, might be chilly
- As a lot of mosquitoes so use some kind of repelant

Although the caves are enormous and run through almost the whole city you will only see a small fraction of it, many of them are inclusively private nowadays and used as wine cellars.
Written January 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter S
Phillipsburg, NJ164 contributions
Underground Orvieto is Amazing!
Couples
On a very warm early summer morning we had registered for the Underground Orvieto tour and enjoyed a terrific experience, learning about the intricacies of the Etruscan civilization that preceded the Romans by hundreds of years. Be sure to sign up for a specific time as you may not be able to visit without a prior reservation.
Written July 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Discodeath
Cary, NC12 contributions
Fantastic!
Couples
Unbelievable! An entire town on top of an isolated mountain, accessible only by a man-made foot bridge. This was a German stronghold in WW2 and has a commanding view of the valley below. The Etruscan influence is quite visible in this town, built for its ability to easily defend, yet self-sustaining with aquifers and agriculture. Lots of small street cafes, beautiful structures, and the caves are underneath. If my memory serves me right, there are two saints buried there in shrines (for sure at least one), and the caves are well lit and passable. An excellent excursion!
Written December 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RogerLB
Beirut, Lebanon12 contributions
interesting
Couples
just took the train from Roma for less than 1 hour and reached Orvieto station where directly in front you may find the funicular to reach the top of the old town. you just visit St Patrick well on right of funicular exit. then take the bus with the same ticket up to the Cathedral... you may book your ticket for the underground caves, very interesting to see.
Written April 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 666
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Orvieto Underground
We recommend booking Orvieto Underground tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 40 Orvieto Underground tours on Tripadvisor