A Student’s Guide to a Relaxing and Affordable Weekend in Perugia
While studying in the center of Italy, it is easy to get carried away planning weekend trips due to the countless beautiful destinations nearby. Nevertheless, traveling weekend after weekend becomes exhausting let alone expensive, so you will likely find yourself craving a break from the chaos. Here are some affordable ideas on how to spend a weekend recharging and exploring Perugia’s charming attractions.
Marla Cocktail Bar
Looking for a chill night out? Marla is a cozy yet spacious bar that hosts live music events, DJ sets, and jam sessions. Marla is a great nighttime spot because this bar is popular among both Umbra students and locals which creates a really fun social scene. Additionally, they play a wide variety of music from jazz to rock, setting a unique vibe for each night. While here, don’t forget to check out the quirky artwork filling the walls and take advantage of the various comfy seating areas. Marla is conveniently located about a two-minute walk from The Umbra Institute at Via Bartolo 11. Entry is free and drinks are average priced, ranging from 3-6 EUR.
“Too Good to Go” Smartphone App
If you want to taste the Italian delicacies of Perugia on a budget, let me introduce you to the app, Too Good to Go. This app eliminates food waste by enabling restaurants to sell leftover food in the form of surprise bags for a discounted price. Once you download the app and make an account, you can browse Perugia bakeries, pizzerias, and even gelato shops registered on the platform and order a surprise bag to pick up. Most of the bags cost between 3-5 EUR and come with a generous amount of goods, leaving you with plenty to share or save for later!
Saturday Farmer’s Market
The Perugia Saturday market is a perfect outing if you enjoy shopping, authentic food, or simply want an excuse to leave the city center. Take the MiniMetro to Pian di Massiano, the last stop when traveling away from the center and you will see rows and rows of tents set up as soon as you exit the station. In these tents, you can find merchants selling everything including fresh fruit, clothes (vintage and new), and even real baby chicks…though I do not recommend getting a pet while abroad. Whether you decide to purchase anything or just browse for a while, this huge market is full of fascinating goods that make for an amusing morning. This market runs from 8 AM-1 PM every Saturday and entry is free, though remember the MiniMetro ticket costs 1.50 EUR.
Post Modernissmo Cinema – Movies in English
If you need a rainy-day activity, head to PostModernissmo cinema to watch the latest movies in English with Italian subtitles. PostModernissmo typically shows about three films in English at a time with the films rotating every week. In addition to showing new releases, this cinema also screens older films every so often, leaving you with plenty of entertainment options. Movie tickets are very affordable as they cost 5-7 EUR. PostModernissmo is located in the Art District of Perugia at Via del Carmine 4.
Chillax at Piazza San Francesco
Have you been searching for a grassy getaway amidst the urban city of Perugia? If so, Piazza San Francesco is the perfect field to read a book, draw, have a picnic, or just bask on a sunny day. Additionally, the free WiFi available here makes this the perfect location to do homework or make a phone call outdoors. This courtyard is located right in front of the beautiful Chiesa e Convento di San Francesco al Prato and is a public space.