Foligno Car Rental

Foligno was founded by pre-Roman Umbrians in the 8th Century BC. It might not be Umbrian's most celebrated city, but it has more than its share of treasures. It's the third-largest town in Umbria, and it gives visitors a refreshing introduction to Italian life. It was once home to one of Italy's first printers and is known for printing the first Italian-language book — Dante's Divine Comedy.

The main square, Piazza della Repubblica, is the beating heart of city life, so it's an excellent launching pad for any Foligno tour. Its famous Cathedral of San Feliciano was dedicated to one of the town's patron saints. It has two pink and white facades surrounding an ornate 17th-century altar, and this baldachin is an exact replica of the structure in Rome's St Peter's Cathedral.

In fact, the square is one of Foligno's most beautiful open-air spaces. It acts as a historical center, so stop by the print museum while you're in the area. The Piazza is also peppered with cafés and medieval architectural marvels. If you're passionate about old buildings, it will sate your artistic appetite — and serve you coffee while you explore.

Like the rest of Italy, Foligno is serious about food. You simply can't experience it fully without doing some tasting, so take a pasta and tiramisu class with Le Cesarine or head to the market to try the delicacies. If you're smart enough to arrange a car rental in Foligno, you'll have the freedom to arrange your own food tour. Don't miss Gus Bottega Alimentare; it's Foligno's highest-rated restaurant.

Mother Nature has been kind to Foligno. It's surrounded by seven picturesque highlands that attract hikers throughout the year. The Cascate Fuime Menotre ed Altolina offers an easy, circular route that'll keep you occupied for an hour. This trail is popular among birders, so don't forget to pack binoculars. The trail will take you to the Hermitage of Santa Maria. You'll experience the Algolina Waterfalls along the way. This particular site was once a popular pilgrimage destination. You'll still find a basin of devotional water at the southern part of the trail.

If you're traveling with children, head to Li Canape Park to view the local fountain and play the 11 games installed on the property. Younger tourists also enjoy the bird and insect exhibits at The Museu Naturalistico del Parco di Colfiorito.

Local trains only travel in one-hour intervals, and rail tickets can be expensive, but with a car or van rental in Foligno, you'll be able to explore the lush terrain surrounding the town and off the beaten path at your own speed.

Foligno connects to outside towns and cities via a network of freeways. The SS3 will take you along the eastern border of the town, while the SS75 will carry you northwest. The SS77 runs through the plains and onto Taverne. The terrain is relatively flat and easy to navigate, so there's no need for four-wheel drive vehicles.

Foreigners are allowed to drive using their foreign license, but it must be paired with an official Italian translation. International Driving Permits are also accepted within the first year of your visit.

Bear in mind that Foligno is a Limited Traffic Zone, so vehicles must have a permit to enter during operational hours. Make sure you stay abreast of the schedule because failing to do so could saddle you with a fine. The ZTL is enforced from Monday to Thursday from 19:00 to 24:00 and on Saturdays from 19:00 and 01:00. On Sundays and public holidays, however, the limitation is enforced from 14:00 to 01:00. In other words, you can safely travel within city limits during daylight hours. That said, there is a national exemption for those who have a disabled persons badge. Electric vehicles and hybrids can travel freely throughout the ZTL period.

If you happen to find yourself beyond city limits after dark, head to the large parking lot at the train station. It's within walking distance of the historic center, so you can easily park and make it back to your accommodations. The town also has several parking lots throughout the city center, including one at the Piazza del Grano and a lot at Via Garibaldi. Foligno's parking rates are relatively competitive and can often be reserved ahead online.

The town generally experiences light traffic, but roads surrounding its largest tourist attractions can get busy during the vacation seasons. The Porta San Felicianetto can be particularly problematic and experiences frequent traffic accidents. If you want to see the ancient arch during tourist season, park your vehicle at the station parking lot and stroll to the site instead.

Umbria's country roads are scenic, so don't let the freeways dictate your trip. A slow off-road route will yield more entertaining results.