About Terni

Terni is often referred to as Italy's Manchester, an industrial capital grown strong on steel mills. It has been around since the Romans founded the city in 271AD and has always been famous for being the birthplace of St. Valentine, so there's a lot more to see here than just the profits of industry. This is also an ideal base for exploring the rest of Umbria. Some of the best places to stay in Terni are actually just outside of the town surrounded by the beauty of rural Umbrian views.

What not to miss

Because of its industrial importance, Terni suffered heavy bombing during WWII and the modern architecture is now considered more interesting than the ancient and medieval structures.There is still some of that, including the Basilica of St. Valentine where some of the saint's bones have been conserved.
A number of other churches survived, including the Church of St. Salvatore which was built on top of a Roman temple. The Church of St. Francis has some beautiful 14th Century frescoes.
One of Terni's most famous sights are the wonderful Cascate dell Marmore, a set of waterfalls actually constructed during the Roman period. They are a 165 metre high spectacle of beauty and ingenuity. They are surrounded by the parkland and thick forests of the Nera River Park one of the greatest natural treasures of the Umbrian region.

Our pick of the best places to stay in Terni are not actually in the town itself but are well placed for exploring everything it has to offer.

The best places to stay in Terni

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Travel Information

The nearest airport to Terni is Perugia (57 miles).
Hiring a car gives you greater access to the surrounding Umbrian countryside, so why not explore the options at our online partner Rentalcars.
The best time to visit Terni is from May to June or September to October, in the middle summer months (July and August), the temperature generally tends to get too hot.