What to see in Urbino in 2 days: itinerary through the ideal city of the Renaissance

Why visit Urbino in 2 days

Urbino is the ideal city of the Renaissance, and not just metaphorically: the famous painting of the "Ideal City" was probably conceived here, at the court of Federico da Montefeltro. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, this small city perched on the Marche hills holds a Ducal Palace rivalling those in Florence, Raphael's birthplace and a university atmosphere that keeps it vibrant and youthful. Two days let you experience it with the calm it deserves.

Day 1: the Ducal Palace and the monumental centre

Morning (3-4 hours)

The Ducal Palace is Urbino. Commissioned by Federico da Montefeltro as the most beautiful residence in Italy, it was designed by Luciano Laurana and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The twin turrets overlooking the valley are the city's most iconic image.

Inside, the National Gallery of the Marche is one of Italy's most important museums. The Ideal City (attributed to various artists, perhaps Piero della Francesca), the Flagellation and the Madonna di Senigallia by Piero della Francesca, Raphael's La Muta and Paolo Uccello's Miracle of the Profaned Host are each worth the journey alone. Federico's Studiolo, lined with perspective wood intarsia, is a room that takes your breath away.

Allow at least 2 hours for the museum and 30 minutes for the courtyard of honour and the ducal cellars.

• National Gallery and Ducal Palace: 2.5 hours
• Courtyard of honour: 20 minutes
• Pasquino Garden and turret views: 15 minutes

Afternoon (3 hours)

Visit Raphael's Birthplace on Via Raffaello. The young Sanzio was born here in 1483 and took his first steps in painting in his father Giovanni Santi's workshop. The house preserves a fresco attributed to the young Raphael (Madonna and Child) and the stone where pigments were ground.

Continue to the Oratory of San Giovanni Battista, with its International Gothic fresco cycle by the Salimbeni brothers (1416): scenes from the life of the Baptist of surprising realism and chromatic vivacity. Next door, the Oratory of San Giuseppe holds a life-size stucco nativity scene by Federico Brandani.

Hidden gem: the Albornoz Fortress, at the top of the city, offers the most complete panorama of Urbino and the Marche hills stretching to the sea. Few tourists climb this far.

Evening

Dinner in the streets around Piazza della Repubblica, Urbino's drawing room. Try passatelli in brodo, crescia sfogliata (similar to piadina but layered like a millefeuille) and rabbit in porchetta. The wines from the Pesaro hills pair perfectly.

Day 2: university, churches and hills

Morning (3 hours)

Explore university Urbino. The Carlo Bo University (founded 1506) occupies Renaissance palaces scattered through the city. The Collegio Raffaello and the Great Hall of the former Jesuit College have frescoed interiors visitable on request.

Visit the Cathedral, rebuilt in neoclassical style after the earthquake of 1789. Inside, the Last Supper by Federico Barocci (one of the most important painters of the late Renaissance, born in Urbino) is a masterpiece of light and colour. The Cathedral Grottoes, beneath the church, house the Diocesan Museum.

Hidden gem: the Church of San Bernardino outside the walls (2 km on foot), the Mausoleum of the Dukes where Federico and Guidobaldo da Montefeltro rest. The Renaissance simplicity of the building and the panorama over the Marche landscape are worth the walk.

• University and palaces: 45 minutes
• Cathedral and Diocesan Museum: 45 minutes
• Church of San Bernardino: 1 hour (including walk)

Afternoon (3 hours)

Devote the afternoon to discovering lesser-known Urbino. Climbing and descending the Renaissance ramps (covered passages connecting the city's levels) is an architectural adventure. The Ramp of Francesco di Giorgio Martini, designed for horses to climb to the palace, is an engineering masterpiece.

Visit the Giovanni Santi Workshop (Raphael's father), now a cultural centre, and stop at the artisan shops on Via Valbona producing hand-painted Marche ceramics.

If time allows, a walk in the hills around the city (Parco della Resistenza trail) offers breathtaking views of the palace's twin towers and the landscape that inspired the background of Raphael's La Muta.

Evening

Last evening in Urbino. Aperitivo with a view from the Turrets, then dinner at a trattoria with black truffle from the Montefeltro (in season) and casciotta d'Urbino DOP, the cheese loved by Michelangelo. The city at night, illuminated and silent, is a final gift.

Practical tips

Urbino is walkable but hilly: steep climbs are unavoidable. The public lift from Piazza Mercatale to the centre helps. Parking at Piazza Mercatale (underground) or Santa Lucia car park (free, 10 minutes on foot). From Pesaro, bus (45 minutes) or car (35 minutes). There is no train station in Urbino.

• Where to stay in Urbino
• Where to eat in Urbino
• How to get to Urbino