Bosco di San Francesco, Assisi

Woods in Assisi

Bosco di San Francesco, Assisi
Bosco di San Francesco, Assisi
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Roberto Berti

Bosco di San Francesco is the “other half” of Assisi: a green, winding descent that begins right below the Basilica of Saint Francis and quickly pulls you away from crowds, stone lanes, and souvenir streets. Once you enter, the soundscape changes-birds, wind in the trees, and the steady feeling of moving through a landscape that has been shaped by prayer, farming, and slow travel for centuries.

What makes this place special is how many layers you meet on a simple walk. You pass medieval traces-remains of an old monastic presence, a defensive tower silhouette, and the Romanesque church of Santa Croce-then find yourself in living countryside of olive trees and woodland paths. The modern note arrives in the form of Michelangelo Pistoletto’s “Third Paradise,” a conceptual land artwork made from 121 olive trees that turns the landscape itself into something you read as you walk.

History and Significance of the Bosco di San Francesco

The Bosco sits at a rare intersection in Assisi: it is physically under the city's most famous basilica, yet it feels like a separate world. Historically, this terrain was not simply “nature” in the modern leisure sense; it was working landscape and spiritual landscape, a place where monastic life, pilgrims' routes, and defensive needs overlapped across the Middle Ages.

That layered history remains visible in fragments rather than grand façades. The woodland holds traces of older buildings and infrastructure, including the outline of a 14th-century defensive tower and the enduring simplicity of Santa Croce, a small Romanesque church that anchors the walk in stone and silence rather than spectacle.

The Bosco's modern significance is also cultural. Pistoletto's “Third Paradise” adds a contemporary, reflective dimension: the idea that the balance between humanity and the environment is not abstract, but something you can experience physically by moving through the land. In Assisi-a place strongly associated with care for creation-this contemporary layer feels unusually coherent rather than bolted on.

Things to See and Do in the Bosco di San Francesco

The best way to experience the Bosco is to treat it as a slow, linear walk rather than a checklist. Start from the main entrance near the Upper Basilica and give yourself time to settle into the shift in pace. The path is not long, but it is textured-earth underfoot, changes in elevation, and small “reveals” that work better when you’re not rushing.

Along the route, look out for the medieval remnants and the quieter architectural anchors, especially Santa Croce. These are not showy sights, but they change how you read the landscape: suddenly the woods feel like a place people inhabited and protected, not just a scenic backdrop beneath the basilica.

The “Third Paradise” is the modern highlight and is best enjoyed as something you enter, not something you photograph quickly and leave. Walk the edges, then step into the pattern and notice how the olive trees form a symbol you only fully understand by moving through it. If you want to extend the experience, the former mill area (now a trattoria) is a natural end point for a pause that feels earned rather than planned.

How to Get to the Bosco di San Francesco

The nearest airports for reaching Assisi are Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport (PEG) for proximity, with Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Florence (FLR) as common alternatives depending on flight options. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Assisi on Booking.com.

By train, most travellers arrive at Assisi station in Santa Maria degli Angeli and continue uphill by local bus or taxi to the historic centre and the Basilica of Saint Francis area. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy.

Once you are at the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Bosco is straightforward: the main entrance is directly from the square of the Upper Basilica, and there is also access from the Benedictine complex of Santa Croce on the lower side of the route.

If you are travelling by car, park once in Assisi (or at the Santa Croce area if that suits your route) and treat the Bosco as a walking visit rather than trying to drive between entry points. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Bosco di San Francesco

  • Entrance fee: Adults €6; Reduced (6–18) €3; Students up to 25 €4; Under 5 free; FAI members free.
  • Opening hours: Daily: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Official website: https://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/bosco-di-san-francesco?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=bosco
  • Best time to visit: Choose a morning slot for softer light and fewer people, or late afternoon if you want a calmer, more contemplative mood under the trees.
  • How long to spend: 60-90 minutes for the walk and key stops, longer if you pause at Santa Croce, explore the land art slowly, or include a meal break.
  • Accessibility: Expect dirt paths, slopes, and some steps; it can be challenging for wheelchairs or anyone who needs fully level surfaces.
  • Facilities: Limited on-site facilities compared with central Assisi; plan water and rest stops around the basilica zone, then treat the Bosco as a quieter “in-between” space.

Where to Stay Close to the Bosco di San Francesco

For a culture-heavy Assisi itinerary, base yourself in the historic centre near the Basilica of Saint Francis so you can visit early and late when the town is quieter; if your trip's main focus is transport efficiency and day trips, staying in Santa Maria degli Angeli near the station is more practical, with the upper town as a daily outing.

For a very convenient base steps from the basilica-side routes, Hotel Sorella Luna keeps you close to the Bosco entry area while staying fully in the historic atmosphere. If you want a classic old-town stay on the main basilica street, Hotel Il Palazzo is well positioned for walking between San Francesco, the forest, and the central lanes. For a slightly more traditional larger-hotel feel still close to the basilica complex, Hotel Subasio is a strong, practical option.

Is the Bosco di San Francesco Worth Visiting?

Yes. If Assisi is starting to feel like a sequence of interiors, the Bosco gives you the clearest “reset” you can get without leaving town: real countryside under the basilica, medieval traces you encounter at walking speed, and a contemporary artwork that makes the landscape feel purposeful rather than purely scenic.

Honest pivot: if you have very limited time and your priority is only the basilica interiors and the central streets, you can skip the Bosco without missing Assisi’s headline monuments. It is also not ideal if mobility constraints make uneven paths stressful, because the experience depends on walking comfortably.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (1,285)

Bosco di San Francesco (Via Ponte dei Galli, 1) is a peaceful nature-and-heritage area on the edge of Assisi, offering an easy walking trail through woodland and a river valley with small historic features such as a chapel and garden. Visitors most often praise the calm atmosphere, the sense of “escape” from the crowded town, and the helpful staff, describing it as a restorative stop that pairs well with time around the Basilica of St Francis. It is strongly rated overall (4.5 from about 1,285 ratings), although conditions can be seasonal (for example, the riverbed may be dry at times), so it is best framed as a worthwhile stroll rather than a headline sight.

daniela attard
3 years ago
"So glad to have been able to visit this place and walk the trail. It's beautiful and peaceful, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.Definitely worth a visit!..."
Diego Andrade
6 years ago
"I'd been in Assissi many times but had never gotten around to seeing the bosco. It was a great experience! Lots of lovely nature and a very peacefulatmosphere. Totally recommend it...."
Christina YM Chan
8 months ago
"Nature trail and historical landmark! Worth to visit!"

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Bosco di San Francesco works well for families because it turns sightseeing into movement. Kids usually engage more when the “attraction” is a walk with changing scenery-trees, stone remnants, and a clear start and finish-rather than another quiet interior space with rules and hushed voices.

To keep it smooth, set a simple goal: find one medieval feature, then “discover” the olive-tree artwork as a pattern you can walk through. The visit tends to go best when you treat it as an outdoor break between the big basilica moments, not as a long, educational lecture.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the Bosco is one of Assisi’s most quietly romantic experiences because it trades crowds for atmosphere. The woodland and olive groves feel intimate and unforced, and the landscape views make the town’s spiritual reputation feel grounded in place rather than marketing.

If you visit later in the day, the walk can feel like a shared pause in the itinerary-a way to absorb Assisi together without constantly reading plaques. Pair it with a slow meal afterwards and it becomes one of the most memorable “non-museum” parts of the trip.

Budget Travelers

This is a high-value stop because it adds a full, satisfying experience without requiring a packed schedule of paid interiors. If you’re watching costs, the Bosco is also a smart way to balance your day: you can do the major basilica moments, then spend real time somewhere beautiful without feeling you need to keep paying for “the next thing.”

It also helps you avoid over-planning. The route is self-contained, and the best version of the visit is simply walking well and pausing deliberately, which is exactly the kind of travel that costs the least and often feels the richest.

FAQs for Visiting Bosco di San Francesco

Getting There

It sits directly below the Basilica of Saint Francis, with a main entrance from the Upper Basilica square and additional access via the Santa Croce side. It’s close enough to feel central, but once you enter the paths, it quickly feels separate from the town.
The easiest approach is to head to the Basilica of Saint Francis and enter from the Upper Basilica square. From there, the route naturally guides you down into the woodland and olive grove landscape.
Arrive at Assisi station in Santa Maria degli Angeli, then take a local bus or taxi up to the Basilica of Saint Francis area. From the basilica square, you can walk straight into the Bosco.

Tickets & Entry

You can view the landscape edges from public areas near the basilica, but the maintained walking route through the Bosco is a ticketed visit. The value is in the full path and its curated access points, not just a quick look from outside.
You usually do not need to book far ahead for a standard visit, but booking can be useful in peak periods or if you want a guided experience. If you are working around limited hours on a specific day, advance planning reduces friction.

Visiting Experience

If you’re tight on time, plan for about an hour to walk the route, pause briefly at one historic feature, and experience the “Third Paradise” without rushing. The visit feels best when you’re not treating it as a sprint between monuments.
It’s primarily an outdoor experience, so steady rain reduces comfort and makes paths more slippery. If weather is poor, prioritise basilica interiors and return to the Bosco when conditions make the walk enjoyable.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Some itineraries include it, but many tours focus on the basilicas and central streets due to time constraints. It’s often best as a self-guided extension after visiting the Basilica of Saint Francis.
Start at the Basilica of Saint Francis, do the Bosco walk, then return toward the basilica area and continue into the historic lanes for a café stop. This keeps your route cohesive without backtracking across town.

Photography

Yes, especially for layered shots where woodland, olive trees, and Assisi’s stone skyline share the frame. The “Third Paradise” is most photogenic when you give it enough space to show the full pattern.
Morning gives cleaner light and fewer people, while later afternoon adds warmth and a more contemplative mood under the trees. If you want both, visit in the morning and return later for a short second pass.

Accessibility & Facilities

Parts can be challenging because the paths are natural, sloped, and may include steps. If mobility is a concern, aim for a shorter, selective visit and prioritise the most easily reached sections.
Facilities are limited compared with central Assisi, so it’s best to plan around the basilica zone and treat the Bosco as a walk-first experience. If you want a longer stop, build in a break at the end rather than relying on mid-route services.

Food & Breaks Nearby

The most convenient options are around the Basilica of Saint Francis and along Via San Francesco, where you can find cafés and quick meals without climbing far. If you want a longer, sit-down pause, plan it as your “after the walk” reward.

Safety & Timing

The basilica area stays active into the evening, but the Bosco itself is best visited during opening hours and in daylight due to the nature of the paths. For atmosphere, late afternoon is the sweet spot: calm, safe, and still bright.

Nearby Attractions to the Bosco di San Francesco

  • Basilica di San Francesco d'Assisi: The essential Assisi monument for frescoes, pilgrimage atmosphere, and the town's most famous art and architecture.
  • Oratorio dei Pellegrini: A smaller, quieter Franciscan stop nearby that adds texture without the crowds of the basilica interiors.
  • Rocca Maggiore: The hilltop fortress that delivers Assisi's best panoramas and a strong sense of the town's defensive history.
  • Basilica di Santa Chiara: A major Clare-linked basilica that rounds out the Franciscan story from a different angle than San Francesco.
  • Eremo delle Carceri: The forest hermitage on Monte Subasio, ideal if you want to extend the “Assisi in nature” theme beyond the city walls.

The Bosco di San Francesco appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Assisi!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

Daily: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Price:

Adults €6; Reduced (6-18) €3; Students up to 25 €4; Under 5 free; FAI members free.

Address: Via Ponte dei Galli, 1, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy
Assisi: 1 km
Telephone: +39 075 813157
Official Website

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