Cortona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cortona featuring farmland and a city
Cortona showing farmland
Cortona showing heritage architecture
Cortona featuring farmland
Cortona featuring heritage architecture

Climb up the winding narrow streets of this hilltop town and admire gorgeous vistas of verdant Tuscan valleys from elevated vantage points.

A stone wall encloses the red-roofed medieval buildings that make up the hilltop settlement of Cortona, a cultural hub in the Val di Chiana region. Explore centuries-old churches and enjoy superb views of the scenic Val di Chiana countryside.

Ask locals about some of the stories associated with the town. Legend has it that Cortona was built by a descendent of the biblical figure Noah many years after the Great Flood. The location was chosen because of its high elevation and picturesque views.

Among the most famous landmarks in town is the Cathedral of Cortona, a Renaissance structure that was built over an earlier Romanesque church. Enter to see the beautifully carved 17th-century altars and the religious paintings in the choir.

Just south of the town centre is the Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio church, which was constructed during the late 15th and early 16th century. Admire the Latin cross plan layout, the Renaissance design of the central dome and the pretty surrounding olive trees. The church of Santa Maria Nuova, which was built in the 16th and 17th centuries, features a Baroque-style dome.

Head to the central Piazza della Repubblica, a town square lined with historic buildings. Relax at one of the cafés here and survey the 13th-century Palazzo Comunale and the elegant clock tower.

Learn about the local culture at the Museo Diocesano Del Capitolo art museum and the Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca, which contains relics from Etruscan and Roman times.

Drive south from Arezzo for 19 miles (31 kilometres) to reach Cortona, which is in the southeastern part of Tuscany. Fly to either Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi – Umbria International Airport or Florence Airport. Trains run directly from RomeOpens in a new window, FlorenceOpens in a new window and ArezzoOpens in a new window. Expect hot weather from May to September and cold winters.

With delightful country views and medieval relics, Cortona is among the most appealing of Tuscany’s many charming hill towns.

Where to stay in Cortona

Cortona

Cortona Old Town

5/5(8 area reviews)

Cortona Old Town is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Piazza della Repubblica and Cortona Cathedral.

Cortona Old Town
Villa di Piazzano - Small Luxury Hotel of the World
Villa di Piazzano - Small Luxury Hotel of the World
5 out of 5
Localita Piazzano, C.P. 6, Cortona, AR
The price is £474 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
£474
10 Jul - 11 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cortona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (211 reviews)
"Our recent 4 night stay at Villa di Piazzano was truly perfect in every way! Celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary could not have been more enjoyed! Having booked our stay 6 mos in advance - I communicated many times via email during that time, seeking itinerary advice from the Conceirge. I always ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Villa di Piazzano - Small Luxury Hotel of the World
Monastero di Cortona Hotel & Spa
Monastero di Cortona Hotel & Spa
5 out of 5
Via del Salvatore, Cortona, AR
The price is £277 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£277
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cortona. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (214 reviews)
Fantastic!
"It’s impossible to praise this hotel enough! What an amazing experience, from the care and concern after booking, to check-in and the attention to detail throughout our stay. The location is good, not too far to walk to local restaurants in Cortona but far enough to be tranquil. The hotel is spotless ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Monastero di Cortona Hotel & Spa
Il Falconiere - Relais e Chateaux
Il Falconiere - Relais e Chateaux
5 out of 5
Localita San Martino 370, Cortona, AR
The price is £324 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
£324
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cortona. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Cortona Cathedral and Museo Diocesano are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (106 reviews)
"Very pretty property and amenities"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Il Falconiere - Relais e Chateaux
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casina in authentic Tuscany
Casina in authentic Tuscany
Cortona, Tuscany
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Cortona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Farneta Abbey and Museo Diocesano are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Lovely little home
"My mom and I stayed at Casina del Bibo for four days. The location is perfect if you want to stay in a small village away from all of the hustle of the Tuscan hill towns. You will definitely need a car, though. We stayed in the upstairs apartment, which had two large rooms with king sized beds (and ..."

Reviewed on 26 Jun 2025

Casina in authentic Tuscany
Sun-Soaked Private View Terrace in the Historical Centre of Cortona.
Sun-Soaked Private View Terrace in the Historical Centre of Cortona.
Cortona Arezzo, Lazio
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Cortona. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Signorelli Theatre and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (59 reviews)
Beautiful terrace apartment in Cortona
"My husband and I loved our stay here! It was so close to town and the terrace was absolutely stunning. Would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on 4 May 2025

Sun-Soaked Private View Terrace in the Historical Centre of Cortona.
Casa La Fonte - Luxury Villa Rental with swimming pool in Cortona, Tuscany
Casa La Fonte - Luxury Villa Rental with swimming pool in Cortona, Tuscany
Cortona, Tuscany
Stay at this villa in Cortona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a garden. Popular attractions Santa Maria delle Grazie and Piazza della Repubblica are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Lovely stay. Enjoyed the home, area, and local restaurants. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2025

Casa La Fonte - Luxury Villa Rental with swimming pool in Cortona, Tuscany
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Cortona

4.9
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 89%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 11%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Wonderful town, well wotrh a visit. Be aware that it is a steep walk up to the centre.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely town, beautiful walkways and stunning views, great selection of quaint shops from leather bags to truffles

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Amazing location in southern tuscany, great wineries, lovely old medieval town, great restaurants, and amazingly friendly people

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