Cortona

Cortona is a town in the province of Arezzo. It is a delightful hill town in the beautiful southern Tuscany, which will win all tourists’ hearts thanks to its picturesque medieval narrow streets and its colourful landscape with silvery olive trees spread throughout its green valleys.

Twenty years ago, it suddenly became one of Tuscany’s top destinations, attracting visitors from all over the world who were curious to visit the village where the film "Under the Tuscan Sun" had been set. Since then, this charming walled town attracts thousands of visitors each year. Cortona is brimming with curious legends, history and works of art, which combine perfectly with its delicious Italian gastronomy and emerald coloured landscapes.

Things to do in Cortona

Cortona is a serene and amicable town where time seems to stand still. Visitors will be able to enjoy art, history and an inspiring landscape, which seem to invite you to stay.

The town was enlarged by the Etruscans and it combines medieval style architecture with numerous monuments from the Renaissance period and later architecture, making it an impressive destination with many attractions.

The whole town is worth exploring. However, there are some attractions that are worth highlighting such as the Convent de Le Celle (a thirteenth-century cloister founded by Saint Francis) The Church of San Francesco, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio, the Palazzo Comunale (City Council Palace), the Fortezza del Girifalco and finally the Duomo; none of which are to be missed.

Small but charming

Visitors can see Cortona in a couple of hours since it is relatively small. It impossible to resist getting lost and exploring the town’s narrow streets, picturesque houses and various attractions and monuments.

Getting to Cortona

These are the simplest ways of travelling to Cortona:

• English-speaking guided tour:  The easiest and most comfortable way of visiting Cortona is to book an English-speaking guided day trip. The tour includes hotel pick-up, transport, tickets to the attractions and an English-speaking guide. The day-trip also includes a visit to Assisi.
• Train: Several trains run between Florence and Cortona a day. Cortona’s railway station is located in the city’s outskirts, so you will need to take a bus from the station to the historic centre. The journey takes 1 hour 30 minutes and tickets prices can be as low as € 10.90 (US$ 11.70).
• Rent a car: For those that prefer to visit Cortona on their own, renting a car is the best option. Click here to hire a car.