It's impossible to come to stay in a Cortona holiday rental and ignore the town's long, long history. Local guides will be able to reveal the remnants of Etruscan and Hellenistic tombs in the dispersed Archaeological Park of Cortona outside the city walls. Back inside, the famous Diocesan Museum is a place to gawp at great triptychs and artworks of the Italian Renaissance, or encounter the carved tombs of Roman nobles. Then the wine calls. The Molesini and Baracchi wineries are just a stone's throw from the centre – get ready to taste.
Views aside, Cortona is an authentic slice of Tuscan traditionalism. The streets that fly off from little Piazza Repubblica are awash with antique delicatessens, all bursting with buffalo mozzarella, fresh mountain herbs, fruity olive oils, hand-roasted coffee beans and peppered meat cuts. Cooking lessons with a local are a good way to dip your toe in the region's cuisine – forget pizzas, this is all about hearty stews and pappa al pomodoro. Alternatively, wait for the weekend market, a whirlwind of porchetta sandwiches and stacked tomatoes. No wonder Cortona holiday rentals with kitchens are so sought after.
There's no hard and fast rule about when's the best time to visit Cortona. Seeking a family villa with a pool on the Italian hills? Summer's the best choice. There are dry, warm days aplenty between June and August. Prefer to explore the town's long history or culinary character? A spring trip – in September or October – could help save you a heap of euros to spend on truffle pastas and Tuscan T-bone steaks. More unusual are winter breaks between December and March, which could mean catching Cortona and the Apennines blanketed in snow.
Cortona clings to one of the last foothills of the Italian Apennines before the rolling plains of central Italy and the undulating landscapes of Tuscany take over. That means the eastern side of town is given over to mountains that forever rise and rise, clad in galleries of chestnut forests and pines. The western side, meanwhile, drops down to the Arezzo valley. You'll find endless farms and green fields and vineyards there, not to mention the vast Lake Trasimeno, with its islets and wooded shores.
The nearest airport is in Perugia (PEG-Sant Egidio), located 28.9 mi (46.6 km) from the city centre.
If you prefer train travel, make your way to Camucia-Cortona Station or Terontola-Cortona Station and explore the city from there.
Yes, our 2021 property listings offer a large selection of 3,581 vacation rentals near Cortona. From 1,378 villas to 2,128 houses, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends. The best places to stay near Cortona for a holiday or a weekend are on Vrbo.
Vrbo UK offers a large selection of vacation rentals near lovely places in Cortona. From Vrbo UK travelers, the most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:
But there are many other points of interest around Cortona listed on Vrbo UK where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.
Yes, of course. Vrbo UK has 1,378 Villas in Cortona. Our other popular types of vacation rentals in Cortona include:
But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other vacation rentals including Cottages and more.
Yes, you can select your preferred vacation rental with pool among our 2,950 vacation rentals with pool available in Cortona. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available.