What are the best things to do in Cortona?
Top picks in Cortona include Passerini Palace, Cortona Cathedral. See the full list and itinerary on this Cortona travel guide.
Photo: Patrick Denker · CC BY 2.0
Why visit Cortona
Travel guide for Cortona, Italy — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Cortona is a stop in Italy, not a country-in-a-weekend. Most people stay 2–4 days. If time is short, prioritise Passerini Palace, Cortona Cathedral instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 100–220 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Cortona
1
Passerini Palace
2
Cortona Cathedral
Budget
Cortona trip cost
Budget
USD 45–75
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 100–220
per person / day
Luxury
USD 255–420+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Cortona, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Cortona
Estimated total (USD)
$2,880
≈ $1,440 per person · $411 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $160/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Cortona mid-range ground costs (budget 45–75 · mid 100–220 · luxury 255–420+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Trattoria Dardano
Osteria del Teatro
Hosteria La Bucaccia
Bar 500
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Agriturismo Villa Cuiano
Hotel Italia
Agriturismo Casamontana
Agriturismo Il Frantoio
Agriturismo Pratovalle
Shopping
- Wine Bar La Casa Gialla
Museums & culture
- Passerini Palace
- Cortona Cathedral
In pictures
Cortona gallery
Photos: Patrick Denker, Jacopo Alessandro Calvi, Sailko, Sklein999 at German Wikipedia, LigaDue — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Cortona travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Cortona?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Cortona?
Most travellers spend 2–4 days in Cortona, depending on how many day trips you want in Italy.
Where should I stay in Cortona?
Popular stays in Cortona include Agriturismo Villa Cuiano, Hotel Italia, Agriturismo Casamontana. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Cortona cost?
On the ground in Cortona (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 45–75 per person per day, mid-range about 100–220, and luxury about 255–420+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Cortona, Italy. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
