Private car transfer from Florence to Cortona

With only 90 minutes of driving time between Florence and Cortona, a sightseeing stop or two can turn this transfer into a full tour of Tuscany. Lucignano and San Gimignano are typically more difficult to reach in a timely manner on mass transit, but with Daytrip, they are a click away!

The winding road up to Cortona is lined with cypress trees, and as you ascend, the views of the valley below and horizon in the distance are simply breathtaking, so have your camera ready! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by Cortona’s ancient stone walls and narrow streets, inviting you to enjoy a slower pace of life in Tuscany.

Cortona is one of many Etruscan hilltowns found in Tuscany. These bedrocks of Italian civilization were built high in the hills to protect themselves and gain a line of sight across long distances. They were built to anticipate invasions, with thick city walls, fortresses, and all of the necessary amenities needed for society: a church, shops, residential homes, and wells.

Like ancient times, the farmland surrounding Cortona still provides wine, meats, cheeses, and produce that Tuscany is known for, but today it is for a wider market. The recipes remain the same as they pass through family lore, but are combined with more efficient, modern farming practices.

With industrialization and urbanization, the Tuscany hilltown populations have been dwindling as the youth move to cities for jobs. However, after Cortona gained international fame in 1996 from Under the Tuscan Sun, travelers turned their sights towards Cortona to experience its romantic, rustic beauty.

Wear comfortable shoes

As a typical hilltown, Cortona has very few flat streets. Expect to do a lot of walking up and down hills and staircases as you explore the town. Leave the flip flops at home and opt for comfortable, supportive shoes with a heel strap. When in doubt, bring a pair of socks and bandaids for any shoe-related emergencies.

Come prepared for photos

Cortona is incredibly photogenic and a great contender for this year’s family photos. It’s easy to see why Cortona was chosen as the setting for Under the Tuscan Sun. Have your camera (or camera phone!) fully charged with memory space for plenty of photos, videos, and memories.

Driving from Florence to Cortona

Hiring a private driver is the fastest and easiest way to reach Cortona. You won’t need to build a transit plan across multiple companies or take on the responsibility of driving a rental car. Just let your local Daytrip driver take you door-to-door seamlessly from your accommodation in Florence to your address in Cortona!

Hilltowns are, by their nature, isolated. It is difficult to see several hilltowns in a single day or even on a single vacation to Italy with mass transit. Daytrip not only makes it easy to book your transfer, but you are also a click away from adding stops to other famous hilltowns like Siena and Loro Ciuffenna. Trips start at $61 (€56) per seat.

Trains and buses from Florence to Cortona

There is no direct route via public transportation from Florence to Cortona, but it is still possible to make the trip in about two hours. Most routes require two transfers, but in order to only make one transfer, you’ll need to take a train from Florence to Camucia-Cortona, then take a 10 minute long bus ride up the hill to the old city center.

Camucia-Cortona is the closest train station to Cortona, however, it is still necessary to take a bus up the steep hill, as the train station is 2 miles (3 km) from the old town. The buses arrive and depart frequently, but it is also possible to hire a taxi for the last leg of this journey.

The timetables and prices for the aforementioned train and bus change with the season and days of the week, so it is crucial to approach this transfer with flexibility, especially during weekends, holidays, and the off-season. Expect to pay $30 to $45 (€27.50-€41) for the train and bus tickets together.

Walk to the Fortress of Girifalco

Located at the highest point of Cortona, this fortress offers panoramic views of the Val di Chiana and Lake Trasimeno. It has been protecting Cortona since the 5th or 6th century during the Etruscan period and the views are worth the hike up the hills.

Admire the Basilica of Santa Margherita

This neo-Gothic church is dedicated to the patron saint of Cortona, Saint Margaret. Her remains are interred at one of its altars, and it is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. As you tour Cortona, it can be hard to imagine that the basilica and the Girifalco Fortress are only a few yards apart, but they are 1,000 years apart in age.

Savor Tuscan Cuisine

Don’t let the simple ingredients and rustic presentation fool you! Tuscan cuisine is among the most savory and flavor-forward in all of Italy. Indulge in local specialties like ribollita, pici pasta, and bistecca alla fiorentina at one of Cortona’s many excellent restaurants.

Truffles have a controversial flavor, but if you love these unique mushrooms, Cortona has many dishes with gourmet, local varieties.

Tuscany’s focus on high-quality ingredients over complicated cooking or baking techniques makes it an accessible introduction to Italian cooking. Don’t be afraid to pick up a cookbook as a souvenir from Cortona and replicate your favorite dishes at home.

Become a sommelier

The long, sunny days in Tuscany are perfect for vineyards. Shops in Cortona sell obscure wines from local wineries that you won’t find anywhere else in Italy, much less in the international aisle at the supermarket back home. Book a wine tasting to sample local specialties and find your next favorite bottle!