Things to Do in Cortona: The Complete Guide

Things to do in Cortona go well beyond a quick stroll through the main piazza. This is a town with serious depth — Etruscan history, Renaissance art, extraordinary viewpoints, and a local calendar full of events that most visitors never discover. Here’s where to start.

Visit the MAEC — Museum of the Etruscan Academy

The MAEC is Cortona’s most important museum and one of the finest Etruscan collections in Italy. Housed in the 13th-century Palazzo Casali, it contains artefacts spanning more than three thousand years — from Etruscan bronzes and jewellery to Egyptian objects and Roman mosaics.

The star of the collection is the Etruscan Chandelier (Lampadario Etrusco) — a remarkable bronze lamp dating from the 5th century BC, considered one of the most important Etruscan artefacts ever found. Allow at least 90 minutes.

Insider tip: The museum also runs temporary exhibitions that are often excellent. Check the MAEC website before your visit to see what’s on.

Walk the Medieval Streets

Cortona’s historic centre is best explored on foot — and slowly. The town’s steep, narrow lanes have changed little since the Middle Ages, and getting lost is half the point. Start at Piazza della Repubblica, the main square, and work your way up toward the Fortezza del Girifalco at the top of the hill.

Key stops along the way:

Piazza Signorelli — the cultural heart of town, home to the MAEC, the Teatro Signorelli, and a good selection of cafés.

Via Nazionale — the main commercial street, lined with local shops, wine bars, and delis. The only flat street in Cortona — locals call it “Rugapiana” (flat street).

Via Janelli — one of the oldest streets in Cortona, with medieval overhanging houses (sporti) that are among the best-preserved in Tuscany.

Climb to the Fortezza del Girifalco

The Medici fortress at the top of Cortona offers the best panoramic views in the area — on a clear day, you can see across the Val di Chiana to Lake Trasimeno and beyond. The climb is steep but worth every step.

The fortress also hosts exhibitions during the Cortona On The Move photography festival each summer, which makes the climb doubly worthwhile in July and August.

Insider tip: Go at sunset. The light over the valley in the late afternoon is extraordinary, and the fortress is often quiet at that hour.

Visit the Diocesan Museum

Cortona’s Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano) contains an impressive collection of religious art, including works by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli — two of the most important painters associated with Cortona. The Fra Angelico Annunciation housed here is considered one of his finest works.

The museum is small but exceptional. Often overlooked in favour of the MAEC, it deserves at least an hour of your time.

Explore the Eremo Le Celle

About 3 km outside Cortona, tucked into a wooded ravine, is the Eremo Le Celle — a hermitage founded by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th century. It’s still home to a small community of Franciscan friars and remains one of the most serene and beautiful spots in the area.

The walk from Cortona takes about 45 minutes through olive groves and woodland. Alternatively, drive or take a taxi — parking is available nearby.

Insider tip: Dress modestly if you plan to enter the chapel. The hermitage is an active religious community, not a tourist attraction — treat it accordingly and the experience is genuinely moving.

Attend a Local Festival

Cortona’s festival calendar is one of its best-kept secrets. Key dates to plan around:

Giostra dell’Archidado (late May/early June) — a medieval crossbow tournament between the town’s five historic quarters. One of the most authentic medieval events in Tuscany.

Cortona Comics (June) — an international comic and pop culture festival that transforms the historic centre. More fun than it sounds, even if comics aren’t your thing.

Sagra della Bistecca (15 August) — Cortona’s famous steak festival, held every year on Ferragosto. Enormous Chianina steaks grilled over open fires in the Parterre gardens. A Cortona institution.

Cortona On The Move (July–October) — an internationally acclaimed photography festival spread across the historic buildings of the town. One of Italy’s most respected cultural events.

Taste the Local Wine and Food

Cortona sits at the heart of the Cortona DOC wine zone, known particularly for its Syrah — an unusual grape for Tuscany, but one that thrives in the local soils. A visit to a local cantina is one of the best things to do in Cortona for food and wine lovers.

The area is also known for its Chianina beef, local olive oil, truffles (in season), and porcini mushrooms. Most good restaurants in Cortona feature all of these — often on the same menu.

Day Trips from Cortona

Cortona’s position in eastern Tuscany makes it an excellent base for day trips. Within an hour by car you can reach Montepulciano, Pienza, Arezzo, Siena, Assisi and the shores of Lake Trasimeno. We’ll be publishing a full day trips guide soon.

Quick Reference

Attraction	Time needed	Best for
MAEC Museum	90 min	History lovers
Medieval streets	Half day	Everyone
Fortezza del Girifalco	1 hour	Views, photography
Diocesan Museum	1 hour	Art lovers
Eremo Le Celle	Half day	Nature, spirituality
Local festivals	Full day	Culture, atmosphere

Insider Tip

The best thing to do in Cortona costs nothing: find a bench near the Fortezza or the Basilica di Santa Margherita at dusk, and watch the light change over the Val di Chiana. It’s one of those views that stays with you long after you’ve left.