Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG)
Airport, Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG)
53 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Futon
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City
This was the house of two very famous people: in the 1200's it was the house of Santa Margherita (the Patron Saint of Cortona) and her son and beloved dog ( she can be visited in the Sanctuary at the top of the city where she rests for all to see in her glass coffin). And in the middle 19oo's the famous Professor Charles van Doren who was mixed up in the largest quiz scandal ever to shake American television. He was also the author of a three volume novel about the life of medieval life in Cortona. Completely Renovated the town-house has upstairs air conditioning, washer & drier, gas heat, wi-fi, 2 Flat screen smart tv's with dish, Marble Bathrooms, with two entrances- one on main street and one on lower level to a Calle, with little picnic table. A new kitchen with full size refrigerator and new gourmet stove. Lower level has floor heating. Inside the ancient walls of Cortona, just steps away from fine dining, elegant shops and wonderful Cultural Events. Perhaps best known these days as the setting for the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” (written by Frances Mayes), gorgeous hillside Cortona has a long history dating back even before it's time as an important Etruscan center. Top attractions include the Duomo (Cathedral), the small Museo Diocesano across the piazza with its superb art collection, and the fascinating Museo dell'Accademia Etrusca with its assembly of Etruscan and Roman era items. Cortona is also bursting with splendid churches spanning many periods. San Nicolo has two marvelous paintings of Luca Signorelli, one of the great Renaissance painters who is also a son of this town. The small opera house houses concerts throughout the summer and in the weekends will convert into a cinema. The town house is unique as it is spread throughout three floors. First floor (Lower Level) houses bedroom, separate bath with shower and separate laundry room. Here is also the entrance to the cute little ally with a patio behind the home. The main level that has the main entrance onto the street via Moneti. It has a living area , a new kitchen, fireplace, eating area and reading nook. The top floor is the master suite consisting of a king size bed and beautiful new marble bath with skylight. Spectacular views of the Chiana valley.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 25 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Cortona
Located in Cortona, this holiday home is in the city centre. Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial and Palazzo Comunale are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Tennis Club Castiglionese and Fattoria Le Capezzine. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby power boating, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails, horse riding and mountain biking.
Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG) - 63 min drive
Restaurants
Caffe La Saletta - 3 min walk
Trattoria Etrusca - 3 min walk
Ristorante La Loggetta - 3 min walk
Cortona Bistrot - 3 min walk
Osteria del Teatro - 2 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Is Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 25 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City ?
As of 9 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City on 22 May 2026 start from AU$213, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City ?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City ?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City ?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Built in 1251 yet totally remodeled in 2014- Located in Historic Cortona City located?
Located in Cortona Old Town, this holiday home is steps away from Giuseppe Garibaldi Memorial, San Domenico Church and Piazza della Repubblica. Signorelli Theatre and Palazzo Comunale are also within 5 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Loved this property..so much charm! Very cozy and comfortable. Great location..owners were very helpful and attentive. I highly recommend it..
Dawn P.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Sept 2021
Dear Dawn, Thank you for your good review. We are very happy you liked the house and hope to see you another time. You are always welcome.
Best wishes, Mikael
We were visiting our daughter who was studying abroad with the University of Georgia This apartment was 2-5 min walk to their dorms and close to the same to all restaurants and shops. The 2 bedroom 2 bath was spacious and very comfortable. I’d stay here again!
Property was a little smaller than expected and only has air conditioning in the top floor bedroom, which made it unpleasant for the people stuck sleeping downstairs, especially since Cortona was having record high temperatures while we were there. However, it was quiet, well equipped and centrally located.
Arthur P.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Renee M.
13 Feb 2015
Incredible!
Was here for a wonderful relaxing stay in October. It's an amazing property! The views are amazing and everything in Cortona is just a short, scenic stroll from the villa. Well appointed, clean, comfortable, words can't describe. Would, and have, recommended this to my friends and will definitely go again. Stay in this lovely villa and thoroughly enjoy the community and people.
Our Host is the Beat Super Host ever. All steps of the process were smooth, from the listing being accurate, to responsive host, to all essentials and lots of extras at the property. A great location In Cortona to experience a wonderful HillTown in Tuscany. Don’t let this one get away. Have fun.
The apartment is part of a structure that was built about 800 years ago. It has been nicely renovated with a good kitchen. The main bedroom upstairs is large and has a great ensuite and air conditioning. Downstairs bedroom is also a good size with its own ensuite. Location is close to the main piazza’s and lots of great restaurants. If you like history, this is a great property.
My husband and I stayed here for almost 3 weeks. The home is comfortable and clean and so close to the action in Cortona. Everything you need for a wonderful stay is provided. The beds are very comfortable and the location is quiet. This 3-level house is perfect for 4 with a master suite upstairs and downstairs. If needed the couch in the living room folds out. The temps were pretty high during our visit so we asked our host Mikael for a couple of fans. Almost immediately he bought 2 fans and brought them over. With the upstairs air-conditioning and the fans, the house was very cool and comfortable. Two thumbs up for this gem of a house.
Beautiful house and location. Very convenient to the city center. It’s the perfect setting.
Steep climb! Don’t forget anything, so you have to run back down to the city square!
Casa Santa Margarita is a Cortona gem. Its interesting history combined with its great location within the walled city and the views of the Valdichiana make it truly special. Though the home is in a peaceful area, it is near some of Cortona’s best restaurants. And the kitchen is well equipped should you elect to take a short walk to the butcher, bakery, or fresh pasta maker.
We stayed 2-1/2 wonderful weeks. From the first moment we connected with the owner to throughout our stay, Mikael always promptly and most helpfully responded.
And it was a surprise and treat to be able to view and enjoy several of Mikael paintings throughout the home. Though parking is usually quite a challenge in Cortona, there is easy access to nearby free parking.
All in all - Casa Santa Margarita is a delightful place to stay in Cortona!
Santa Margherita was what we were looking for and met every expectation. Family of 2 couples. Perfect size for us! If you know the hills of Cortona this is the perfect spot to stay!
The house is wonderful. Old, Cosy and what a view. Located just above the city Center close to all bars and restaurants. Even a small supermarket is close even though one can only get tue most basic supplies there. You can need them however, because the kitchen has got all the necessary tools to conjure up a great meal.
Parking is available nearby unloading is a bit cumbersome because the streets are really narrow around the house.
I enjoyed the stay and can only recommend the Cortona area in general as well as the house in particular.
Mikael ist ein toller Vermieter, der bei allen Fragen und Wünschen sehr schnell reagiert.
Wir haben uns in Summe sehr wohl gefühlt und kommen gern wieder.
pro:
super Kommunikation mit dem Vermieter
tolle, urbane Lage
liebevoll eingerichtetes Haus
sehr gute Ausstattung
cons:
Parken vor dem Haus mit großem Auto nicht möglich
Kindergarten neben dem Haus
Mikael, the owner of the property, was absolutely the best! From his first email, to the day we departed, he was very attentive to all of our needs. We drove from Rome and agreed to meet him at a parking lot on the north side of Cortona. Originally, we had an ETA to meet there at 2PM, got lost, but stayed in contact with Mikael and we finally met him at 3:30 PM where he was happily waiting for us. We followed him up a beautiful hill on VERY narrow streets and he ushered our bags in the house and took the car to the free parking area. Mikael told us the story of Saint Magharita of Cortona, who once resided in the house! In the kitchen, we found a bottle of wine and some snacks and cold water in the fridge. Kitchen had all of the essentials like salt, pepper, olive oil etc…
Pictures of the house on the site do not do it justice. In the ancient, yet beautifully remodeled home, you will find very comfortable furnishings and decor that took our breath away. The views from the kitchen and upstairs bedroom were stunning! We appreciated Mikael’s kindness and loved Cortona and we will be back.
Five star plus!!
For our visit to Cortona, we booked Casa Margherita for 4 nights. Our experience far exceeded our expectations! The house was beautifully decorated, very clean and furnished with everything needed for a comfortable stay. In addition, the location in Old Town was perfect for walking to see the sights, dining and shopping. We highly recommend this property and look forward to hopefully returning sometime in the future!
This property was absolutely perfect for a brief (8-day) getaway in one of our very favorite Italian places. The check-in process was seamless, easy and they even had cold water waiting fo us in the refrigerator. The upstairs bedroom offered breathtaking views of the Valdichiana - the shower was extra large by Tuscan standards, and the bed supremely comfortable. The hosts checked in with us periodically and could not have done more to make us feel welcome. We would unhesitatingly recommend this place to others, and would absolutely use it again.
Une très jolie maison historique sur un air de dolce vità !
Cette merveilleuse maison de village sur 3 étages, nous a permis de passer un séjour très agréable à Cortona. L'âme de cette maison historique et son emplacement sont un plus pour visiter cette magnifique cité. Très jolie décoration ! Seul bémol : l'espace extérieur trop limité pour dîner dehors, mais c'est une maison de ville ! Mikael est un hôte très attentionné qui a rendu notre séjour très agréable. Nous avons déjà envie de retourner à Cortona !
Sehr schön renoviertes Haus in der Altstadt, Piazza della Republica schnell zu Fuß zu erreichen. Gut ausgestattet mit schönem Ambiente. Vermieter hat uns spät abends am Eingang der Altstadt erwartet und ist durch die Gassen zum Haus vorausgefahren, sehr hilfsbereit. Wir können das Haus nur empfehlen.
Mark N.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug 2021
Lieber Mark, Es ist ein Vergnügen euch in unsere Haus als Gäste zu haben.
Danke und auf wierdersehen,
Mikael
This extraordinary townhouse is the rare perfect stay. It has a fascinating history, the authenticity, the comfort, the location, and an amazing floor plan for sharing a house with family or friends, and is absolutely immaculate. Book Casa Santa Margherita FIRST, and then plan the rest of your Tuscany trip.
Tara S.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug 2021
Dear Tara, Thanks so much for your nice comment. Hope to see you again some time.
All the best, Mikael
Verified
8/10 Good
Ted H.
10 Sept 2018
Beautiful cozy villa on the hills of Cortona
We really enjoyed this property. It is very charming and is very well maintained. Lovely rustic charm of an old Cortona home. Accomodations were superb. Be prepared for some great exercise walking up and down the hills to the piazza.
There is a built in alarm clock called the church tower which rings at 7 am most days. That is to be expected in a town like Cortona.
There are many great places to dine and shop in the area within walking distance.
Ted H.
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathleen F.
25 June 2018
Charming, authentic home dating back to the 1300’s
Go back in time in this charming home updated with modern conveniences in the historic old town of Cortona. In a ten minute walk you can eat at a dlelicious restaurant (of many choices), go to a museum, visit a fortress from Medici times, stroll In beautiful gardens, get a coffee or gelato and sit in a piazza and watch people go by, take an authentic traditional Italian cooking class in a local home, or visit churches and shops. Wonderful! Hill walking to the home not for those with physical constraints. Otherwise....not to be missed. Owner Kim is a true hostess and she will guide you to the best that Cortona has to offer.
Kathleen F.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018
Verified
10/10 Excellent
christopher c.
4 June 2018
Great place!
Can't say enough positive things about our stay in Cortona and about the apartment we rented from Kim.
- Kim was great in providing unsolicited ideas about the town and area - places of interest, things to do, etc. - we took full advantage of her ideas and were never disappointed.
- Apartment is great. Slept four comfortably, A/C worked great and washer/dryer were a real plus.
- Just a few short blocks from the main piazza - spent a lot of time in town and very easy to pop back up to the apartment to freshen up or have a quick rest; not a touristy town or setting at all, compared to other places we've visited
- Kim was super - always very responsive and helpful!
christopher c.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Mar 2020
Thank you, Christopher for your kind review. It was my pleasure to assist you in planning your visit to our quaint Tuscan town. I enjoy sharing my favorite adventures within and around Cortona. Helping guests plan their perfect stay reminds me how much I love this place!
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Diane O.
1 July 2017
Charmingly decorated and very comfortable. Wonderful view of valley and lake from various windows.
Located in a very quiet part of town but close enough to the various Piazza's where there was some activity like music, flag competitions or food and antique markets.
Diane O.
Stayed 46 nights in May 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Jahn G.
23 Mar 2017
Beautiful home in a beautiful location.
We had a wonderful stay in Cortona. It was lovely to come back to this home every day. Wine tasting and sampling all the restaurants around the town were our highlight. Newly renovated but keeping with traditions this home is truly perfect for anyone wanting to visit Cortona.
Jahn G.
About the host
Hosted by Hill Town Tours
Ron and Ellen fell in love with Italy over 20 years in the process of searching for his grandfather’s birthplace. Return family visits led them to Cortona and a decision to stay. They are both health professionals; Ellen a retired nursing professor/administrator and Ron a practicing psychoanalyst.
Why they chose this property
Both the House and the town have a unique pull. The emblem above the front door serves to prove that the casa was once inhabited by St. Margherita - patron saint of Cortona. St Margherita is usually depicted with her trusty dog. Cortona is a lovely town with plenty to do on its own but its proximity to Rome and Florence can not be overlooked.
What makes this property unique
Inside Walls Of Cortona.. a stroll to all the wonderful amenities of Cortona. 1 1/2 hour train into Florence..2 1/4 hour train in to Rome. Not to mention Arezzo with it's famous antigue market every first weekend of the month. You can see Montepulciano across the valley and siena is only 40 minutes away. In short: you are in the center of it all, and the opportunity for excursions are endless.