Elegance and silence: staying in a luxury villa at the gates of Cortona
A way of being in Tuscany that you won't find in guidebooks. It's not the hotel way, not the resort way. It's the way of those who have an entire villa to themselves — with their own garden, their own swimming pool, the scent of cypress entering through the window in the morning — and Cortona less than a kilometer away, reachable on foot while enjoying the panorama.
That way has a precise name: Villa Serena.
A nineteenth-century aristocratic residence on the hill of Cortona
Villa Serena is located in Località Le Contesse, 202 — on the summit of a hill adjacent to the Etruscan walls of Cortona, less than a kilometer from the historic center. It's not a generic position: it's a privileged observation point over the Val di Chiana, with the tower of the Renaissance Palazzone in the foreground, the profile of Monte Amiata on the horizon, the silvery reflections of Lake Trasimeno on clear days.
The structure was built in the nineteenth century in the style of ancient Tuscan manor residences. A large park with centuries-old trees, hedgerows, flowering shrubs and olive trees surrounds it on all sides. It's not simply a place to sleep — it's an atmosphere to inhabit.
From the upper floor of Villa Serena, the panoramic terrace overlooks the entire Val di Chiana plain and Lake Trasimeno — one of those panoramas you don't forget easily.
The villas: three different characters, one soul
The complex consists of three independent properties, each with its own entrance and personality. They can be rented individually or all three exclusively:
— Villa Serena — the main villa, 180m², up to 6 guests, 3 double bedrooms with period furniture, 2 bathrooms + WC, large sitting room with nineteenth-century fireplace, equipped kitchen, panoramic terrace. From €350/night.
— Dépendance Serenella — 65m², for 2 adults + 2 children, entirely on the ground floor with direct access to the garden. Born from the restoration of the villa's ancient cellar, with ancient terracotta floors and ceilings. Romantic and intimate, perfect for couples. From €180/night.
— Dépendance Fontanella — 50m², for 2 adults + 2 children, completely independent with private garden and open view. Ground floor with just one step of access. From €160/night.
— Villa Serena Exclusive — the entire complex exclusively, 295m², up to 10 adults + 4 children, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, private swimming pool and garden. The ideal solution for large families, groups of friends or private events. From €690/night.
The swimming pool and garden: the heart of the complex
The swimming pool is the natural meeting point of the entire property — accessible to all guests of the complex, immersed in the park's greenery with views of Cortona rising on the hillside. Next to the pool, an outdoor table ideal for breakfasts and dinners under the stars, among the olive trees and the silence of the countryside.
The park is carefully maintained: tall trees, flowering hedgerows, wide lawns. A space you won't find in hotels — a space you inhabit.
The location: everything within reach
Villa Serena's strength also lies in its location. Cortona is less than a kilometer away — reachable even on foot, with a panoramic walk that alone is worth the journey. But around it are excellent destinations for every day:
• 10 min — Cortona: MAEC, Diocesan Museum, Osteria del Teatro, markets and medieval streets • 25 min — Lake Trasimeno: ferries to the islands, fish restaurants, sunsets over water • 35 min — Montepulciano: Vino Nobile, historic cellars, Avignonesi and Contucci • 35 min — Arezzo: the Saracen Joust, Piazza Grande, Piero della Francesca • 40 min — Chianciano Terme: thermal relaxation and wellness treatments • 45 min — Perugia, Assisi, Pienza: a borderless territory between Tuscany and Umbria
Extra services — including Add Extra Services
Villa Serena is an official partner of Add Extra Services: guests can book authentic experiences in the Cortona territory directly from the villa — wine tastings, cooking classes, e-bike tours, wellness sessions, transfers and much more. The team also prepares a personalized guide with the area's favorite spots: not postcard attractions, but restaurants where the locals of Cortona eat, hidden trails, seasonal markets.
→ Check availability, prices and book now
Whatever stay you're looking for
• Private swimming pool with views of Cortona • Free private parking • Wi-Fi included • Direct booking at guaranteed best price • Flexible cancellation policy available
"The structure is elegant, aristocratic. The main villa and the dependances all have the characteristics of a charming residential complex — and the view from the terrace is something you don't expect." — verified review
Cortona makes more sense when you live inside it — and above it
There's a subtle but real difference between those who visit Cortona and those who live it. Those who climb down every morning from their villa, walking the scenic path between the olive trees. Those who return in the evening with the sun low over the Val di Chiana and find the swimming pool waiting for them, silent and cool. Those who don't need to plan every minute because the place where they are is already, in itself, a destination.
Villa Serena is that difference.