I am planning a trip with my three daughters. I have rented a villa near Cortona for four nights and am planning to rent a car from the agency at the train station in Terontola-Cortona. Does anyone have experience with driving and parking in Cortona? I was thinking we would plan to eat dinner in the town in the evenings and visit other cities during the days but parking has me concerned and wondering if I should stick with staying in bigger cities and using the train. Thanks for any input.
Posted by
11500 posts
Renting a car is the best option for Cortona, and the surrounding areas of Tuscany and Umbria.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7750 posts
Month of the year is essential to commenting on your question.
We had to search multiple lots, and wait for spaces to turn over (like Christmas at the mall) in July in Cortona. The distance UP the hill is exceptionally far in Cortona, referring to walking. That said, I would prefer to have a car in Tuscany. We had fancy lunches at wineries with restaurants, and just had bar snacks for dinner at our rural resort in Sinalunga. (Ages over 65, so smaller dinners preferred.)
Posted by
OP
17 posts
We are planning to travel mid June. When you mention circling like Christmas at the mall, are you referring to circling the parking lot or are there spaces available in town?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7750 posts
I meant that we could not park until we happened to be near someone when they pulled out to leave. This was true for all our Tuscany & area daytrips. It is possible that parking is easier after museums and shops close. I would not attempt to park in such a small town, ZTL or not.
I don't know if Cortona has a bus shuttle lot, farther away than we parked, up on the hill, but in medium-sized parking lots, short uphill walk to town. We parked in a lot.