Villa Catrosse | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Cortona

Fourteen guests across six bedrooms. One working fireplace in the living room, another in the sitting area. A private pool measuring 4 by 8 metres, heated for comfort. This is Villa Catrosse—a restored 17th-century stone farmhouse in Cortona, Arezzo, where two independent dwellings share 4,000 square metres of gardens and a location just 500 metres from one of Italy’s most photographed medieval villages. Villa Catrosse sleeps 12 guests across 6 bedrooms and 1 bathrooms, though the layout offers far more bathroom access than that single count suggests.

Inside Villa Catrosse

The property divides into two separate houses, each with its own entrance and the freedom that comes with it. Unit One sits on the ground floor with a combined living and dining room where a fireplace anchors the space, sofas face a television, and a dining table seats four. The kitchenette—compact but functional—holds an oven, hob, fridge freezer, kettle and toaster. Two double bedrooms occupy the same floor: the first includes an en-suite with shower; the second features an en-suite with both bath and shower. A concierge room accessible from outdoors completes this wing.

Unit Two sprawls across two levels with significantly more entertaining capacity. Ground floor reveals a main living and dining room with sofas, fireplace, television, a piano for guests with musical inclinations, and a dining table that accommodates ten. A separate sitting room offers additional seating. The fully equipped kitchen opens to the garden and includes a dining table, oven, hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee machine—the kind of space that makes meal preparation feel less like obligation and more like pleasure. A guest WC completes this floor.

Upstairs in Unit Two, a second living room with sofas and fireplace provides flexibility for different group activities. Four double bedrooms distribute across the first floor: three include en-suite bathrooms with shower, bath, sink and WC; one bedroom shares access to a family bathroom containing shower, sink and WC. This configuration allows for sleeping arrangements that suit multi-generational groups or two separate families equally well.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The gardens command attention. Four thousand square metres of lawned space roll across the property with panoramic views across the Val di Chiana valley—the kind of vista that rewires afternoon rhythms toward sitting rather than activity. An al-fresco dining terrace overlooks these grounds; sun loungers and parasols dot the lawns for unstructured relaxation. The private swimming pool—4 metres by 8 metres, depths ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 metres—provides refreshment during warm months. An outdoor shower offers a particular luxury: rinsing off after poolside hours while the Tuscan air moves around you. A barbecue and pizza oven transform entertaining into something approaching performance art; a working fireplace indoors means cooler evenings remain perfectly comfortable. Parking accommodates multiple vehicles, and the music system (with Wi-Fi and central heating managed throughout) brings contemporary comfort to centuries-old spaces.

Location: Cortona and the Surrounding Area

Cortona itself sits 500 metres away—close enough for a morning walk to morning coffee, far enough to feel genuinely peaceful at dusk. This medieval hilltown, perched at 494 metres elevation, rewards wandering through Piazza della Repubblica with its Renaissance geometry, past the Clock Tower, and up the steps of Palazzo del Comune for views across the Val di Chiana that stretch 50 kilometres on clear days. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta contains frescoes worth the brief detour; the Museum of the Diocesan contains works by Fra Angelico and Signorelli that serious art travellers make pilgrimages to see.

Camucia, 4 kilometres south, provides larger supermarkets and everyday shopping alongside its own character. Lake Trasimeno lies 17 kilometres to the west—Italy’s fourth-largest lake, ringed with walking trails, offering boat trips to its four islands (Isola Maggiore particularly rewards a half-day visit), and providing lakeside picnic spots where local white wines pair perfectly with afternoon stillness.

Arezzo, 30 kilometres north, houses the Basilica of San Francesco with its extraordinary fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca—considered among the Renaissance’s supreme achievements. The town itself contains excellent restaurants (Buca di San Francesco serves traditional Aretine cuisine in a 14th-century wine cellar), antique markets (particularly strong on the first Sunday of each month), and gold jewellery workshops that have operated for generations. Perugia, 50 kilometres northwest, delivers urban vitality—its historic centre rises in concentric medieval streets, its Rocca fortress dominates views across Umbria, its artisan chocolate shops (Perugina’s main factory sits within 10 kilometres) and architecture schools make it a destination unto itself. For wine exploration, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano region lies 30 kilometres south with family-run estates offering tastings and cellar tours; the road passes through San Biagio church with its perfect Renaissance proportions standing alone in open countryside.

Seasonal considerations matter here. May through September brings reliable warmth (temperatures 22-28°C), though July and August can exceed 30°C and attract crowds to major sites. September and early October offer the sweetest climate—warm days, cool evenings, harvest activity in vineyards. April and late October provide pleasant temperatures (15-22°C) with fewer tourists and the landscape in transition. Winter (December-February) averages 5-10°C with occasional rain; heating is essential and many village businesses reduce hours. For destination inspiration, read our Tuscany travel guide, and explore our luxury villas in Italy and full collection in Cortona.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Two families travelling together form the obvious candidate—Unit One accommodates four to five guests comfortably; Unit Two manages seven to eight, allowing genuine privacy with shared outdoor spaces that encourage interaction. Multi-generational groups spanning grandparents, parents, children and partners find the two-dwelling layout prevents the tension that shared-roof arrangements create. Milestone celebrations—50th birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions—benefit from the large dining capacity (Unit Two’s table seats ten), the kitchen resources, and the ability to hire a chef through Excellence Luxury Villas’ available service.

Corporate groups seeking a working retreat appreciate the Wi-Fi infrastructure and separate living spaces for breakout sessions. The piano appeals to groups with musical interests; the pool and terraces suit groups seeking active relaxation rather than pure sightseeing.

Villa Catrosse suits those seeking Tuscan authenticity without sacrificing comfort. The exposed wooden ceiling beams, terracotta tiles, original shuttered windows and working fireplaces belong to the 17th century; central heating, satellite television, modern kitchens and consistent hot water belong to today. The location—genuinely close to a stunning town, genuinely removed from tourist congestion—appeals to travellers who reject both isolated countryside anonymity and packaged resort experiences.

Practical Information

Villa Catrosse accommodates 12 guests across 6 bedrooms. The single bathroom count (1) understates the actual facilities; the property contains multiple en-suite bathrooms across both units plus additional WCs, meaning groups never queue for facilities. Nearest airports: Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport (85 kilometres, approximately 75 minutes’ drive) or Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (150 kilometres, approximately 2 hours). Direct transfers via hire car from either airport to Villa Catrosse take straightforward routes through rolling countryside.

Included in rental: Wi-Fi broadband, central heating, utilities, linen and towels, pool access (seasonally heated), outdoor parking. Available for additional fee: maid service (weekly or daily cleaning), chef or cook services (particularly valuable given the large kitchen and entertaining focus), babysitting, cooking classes with local instructors, pre-stocked fridge on arrival. A cot and high chair are available on request for families with very young children.

Check-in flexibility depends on seasonality and prior bookings; Excellence Luxury Villas accommodates late arrivals when possible. The property’s dual-unit structure and two independent entrances mean flexible arrival timing—one family might arrive early while the other follows later without disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa Catrosse

How many guests does Villa Catrosse sleep?

Villa Catrosse sleeps 12 guests across 6 bedrooms. Unit One accommodates 4-5 guests in two double bedrooms; Unit Two accommodates 7-8 guests in four double bedrooms. All bedrooms contain double-sized beds. The split across two independent dwellings allows families or groups to maintain privacy while sharing grounds, pool and entertainment spaces.

What is the nearest airport to Villa Catrosse in Cortona?

Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport sits 85 kilometres away—approximately 75 minutes’ drive via the E76 and SR71 routes through rolling countryside. Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport (the larger option with more flight connections) lies 150 kilometres distant, requiring approximately 2 hours’ driving through the Val d’Arno towards the Arno valley. Both routes are straightforward on well-maintained roads; car hire at either airport is advisable for exploring the region beyond Villa Catrosse.

What is the best time of year to rent Villa Catrosse?

May through October provides warm weather and open village amenities. May (16-22°C) and September-October (15-24°C) offer ideal conditions—warm enough for pool use, cool enough for comfortable exploring. June through August brings reliable heat (25-32°C), reliable sunshine, and peak tourist numbers in Cortona and Arezzo. April and November are shoulder seasons with pleasant temperatures (12-20°C) and minimal crowds. December through March involves cooler weather (5-12°C), occasional rain, and reduced business hours in smaller shops—though the central heating and fireplaces make comfortable entertaining entirely possible, and wine tasting and countryside walking remain excellent.

Is Villa Catrosse suitable for families with children?

Yes, with practical considerations. The private swimming pool (1.2-1.8 metres deep across its length) suits confident swimmers and older children; younger swimmers require close adult supervision or preference for designated children’s beaches at Lake Trasimeno (17 kilometres away). The property offers cots and high chairs on request. Cortona’s medieval streets contain some steep sections and uneven paving—manageable for families comfortable with historical town layouts, less suitable for those with mobility limitations or very young children in prams. Excellent family activities include lake picnicking, easy walking trails through the Val di Chiana, cycling on flat farm roads, and cooking classes that accommodate children’s participation.

What is included in the rental price at Villa Catrosse?

The rental includes Wi-Fi broadband throughout both units, central heating and hot water, electricity and gas for cooking, pool access (seasonally heated), all bed linen and towels, outdoor parking, use of all furniture and appliances, and access to the gardens and terraces. The pizza oven and barbecue are available for guest use. Available at additional cost are: maid service (daily or weekly), professional chef or cook services, babysitting, organized cooking classes with local instructors, and pre-stocking of the refrigerator before arrival with groceries of your specification.

What restaurants and shops are near Villa Catrosse?

Cortona centre (500 metres) contains numerous restaurants ranging from casual trattorias to fine dining—Osteria del Teatro offers contemporary cooking in a historic palazzo; Tonino’s serves traditional Tuscan fare (wild boar, pasta with local game) in a family-run setting frequented by locals rather than tourists. The town centre has small grocers, a butcher (particularly strong on local salamis and porchetta), and a weekly market in the piazza where local farmers sell seasonal produce. Camucia (4 kilometres) provides larger supermarkets including Carrefour and independent markets. For wine and specialty foods, the towns of Montepulciano (30 kilometres) and Pienza (40 kilometres) contain specialist shops focused on Vino Nobile, Brunello and local pecorino cheeses. The countryside between Villa Catrosse and Lake Trasimeno contains several farm shops selling directly-produced olive oils, wines, and preserved vegetables.