HI - Cortona - San Marco Hostel

I hesitate to mention this too much
because it's such a gem, I want to keep it my little secret! I stayed there in sept. 2006, and enjoyed my stay so much, I found myself going back in june 2007 while visiting Italy with my brother. The ostello was almost empty both times, which is hard for me to believe, considering the great location in magical Cortona! Sergio is very friendly and helpful, and so is the little cleaning lady who does a great job. Ask to be in the first dorm on the left, on the top floor: you will not believe the view out of the giant window, over the typical roof tiles and belltower of the church across the street, seeing the mist rising over the countryside all the way to lago Trasimeno, or hearing the swallows' feeding frenzy at sunset. There is a lockout during the day, but you get a key to the door if you get back after curfew. Cortona is picture-perfect, has great cafes and little markets, and feels safe and easygoing. the ostello is so cheap, yet so well-located, it's a great base to explore the region, with easy bus access up and down the hill to the Camucia station, sitting right on a busy train line. Sure, it's not the Ritz, a little rough around the edges, but clean: you have to climb long flights of stairs to get to your room or dorm, but get used to hiking if you plan to visit hilltops!

Stayed there for two nights this summer. Great hostel, definetely the highlight of any trip. The building is a thirteenth century monastery and the room we stayed in was where the nuns used to do their laundry. It still had a row of stone sinks running against the wall. You can easily get lost in time in that place! Despite the old building, the hostel is very nice and clean. And for the price it charges (thirteen euros) it's a bargain. They even served a small breakfast. I didn't find it to be noisy at all, but then again I was there in early June, not the busiest season. Have fun to all of you who's planning to stay there, Cortona is gorgeous!

I stayed here three days in June 2004 and it was great. I met lots of nice people, the town was great and I got to watch football (soccer) with the owner. There was a place to do laundry and the best coffee I have ever had waiting for you every morning.

I stayed here for three nights in May 2001. Cortona is the best place on earth. It's a pity it has such an old, creepy, noisy hostel. The bedrooms have 20 beds each!!!

I spent a week here in September of '99 during a solo backpacking journey through Italy. It was one of the best, if not the best, hostel I stayed at. Very friendly, clean, and the food was good too! A great deal.