Castello di Gargonza

Castello di Gargonza is less a single building than a whole village. The fortified borgo, with its restored tower, is a settlement of medieval origin on a hill in Tuscany, and guests sleep inside its ancient walls in suites and apartments. Staying here means waking up among stone lanes rather than in a conventional hotel corridor.

The setting

Gargonza stands about 540 metres above sea level, looking out over the Val di Chiana between Arezzo and Siena. A wooded property of roughly 500 hectares surrounds the village, and marked trails across it are tracked by GPS, which makes it a good base for walking. Florence is about 70 kilometres to the north, and the estate describes itself as an hour from Florence and two hours from Rome.

Where you sleep and eat

The accommodation is a mix of suites and apartments within the walls of the borgo. The village keeps a bar inside its shop, the Bottega di Gargonza, while the restaurant sits just outside the walls. The restaurant is equipped for gluten-free menus, and seasonal menus are offered at Christmas and New Year.

Around the estate

The hill position makes Gargonza a practical starting point for the wider region. Arezzo is about 25 minutes away and Siena about 40. Cortona, Monte San Savino, Civitella in Val di Chiana and Lucignano are all within easy reach, and the cellars of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano can be visited from here. The estate also points guests towards e-bike routes along old farm tracks.

Getting there

The castle is 11 kilometres from the Monte San Savino exit of the A1 motorway. The nearest airports are Florence (105 km), Perugia (90 km), Pisa (175 km) and Rome Fiumicino (215 km). Arezzo is the best-served railway station, about 28 kilometres away.

Because the rooms are spread through a historic village, it is worth asking which suite or apartment suits your group before you book.