Villas near Todi
Situated right at the heart of landlocked Umbria in the province of Perugia, Todi is a tranquil hilltown towering high above the River Tiber, olive groves and sunflower fields below. A town seemingly frozen in time, Todi is home to some of the region’s most fascinating architecture, including the picturesque Piazza del Popolo. Its relative seclusion makes Todi the ideal destination to unwind — life here is best enjoyed at a slower pace.
Our luxury villas in Todi range from hilltop stone farmhouses and contemporary sustainable retreats to period palazzi with panoramic views of the timeless Umbrian landscape. Sleeping 2 to 20 people, all of our luxury villas are air-conditioned, offering a convenient escape from the Umbrian summer sun when needed.
Every Tuscany Now & More villa has a private swimming pool and free use of our concierge service, for pre-trip arrangements and an emergency number available 24/7 while you are in-destination. Your concierge can arrange a private chef, daily maid service, or shopping delivered to your villa, and memorable experiences like Umbrian cookery classes in your holiday rental’s kitchen.
At Tuscany Now & More we take pride in our service. We have 30 years experience matching every guest to the right villa. Someone from our small team visits or stays in every Todi villa we list and knows the area. This is why we keep our portfolio small — and probably why the world’s leading luxury travel magazine says we’re one of Italy’s top five villa rental companies.
To see what real travellers think of our service, and the experience of staying in a Tuscany Now & More luxury villa, read our verified reviews.
About Todi
Nestled right in the centre of Umbria, Todi sits on a crossroad halfway between Perugia and Terni, and Orvieto and Spoleto, balancing tranquil, rural seclusion with the region’s most important historical and cultural landmarks on its doorstep.
Like many other towns in Italy’s ‘Green Heart’, Todi began as an ancient Umbri and Etruscan settlement before becoming a Roman municipium. The surrounding countryside is scattered with the enchanting ruins of castles, an amphitheatre, forum and necropolis. Its dramatic hilltop position and hardy defence system saved the town from destruction on more than one occasion in its long, yet turbulent history. The result today is a town that is well-preserved in time; three sets of concentric walls — the innermost Etruscan, the central Roman and the outer Medieval — still stand today. The entire settlement still rests upon an incredible network of ancient Roman cisterns that were still in use as late as the 1920s. As well as distant views that stretch in every direction, Todi is home to several grand episcopal palaces and the Piazza del Popolo, arguably Umbria’s prettiest square.
What to do in Todi
At the heart of Todi’s historic centre is the medieval Piazza del Popolo, one of the most photogenic squares in Umbria. It is flanked by many of Todi’s main landmarks, including the 13th-century Palazzo del Popolo, the 14th-century Palazzo dei Priori and the Romanesque-Gothic Duomo, with its delicate central rose window. Also situated on the eastern edge of the famous square, the Gothic Palazzo del Capitano is now home to the Museo Pinacoteca Comunale, which houses a collection of 17th-century paintings and ancient artefacts.
There are many fascinating churches in Todi, but the town’s crowning glory is easily the Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione. A masterpiece of late Renaissance architecture and one of the tallest Renaissance buildings in Umbria, it is built in an idealised and perfectly symmetrical Greek cross plan.
For the best views of Todi and the surrounding landscape climb the 14th-century bell tower (“campanile”) of the San Fortunato church. The Piazzale IV Novembre is the highest point in town with peaceful green spaces and the ruins of an old fortress, but you won’t get the same panoramic views here as you will from the campanile.
For more ideas on what to do in Todi, read our Todi travel guide.
Food & Drink in Todi
Local cuisine in Todi has evolved from an ancient Umbrian culinary tradition; the food is simple, the flavours rich. The simplicity of cucina povera (“peasant cooking”) in Umbria has created staples from ingredients like legumes, Casteluccia lentils, chickpeas and fava beans. Popular game dishes include wild boar, hare and pheasant, with wild pigeon (“palomba alla ghiotta”) a particular speciality in the Todi region. Alongside black truffles from the region around Spoleto and Norcia, cured meats like Prosciutto, Salami and Mazzafegati are the real stars of the show in Umbria as well.
DOP olive oil from the Colli Assisi-Spoleto near Todi is a primary olive growing region in Umbria, producing DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) which are worthy rivals of those produced in neighbouring Tuscany.
With Orvieto DOC produced to the west and the full-bodied Sagrantino di Montefalco produced to the east, Todi is a great base for lovers of Umbria’s best wines. The town’s appellation, Todi di Grechetto, an elegant white wine was also awarded DOC status in 2010.
Travellers with a passion for wine should consult our award-winning concierges, who can arrange a wine tour of some of the finest local vineyards or a sommelier-led tasting in your villa. When you stay at one of our villas with all-inclusive wine you can arrange to have your cellar stocked with your favourite local labels for the duration of your stay.
Shopping in Todi
Umbria has a long history of ceramics productions and is well-known for its hand-painted pottery, ranging from full dinner services to colourfully glazed vases and plates. The hilltown of Deruta — one of Umbria’s leading centres for majolica ceramics production — lies just 15 miles north of Todi and its streets are lined with shops selling brightly painted pottery. Umbria is also an important centre for cashmere production and there are many shops in the historic centre of Todi selling authentic pieces.
Todi hosts an open-air market each Saturday along the Via Menecali, selling local fresh produce, homeware and clothing. If you are visiting in the winter months be sure to also stop by Todi’s Christmas market in the arcades around the Piazza del Popolo.
