Alla Battuta, a B&B in the hills above Sansepolcro
Alla Battuta is a B&B in a rural stone house in Montagna, a hamlet of Sansepolcro in Tuscany, on the Way of St Francis. It offers spacious rooms, breakfast included, a garden, free parking and a small wellness area by appointment. Suits pilgrims, couples and anyone seeking quiet and a family welcome.
Written by Valeria Romano
Published .
Updated
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Alla Battuta.
Where Alla Battuta is and how to get there
Alla Battuta is in the hamlet of Montagna, on the hills above Sansepolcro, in Tuscany. It is green, quiet and away from the town centre, and its real selling point is its position on the Way of St Francis.
It isn't a B&B you can walk to from the station: one guest describes it as a short drive from Sansepolcro, and for getting around the hills a car is still the easiest option. Parking is free, so at least that's one less thing to worry about.
Walkers know it well, though. Many of the reviews come from pilgrims who stopped here right on the route.
What the rooms are like and what the property offers
Alla Battuta is a carefully restored stone country house that keeps its traditional Tuscan style and adds some modern comforts. The rooms are described as spacious and bright, with soundproofed walls.
This is what the listing includes:
- Free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
- Rooms with TV, desk and heating.
- Continental breakfast included.
- Garden, picnic area and panoramic terrace.
- Free private parking.
- Laundry and luggage storage.
- Pets welcome free of charge.
- Small wellness area with a hot tub and sauna, available by appointment.
One detail to check: the listing mentions a private bathroom only in some cases. If it matters to you, ask when booking which room you'll be given.
What guests say
On Google, Alla Battuta has a rating of 4.9 from 130 reviews, and one thing stands out above the rest: people talk about the hosts before they talk about the rooms. Many guests use the same image, of feeling welcomed like family.
- The welcome. The hosts, Ofelia and Luigi, are named in a great many reviews as kind, helpful and attentive to every need.
- The place. Guests speak of a well-kept property surrounded by greenery, with a spectacular view and plenty of peace and quiet.
- Breakfast. Several people describe it as excellent and generous, and one guest says it was thought through for coeliacs and people with lactose intolerance too.
- The cooking. Some guests describe meals prepared by the hosts, which they appreciated greatly.
- Cleanliness. A recurring comment is that everything is spotless.
To me the picture is clear: here you pay for the warmth of the people as much as for the bed.
What to know before booking
There are few drawbacks, but they are worth knowing. The only negative review I read, a two-star one, says it is the perfect blend for people who love nature and traditional places without too many expectations. It also mentions a downside, but the available text doesn't say what it was, so I won't make one up.
- It isn't a city hotel. It's a country house: expect simplicity and a family atmosphere, not hotel service.
- The bathroom. As mentioned, not every room has a private bathroom.
- The wellness area. It's available by appointment only, so arrange it before you arrive.
- The location. It is isolated. Lovely for resting, less practical if you want to eat out every evening without driving.
Who it suits
Alla Battuta works very well for anyone walking the Way of St Francis who wants to stop somewhere that serves good food and genuinely lets you rest. I'd also choose it for a couple looking for peace, or for a family, since several guests have stayed here with their loved ones.
Guests travelling with a pet can count on pets being welcome at no extra cost. On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for nightlife, a full-service hotel, or a place you can reach without a car.
What to see around Sansepolcro
From Alla Battuta it's easy to explore the Sansepolcro area, a Tuscan town linked to Piero della Francesca. The most natural idea is to combine walks in the countryside with cultural visits.
- The Way of St Francis, to walk even just a stretch of it.
- The Casa di Piero della Francesca.
- The Aboca Museum.
- Walks through the hills and the property's garden, for those who prefer to stay put.
One guest writes that they will return in summer just to take lovely walks, which is not a bad idea, since the place encourages you to slow down.
Passionate about travel and about the kind of places that turn a getaway into something unforgettable. I love writing about hotels, country houses and charming hideaways, helping every traveller find the perfect place to rest and feel at home.
