Arezzo

Arezzo, an ancient Etruscan and Roman settlement later celebrated for figures like Giorgio Vasari and Piero della Francesca, offers timeless Tuscan character far from the crowds. Its elegant squares, architectural treasures, and vibrant traditions make it a hidden highlight of Tuscany .

Top Things to Do

1. Piazza Grande & Vasari Loggia

This beautifully sloping medieval square, framed by Vasari’s grand Loggia and elegant facades, is the city’s social heart. It hosts Italy’s biggest antiques fair and is the stage for the medieval Saracen Joust twice a year

2. Arezzo Cathedral (Duomo)

Perched atop Arezzo’s highest hill, the Gothic Duomo houses a Donatello relief, medieval stained glass, and Piero della Francesca’s haunting St. Mary Magdalene fresco (c. 1460) 

3. Basilica of San Francesco & Piero frescoes

Home to the Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca, this relatively humble church is a masterpiece of Renaissance spirituality and art 

4. Church of Santa Maria della Pieve

A striking Romanesque church on Corso Italia, known for its characteristic bell tower with numerous mullioned windows (“tower of a hundred holes”) and a tempera altarpiece by Pietro Lorenzetti 

5. Medici Fortress (Fortezza Medicea)

Planted on the city walls in the 16th century, the fortress now serves as a panoramic park—perfect for sunset views, walks, and picnics amid history 

6. Museo Archeologico & Roman Amphitheatre

Explore Arezzo’s ancient past through Etruscan and Roman relics in the archaeological museum, adjacent to ruins of a 10,000‑seat amphitheater 

7. Casa Vasari

Visit the former home of Renaissance polymath Giorgio Vasari, now a museum showcasing his frescoes and the creative heritage of his era 

Eat & Drink

Enjoy hearty Tuscan fare in cozy trattorias near Piazza Grande:

• Must-try dishes: pici pasta with garlic or sauce, acquacotta soup, pappa al pomodoro, ribollita, cantucci with Vin Santo, and bistecca alla fiorentina with Chianti or Vino Nobile 

• Food experiences: Join cooking classes in local homes or countryside kitchens to learn to make pici, ribollita, cantucci—and enjoy them afterwards 

Travel Tips

• Best time to visit:
  Spring and autumn offer mild weather and authentic experiences. In June and September, experience the Giostra del Saracino medieval jousting tournament in Piazza Grande 

• Arezzo Antiques Fair: Held the first weekend of each month in Piazza Grande and surroundings, drawing up to 500 stalls and antiques lovers from all over 

• Getting there & around:
  Easily reached by train on the Florence–Rome line. The compact center is perfect for walking; afternoon closures at attractions around fair days are common—check opening times 

• Vibe: Less touristy, more local: Arezzo is warm, walkable, culturally rich, with markets, cafés, and artistic roots that feel intimate and genuine 

Where to Stay & Recommendations

• Historic Centre: Base yourself near Piazza Grande or Corso Italia to be immersed in the medieval atmosphere and close to attractions.

• Countryside villas: Stay at nearby estates such as Villa La Ripa for wine tasting and Tuscan views or rustic retreats amid vineyards