Arezzo travel guide - Things to do and see in Arezzo, Tuscany
Itinerary Arezzo: Sightseeing tours - bike tours - day tours - wine tours

Arezzo is a city with about 100 645 inhabitants, located in the Italian region Tuscany, north-east of Siena. It is the fourth largest city of Tuscany (after Florence, Livorno and Prato) and the capital of the correspondent province. Arezzo is a glorious example of medieval architecture and culture with all its merchant palaces, patrician and sacral buildings.

 

Things to see in Arezzo, Tuscany

 

  • The Medici fort is located on the hill of San Donato
  • The cathedral square with the impressive, gothic cathedral is located on the highest spot of the city
  • The church San Francesco
  • The church San Domenico
  • The church Santissima Annunziata
  • The church Santa Maria delle Grazie
  • Casa del Petrarca – supposedly the birthplace of the poet, humanist and academic Francesco Petrarca
  • The Museo Archeologico Macerates in the former monastery San Bernardo 
  • The Palazzo Pretorio from the 14th century 

Check our insider's travel guide to Arezzo, featuring the best Events of Arezzo, Night Live of Arezzo and sightseeing tours to discover the stunning landmarks, markets, churches, museums and monuments of Arezzo Tuscany.

 

Typical tuscan cuisine

Typical products are mushrooms and cheese from the Casentino region or the „Abbucciato” (sheep cheese from raw milk), Pratomagno-ham, and the precious truffles from the forests of the Tiber valley.

 

Pasta dishes are e.g. „Bringoli” from the Tiber valley - homemade, rather big Spaghetti and the „Tortelli alla Lastra“ - filled pasta with cabbage, potatoes and Ricotta cheese.

 

Among the main courses the steak (Bistecca) from the Chianina cattle needs to be mentioned, one of the tallest and oldest breed of cows native to the Val di Chiana. Venison and fish dishes like eel (Anguilla) alla Tegamaccio are also specialties of the region as well as the „Acqua cotta alla stiana”, made from old bread, stock, sausages, tomatoes and herbs or the steamed “Grifi” – the meager part of a calf’s head prepared with tomatoes and herbs.

 

Are you planing a day trip to Arezzo or to the tuscany countryside? Please check our travel guide for the best restaurants in Arezzo, wine tasting courses or selected wine tours discovering the most famous tuscan wineries of the Chianti or the Brunello region guided by a certified Tuscan wine sommelier. 

 

Events of Arezzo, Tuscany

Antiques market on the Piazza Grande on the first weekend each month.

 

Many antique shops can be found below the medieval porticoes around the Piazza Grande.  When antiques dealers and dawdlers from the surroundings come to the city, the square turns into the biggest flea market of Tuscany. 

 

“Giostra del Saracino”, a typical historical festivity that takes place every year on the first Saturday of September on Piazza Grande. The festival opens with a show of flag-wavers who astonish with their skills, followed by a procession of representatives of each district of the city in historical costumes. The competition itself is that bold horsemen try to hit a shield with a spear in full gallop.

 

Arezzo Wave in July – for free and outdoors – is one of the most known music events in Italy. 

 

Things to do in Arezzo, Tuscany

Around Arezzo you can do a lot of sports like hiking, Nordic-walking, mountain bike tours, horseback riding and much more. 

 

Also there is a golf court in the vicinity: The golf club Casentino is located in a great position with a wonderful panorama (about 500 meters high) where you can oversee the entire valley of the Arno River. The course is surrounded by beautiful, green Tuscan landscape.

 

The club house dates back to the 14th century and has been completely renovated; it is situated above many natural terraces and is surrounded by oak and chestnut trees. The 9-hole course is very interesting, technique and precise strikes are asked for. 

 

Discover the marvelous countryisde of Arezzo and Tuscany joining a grape harvest festival or olive harvest festival, taking a bicycile tour in Tuscany visiting one of the nature parks or follow up our tracking itinerary.

 

If you want deeply to relax and re-charge all your energies a Spa journey would be perfect within your Arezzo or Tuscan holiday. Tuscany has many natural hot springs. In most towns there is a modern spa where hot springs water is brought into a swimming pool and you pay a daily ticket to use the pool.

 

Indulge your passion for Italian food or life style on a cookery holiday combined with language courses in Arezzo Tuscany and enjoy our hands-on cooking lessons and cookery courses in Tuscany Arezzo.

 

Holiday in Arezzo or Tuscany countryside

The Coast line of Tuscany offers many splendid white beaches. A guide to Tuscany's best beaches with reviews and what to do when you're there, chosen by our local experts.

 

Our portfolio of hand picked rental villas with pool, holiday houses, romantic country houses and cottages, apartments or rooms for rent with a view in Tuscany offers you authentic, charming and private accommodation for a unique holiday experience.

 

No matter if you favor family holidays, beach holidays, golf holidays, luxury holidays or a pet friendly accommodation, we have the best private rentals in Tuscany available for you!

 

 

History

The city was one of the twelve most powerful Etruscan towns of Italy. From the 4th century BC on Arezzo was a diocesan town, later on it became a county subordinated to the margrave of Tuscany.

 

The noble and episcopal administration was replaced by the consular constitution - which became more and more conventional in Italy – then later in the 12th century a municipal movement overtook the old government, which was then entirely appointed by the consul. The struggle between the common people and the nobility continued. Generally these times were marked by social uprisings in most municipalities in Northern and Central Italy.

 

The city was regarded as ghibellin and thus loyal to the emperor. Next to Pisa it was the only municipality that adhered to the empire in the early 14th century. 

 

Later on Arezzo was subordinated to Florence. Insurgencies sparked, yet the municipality remained under Florentine rule with the exception of a few periods. Under Medici rule the city decayed, as its heyday had been passed already in the 13th century. Today Arezzo is an active center in Tuscany. 

 

Economy

Arts and crafts were crucial for Arezzo’s affluence, primarily the famous “Aretine Vases” and the still adhered tradition of jewelry production need to be stressed. More than ten barrels of gold are processed each month in the city. In the recent past Arezzo became a film town as well.

A few scenes from Roberto Benignis Oscar-winning movie „ Life is beautiful“( La vita è Bella) were shot on Piazza Grande and the Corso Italia. 

 

Climate

Generally a mild and moderate climate prevails in the region Tuscany. Yet there are also differences depending on the area of the region. The coastline and the valleys of Tuscany have a milder climate than in the mountains, where it also rains more. The summer in Tuscany is almost consistently dry and it can get very hot. Therefore city trips are most pleasant during springtime, early summer or late summer and fall. 

 

Arrival 

By car:  

You can reach Arezzo from Florence or Rome on the highway A1 ("Strada del sole"), exit Arezzo. The exit is 10 km from the old town. Distances from Arezzo: Cortona 29 km, Florence 74 km, Siena 89 km, Perugia 92 km, Rome 218 km.

 

By Bus: 

The public transportation in the city and surroundings for Arezzo is conducted by the transport company "Etruria Mobilità". Arezzo is well connected to all the towns of the province, as well as to Florence, Siena and Rome. 

 

By train: 

The railway line Florence-Rome serves the train station Arezzo. The station is served by daily connections of intercity trains to Florence, Rome and the rest of Italy. The TFT (Tuscan railway) manages the lines Arezzo-Sinalunga und Arezzo-Stia.

 

By airplane: 

The nearest airport is the airport Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport, which is about 91 km from Arezzo. The airport Pisa Galileo Galilei is located about 156 km away. 

 

Transportation in the city

Means of transport in Arezzo, regional busses and city busses ETRURIA MOBILITA' Free number +39 800 115605 www.etruriamobilita.it 

Taxi RADIO TAXI Tel. +39 0575 382626 on-site parking

 

Chargeable parking: Metropark, Viale Piero della Francesca Parkplatz Baldaccio, Via Baldaccio d'Anghiari Parkplatz Piazza del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo 

 

Free parking: Parking Pietri, Via G. Pietri (Connection to the center: escalator)

 

Other chargeable parking: Parking Eden, Viale Luca Signorelli

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Arezzo

Arezzo travel guide - Things to do and see in Arezzo, Tuscany
Itinerary Arezzo: Sightseeing tours - bike tours - day tours - wine tours

Arezzo is a city with about 100 645 inhabitants, located in the Italian region Tuscany, north-east of Siena. It is the fourth largest city of Tuscany (after Florence, Livorno and Prato) and the capital of the correspondent province. Arezzo is a glorious example of medieval architecture and culture with all its merchant palaces, patrician and sacral buildings.

 

Things to see in Arezzo, Tuscany

 

  • The Medici fort is located on the hill of San Donato
  • The cathedral square with the impressive, gothic cathedral is located on the highest spot of the city
  • The church San Francesco
  • The church San Domenico
  • The church Santissima Annunziata
  • The church Santa Maria delle Grazie
  • Casa del Petrarca – supposedly the birthplace of the poet, humanist and academic Francesco Petrarca
  • The Museo Archeologico Macerates in the former monastery San Bernardo 
  • The Palazzo Pretorio from the 14th century 

Check our insider's travel guide to Arezzo, featuring the best Events of Arezzo, Night Live of Arezzo and sightseeing tours to discover the stunning landmarks, markets, churches, museums and monuments of Arezzo Tuscany.

 

Typical tuscan cuisine

Typical products are mushrooms and cheese from the Casentino region or the „Abbucciato” (sheep cheese from raw milk), Pratomagno-ham, and the precious truffles from the forests of the Tiber valley.

 

Pasta dishes are e.g. „Bringoli” from the Tiber valley - homemade, rather big Spaghetti and the „Tortelli alla Lastra“ - filled pasta with cabbage, potatoes and Ricotta cheese.

 

Among the main courses the steak (Bistecca) from the Chianina cattle needs to be mentioned, one of the tallest and oldest breed of cows native to the Val di Chiana. Venison and fish dishes like eel (Anguilla) alla Tegamaccio are also specialties of the region as well as the „Acqua cotta alla stiana”, made from old bread, stock, sausages, tomatoes and herbs or the steamed “Grifi” – the meager part of a calf’s head prepared with tomatoes and herbs.

 

Are you planing a day trip to Arezzo or to the tuscany countryside? Please check our travel guide for the best restaurants in Arezzo, wine tasting courses or selected wine tours discovering the most famous tuscan wineries of the Chianti or the Brunello region guided by a certified Tuscan wine sommelier. 

 

Events of Arezzo, Tuscany

Antiques market on the Piazza Grande on the first weekend each month.

 

Many antique shops can be found below the medieval porticoes around the Piazza Grande.  When antiques dealers and dawdlers from the surroundings come to the city, the square turns into the biggest flea market of Tuscany. 

 

“Giostra del Saracino”, a typical historical festivity that takes place every year on the first Saturday of September on Piazza Grande. The festival opens with a show of flag-wavers who astonish with their skills, followed by a procession of representatives of each district of the city in historical costumes. The competition itself is that bold horsemen try to hit a shield with a spear in full gallop.

 

Arezzo Wave in July – for free and outdoors – is one of the most known music events in Italy. 

 

Things to do in Arezzo, Tuscany

Around Arezzo you can do a lot of sports like hiking, Nordic-walking, mountain bike tours, horseback riding and much more. 

 

Also there is a golf court in the vicinity: The golf club Casentino is located in a great position with a wonderful panorama (about 500 meters high) where you can oversee the entire valley of the Arno River. The course is surrounded by beautiful, green Tuscan landscape.

 

The club house dates back to the 14th century and has been completely renovated; it is situated above many natural terraces and is surrounded by oak and chestnut trees. The 9-hole course is very interesting, technique and precise strikes are asked for. 

 

Discover the marvelous countryisde of Arezzo and Tuscany joining a grape harvest festival or olive harvest festival, taking a bicycile tour in Tuscany visiting one of the nature parks or follow up our tracking itinerary.

 

If you want deeply to relax and re-charge all your energies a Spa journey would be perfect within your Arezzo or Tuscan holiday. Tuscany has many natural hot springs. In most towns there is a modern spa where hot springs water is brought into a swimming pool and you pay a daily ticket to use the pool.

 

Indulge your passion for Italian food or life style on a cookery holiday combined with language courses in Arezzo Tuscany and enjoy our hands-on cooking lessons and cookery courses in Tuscany Arezzo.

 

Holiday in Arezzo or Tuscany countryside

The Coast line of Tuscany offers many splendid white beaches. A guide to Tuscany's best beaches with reviews and what to do when you're there, chosen by our local experts.

 

Our portfolio of hand picked rental villas with pool, holiday houses, romantic country houses and cottages, apartments or rooms for rent with a view in Tuscany offers you authentic, charming and private accommodation for a unique holiday experience.

 

No matter if you favor family holidays, beach holidays, golf holidays, luxury holidays or a pet friendly accommodation, we have the best private rentals in Tuscany available for you!

 

 

History

The city was one of the twelve most powerful Etruscan towns of Italy. From the 4th century BC on Arezzo was a diocesan town, later on it became a county subordinated to the margrave of Tuscany.

 

The noble and episcopal administration was replaced by the consular constitution - which became more and more conventional in Italy – then later in the 12th century a municipal movement overtook the old government, which was then entirely appointed by the consul. The struggle between the common people and the nobility continued. Generally these times were marked by social uprisings in most municipalities in Northern and Central Italy.

 

The city was regarded as ghibellin and thus loyal to the emperor. Next to Pisa it was the only municipality that adhered to the empire in the early 14th century. 

 

Later on Arezzo was subordinated to Florence. Insurgencies sparked, yet the municipality remained under Florentine rule with the exception of a few periods. Under Medici rule the city decayed, as its heyday had been passed already in the 13th century. Today Arezzo is an active center in Tuscany. 

 

Economy

Arts and crafts were crucial for Arezzo’s affluence, primarily the famous “Aretine Vases” and the still adhered tradition of jewelry production need to be stressed. More than ten barrels of gold are processed each month in the city. In the recent past Arezzo became a film town as well.

A few scenes from Roberto Benignis Oscar-winning movie „ Life is beautiful“( La vita è Bella) were shot on Piazza Grande and the Corso Italia. 

 

Climate

Generally a mild and moderate climate prevails in the region Tuscany. Yet there are also differences depending on the area of the region. The coastline and the valleys of Tuscany have a milder climate than in the mountains, where it also rains more. The summer in Tuscany is almost consistently dry and it can get very hot. Therefore city trips are most pleasant during springtime, early summer or late summer and fall. 

 

Arrival 

By car:  

You can reach Arezzo from Florence or Rome on the highway A1 ("Strada del sole"), exit Arezzo. The exit is 10 km from the old town. Distances from Arezzo: Cortona 29 km, Florence 74 km, Siena 89 km, Perugia 92 km, Rome 218 km.

 

By Bus: 

The public transportation in the city and surroundings for Arezzo is conducted by the transport company "Etruria Mobilità". Arezzo is well connected to all the towns of the province, as well as to Florence, Siena and Rome. 

 

By train: 

The railway line Florence-Rome serves the train station Arezzo. The station is served by daily connections of intercity trains to Florence, Rome and the rest of Italy. The TFT (Tuscan railway) manages the lines Arezzo-Sinalunga und Arezzo-Stia.

 

By airplane: 

The nearest airport is the airport Florence Amerigo Vespucci airport, which is about 91 km from Arezzo. The airport Pisa Galileo Galilei is located about 156 km away. 

 

Transportation in the city

Means of transport in Arezzo, regional busses and city busses ETRURIA MOBILITA' Free number +39 800 115605 www.etruriamobilita.it 

Taxi RADIO TAXI Tel. +39 0575 382626 on-site parking

 

Chargeable parking: Metropark, Viale Piero della Francesca Parkplatz Baldaccio, Via Baldaccio d'Anghiari Parkplatz Piazza del Popolo, Piazza del Popolo 

 

Free parking: Parking Pietri, Via G. Pietri (Connection to the center: escalator)

 

Other chargeable parking: Parking Eden, Viale Luca Signorelli

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