Arezzo Travel Guide
City Historic city in Tuscany, Italy
A hilltop city of worn stone, Arezzo hosts a medieval piazza, a frescoed cathedral and an antique fair; visitors linger for bistecca and local wines, Etruscan ruins nearby, and cobbled mornings in cafés beneath Renaissance facades.
Why Visit Arezzo? #
Tucked into Tuscany’s hill country, Arezzo draws travelers who appreciate medieval charm, artisanal craft and art history. The steep, arcaded Piazza Grande frames antique markets while the Basilica of San Francesco holds Piero della Francesca frescoes that art lovers travel to see. Festivals like the Giostra del Saracino bring historic pageantry, and local trattorie serve hearty Tuscan dishes such as ribollita and bistecca alla fiorentina for true regional flavor.
Who's Arezzo For?
Arezzo’s medieval streets, Piazza Grande and quiet hilltop views make for relaxed, romantic days. Candlelit dinners in trattorie near the cathedral and wine tastings in nearby Chianti supply intimate moments without big-city fuss.
Arezzo is a solid stop for Tuscan cooking - local trattorie, enotecas and the monthly antique market bring seasonal porcini, pecorino and Chianti tastings. Try small osterie around Corso Italia and spots by Piazza Grande.
Use Arezzo as a base for day trips into Valdichiana and Casentino: rolling vineyards, chestnut woods and hilltop villages are 30-60 minutes away by car. Good for gentle hikes and rural photography.
Arezzo is family-friendly: pedestrianized centro storico, the Cathedral and Fortezza Medicea entertain older kids, while spacious parks and easy-paced museums suit slower sightseeing with children.
Top Things to Do in Arezzo
All Attractions ›
- Piazza Grande - Medieval sloped square hosting markets, cafes, and the Giostra del Saracino joust.
- Basilica of San Francesco - Houses Piero della Francesca's Legend of the True Cross frescoes, an art highlight.
- Casa Vasari (Casa Museo Giorgio Vasari) - Giorgio Vasari's restored home with period rooms and frescoed decorations to explore.
- Cattedrale di San Donato (Arezzo Cathedral) - 13th-16th-century cathedral featuring stained glass windows and notable Renaissance artworks inside.
- Church of San Domenico - Houses Cimabue's revered painted wooden crucifix, a milestone of medieval Italian painting.
- Torre del Moro - Clock tower offering panoramic views over Arezzo; climb the spiral staircase for perspective.
- Museo Ivan Bruschi - Private collection in a historic palazzo with eclectic antiques and 19th-century furnishings.
- Museo Archeologico Mecenate - Roman and Etruscan finds displayed clearly, illuminating Arezzo's ancient Etruscan past.
- Museo dell'Opera del Duomo - Holds original sculptures and artworks removed from the cathedral for preservation and study.
- Pieve di Santa Maria (La Pieve) - Romanesque parish church with an elegant bell tower and atmospheric, simple interiors.
- Fiera Antiquaria (monthly antique market) - First-Sunday antique market filling Piazza Grande with stalls, secondhand treasures, and lively crowds.
- Florence (Firenze) - Renaissance capital reachable by train in about one hour; museums and historic center.
- Cortona - Hilltop Etruscan town with narrow streets and sweeping countryside views, roughly thirty minutes.
- Siena - Mediaeval city famous for Piazza del Campo and the Palio, around one-and-a-half hours away.
- Monterchi - Small town housing Piero della Francesca's Madonna del Parto in a dedicated Museo.
- Sansepolcro - Piero della Francesca's birthplace with the Museo Civico and The Resurrection painting, reachable fairly quickly.
- Lake Trasimeno / Castiglione del Lago - Shallow lake with islands and Castiglione del Lago's Renaissance fortress, accessible by train or bus.
Where to Go in Arezzo #
Centro Storico
Arezzo’s compact medieval heart is made for slow wandering: narrow lanes, church spires and family-run osterie. Most of the city’s major sights sit within easy walking distance, and you’ll find antique shops, espresso bars and local life around every corner. Suits travelers who want history, food and strollable streets.
Top Spots
- Cattedrale di San Donato - the Gothic cathedral anchoring the hilltop of the old town.
- Basilica di San Francesco - home to Piero della Francesca’s famous fresco cycle.
- Fortezza Medicea - green ramparts with city views and a local gathering spot.
Piazza Grande
The city’s most photographed spot: a sloping medieval piazza rimmed by palaces and arcades. Come for the monthly antique fair, seasonal events and people-watching from a café terrace. It’s the liveliest corner during festivals and easy to weave into a one-day Arezzo route.
Top Spots
- Piazza Grande - the sloping, cobbled square at the centre of festivals and markets.
- Casa Vasari - where the great artist’s studio and home meet local history.
- Loggia del Vasari - arcaded walkways with views over the square.
Stazione
The area around the train station is practical and unglamorous but useful: trains, buses, luggage-friendly hotels and a handful of cafés for early departures. Good as a base for day trips across Tuscany or if you need easy transport links rather than historic charm.
Top Spots
- Stazione di Arezzo - rail hub for Florence, Siena and local trains.
- Autostazione Arezzo - regional bus connections and budget travel options.
- Corso Italia - main shopping stretch leading toward the historic centre.
Plan Your Visit to Arezzo #
Best Time to Visit Arezzo #
Arezzo is best visited in spring (March-May) or early autumn (September-October), when mild temperatures and blooming hills make wandering medieval streets pleasant. Summers are hot and dry and attract crowds; winters are cool, damp and quieter.
Best Time to Visit Arezzo #
Arezzo's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (826 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 9°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Arezzo
Arezzo is easiest reached by train - it sits on the Florence-Rome main line (Stazione di Arezzo). The nearest airports are Florence (FLR), Pisa (PSA) and Rome (FCO); from each you typically continue to Arezzo by train via Firenze SMN or Roma Termini.
Florence Airport (FLR): The airport is the closest major airport to Arezzo. From Florence Airport take the Tramvia Linea T2 or an airport bus to Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN) station (tram ticket €1.50, ~20 minutes); from Firenze SMN catch a Trenitalia regionale to Arezzo (regional trains ~50-70 minutes; fares typically in the low single digits to ~€10 depending on service).
Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA): Pisa is well served by low-cost carriers and offers a fast Pisa Mover shuttle to Pisa Centrale (Pisa Mover €2.70, ~5-8 minutes). From Pisa Centrale you can reach Arezzo by Trenitalia with one or more changes (typical journey time ~2-3 hours); fares vary by route and train type - check Trenitalia for current prices.
Rome Fiumicino (FCO): A longer but common option for international flights. Take the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini (€14, ~32 minutes), then a Trenitalia regional or InterCity service to Arezzo (about 1-1.5 hours by train; prices depend on train type).
Train: Arezzo is served by Stazione di Arezzo on the Florence-Rome line. Frequent Trenitalia regionale and regional-veloce trains connect Firenze Santa Maria Novella and Roma Termini with Arezzo (Florence→Arezzo ~50-70 minutes; Rome→Arezzo ~60-90 minutes). InterCity or high-speed options (price and stopping pattern vary) are available for faster journeys - check Trenitalia for exact times and fares (regional tickets are usually the cheapest).
Bus: Regional buses connect Arezzo with nearby towns and smaller villages (Tiemme is a major operator in the area) and long-distance coaches (FlixBus) link Arezzo to major cities. Local bus fares are typically modest (single fares often a few euros); journey times depend on route - for example, buses to Siena or Perugia take around 1-2 hours. Local city buses serve the urban area and the station; buy tickets in advance from tabacchi, kiosks or ticket machines.
How to Get Around Arezzo
Arezzo is compact and very train-friendly for regional travel; use Trenitalia services for the quickest, most reliable connections. For exploring the surrounding countryside a rented car or bike gives the most flexibility, while walking is ideal inside the historic centre.
- Trenitalia regional & regional-veloce (€3-€20) - Trains are the best way to get to and around Arezzo for intercity travel. Regional trains link Arezzo to Florence (about 50-70 minutes) and Rome (about 60-90 minutes); regional-veloce services are marginally faster. Tickets are bought at machines, tabacchi or on the Trenitalia app - validate paper regional tickets before boarding.
- InterCity / Frecce (long-distance trains) (€10-€50+) - Some InterCity and Frecce services stop at Arezzo or nearby; these are faster and more comfortable than regional trains and require reserved seating. Use them for longer journeys if schedules line up - fares vary widely by advance booking and train type. Check Trenitalia for promotions and exact times.
- Bus (regional & long-distance) (€1.50-€15) - Tiemme runs regional buses around Tuscany linking Arezzo with smaller towns; FlixBus and other coach operators provide low-cost connections to major cities. Buses are useful where rail doesn't serve a village directly but are slower than trains. Buy local tickets from tabacchi or online for coaches; keep an eye on seasonal timetables.
- Taxi (€5-€30) - Taxis are convenient for early-morning or late-night trips and for door-to-door travel with luggage; you can find taxis at the station rank or call a local company. Expect a higher per-kilometre fare than buses; short inner-city trips typically cost from around a few euros upwards. Agree or check the meter/estimated fare for longer rides outside the city centre.
- Car rental (€30-€70 per day) - Renting a car is useful if you plan to explore the Tuscan countryside, vineyards and hill towns around Arezzo. City driving and parking can be tight; look for parking outside the ZTL (limited-traffic zone) and confirm where rental cars may enter. Fuel, motorway tolls and parking should be factored into your budget.
- Bicycle / bike rental (€6-€20 per day) - Arezzo is reasonably compact and pleasant to explore by bike, especially the flatter parts of the city and nearby countryside routes. Look for local rental shops or ask your accommodation - carrying a lock and lights is recommended. Cycling gives good access to viewpoints and secondary roads not served by public transport.
- Walking - The historic centre of Arezzo is best experienced on foot: narrow streets, piazzas and churches are pedestrian-friendly and close together. Walk between attractions (Piazza Grande, cathedral, medieval lanes) and wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones and steps.
Where to Stay in Arezzo #
Where to Eat in Arezzo #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Arezzo's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Arezzo #
Arezzo’s nights are low-key and convivial: think wine bars, late aperitivi and mellow crowds in the medieval centro storico. The medieval Piazza Grande is the nocturnal heart - cafés and enoteche line the square and spill onto the cobbles until midnight or a bit later on weekends. If you want louder club nights you’ll find them in student-friendly bars around Corso Italia and the train-station side of town. Dress is casual-smart; most places close by 1-2am. Overall it’s safe - keep an eye on cobbles after a few glasses of Chianti.
Best Bets
- Piazza Grande - Historic square with the city's main evening cafés and wine bars.
- Corso Italia area - Student-friendly bars and affordable late-night spots.
- Centro storico enoteche (historic centre) - Small wine bars specialising in Tuscan wines and cicchetti.
- Porta Crucifera area - Quiet bars and after-dinner strolls inside medieval gates.
- Piazza Sant'Agostino - Good mix of restaurants and late cafés near the old town.
- Arezzo station-side bars - Livelier, more modern bars frequented by locals and students.
Shopping in Arezzo #
Arezzo is a great Italian city for leather goods, antiques and weekly markets. The monthly Fiera Antiquaria (first weekend of each month) is one of Italy’s oldest and most reliable antique fairs; the historic center - Corso Italia and Piazza Grande - hosts jewelers and leather ateliers. Expect fixed prices in boutiques; at markets you can negotiate, especially late in the day.
Best Bets
- Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo - Historic monthly antiques fair (first weekend) - top for collectibles.
- Corso Italia - Main shopping street with leather shops and Italian fashion labels.
- Piazza Grande area - Historic center with jewelry stores, boutiques and artisanal workshops.
- Mercato settimanale di Arezzo - Weekly market for clothing, household goods and regional food.
- Goldsmith and jewelry quarter - Local jewelers and restorers around the historic centre.
- Independent leather ateliers - Good for handcrafted bags, belts and small leather goods.
