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Arezzo
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Arezzo, Italy blends Etruscan and medieval history, Piero della Francesca art, Piazza Grande, Tuscan cuisine and memorable cultural experiences.

History in the Hills

Arezzo stands in eastern Tuscany, where the Val di Chiana, Casentino and upper Tiber valleys meet. Its long history is visible in layers: the Etruscan settlement of Arretium, Roman roads and amphitheatre, a medieval hilltop centre, and Renaissance buildings shaped by artists and architects associated with the city. The historic heart rises around Piazza Grande, an irregular sloping square bordered by medieval houses, the Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Pieve and the graceful Loggiato Vasariano.
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Art and Architecture

Arezzo's cultural significance is closely linked with Piero della Francesca, whose cycle of frescoes, The Legend of the True Cross, occupies the choir of the Basilica of San Francesco. The city's cathedral contains further works by Vasari, while Casa Vasari preserves the decorated home of the sixteenth-century architect, painter and biographer. Museums add Etruscan goldwork, Roman archaeology, medieval sculpture and the story of local collecting to the sightseeing map.

Contemporary City Life

Beyond its monuments, Arezzo is a working Tuscan city of arcaded streets, artisan workshops, cafés and independent shops. The monthly antiques market fills Piazza Grande and neighbouring streets with furniture, prints, jewellery and objects gathered from across the region. Its calendar also includes the Giostra del Saracino, a historic equestrian pageant staged in Piazza Grande, while the surrounding countryside offers vineyards, olive groves and views towards the Apennines.

When is the best time to visit Arezzo?

Best: May–June, September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1260
February1350
March1660
April1970
May (best)2480
June (best)2870
July3160
August3160
September (best)2770
October2180
November1570
December1360

Getting to and around Arezzo

How to get there

Arezzo has a railway station on the main Florence to Rome line, making rail the most straightforward connection from Florence, Rome and other Italian cities; some services are faster than others, so check the current timetable and stopping pattern. The station lies below the historic centre, within walking distance of the main sights, although the climb is noticeable. By road, the A1 motorway serves the area through the Arezzo and Valdichiana exits, with the city reached by regional roads. Arezzo has no major commercial airport; Florence Airport and Pisa International Airport are commonly considered by air travellers, while Rome airports provide a wider range of international connections.

Transportation

The compact historic centre is best explored on foot, though its hilltop position means that routes between the railway station, Piazza Grande and the cathedral include slopes and steps. Local buses connect the station, outer districts and nearby settlements, while taxis are useful for luggage or journeys beyond the central streets. Driving in the old centre is restricted by limited-traffic zones, known in Italy as ZTLs, and parking is generally easier outside the medieval core. A car becomes more useful for reaching rural villages and dispersed attractions in the surrounding province than for sightseeing within Arezzo itself.

Best attractions in Arezzo

Arezzo's principal sightseeing route rises from the railway station into the medieval centre and Piazza Grande, an expansive sloping square framed by arcades, towers and historic façades. The Basilica of San Francesco contains Piero della Francesca's The Legend of the True Cross, while Santa Maria della Pieve offers a striking Romanesque interior and an unusual multi-storey bell tower. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale Gaio Cilnio Mecenate presents Etruscan and Roman finds beside the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, and the Museo Statale d'Arte Medievale e Moderna broadens the picture of Tuscan art. Casa Vasari reveals the cultivated domestic world of Arezzo's celebrated painter and architect. Above the centre, the Medici Fortress provides a spacious walk and changing views across the surrounding valleys; the nearby cathedral, San Domenico and the streets around Corso Italia add further layers of religious art and urban history.

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Best landmarks in Arezzo

Piazza Grande is Arezzo's defining civic landmark, its unusual incline and irregular outline shaped by centuries of building around the medieval centre. Santa Maria della Pieve, with its Romanesque façade and distinctive bell tower, represents the city's medieval religious architecture, while the Basilica of San Francesco is associated with one of the most important Renaissance fresco cycles in Tuscany. Arezzo Cathedral, dedicated to Saints Donatus and Peter, occupies the upper part of the hill and contains works linked with Giorgio Vasari and other artists. Casa Vasari is both a decorated historic residence and a document of sixteenth-century artistic culture. The Medici Fortress marks the political and military reorganisation of the city under Florentine rule, and the Roman amphitheatre below the centre preserves a substantial fragment of ancient Arretium within the modern urban fabric.

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Explore Arezzo on the map

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Best restaurants in Arezzo

Arezzo's food reflects the inland Tuscan landscape, with robust soups, grilled meats, beans, bread, olive oil and seasonal vegetables at its core. Menus may feature crostini neri, acquacotta, pici or other regional pasta, and bistecca or dishes based on Chianina beef from the wider Val di Chiana. Traditional trattorie and osterie are concentrated around the historic centre, while cafés and pastry shops provide simpler stops along Corso Italia and near Piazza Grande. Local wines from eastern Tuscany appear alongside Tuscan labels, and cantucci with Vin Santo remains a familiar end to a meal. The monthly antiques market brings additional food stalls and informal eating, while contemporary restaurants reinterpret local ingredients without severing their connection to the surrounding agricultural territory.

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Best bars in Arezzo

Arezzo's evening life is sociable rather than dominated by large nightclubs. Historic-centre bars around Piazza Grande, Corso Italia and the streets leading towards San Francesco provide spaces for an aperitivo, an espresso or a glass of Tuscan wine, with outdoor tables especially noticeable in warmer months. Young residents and students also gather in small bars near the centre, while restaurants and enoteche create a later rhythm than the daytime shopping streets. Cultural evenings may include concerts, theatre and events connected with the city's civic and festival calendar, including performances surrounding the Giostra del Saracino. The nightlife scene becomes more local and dispersed away from the central squares, and visitors should expect Italian dining and social hours rather than a dense strip of late-opening clubs.

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Best nightclubs in Arezzo

Arezzo's evening life is sociable rather than dominated by large nightclubs. Historic-centre bars around Piazza Grande, Corso Italia and the streets leading towards San Francesco provide spaces for an aperitivo, an espresso or a glass of Tuscan wine, with outdoor tables especially noticeable in warmer months. Young residents and students also gather in small bars near the centre, while restaurants and enoteche create a later rhythm than the daytime shopping streets. Cultural evenings may include concerts, theatre and events connected with the city's civic and festival calendar, including performances surrounding the Giostra del Saracino. The nightlife scene becomes more local and dispersed away from the central squares, and visitors should expect Italian dining and social hours rather than a dense strip of late-opening clubs.

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Best shops in Arezzo

Shopping in Arezzo combines everyday Tuscan commerce with a long association with antiques and craftsmanship. Corso Italia and the lanes around the historic centre contain independent clothing shops, jewellers, cafés, specialist food stores and workshops, while Piazza Grande and adjoining streets become the setting for the Fiera Antiquaria on the first weekend of each month. Dealers offer furniture, prints, ceramics, books, jewellery and decorative objects, with stock ranging from modest finds to collectable pieces. Food shops provide olive oil, cured meats, cheeses, wines and other products from eastern Tuscany, while ceramics, leather goods and locally made decorative items make more practical souvenirs. The retail character is more regional and independent than that of a large shopping city, with the historic streets shaping the experience as much as the individual shops.

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Arezzo essentials

Currency and Payment
Italy uses the euro, with the international code EUR. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, established shops, museums and many restaurants, but small cafés, market stalls and family-run businesses may prefer cash or have minimum card-payment policies. Cash machines are available in the city, including near the central areas, though international banks may apply withdrawal or conversion charges. Travellers should keep some small euro notes and coins for modest purchases, public transport and market transactions, and choose to be charged in euros rather than accepting an unfamiliar card-conversion option when offered.
Safety
Arezzo is generally a manageable city for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate. Keep wallets and phones secure in crowded areas, at the railway station and during busy market days, and avoid leaving valuables visible in parked cars. Take care on historic paving and on sloping streets, particularly after rain. The centre is usually active in the evening, although quieter streets and peripheral areas require the same awareness expected in any unfamiliar town. When driving, observe ZTL signs carefully, as entering a restricted historic-centre street without authorisation can result in a fine.
Emergency Situations
In Italy, dial 112 for urgent assistance from police, fire or medical emergency services; operators can route calls to the appropriate service. State the exact location, remain on the line and explain whether the situation concerns an accident, illness, fire or immediate danger. European visitors should carry their European Health Insurance Card where eligible, while other travellers should have comprehensive insurance and passport or policy details available. For non-urgent medical needs, pharmacies can advise on local services, and hotel or accommodation staff can help visitors communicate with healthcare providers. Emergency treatment should not be delayed while seeking administrative information.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when entering churches, covering shoulders and knees where requested, and keep voices low around frescoes and religious services. Do not touch paintings, sculptures or historic surfaces, and follow photography instructions in museums and chapels. In cafés, ordering at the counter and taking a seat may involve different procedures from table service, so check the arrangement before settling down. Tipping is not compulsory in Italy; rounding up or leaving a modest amount for good service is sufficient. Greet small-shop staff when entering, respect queues and avoid sitting on monuments or blocking narrow historic streets.
Local Tips
The most rewarding orientation begins at Piazza Grande, then follows Corso Italia uphill towards the cathedral and the quieter streets around San Domenico. The first Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday usually bring the Fiera Antiquaria, one of Italy's long-established antiques markets, although dates and scale should be checked before travelling. Allow extra time for the Basilica of San Francesco rather than treating it as a brief stop, and consider visiting museums during the warmer part of the day. Regional trains are useful for Florence and other Tuscan towns, while rural excursions usually require more careful planning than journeys within Arezzo.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloCiao[chow]
GoodbyeArrivederci[ar-ree-veh-dehr-chee]
YesSì[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePer favore/Prego[pehr fah-voh-reh/preh-goh]
Thank youGrazie[graht-zee-eh]
Excuse me/SorryScusi/Mi dispiace[scoo-zee/mee dee-spyah-cheh]
How are you?Come stai?[koh-meh stah-ee]
Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?[beh-neh/ay too]
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?[par-lee een-gleh-zeh]
I don't understandNon capisco[nohn kah-pee-skoh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menù, per favore[vohr-ray veh-deh-reh eel meh-noo, pehr fah-voh-reh]
I don't eat meatNon mangio carne[nohn mahn-joh kahr-neh]
Cheers!Salute![sah-loo-teh]
I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore[vohr-ray pah-gah-reh, pehr fah-voh-reh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aiuto![ah-yoo-toh]
Go away!Vai via![vah-ee vee-ah]
Call the Police!Chiama la polizia![kyah-mah lah poh-lee-tsya]
Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore![kyah-mah oon doht-toh-reh]
I'm lostMi sono perso[mee soh-noh pehr-soh]
I'm illSto male[stoh mah-leh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...[vohr-ray kohm-prah-reh]
I'm just lookingSto solo guardando[stoh soh-loh gwar-dahn-doh]
How much is it?Quanto costa?[kwahn-toh koh-stah]
That's too expensiveÈ troppo caro[eh troh-poh kah-roh]
Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?[pwah-ee ahb-bahs-sah-reh eel preh-tsoh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Che ora è?[keh oh-rah eh]
It's one o'clockÈ l'una[eh loo-nah]
Half past (10)Sono le dieci e mezzo[soh-noh leh dee-eh-chee eh meh-tsoh]
MorningMattina[maht-tee-nah]
AfternoonPomeriggio[poh-meh-ree-joh]
EveningSera[seh-rah]
YesterdayIeri[yeh-ree]
TodayOggi[oh-jee]
TomorrowDomani[doh-mah-nee]
1Uno[oo-noh]
2Due[doo-eh]
3Tre[treh]
4Quattro[kwah-troh]
5Cinque[cheen-kweh]
6Sei[say]
7Sette[seht-teh]
8Otto[oh-toh]
9Nove[noh-veh]
10Dieci[dee-eh-chee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dov'è...?[doh-veh]
What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?[kwahl eh leen-dee-reet-soh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?[pwah-ee mohs-trar-mee (soo-lah mahp-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (autobus)?[kwahn-doh pahs-sah eel prohs-shee-moh (ow-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)[oon bee-lyeh-toh (pehr)]

History of Arezzo

Etruscan Arretium and Roman Expansion

Arezzo developed from an important Etruscan settlement known as Aritim or Arretium, one of the principal cities of northern Etruria. Its position between the Val di Chiana and the routes crossing the Apennines supported agriculture, metalworking and trade. Rome took control of the city in the late third century BC, and Arretium became a significant Roman centre. It was particularly known for colourful Arezzo pottery, or terra sigillata, which was manufactured in large quantities and distributed throughout the Roman world. The Roman amphitheatre, now incorporated into the modern city, is a surviving reminder of this period, although much of ancient Arretium lies beneath later urban development.

Bishops, Communal Power and Medieval Growth

After the decline of the Western Roman Empire, Arezzo remained an important ecclesiastical and regional centre. Its bishop held considerable authority, while the town's position between Florence, Siena, Perugia and the Tiber valley made it strategically significant. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, communal institutions gradually strengthened and the city expanded around its elevated centre. Churches, towers and fortified houses expressed the rival power of religious and civic institutions. The Romanesque church of Santa Maria della Pieve, whose unusual bell tower overlooks Piazza Grande, preserves the architectural language of this era, even though the building was altered over several centuries.

Conflict between Guelfs and Ghibellines

Like many central Italian communes, medieval Arezzo was divided by the wider struggle between Guelf and Ghibelline factions, aligned broadly with papal and imperial interests. The city adopted the Ghibelline side and came into recurring conflict with neighbouring powers, especially Florence. In 1289, the Battle of Campaldino took place in the Casentino, north of Arezzo; the Florentine victory weakened Aretine influence and helped shift the regional balance towards Florence. Dante is traditionally associated with the Florentine force at Campaldino, while the defeat became a decisive episode in the political history of Arezzo and its surrounding contado.

Florentine Rule and the Medici Fortress

Arezzo's autonomy declined during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries as Florence extended its authority across eastern Tuscany. The city was incorporated into the Florentine state in 1384, and later Medici rulers reinforced their control with new fortifications on the San Donato hill. The Medici Fortress, built in the sixteenth century on the site of earlier defences, altered the skyline and military importance of the town. This period also brought closer integration with Florentine administration and artistic culture. The medieval fabric survived, but civic power increasingly operated within the political framework of the Medici dominion.

Renaissance Artists and Humanist Culture

Arezzo produced or attracted figures central to Italian art. Piero della Francesca worked in the city in the fifteenth century, leaving The Legend of the True Cross in the Basilica of San Francesco, a major achievement of Renaissance perspective and narrative painting. Giorgio Vasari, born in Arezzo in 1511, became a painter, architect and author whose Lives of the Artists helped shape later ideas about Renaissance art. His own house, Casa Vasari, contains rooms decorated under his direction. These artists connected Arezzo to the broader cultural networks of Tuscany while giving the city an enduring artistic identity.

From Grand Duchy to Modern Tuscany

Arezzo remained part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany until the political transformations of the nineteenth century, when Tuscany was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Rail connections and modern roads strengthened its role as a regional market and administrative centre, while industry and commerce developed alongside agriculture. The twentieth century brought wartime disruption and later urban expansion beyond the medieval hill. Today, the historic centre, museums and churches preserve the city's older layers, while institutions such as the monthly antiques market and the Giostra del Saracino maintain links with local traditions and public life.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Arezzo, Italy

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  • Historical insights and travel essentials for Arezzo
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Planning a trip to Arezzo, Italy? Make the most out of your visit with Evendo, the ultimate app-based travel guide. Arezzo, rich in history and culture, offers numerous attractions such as the stunning Piazza Grande, the historic Basilica of San Francesco, and the charming Medici Fortress. Evendo provides in-depth details about these landmarks, ensuring you don’t miss a thing.

Whether you’re an art lover wanting to admire Piero della Francesca’s frescoes or a history enthusiast keen on exploring the Museo Archeologico, Evendo has you covered. The app also lists top-rated restaurants like La Lancia D'Oro and Antica Osteria l'Agania, offering reviews and local tips to help you savor the best of Tuscan cuisine.

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