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Casentino
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Explore Casentino in Tuscany for medieval castles, La Verna, Camaldoli, mountain villages and the ancient forests of the Apennines.

Casentino is the upper valley of the Arno in eastern Tuscany, a largely rural district enclosed by the wooded slopes of the Apennines. Its landscape changes noticeably from the broad valley floor around Bibbiena and Poppi to the high forests and mountain passes of the Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park. This is Tuscany on a quieter, more mountainous scale, where stone villages, parish churches and medieval castles stand between beech woods, chestnut groves and open ridges.
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The valley's principal towns include Bibbiena, its largest centre, and Poppi, whose castle rises above the plain. Pratovecchio and Stia occupy the northern Casentino near the headwaters of the Arno, while smaller communities such as Raggiolo, Castel San Niccolò and Montemignaio retain a distinctly rural character. Roads are often winding and distances that look short on a map can take time, making it useful to explore the area in sections rather than attempting to cover the entire valley in a single day.
Casentino has an unusually strong spiritual and literary heritage. The Sanctuary of La Verna, set on a dramatic sandstone mountain, is associated with Saint Francis of Assisi, who received the stigmata there in 1224. At Camaldoli, a monastery and hermitage represent more than a thousand years of Benedictine monastic tradition. The valley also evokes medieval Tuscany through the castles and estates of the Guidi family, the Battle of Campaldino near Poppi in 1289, and the Romanesque churches scattered through the countryside.
Nature is central to the region's appeal. The national park protects some of Italy's finest surviving Apennine forests, with marked trails for walking, wildlife observation and longer mountain excursions. The forested slopes are especially atmospheric in autumn, while spring brings woodland flowers and clear streams. The upper valley's cool climate also supports chestnut traditions, foraging, beekeeping and small-scale agriculture. In Stia, the former wool-making tradition remains part of the local identity, alongside craft and textile heritage.
Casentino suits visitors who value walking, architecture, quiet roads and food rooted in the landscape. A day might combine a castle and Romanesque church with a forest trail, or pair La Verna with a meal based on local pasta, mushrooms, chestnuts and cured meats. The region is part of Tuscany, but its mountain geography and strong links to monastic life and the Apennine forest give it a character distinct from the art cities and cypress-lined countryside more commonly associated with the region.

When is the best time to visit Casentino?

Best: June, August–September · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January760
February1050
March1355
April1765
May2170
June (best)2560
July2950
August (best)2860
September (best)2470
October1980
November1375
December865

Getting to and around Casentino

How to get there

Casentino has no major commercial airport or high-speed railway station. Most international visitors arrive through Florence Airport or Pisa International Airport and continue by road or rail; both are outside Casentino. Arezzo, also outside the valley, is the most useful nearby rail gateway, with onward local connections towards Casentino. By car, the valley is reached from Arezzo through Bibbiena and from Florence via the mountain roads towards Consuma or the Mugello side; routes are scenic but winding. Check current rail and bus connections before travelling, particularly on Sundays and public holidays.

Transportation

The railway from Arezzo serves Bibbiena and several Casentino communities, while local buses connect the main valley settlements, although services become less frequent in smaller villages and at weekends. A car is the most flexible way to reach Poppi Castle, La Verna, Camaldoli, Romena and forest trailheads. Cycling is rewarding on quieter roads but involves substantial gradients, and walkers should not assume that every village or attraction is linked by a frequent bus. Allow extra time for narrow, winding mountain roads and avoid relying on satellite navigation alone in remote areas.

Top city travel guides in Casentino

The cities of Casentino, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Best attractions in Casentino

Casentino's attractions combine medieval heritage, sacred places and extensive mountain landscapes. Poppi is the principal historic centre, with the Guidi castle overlooking the valley and a compact old town nearby. Around Pratovecchio and Stia, Romanesque churches, old settlements and the former wool-making tradition provide a cultural counterpoint to the forests. The Sanctuary of La Verna offers religious art, Franciscan history and mountain scenery, while Camaldoli brings together a monastery, hermitage and centuries-old woodland setting. The Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park is the region's largest outdoor attraction, with marked walking routes, quiet roads and habitats supporting deer, birds and other Apennine wildlife. Visitors can also explore the ruins of Romena Castle, the Pieve di Romena and hill villages such as Raggiolo, where stone architecture and chestnut traditions remain visible. The best experiences often combine a modest cultural site with a walk, picnic or meal rather than treating the valley as a checklist of isolated monuments.

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Best landmarks in Casentino

Poppi Castle is Casentino's most recognisable architectural landmark, a well-preserved medieval stronghold associated with the Guidi counts and prominent above the valley. At Romena, the remains of the Guidi castle occupy a wooded hill, while the nearby Pieve di Romena is an important example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. The Sanctuary of La Verna is both an imposing mountain complex and a place of major Franciscan significance, built around the rocky site associated with Saint Francis's stigmata. Camaldoli's monastery and higher hermitage mark a different religious landscape, shaped by centuries of Benedictine and Camaldolese life. In Stia, the former wool mill represents the valley's industrial past, while the stone villages of Raggiolo, Castel San Niccolò and other hill communities express the durable relationship between settlement and mountain terrain. The forests of the national park, particularly around the upper Arno and Falterona, are natural landmarks in their own right: extensive, historic and central to Casentino's identity.

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Explore Casentino on the map

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Best restaurants in Casentino

Casentino's food reflects mountain agriculture, woodland produce and Tuscan country cooking. Look for tortello alla lastra, a filled pastry traditionally cooked on a hot stone or griddle, as well as soups, handmade pasta, beans, game and locally produced cured meats. Chestnuts are important in the valley's culinary culture, appearing as flour, sweets and seasonal specialities, while mushrooms, truffles, honey and forest herbs feature in local cooking when available. Rural inns, trattorias, village restaurants and traditional cafés provide the most direct introduction to these flavours, with Bibbiena, Poppi, Stia and Pratovecchio offering the broadest choice. Menus may also include Tuscan staples associated with the wider region, so not every dish labelled Tuscan is specific to Casentino. Local wine is available, but the valley is especially well suited to food paired with regional olive oil, pecorino, bread and simple seasonal produce.

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Best bars in Casentino

Evening life in Casentino is modest and community-oriented rather than centred on large nightclubs. In Bibbiena, Poppi, Stia and Pratovecchio, bars and cafés provide places for an aperitivo, coffee or an informal drink, while traditional inns and restaurants often form the main part of a night out. Live music and cultural events may appear seasonally in town squares or local venues, but dates and programmes change from year to year. Smaller villages generally become quiet after dinner, and visitors staying in the countryside should expect darkness and limited late transport. The most characteristic evening is a leisurely meal followed by a walk through an illuminated historic centre, rather than a late night of clubbing. Local breweries, wine selections and regional spirits may be available, but alcohol is not central to every social occasion.

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Best nightclubs in Casentino

Evening life in Casentino is modest and community-oriented rather than centred on large nightclubs. In Bibbiena, Poppi, Stia and Pratovecchio, bars and cafés provide places for an aperitivo, coffee or an informal drink, while traditional inns and restaurants often form the main part of a night out. Live music and cultural events may appear seasonally in town squares or local venues, but dates and programmes change from year to year. Smaller villages generally become quiet after dinner, and visitors staying in the countryside should expect darkness and limited late transport. The most characteristic evening is a leisurely meal followed by a walk through an illuminated historic centre, rather than a late night of clubbing. Local breweries, wine selections and regional spirits may be available, but alcohol is not central to every social occasion.

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Best shops in Casentino

Shopping in Casentino is concentrated in the market towns rather than in large retail centres. Bibbiena provides the broadest practical choice of everyday shops, while Poppi, Stia and Pratovecchio combine small businesses with historic streets and food shops. Look for locally made pasta, chestnut flour and sweets, honey, olive oil, cured meats and cheeses, as well as products from the valley's woodland and farming traditions. Stia's textile history gives the area a particular connection with wool and craft, and the Museo dell'Arte della Lana helps explain that heritage, although contemporary retail availability varies. Village markets and seasonal fairs can be useful for regional produce, ceramics, small craft items and antiques, but dates differ and should be confirmed locally. Independent galleries and artisans are more likely to be found in historic centres than in dedicated shopping districts, making the region better suited to considered local purchases than to extensive fashion shopping.

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Casentino essentials

Currency and Payment
Casentino uses the euro, with the currency code EUR, as elsewhere in Italy. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, larger shops, museums and established restaurants, but cash remains useful in small cafés, village businesses, markets and rural areas. Carry some euro notes and coins for modest purchases and check whether a smaller establishment accepts cards before ordering. Bank facilities are concentrated in the larger towns, so do not wait until reaching a remote mountain village to arrange cash.
Safety
Casentino is generally a calm rural destination, but normal precautions are still appropriate in towns, car parks and busy religious sites. Outdoor visitors should prepare for steep or uneven paths, changing weather, ticks, fallen branches and limited mobile coverage in forested areas. Follow marked trails, keep dogs under control where required and avoid entering closed woodland or fire-risk areas. Mountain roads demand attention, especially in rain, fog, snow and darkness. At La Verna and in the national park, sensible footwear and sufficient water are more important than speed.
Emergency Situations
The national Italian emergency number is 112, which can connect callers with police, fire and ambulance services. In a life-threatening situation, give the name of the nearest town, road or marked trail location and explain whether the incident is in the national park or at a religious site. For a fire, call 115 where appropriate, while medical and rescue coordination may also be reached through 112. In remote woodland, your phone may not have a signal, so tell someone your route and expected return time before walking.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully when visiting La Verna, Camaldoli and village churches, and follow any photography restrictions or instructions from religious communities. In the countryside, stay on marked paths, close gates, do not pick protected plants and take rubbish away. Drive patiently through villages and give way carefully on narrow roads rather than assuming priority. Italian dining customs vary by establishment, but a service charge or coperto may appear on a bill; tipping is discretionary rather than compulsory. Do not treat working forests, farms or monastic enclosures as unrestricted recreational spaces.
Local Tips
Use Bibbiena or Poppi for practical services, then explore the smaller settlements at a slower pace. The northern valley around Stia and Pratovecchio is well placed for forest walks, while the southern side provides access to La Verna and the historic area around Chiusi della Verna. Ask locally about seasonal road and trail conditions before heading into the higher park. Market days and village events can vary, so confirm details locally rather than relying on old listings. A regional food shop is a good place to look for chestnut products, honey, cured meats and local pasta.
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[ah-ree-veh-DER-chee]
YesSì[see]
NoNo[noh]
Please/You're welcomePer favore/Prego[per fah-VOH-reh/PREH-goh]
Thank youGrazie[GRAHT-see-eh]
Excuse me/SorryMi scusi/Scusa[mee SKOO-zee/SKOO-zah]
How are you?Come stai?[KOH-meh stai]
Fine. And you?Bene. E tu?[BEH-neh. eh too]
Do you speak English?Parli inglese?[PAR-lee een-GLEH-zeh]
I don't understandNon capisco[non kah-PEE-skoh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseVorrei vedere il menu, per favore[vor-RAY veh-DEH-reh eel meh-NOO, per fah-VOH-reh]
I don't eat meatNon mangio carne[non MAHN-jo KAR-neh]
Cheers!Salute![sah-LOO-teh]
I would like to pay, pleaseVorrei pagare, per favore[vor-RAY pah-GAH-reh, per fah-VOH-reh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aiuto![ah-YOO-toh]
Go away!Vai via![vai VEE-ah]
Call the Police!Chiama la polizia![KYAH-mah lah poh-lee-TSEE-ah]
Call a doctor!Chiama un dottore![KYAH-mah oon doht-TOH-reh]
I'm lostMi sono perso[mee SOH-noh PER-soh]
I'm illSono malato[SOH-noh mah-LAH-toh]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Vorrei comprare...[vor-RAY kom-PRAH-reh]
I'm just lookingSto solo guardando[stoh SOH-loh gwar-DAN-doh]
How much is it?Quanto costa?[KWAN-toh KOH-stah]
That's too expensiveÈ troppo costoso[eh TROH-poh koh-STOH-zoh]
Can you lower the price?Puoi abbassare il prezzo?[pwoy ab-BAH-sah-reh eel PRET-soh]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Che ore sono?[keh OR-eh SOH-noh]
It's one o'clockÈ l'una[eh LOO-nah]
Half past (10)Dieci e mezzo[DEE-eh-chee eh MED-zoh]
MorningMattina[maht-TEE-nah]
AfternoonPomeriggio[poh-meh-REE-joh]
EveningSera[SEH-rah]
YesterdayIeri[YEH-ree]
TodayOggi[OHJ-ee]
TomorrowDomani[doh-MAH-nee]
1Uno[OO-noh]
2Due[DOO-eh]
3Tre[TREH]
4Quattro[KWAT-troh]
5Cinque[CHEEN-kweh]
6Sei[SAY]
7Sette[SET-teh]
8Otto[OT-toh]
9Nove[NOH-veh]
10Dieci[DEE-eh-chee]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Dove si trova...?[DOH-veh see TROH-vah]
What's the address?Qual è l'indirizzo?[kwahl eh leen-dee-REET-zoh]
Can you show me (on the map)?Puoi mostrarmi (sulla mappa)?[pwoy mo-STRAR-mee (SOOL-lah MAH-pah)]
When's the next (bus)?Quando passa il prossimo (autobus)?[KWAN-doh PAH-sah eel PROH-ssee-mo (OW-toh-boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un biglietto (per ....)[oon bee-LYEH-toh (per ....)]

History of Casentino

Etruscan and Roman Casentino

The upper Arno valley was inhabited before Roman rule, with Etruscan communities connected to the wider settlements of eastern Tuscany. Roman influence brought roads, administrative organisation and agricultural development, although the mountainous terrain remained less urbanised than the plains. Archaeological evidence around the valley includes traces of ancient settlement and sanctuaries, while the Roman name Arretium links the area to the important city of Arezzo beyond the valley. The landscape that later supported castles and monasteries was already shaped by movement through the Apennine passes and by the management of woodland and farmland.

The Foundation of Camaldoli, 11th Century

Saint Romuald founded the hermitage of Camaldoli in the early eleventh century, establishing a community that combined solitary religious life with monastic organisation. The monastery and hermitage became a major spiritual and cultural presence in the upper valley, and the Camaldolese order managed extensive woodland and landholdings. Their influence helped shape the history of the Casentino forests, whose resources were used carefully for building timber and other purposes. Camaldoli remains one of the region's clearest examples of how religious institutions influenced settlement, landscape management and culture.

The Guidi Counts and Medieval Castles

From the Middle Ages, the Guidi family controlled much of Casentino through a network of fortified residences, including the castle at Poppi and strongholds at Romena and other strategic sites. Their power reflected the valley's position between Florence, Arezzo and the Romagna passes. Castles guarded routes, administered estates and projected authority over villages and farms. The Guidi presence declined as Florentine power expanded, but their legacy remains visible in the skyline of Poppi, the ruins of Romena and the surviving medieval architecture of several Casentino settlements.

Saint Francis and La Verna, 13th Century

The mountain of La Verna became associated with Saint Francis of Assisi after he visited the site and, according to Franciscan tradition, received the stigmata there in 1224. A sanctuary and monastery developed around the places linked with his retreat, transforming the mountain into one of central Italy's most important pilgrimage destinations. Its religious history is inseparable from its geography: the complex occupies a dramatic sandstone spur surrounded by forest. La Verna continues to draw pilgrims, visitors interested in Franciscan history and walkers exploring the surrounding landscape.

The Battle of Campaldino, 1289

The Battle of Campaldino was fought in 1289 on the plain near Poppi between the Guelph forces of Florence and their allies and the Ghibelline forces associated with Arezzo. Florence won, strengthening its influence in eastern Tuscany and contributing to the political transformation of Casentino. The battle is also remembered because Dante Alighieri is traditionally said to have taken part on the Florentine side, though the valley's importance does not depend on that literary association alone. The battlefield lies within the historic landscape around Poppi and Campaldino.

Florentine Rule and the Grand Duchy

After the decline of the Guidi family, Casentino was progressively incorporated into the Florentine state and later the Medici Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Political power became more centralised, while castles lost much of their military role and communities were governed through wider Tuscan institutions. Forestry, pastoralism and agriculture remained important, and roads through the valley linked local settlements with Florence and the Arno basin. The period left a legacy of administrative, architectural and cultural connections that help explain why Casentino is historically Tuscan while retaining a distinct mountain identity.

Wool-Making and Modern Casentino

Industrial activity developed particularly around Stia, where wool processing became a defining part of the local economy. The Casentino woollen cloth traditionally known as panno casentinese was valued for its warmth and distinctive appearance, and textile production shaped employment and settlement in the upper valley. Stia's former wool mill, now the Museo dell'Arte della Lana, documents this industrial heritage. In the twentieth century, improved roads, changing agriculture and the growth of protected landscapes altered the economy, with forestry, heritage and nature tourism becoming increasingly important alongside local production.

Casentino in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Casentino Travel Guide

Discover Casentino with Evendo: A 100% free app-based travel guide covering all the best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, shops, and more.

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Explore Casentino like never before with Evendo, your free, all-in-one travel companion. Discover top attractions, book experiences, and get local tips with ease.

  • History of Casentino and travel essentials.
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  • User-friendly navigation and 'Near Me' feature.
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Imagine stepping into the serene beauty of Casentino, a hidden gem in Italy, with a travel guide that fits right in your pocket. Evendo is designed to make your journey unforgettable by providing a comprehensive, app-based travel guide that is 100% free to use. From the majestic Castello di Poppi to the tranquil sanctuaries of La Verna and Camaldoli, Evendo covers all the must-see landmarks in Casentino.

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With curated local tips, you'll feel like a true local as you explore hidden spots and popular destinations. The 'Near Me' feature helps you find amazing places around you, no matter where you are in Casentino. Plus, the app's easy navigation ensures you'll never get lost. Download Evendo today and unlock the best of Casentino effortlessly.

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