Arezzo is a rewarding place to visit on a road trip or railway journey through northwest Italy’s Tuscany region. Established as an Etruscan trading settlement, today the city showcases an alluring mix of art, architecture, gastronomy and retail. Arezzo is the prosperous capital of Arezzo Province and sits amid four beautiful valleys.
Despite destructive World War II bomb attacks, Arezzo’s old town continues to shelter a magnificent collection of medieval and Renaissance buildings. It spills down a hillside in the shadow of the imposing Fortezza Medicea. The old town’s heart is Piazza Grande, a resplendent square overlooked by churches, towers and the Palazzo delle Logge Vasariane. An antique fair takes over the square on the first Sunday of the month while in June and September it hosts a jousting contest.
Arezzo’s churches celebrate both artistic and architectural talents. Marvel at the arcaded façade of the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria della Pieve. See a crucifix by Cimabue at the Church of San Domenico. Revered frescoes by Piero della Francesca adorn the walls of Arezzo Cathedral and Cappella Bacci, inside the Church of San Francesco.
Discover Etruscan and Roman-era relics at the Archaeology Museum, which looks down on the ancient Roman Amphitheater. Browse exhibitions of religious art at the State Museum of Medieval and Modern Art. Learn about the life of local artist Giorgio Vasari at the Vasari House and Museum. Find displays of art, coins, furniture and period clothing at the Ivan Bruschi House and Museum.
Don’t miss a stroll along Corso Italia, a pedestrian-only street lined with boutiques, jewelers and leather goods stores. Join locals on the street for the customary passeggiata (evening stroll). Sit at an outdoor terrace and people-watch with a coffee or glass of Chianti in hand.
Arezzo is just a 1-hour train ride from Florence. The old town’s characterful streets lend themselves to exploring on foot. Rent a car and visit the quaint villages nestled within the rolling countryside of Casentino. Bibbiena, Camaldoli, Caprese Michelangelo and Poppi can all be seen on daytrips.