What to do and see on a weekend in Arezzo: two days in the City of Arts

Arezzo, the City of Arts hidden in the heart of Tuscany, this year is the perfect destination for an alternative weekend exploring the beauties of an unexpected Italy, an unmissable journey made of history, art, culture and food delicacies.

This proliferation of immense beauty helps make this wonderful city a pearl to discover while traveling through one of the most beautiful regions in the world, pursuing the pleasure of discovery, but also the pleasure of relaxation and artistic beauty.

Do you want to set off right away? Discover with us what to do and see on a weekend in Arezzo, a journey that will amaze you with a fascinating two-days itinerary from Friday evening to Sunday.

If you're planning a trip to discover new destinations, perhaps following alternative routes to traditional locations to visit, then Arezzo is the perfect place to enjoy a weekend with plenty of culture and historical beauty.

Today we'd like to accompany you on a two-days itinerary to fully experience Tuscany's City of Arts, packed with engaging activities and beautiful attractions to admire thanks to the work of Fondazione Arezzo Intour, the organization responsible for managing and promoting the city of Arezzo as a priceless tourist destination and absolutely au pair with Florence and Pisa, its main regional tourism "rivals".

So what's the plan for these days of travel? Here are the main stages we will be visiting during our weekend in Arezzo from Friday to Sunday.

· Friday afternoon: arrival in Arezzo and visit to the Basilica of San Francesco;

· Friday evening: stroll around and dinner in Piazza Grande;

· Saturday morning: from Piazza Grande to Casa Vasari and Duomo of San Donato;

· Saturday afternoon: visit to the Medici Fortress Park;

· Saturday evening: stroll around and dinner in the centre of Arezzo;

· Sunday morning: visit the Roman Amphitheater and the National Archaeological Museum;

· Sunday afternoon: stroll around Arezzo's Artisan Workshops Streets.

We arrive in Arezzo on Friday in the early afternoon, a quiet time to settle in, drop off our bags and prepare for this incredible weekend in the City of Arts. Arezzo is a relatively easy destination to reach, perfect for exploring on foot or even by bicycle, thanks to the bike-sharing service available at the station and bus terminal making it an increasingly tourist-friendly city.

Arriving by train or bus, a first stroll through the historic centre is the best choice for immediately discovering the beauty of the city; especially Piazza Grande, the beating heart of Arezzo by day and by night, famous for its medieval and renaissance architecture and slightly sloping pavement.

Let's enjoy the afternoon strolling around Piazza Grande until we reach the Basilica of San Francesco to admire the frescoes by Piero della Francesca. This church is located in the namesake square along the famous Via Cavour, where we can also stop at a bar for an aperitivo and taste a few of the Tuscan appetizers.

And why not, on Friday evening we can stay around here for a traditional dinner at a local trattoria, savoring dishes like ribollita or the classic florentine steak. The soft lighting and cobblestone streets actually make Arezzo even more magical at night, the first one of a full-packed weekend that awaits us in the coming hours.

We're getting into the core of our weekend in Arezzo preparing for Saturday, a day packed with incredible beauty to admire and adventures to share. We'll have breakfast in one of the historic cafés in Piazza Grande, which has hosted the magnificent Antiques Fair on the first weekend of every month since 1968, surrounded by the splendid backdrop of the medieval and renaissance buildings that surround it. We're speaking about the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve, Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici and Palazzo delle Logge, designed by Giorgio Vasari, a name that will guide us to our first stop on Saturday morning.

After breakfast, in fact, we head to Casa Vasari, a spectacular house-museum that was the home of the famous artist and architect from Arezzo. Here, we truly step into the heart of the Renaissance, discovering the personal life of the master who lived and worked here, with the gaze captivated by majestic rooms frescoed by Vasari himself and richly decorated ceilings. Each hall of Casa Vasari pays homage to the mastery of one of the city's most iconic personalities, offering a privileged and timeless glimpse into Vasari's artistic vision and his relationship with arts.

After a brief lunch break, we head to Piazza Duomo just a few minutes walk away to visit the city's cathedral, Duomo of San Donato, with its imposing gothic architecture and Piero della Francesca's fresco of Maddalena. Don't forget to carefully look at its stained-glass windows, which create a unique atmosphere and games of colors when fully illuminated by the sunlight.

Saturday afternoon continues with a relaxing stroll in the Medici Fortress Park, just beyond the Duomo, a lovely and unique place not to be missed on this weekend in Arezzo. The fortress park is the perfect place to spend the afternoon in complete tranquility and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view over the city and the surrounding hills, especially from the viewpoint of Bastione Belvedere. The perfect example of how the City of Arts has transformed a prestigious example of 16th-century military architecture into an oasis of peace in the heart of Arezzo.

We dedicate Saturday evening to exploring the historic centre, strolling through the city's characteristic streets, such as Via dei Pileati in the shadow of Palazzo Pretorio, which houses a well-stocked library, and fascinating places like Piazza della Libertà, where the imposing Town Hall's Clock Tower stands tall. We stop for a drink and find a restaurant to enjoy another delicious tuscan dinner, with our minds already eagerly awaiting the next day's attractions here in Arezzo.

Sunday morning breakfast is a small, wonderful awakening ritual to enjoy in the heart of Arezzo, a relaxing moment that prepares us for this second day on the weekend in the City of Arts, perhaps in one of the historic cafés in Piazza San Francesco or along Corso Italia.

Our first stop on Sunday morning is the Gaio Cilnio Mecenate National Archaeological Museum on Via Margaritone, housed in a former convent. Here you'll find etruscan and roman artifacts that tell the ancient history of Arezzo and Etruria. Right next to the museum there's the Roman Amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD; although only ruins remain today, it's easy to imagine what the city must have been like in roman age, when it hosted theater performances and fighting-related sporting games.

It's now lunchtime and Sunday afternoon is fast approaching, so let's return to the alleys of the historic centre to admire Arezzo in the middle of the holiday and enjoy a satisfying meal featuring the finest local delicacies. With only a few hours left before leaving the city, we decide to spend this long afternoon venturing into the historic artisan workshops of Arezzo's historic centre - specifically, Via Cavour, Via Cesalpino and Via Bicchieraia - among handicrafts and artistic creations.

Arezzo is famous for its wide artisan production, ranging from goldsmithing to leatherwork, from carpentry to ceramics, not to mention even the numerous antique galleries, art restoration workshops and artisan food and wine products. In these characteristic places, you can rediscover the true value of the city's history and culture, talking with master craftsmen and purchasing unique pieces to take home as a reminder of such a wonderful weekend in Arezzo.

A beauty beyond measure, yet within reach of all those who choose Arezzo as their next destination to discover; and why not, perhaps during the aforementioned Antiques Fair in Piazza Grande, one of Italy's most important antiques fairs in the historic centre of Arezzo, featuring national and international exhibitors and an incredible universe to explore among antiques, ancient furniture, paintings, jewelry and rare books.

The setting sun reminds us that it's Sunday evening, and it's time to return to our accommodation, pack our bags and head back home. A farewell to the city that feels like a goodbye instead: pleasantly surprised by this extraordinary weekend in Arezzo, we can't wait to repeat the experience enjoying two days of beauty - or even more! - in the Tuscany own City of the Arts.

If you'd like to enrich your travel experience in inland Tuscany and enjoy a weekend in Arezzo that will always captivate you, don't forget to check out the many museums in its historic centre.

Between squares, alleys, artisan workshops, fairs and historic sites, every corner of Arezzo tells a unique story. Stories, for example, like the folklore one of the Giostra del Saracino, the medieval-style tournament that enchants the city every year at the beginning and end of summer, to discover on the exhibition I Colori della Giostra at the Town Hall in Piazza della Libertà.

And Arezzo's fascinating museum offerings don't end there. Also not to be missed are:

· National Museum of Medieval and Modern Art at Palazzo Ciocchi on Via S. Lorentino, which houses collections of paintings, ceramics and period coins in a three-story renaissance building;

· Wildlife Museum on Via dell'Orto, open to the public the first weekend of each month coinciding with the Fair or by private reservation, that hosts a permanent exhibition dedicated to approximately 600 characteristic species of local fauna, including mammals and birds;

· Museum of Communications Means on Via Ricasoli, which houses in an auditorium a collection of unique communication tools, especially old computers;

· Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art in the Bishop's Palace in Piazza Duomo, which houses 16th-century frescoes, paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries and fine goldsmith work.

In our two-days weekend itinerary in Arezzo we often mentioned lunches and dinners to enjoy between the stops, and the city certainly offers plenty of options for tasting delicious tuscan cuisine.

We recommend visiting local trattorias to try regional specialties like ribollita, pici all'aglione or a succulent florentine steak. If you'd rather savor the city own and its province's traditional food, opt for a homemade sandwich with Monte San Savino porchetta, pici cacio e pepe, bread crusts with chicken liver pâté or a rustic soup dark cabbage and bean.

Desserts are also a key part of Arezzo's traditional cuisine. Here you'll find classic tuscan cantuccini served with the ever-present Vin Santo, but above all gattò all'aretina, a soft roll filled with custard and alchermes liqueur. And to perfectly accompany every meal, of course you can't miss an excellent wine like Chianti, the flagship of wine production in the hilly area around Arezzo.