Why Arezzo is considered the most elegant city in Tuscany

If you are a traveler eager to find out what to see in Arezzo, the enchanting pearl of Tuscany, in this short guide we will tell you everything you need to know about this charming destination, that holds many surprises, yet to be discovered. 

Arezzo is an elegant city, we'll see why. This beautiful city in the heart of Tuscany, is rich in history, charm, art, culture and tradition. Arezzo will surprise you thanks to its artistic wonders, the authentic flavors of Tuscany, rich in vineyards, the breathtaking landscapes of the four valleys that surround it, but above all thanks to the charming Christmas atmosphere that makes Arezzo one of the most successful destinations during Christmas. Are you ready to find out more about Arezzo?

Arezzo is a city rich in history, charm and tradition. It stands out in everyone's eyes as a jewel of elegance set in the heart of Tuscany. Every corner of its historic center exudes culture and art, where masterpieces by Piero della Francesca and Giorgio Vasari dialogue with medieval and Renaissance architecture. Among its streets are workshops of artisans, keepers of ancient crafts and secrets of art. Arezzo is nestled among verdant hills dotted with vineyards, seducing the palate with its fine wines and its gastronomy: from delicious liver crostini to pici with Chianina meat sauce.

Each year, the city comes alive with two must-see events: the Antiques Fair, a haven for lovers of vintage and collectibles, and Dandy Days, a gathering of elegance and extravagance that celebrates the unique and sought-after style of the Dandies, men and women of yesteryear.

Every season in Arezzo is magical. In Fall in Arezzo you can watch the Foliage: a riot of warm colors light up in the alleys and squares, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. Finally, Christmas transforms Arezzo into an enchanted village. Christmas markets, handcrafted nativity scenes, themed events and recreational activities for all ages create an unforgettable experience for young and old alike.

Arezzo, with its timeless elegance, invites a sensory journey of art, taste and tradition in a perfect combination that wins the heart of every visitor.

Charming, alluring, and refined Arezzo, a treasure trove of incredible artistic and architectural masterpieces, is an open-air museum that enchants and captivates you with its irresistible magnetism and widespread beauty. Why is Arezzo worth visiting? As you stroll through its streets, you will appreciate the extraordinary richness of its multifaceted cultural heritage, its centuries-old traditions, its delicious culinary delicacies, and the uniqueness of the naturalistic sceneries it's sprinkled with.

Crossing the threshold of the ancient walls, a succession of aristocratic palaces, historic buildings, legendary castles, and mighty towers open before your eyes, evoking the splendor and uniqueness of medieval courts and Renaissance lordships.

A magnificent city with a teeming creative effervescence, it proudly preserves its identity and ancient wisdom reflected in its excellent craftsmanship of the historic workshops.

. You can participate in interesting events, exhibitions, markets, and prestigious cultural events that enliven its historic center, making it a kaleidoscope in which ideas, trends, artistic contaminations, and original lifestyles converge with sublime harmony.

The fairy-tale festivity atmosphere and vibrant winter colors elevate the magic of this elegant, evocative, and timeless destination, inspiring us to embrace the beauty that surrounds us.

Arezzo is situated in the southeastern part of Tuscany, offering a panoramic view from a hilltop that allows one to contemplate the magnificent views of the surrounding valleys, including the Val Tiberina, the Valdarno, the Val di Chiana, and the Casentino. The area in which it rises borders Umbria, Emilia Romagna, and Marche. The province of the same name, shaped over the centuries by the Arno River, is furrowed by gentle hills, vast valleys, and the Apennine foothills.

Arezzo closest cities, all easily accessible for a quick getaway, are Florence, Perugia, Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona, and Monterchi. Other nearby destinations to visit include Capolona, Castiglion Fiorentino, Subiaco, Civitella in Val d'Arno, Monte San Savino, Castiglion Fibocchi, Pergine Valdarno, Laterina, and Marciano della Chiana. 

Arezzo is a city rich in history, art and culture. The city is inextricably linked to the name of two of the greatest artists in Italian history, Giorgio Vasari and Piero della Francesca. It is precisely the latter, one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance, who, thanks to his genius, left an indelible imprint on the city, which holds some of his most famous works. 

In the basilica of San Francesco is the Bacci Chapel decorated with frescoes of the Legend of the True Cross a true absolute masterpiece of Piero della Francesca. The civic museum also houses several works by the painter including the Madonna del parto, one of his most iconic images, and the polyptych of mercy. The house of Piero della Francesca that is his birthplace is now used as a museum, one can visit and walk the traces of his life immersing oneself in a Renaissance atmosphere. 

In addition to the various works of the Renaissance painter, Arezzo offers its tourists a vast cultural and artistic heritage so we recommend visiting the Cathedral, which houses frescoes by Vasari himself is a precious reliquary containing the Holy Face, the Roman amphitheater and The Medici Fortress as well as the Piazza Grande.

Arezzo is a city that must be discovered slowly, one must indulge in its beauty and its unique atmosphere that changes from season to season without ever distorting itself, always offering something spectacular depending on the time of year. In this city, history, art, and tradition are harmoniously interwoven giving unforgettable emotions.

Tuscany is renowned for its food and wine excellence, and Arezzo is no exception. The entire area is characterized by a particular Mediterranean climate that ensures mild winters and fairly warm and dry summers all of which guarantee ideal vine cultivation. The hilly soils that are composed mostly of limestone marls and saplings give the wines a very unique and distinctive character. 

Among the various fine wines that are cultivated in the area we find Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia but we must also mention excellences such as Vin Santo and Chianti DOCG.

Tuscany is famous for its food and wine, and Arezzo delights its inhabitants and tourists with unique recipes accompanied with a good wine. Some of the recipes are, for example, pork chops with black cabbage, or Tuscan-style crostini or a classic Florentine grilled steak served with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and coarse salt.

Very famous are Pici all'aglione, a type of fresh pasta seasoned with garlic, extra virgin olive oil, chili pepper and pecorino romano cheese. For dessert? Cantucci, dry almond cookies, typically served with Vin Santo.

What to see in Arezzo in 2025? If you are a lover of food and wine a tour of Arezzo is for you because you would have the opportunity to visit all the wineries in the area, many of them are open to the public, and offer wine tastings and guided tours, you can participate in real food and wine tours or book a table in a typical restaurant, taste the typical dishes of the Aretine culinary tradition in a cozy atmosphere.

Do you love traveling through time? Arezzo's antiques fair is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the history and tradition of made in Italy. Antiques enthusiasts will not be able to resist Arezzo's monthly antiques market, one of the most renowned in Italy, which takes place in Piazza Grande, in the heart of the city's historic center, every first Sunday of the month and The Saturday before.

It is the largest and most important antiques fair in Italy, boasting more than 400 exhibitors and a wide variety of items including furniture, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, rugs, books and more. This is an unmissable opportunity to find unique and rare pieces of excellent workmanship.

The upcoming dates of the Arezzo Antiques Fair are: Saturday, July 6th and Sunday, July 7th;

Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th 2025;

Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd 2025;

Saturday, September 6th and Sunday, September 7th 2025;

Saturday Sunday 4th, October 5th 2025;

Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2th, 2025

Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th 2025

Here is some useful information about the Arezzo Antiques Fair 2025:

When: Every first Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (November through March) or 8 p.m. (April through October).

Where: Arezzo's historic center, particularly Piazza Grande and nearby streets.

How to get there: Arezzo is easily accessible by train or car. Arezzo train station is about a 15-minute walk from the historic center.

What to do: In addition to visiting the fair, you can also take the opportunity to explore Arezzo's beautiful historic center, which is home to many museums, churches and monuments.

Lovers of fashion, classic style and the eccentric cannot help but love madly one of the most important events held every year in the city of Arezzo: the Dandy Days. 

Arezzo is considered somewhat the cradle of Italian sophistication and for two days every year it is transformed into a stage of charm, extravagance and elegance. Every year in Arezzo for two days is held the gathering of vintage fashion and elegance enthusiasts called precisely Dandy Days. This year they took place from to  May 31st to June 2nd 2025.

Attendees show off their best outfits of timeless elegance to participate in fashion shows and competitions while attending tailoring and barbering demonstrations. The event also hosts a variety of vendors who of course offer and offer their handcrafted clothing, vintage accessories, jewelry, toiletries and more. 

Who are Dandies? A Dandy is an elegant man or woman who dresses fashionably, attaches great importance to his or her appearance by valuing good taste, style, and manners while also flaunting almost a discomfort with bourgeois customs through their eccentricity.

Dandyism is not just a matter of appearance but a real philosophy of life that is celebrated in the detail and refinement of aesthetics combined with individual behavior. Dandy Days are a true style manifesto, not just an event to celebrate elegance, leaving an indelible mark in the memory of those who attend.

Foliage is a phenomenon that can be seen in many parts of the world. Foliage in Italy can be observed in almost every region, energetically and spectacularly.

The city of Arezzo and its entire province offer magnificent scenery and views typical of autumn colors during the Foliage period. During this period, the leaves of the trees take on breathtaking shades of color, ranging from golden yellow to fiery red, through copper brown and olive green, siena and brown. Foliage can be admired in the months from September to November, before winter begins and the snow falls.

Here are some of the best places to see foliage in and around Arezzo:

- the Prato Park in Arezzo: a large green park located between the cathedral and the Medici fortress on top of the hill, ideal for walks, children's games and moments of relaxation. From its elevated position, it offers splendid views of the city and surrounding countryside. 

- The Val d'Ambra Nature Reserve: A green oasis that is home to a dense forest of oak, beech and chestnut trees.

- The Casentino Forests National Park: A vast park that includes forests, mountains and lakes, with hiking trails offering spectacular views.

- The Pieve di San Stefano in Ranco: A Romanesque church nestled in the woods, with a fairy-tale autumn landscape.

- The Castle of Poppi: A medieval castle set on a hill, with breathtaking views of the foliage-colored Val di Chiana.

- The Road of Flavors and Landscapes: A scenic route through the vineyards and forests of Casentino, offering striking autumn views.

- The Val d'Ambra Nature Reserve: A green oasis that is home to a dense forest of oak, beech and chestnut trees.

- The Casentino Forests National Park: A vast park that includes forests, mountains and lakes, with hiking trails offering spectacular views.

- The Pieve di San Stefano in Ranco: A Romanesque church nestled in the woods, with a fairy-tale autumn landscape.

- The Castle of Poppi: A medieval castle set on a hill, with breathtaking views of the foliage-colored Val di Chiana.

Be sure to pick the right time, as mentioned above the best time to see foliage is generally between late October and mid-November, in late fall. Inquire about weather conditions because the weather can change rapidly in autumn. Wear comfortable shoes, perhaps if you plan to go hiking or trekking.

Choose your equipment well and don't forget your camera to capture the beautiful fall scenery. Don't damage plants and trees and leave the trails clean. Respect nature, always!

Foliage is a very special experience that will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn nature. In addition to admiring the foliage. During this period you can participate in various festivals and events dedicated to typical autumn products, such as mushrooms, chestnuts and truffles. If you're wondering what to see in Arezzo, the city and its province offer an ideal setting to admire this striking spectacle, along with many other activities and attractions.

During the Christmas season, the city of Arezzo is transformed into a Christmas village in perfect Lapland style. Arezzo at Christmas changes clothes, transforming itself into a village enveloped in a magical atmosphere.

The heart of the Christmas village is Piazza Grande, where the Tyrolean village is set up every year with classic Christmas markets and wooden houses that recreate the typical atmosphere of Tyrolean Christmas markets and Alpine villages. 

Among the various stands you can find local specialty foods and sweets and of course many Christmas items to adorn the tree and the house. This is an excellent time to relax during the Christmas holidays and buy some little gifts. A real dream vacation in December.

The calendar is always full of events with plenty to do, starting with the illuminated route that guides tourists and locals along the streets of the Corso, giving unprecedented glimpses of the city.

The Lawn area, a huge green area, becomes the Park of Wonders: a real mini Christmas village with animations for children, stands to taste typical products, a magnificent planetarium, a Ferris wheel for the most romantic to observe the city from above and a gigantic light installation with more than 640 thousand LEDs illuminating more than 8 thousand square meters of garden.

The Fortress of Wonders, which is set up inside the Medici Fortress, is very evocative. An Elf village with many themed rooms. Many of the most beautiful nativity scenes from all over the world are displayed in Arezzo, creating a must-see exhibition. For lovers of fun and entertainment, especially for the youngest, Arezzo serves on a silver platter a beautiful ice skating rink, right in Piazza Grande. 

Arezzo at Christmas is a unique, magical experience that alters the senses with its sounds, lights, flavors and fairy-tale atmosphere. When asked "What to see in Arezzo" the answer will always be "Arezzo's unforgettable Christmas markets".

The airport located near Arezzo is the Arezzo - Molin Bianco Airport, which does not handle commercial flights open to the public but only sporting, private, training, VFR, and aeroclub training sessions.

The nearest airports to Arezzo that offer scheduled flights and handle national air traffic are San Francesco d'Assisi Airport in Perugia, 64.8 km away, Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence-Peretola, Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa and Guglielmo Marconi Airport in Bologna.

There are several options for reaching Arezzo, depending on your preferences and schedule. If you prefer to travel independently and at your own pace, driving the car is the best option for getting to this beautiful city from Rome or Florence. Take the Autostrada del Sole (A1 Milan-Naples motorway) and exit when directed, which is located about 10 km from the city center.

If you're coming from the charming neighboring towns in the Arezzo area, you can take the SS73 state road, known as the Siena-Bettolle junction, which connects the picturesque Valdichiana region. This road links Grosseto, Siena, and Sansepolcro. Alternatively, the SS71 connects the Umbro-Casentinese area, starting from Casentino and Forlì, and passes through Stia, Cortona, Val di Chiana, Perugia, and Lake Trasimeno. The SS69 runs from Valdarno, passing through Figline, Pontassieve, and Montevarchi before reaching the city.

For those who prefer public transportation, there are different ways to travel to Arezzo. It is situated along the extensive railway line connecting Bologna to Rome, and the train station in Arezzo offers quick connections to Rome, Florence, and other Italian cities via Intercity trains. TFT (Tuscan Railway Transport) manages the Arezzo-Stia and Arezzo-Sinalunga train routes. From the Santa Maria Novella station in Florence, you can also take trains to Rome that stop in Arezzo.

Bus services, including ATAM, SITA, and LFI lines, facilitate travel to areas such as Valdichiana, Pratomagno, Valtiberina, Valdarno, and Casentino.

To travel from Arezzo to Rome Tiburtina, the best and most convenient way is by train, which covers the distance with the comfortable and fast Intercity and Frecciarossa trains. Alternatively, you can take a bus transfer, which offers direct connections.

How many days does it take an exciting tour of Arezzo's magnificent historical center to admire its splendid attractions? Although it is possible to visit the main points of interest in a day, depending on the time available, you could also choose to spend a weekend of about 2 or 3 days exploring its enchanting historic centre and its masterpieces.

In this way, you could calmly appreciate its artworks, its spectacular perspectives, its ancient historical buildings, fascinating monuments, churches, and museums, such as the Museum of Medieval and Modern Art, where the extraordinary works of Giorgio Vasari, one of the most famous Tuscan artists in history, are exhibited.

If you wish to enjoy a marvelous holiday, consider dedicating an entire day to exploring the surrounding areas, which are sprinkled with picturesque villages, unique natural scenery, protected reserves, ancient monasteries, and hermitages. The Val di Chiana will fascinate you with its evocative and poetic hilly panoramas and its extensive rural scenery, dotted with pastures, vineyards, and olive groves.

The Casentino area, rich in lush vegetation, including dense woods, is characterised by wild and untamed nature, which also manifests itself in thunderous and spectacular waterfalls.

Among the points of interest, we recommend the evocative abbeys, such as the Sanctuary of La Verna, the legendary monastery of Camaldoli, and the majestic Park of the Casentino Forests. The Val Tiberina, nestled between Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, and Emilia-Romagna, is rich in mystical religious sites and fairy-tale villages. Another gem is the Valdarno, from which Leonardo Da Vinci drew inspiration for the backgrounds of his paintings, in particular the Mona Lisa.

Are you looking for some valuable suggestions on what to see and what to do in Arezzo in one day? Your itinerary could start early in the morning from the monumental Roman Amphitheatre and the scenic and iconic Piazza Grande, a 13th-century hidden gem of remarkable beauty, which will enchant you with its trapezoidal shape and peculiar perspective slant.

The area is adorned with magnificent historical buildings, including   Palazzo delle Logge, beautifully designed by Vasari, the elegant  Cofani Brizzolari Palace, the charming Lappoli Palace, the impressive Faggiolana Tower, the striking Casatorre dei Tofani Palace, and the distinguished Palace of the Confraternity of Laic poeple. The façade of the latter features a remarkable astronomical clock and a bell gable.

Other unmissable sights are the star-shaped Praetorian Palace and Medicean Fortress, a masterpiece by Antonio and Giuliano di Sangallo, which stands on the hill of San Donato at the ancient fortified center. Events and art exhibitions often take place here.

Another essential gem is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Donatus, embellished by an 18th-century travertine staircase. It is a treasure chest of artworks, including a precious bas-relief and a majolica representation of the Virgin Mary, to whom prodigious events are attributed.

Religious sites to add to your one-day visit to Arezzo include the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve and the Basilica of San Francesco, whose Bacci Chapel houses the splendid pictorial cycle of the Legend of the True Cross by Piero della Francesca, and the Gothic Basilica of San Domenico, where you can admire the Crucifix by Cimabue.

In the afternoon, take the opportunity to explore House Museum Vasari, where you'll be amazed by the exquisite decorations that grace the rooms, the enchanting hanging garden, and the birthplace of Petrarch, a place steeped in history and inspiration.