What to do in a weekend in Arezzo: the perfect itinerary

Arezzo is the right location if you want to enjoy a weekend full of culture and historical beauty.

So, take a pen and paper and write down all the activities you can do; you can find out about the wonderful initiatives promoted within the city through the portal of Fondazione Arezzo Intour - a dedicated body that manages and promotes the priceless tourist destination that is Arezzo.

Start your tour in the pearl of Tuscany with an Italian breakfast in the wonderful Piazza Grande; then visit the Basilica of San Francesco with the frescoes by Piero della Francesca.

Continue to Casa Vasari and the Duomo di San Donato, exploring Renaissance art - without equal.

In the afternoon, relax at the Parco della Fortezza Medicea and visit the Archaeological Museum.

Walking among the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater at sunset offers an experience that is nothing short of unforgettable. Sip an aperitif along Corso Italia.

Then, prepare yourself for a typical Tuscan dinner - between crostini di fegatini and pappe al pomodoro, ribollita and panzanella, Florentine steak, lampredotto and wild boar stew, castagnaccio and cantucci.

Discover all the places of craftsmanship, between workshops and breathtaking creations; speaking of which, keep in mind that every first Sunday of the month - and every Saturday before it - the Fiera Antiquaria di Arezzo is held.

If you arrive in Arezzo on Friday afternoon, you can start with a walk in the historic center to discover the beauties of the city.

Take a look at Piazza Grande, which you will see first, famous for its medieval and Renaissance architecture.

Enjoy the afternoon hours to see the Basilica of San Francesco, with frescoes by Piero della Francesca.

From the center itself, stop at a bar and sip an aperitif - savoring some typical Tuscan appetizers.

In the evening, before preparing for the following Saturday, you can dine in a local trattoria, savoring typical Tuscan dishes - such as ribollita or Florentine steakribollita or Florentine steak.

Arezzo, easy to reach from every part of Italy, is also pleasantly walkable. For this reason, it is said to be a city made for tourists. A bike-sharing program, moreover, is now woven into the city's mobility plan. In short, Arezzo is a pleasant destination for everyone.

Your day will begin with a tasty and rich breakfast in one of the historic cafes of Piazza Grande, one of the most fascinating squares in Italy.

Here you can enjoy a cappuccino and a brioche while admiring the medieval and Renaissance buildings that surround the square - such as the Palazzo delle Logge, conceived and designed by Giorgio Vasari.

The breathtaking view will accompany you in choosing your next destinations.

If you arrive during the first weekend of the month, you will already be able to witness the setting up of the magnificent Antiques Fair - which takes place right in this charming square, in Arezzo.

After enjoying your Italian breakfast, head to Casa Vasari, home of the famous artist and architect Giorgio Vasari.

This place will allow you to enter the personal life of the Renaissance master, who lived and worked here.

The frescoed rooms, decorated by Vasari himself, offer a privileged glimpse into his artistic vision and his relationship with art.

Each hall and room you explore is a tribute to his mastery and to art in general; with richly decorated ceilings and details that reveal his genius, you will immerse yourself in the imagination of a timeless artist.

Arezzo has no shortage of options for enjoying Tuscan cuisine; whether it’s typical street food or you want to enjoy tradition in a restaurant or trattoria, you’ll enjoy whatever you choose.

Head to a local trattoria to try specialties like ribollita, pici all’aglione or a succulent Florentine steak.

You can also enjoy a sandwich with porchetta di Arezzo, frittelle or pici with cacio and pepe.

After lunch, enjoy a walk in the Parco della Fortezza Medicea, a lovely and unique place.

This location is perfect for relaxing and enjoying a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the surrounding hills.

The fortress is an example of 16th century military architecture and offers an oasis of peace in the heart of Arezzo.

The afternoon continues with a visit to the Duomo di San Donato, the city's cathedral.

Here you can admire the imposing Gothic architecture and the fresco of the Magdalene by Piero della Francesca.

Don't forget to look at the stained glass windows, which give a unique atmosphere to the church, especially when it is illuminated by the rays of the Sun.

Continue your afternoon, then, walking through the streets of the city - beautiful and characteristic. Sit down to sip a fresh aperitif, planning what to do for the following day and choosing a place to enjoy another wonderful Tuscan dinner.

For Saturday dinner, choose a trattoria aretina. This, in fact, will be a choice that will allow you to savor typical traditional dishes - cooked to perfection, by expert hands. The traditional dishes of Arezzo cuisine are delicious.

In addition to the Tuscan classics, try chicken cacciatore or crostini neri, slices of Tuscan bread with liver pâté.

End the evening with a walk in the historic center, when the city is wrapped in a quiet and suggestive atmosphere, in the moonlight. The soft lights and cobbled streets make Arezzo even more magical at night.

Enjoy your last breakfast in the spectacular Arezzo, breakfast is a relaxing moment and, therefore, experience it in one of the historic cafes of Arezzo.

You can choose a place in Piazza San Francesco or along Corso Italia to observe the city waking up - between the smell of coffee and newspapers.

Spend the morning discovering and visiting the Gaio Cilnio Mecenate National Archaeological Museum, housed in a former convent located near the Roman Amphitheater - which you will also visit. Here you will find Etruscan and Roman finds that tell the ancient history of Arezzo.

Right next to the museum, as we said, is the Roman Amphitheater, dating back to the 2nd century AD.

Even though today only ruins remain, it is easy to imagine what it must have been like during the Roman era, when it hosted shows and gladiator games.

Enjoy a typical Arezzo Sunday lunch, in a local restaurant - or, better yet, in a typical trattoria.

A typical Sunday lunch in Arezzo is an opportunity to enjoy traditional and convivial dishes.

Start with appetizers such as Tuscan crostini with liver paté and an assortment of local cured meats and cheeses.

Among the first courses, you can't miss the pici cacio e pepe or a ribollita, a rustic soup of black cabbage and beans.

For the second courses, the Florentine steak or roast pork loin are the protagonists, - and you've probably already tasted them - accompanied by sides such as rosemary potatoes and grilled vegetables.

Dessert includes cantucci served with Vin Santo and, sometimes, torta della nonna.

The meal is often rounded off with a Chianti wine and sparkling or still water.

Before leaving Arezzo, take a stroll through the craft shops and food stores in the historic center. Arezzo is famous for its gold jewelry, ceramics, and food and wine products.

You can buy and take home an authentic testimony of the wonderful weekend you just spent.

The goldsmiths' shops, famous for their gold jewelry, and those of leather craftsmen, with handmade bags and accessories, are particularly renowned. Then, you can find shops that sell ceramics, fabrics, and food specialties such as olive oil and local wines.

As previously mentioned, in the course of this article, on the first weekend of the month, Arezzo hosts the Fiera Antiquaria. Founded in 1968, it is one of the most important antiques fairs in Italy and is held in the historic center of Arezzo, with exhibitors from all over Italy and also from abroad.

During the fair, the city's streets and squares are transformed into a vast open-air market where you can find a wide range of antiques, from furniture and paintings to jewelry and rare books.

The event is also an opportunity to discover the historical and architectural beauty of Arezzo, while exploring the rich cultural heritage for sale.

A weekend in Arezzo offers a perfect adventure between culture, nature and good food.

Whether you are an art lover or simply looking for relaxation, the city will fascinate you at any time of the day.

Arezzo enchants with its immense beauty; here history intertwines harmoniously with everyday life.

Among its squares, its alleys, and artisan workshops and historical places, every corner tells a unique story.

Visiting Arezzo is a journey into the heart of Tuscany, an experience that fascinates and leaves unforgettable memories.

Follow our itinerary, for an indelible and enchanting experience.