Touring Arezzo in Tuscany

Posted by Ash K on Monday, January 30, 2012 2

Are you planning your next holiday to Tuscany, but are undecided where to stay? Arezzo is an often overlooked alternative. Among many reasons, the immediate surroundings of the city are literally filled with mansions and characteristic Tuscan villas to rent. Moreover, Arezzo is slightly off the charted tourist route, and this is a good thing. The city gets much of its business from fine jewelery making, while tourism accounts to a lesser amount of its wealth. This makes it a more authentic Tuscan town to be experienced easily without crowded places and museums.

The tour of the city should start from Corso Italia, which leads up to the top of town. Arezzo is mainly flat, with the exception of its historic center, resting on a steep hill culminating with the Cathedral and the Duomo Square. Start walking along Corso Italia from the bastions. These are two imposing pieces of defensive city walls still standing after centuries. Shops of every kind are displayed on both sides. Here you can also get trendy Tuscany apartments near the center, great for weekly holiday rentals. This is the best place for your shopping sprees in Italy. However, if you love vintage goods, every second Sunday of the month you have to be here. You will find one of the largest antiquity open markets in Italy with hundreds of boots from all over the country and abroad, each literally overflown with every kind of items, from paraphernalia to valuable antiques. The market stretches all over the heart of town and is a must-see.

Any other day of the month Arezzo is way less busy, and can be browsed at ease. From Corso Italia turn left on Piazza San Francesco, where the church by the same name stands. This is also a nice nightlife spot to hang out in every season. From May until October the square offers live music too. Two bars, take much of the movida of this little square.

Back to Corso Italia, walk up to Piazza Grande, where the Saracino Joust takes place twice a year in June and September. The square's floor is strongly slanting towards the fountain set in the lower corner by the beautiful Santa Maria della Pieve church. All around, the square is surrounded by beautiful antique palaces. Here Vasari, from Arezzo, built his Logge della Mercanzia, a beautiful succession of loggias where once merchants used to carry on their businesses. Now this place is home to a nice restaurant.

Back to Corso Italia, turn right and continue on to reach the Duomo square, where the cathedral of Arezzo stands towering over the Province palace. Besides the cathedral is a panoramic park with centennial trees and eating joints to relax and have a quick meal. The view from here is absolutely fantastic, dominating over a great portion of the surrounding valleys.

Definitely visit Arezzo, especially during summertime. It is one of the neglected Tuscan towns, but it holds great treasures to be discovered in awe.