Guide to Arezzo, Italy: discovering an under-the-radar Tuscan town with Travel with Certa

Most visitors to Tuscany make for the same beautiful but over-touristed spots: Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano, and perhaps the wine regions of Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. But in Tuscany’s landlocked east lies a medieval town that boasts all the same charm with far fewer crowds: Arezzo.

We embarked on a whirlwind tour with Travel with Certa, led by Keti Mazzi, proud Arezzo local and owner of Hong Kong-based Italian food and wine import company Certa, to discover a town filled with incredible history, art, gastronomy, and Romanesque architecture.

While this trip was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Guide to Arezzo, Italy

Arezzo snapshot

Destination: Arezzo
Region: Tuscany
Nearest airport: Florence Airport (Peretola), approximately 1 hour by car
Best time to visit: April to June and September to October for warm weather, fewer crowds and local festivals
Known for: Medieval architecture, antiques markets, Tuscan cuisine, goldsmithing heritage and rolling countryside views
Style: Historic Tuscan city with a relaxed, authentic atmosphere
Best for: Art lovers, slow travel, food and wine escapes, couples and culture-focused city breaks
Famous landmarks: Piazza Grande, Basilica of San Francesco, Fortezza Medicea and the Vasari Loggia
Average hotel prices: From approximately €120 per night for boutique stays, rising to €400+ for luxury countryside retreats
Ideal length of stay: 2–4 days

Getting to know Arezzo

Over centuries, Arezzo had been an influential Etruscan stronghold and a strategic Roman city, but it came into its own as a cultural powerhouse during the Renaissance.

This was the birthplace of painter and architect Giorgio Vasari (he created Florence’s hidden Vasari Corridor, among other masterpieces), poet Francesco Petrarch, and painter Piero della Francesca. Cinephiles well-versed in Italian cinema will also recognise the town from its cameos in Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful.

Unfortunately, my trip comes a few days too early for the Giostra del Saracino, the famous medieval jousting tournament, and the monthly Antiques Market (Italy’s oldest). But over 48 hours strolling its many charming cobblestone streets, Mazzi unveils Arezzo’s biggest attractions and hidden gems beloved by locals. Keep these spots in mind next time you head to Tuscany.

STAY
San Francesco Ventitre

Address: Piazza San Francesco, Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Style: Design-led apartment stay with eclectic contemporary interiors
Best for: Couples, slow travellers and long-weekend city breaks
Standout feature: Rooftop balcony with sweeping views across Arezzo’s terracotta rooftops
Atmosphere: Quiet, residential and deeply local
Why stay: One of the city’s best-located stays, placing guests directly opposite the Basilica di San Francesco and within walking distance of Arezzo’s key sights, cafés and restaurants.

Few accommodation options in the town can beat San Francesco Ventitre’s incredible location. Situated on Piazza San Francesco, just across from the Basilica of the same name, it’s in easy striking distance of Arezzo’s best, from attractions and restaurants to the train station.

The design-forward apartment is rendered in a simple, eclectic style, with modular furniture and pops of colour from artwork and textiles. Perched atop a five-storey walk-up (pack light!) is a slice of local life offering a calm bedroom, spacious living area, fully-equipped kitchen, simple bathroom and—the pièce de résistance—a cosy balcony ideal for breakfasts or nightcaps with picturesque views over Arezzo’s rooftop.

TO DO
Fortezza Medicea

Location: San Donato Hill, Arezzo
Type: Historic fortress and cultural venue
Best for: History lovers, panoramic views and sunset walks
Highlights: Pentagonal bastions, medieval remains and sweeping city views
Atmosphere: Peaceful during the day, atmospheric at golden hour
Why visit: One of Arezzo’s most significant historic landmarks, blending Medici history with open-air cultural events and one of the finest viewpoints in the city.

Standing proud above San Donato hill, this site was the first fortified nucleus of Arezzo, created between the 9th and 11th centuries; later, it was the site of the Church of San Donato. The current remains of the medieval fortress were built by Cosimo I de’Medici (and designed by architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger) in the 16th century, but military function was abandoned in the 18th century.

Now, guests enter through the Porta Sant’Angelo, a remnant from the 14th century keep; the pentagonal layout with its five bastions offers exceptional views over Arezzo and hosts numerous cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year.

Casa Vasari

Location: Northern historic centre, Arezzo
Type: Renaissance house museum
Best for: Art enthusiasts and architecture lovers
Highlights: Original frescoes painted by Giorgio Vasari and a tranquil roof garden
Atmosphere: Intimate, scholarly and quietly elegant
Why visit: A beautifully preserved artist’s residence offering insight into the life and work of one of the Renaissance’s most influential figures.

Tucked into the northern reaches of the town centre, Casa Vasari is an homage to one of Arezzo’s hometown heroes. Renaissance-era artist and architect Giorgio Vasari purchased the house in 1541 and decorated it himself. Filled with rich frescoes depicting allegorical, biblical, and mythological scenes, it’s one of the best-preserved artist homes from that era.

In the main picture gallery, works sourced from several Florentine galleries offer insight into Vasari’s artistic cohort, including Alessandro Allori, Giovanni Stradano, and Santi di Tito. Take a few moments to relax and bask in the serenity of the Italian-style roof garden.

Basilica di San Francesco

Location: Piazza San Francesco, Arezzo
Type: Historic church and cultural landmark
Best for: Renaissance art lovers and first-time visitors
Highlights: Piero della Francesca’s Legend of the True Cross fresco cycle
Atmosphere: Serene, monumental and deeply atmospheric
Why visit: One of Tuscany’s most important churches and home to some of Italy’s most celebrated Renaissance frescoes.

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the Basilica di San Francesco looms large over the historic piazza that shares its name and has long served as one of the town’s main social and cultural touchpoints. Outside, the church is rendered in a simple, austere fashion that leans into the “light Gothic” Italian style. Inside, the single, large nave and unfinished stone façade are dominated by towering artwork and frescos.

The masterpiece, though, hides behind the altar. In the cosy chapel lies the Legend of the True Cross, a series of frescoes across three walls that is considered the pinnacle of local Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca’s oeuvre.

Sugar

Location: Palazzo Lambardi, Arezzo historic centre
Type: Luxury fashion boutique and lifestyle destination
Best for: Fashion enthusiasts and design lovers
Highlights: Historic interiors, curated designer labels and stylish café
Atmosphere: Fashion-forward yet distinctly Tuscan
Why visit: A destination boutique that combines contemporary luxury retail with historic architecture, art and hospitality.

Founded in 1978, Sugar is now one of Arezzo’s most renowned fashion destinations, carefully ensconced in the Palazzo Lambardi, a complex of interlinked houses dating from the 13th to 15th centuries. Visually, the space blends contemporary design with historic architecture, with marble, metals, and LED screens juxtaposed against wooden ceilings, frescoes, and even a hanging garden and Vasarian fireplace.

The boutique is famous for its curated selection of stylish clothing, shoes, and accessories sourced from cutting-edge international brands—including Alaïa, Dries Van Noten, and Khaite—and well-known fashion houses like Dolce & Gabbana, JW Anderson, and Maison Margiela. Transcending fashion, the building now also hosts a popular café (called No Sugar Please), garden, and even accommodations (named Sugar Rooms).

Centro Estetica Arezzo

Location: Residential district north of central Arezzo
Type: Holistic beauty and wellness centre
Best for: Wellness seekers and skincare-focused travellers
Highlights: Advanced facials, Biologique Recherche treatments and personalised therapies
Atmosphere: Quiet, restorative and discreet
Why visit: A trusted local beauty sanctuary known for combining advanced skincare techniques with a holistic approach to wellbeing.

Now helmed by Sonia Dalla Ragione, this aesthetic centre hidden in a residential street just north of Arezzo’s centre is a sanctuary offering a personalised approach to beauty. Focusing on holistic wellness and advanced skincare, the centre offers a full menu of treatments, from traditional services like manicures to cutting-edge facial treatments (think dermabrasion) and body contouring. This is the only place in the area to get a much-lauded Biologique Recherche facial that’ll have your skin in pristine condition.

EAT & DRINK
La Buca di San Francesco

Location: Near Basilica di San Francesco
Cuisine: Traditional Tuscan
Best for: Romantic dinners and classic regional cooking
Highlights: Medieval cellar setting, truffle pasta and Chianina beef
Atmosphere: Candlelit, rustic and deeply atmospheric
Why visit: One of Arezzo’s most iconic restaurants, beloved for its authentic Tuscan flavours and historic setting.

Tucked into a street beside the basilica of the same name, this historic restaurant is built into atmospheric medieval cellars that feature stone arches and vaulted ceilings. Established decades ago and now owned by Patrizio Bertelli, former co-CEO of Prada, this is the ultimate spot to settle into rustic wooden tables and enjoy an intimate meal delving into Arezzo’s culinary heritage.

Signature dishes pair regional ingredients with time-honoured recipes: think costini neri (chicken liver pâté with toasted bread), pastas made with truffle or wild boar, and Chianina beef.

Pasticceria F.lli Bruschi

Location: Arezzo historic centre
Cuisine: Traditional Tuscan pastries and desserts
Best for: Morning coffee stops and sweet treats
Highlights: Budino di riso, cornetti and vintage interiors
Atmosphere: Warm, nostalgic and community-focused
Why visit: A beloved family-run institution preserving Arezzo’s pastry traditions since 1937.

Tuscany’s sweetest traditions are kept alive at this charming, family-run pastry shop whose history dates back to 1937. Inside the main room that evokes an old-world atmosphere with antique furnishings and old family photos, locals congregate to enjoy Bruschi’s freshly made artisanal pastries and desserts alongside an espresso.

Pull up a chair and become a part of Arezzo’s community as you sample local treats like budino di riso (a Tuscan-style rice pudding), Millefoglie, and an assortment of cornetti and biscotti.

Caffè Pasticceria Stefano

Location: Near Piazza San Francesco
Cuisine: Italian café and pastry classics
Best for: Breakfast and afternoon espresso breaks
Highlights: Historic interiors, maritozzi and traditional café culture
Atmosphere: Lively, nostalgic and unmistakably local
Why visit: A historic meeting place where visitors can experience authentic daily life in the heart of Arezzo.

Around the corner from Piazza San Francesco, this historic café in Arezzo’s heart has been a part of the city’s social scene since 1857. Each morning, locals settle into tables shrouded in the pasticceria’s nostalgic atmosphere to breakfast on freshly made pastries, including cantucci and maritozzi, while reading the newspaper, or grab a quick espresso in the traditional Italian style—while standing at the bar. Do as the locals do to break your fast in the morning, or pop in for an afternoon pick-me-up.

La Formaggeria

Location: Via de’ Redi, Arezzo
Cuisine: Tuscan cheese, charcuterie and wine bar plates
Best for: Casual lunches and aperitivo
Highlights: Cheese boards, crostini neri and local wines
Atmosphere: Relaxed, sociable and contemporary
Why visit: A laid-back favourite offering modern takes on Tuscan classics in one of the city’s liveliest streets.

Located on lively Via de’Redi, this casual spot specialises in putting creative twists on traditional Tuscan flavours. Grab a streetside table and tuck into platters of cheese and charcuterie, and what might be the best crostini neri in town. Pair the meal with selections from the wine list; La Costa’s Brigante Bianco and Niedrist’s Alto Adige Pinot Noir Riserva are excellent local drops to try.

Gabbo Cave à Vin

Location: Logge Vasari overlooking Piazza Grande
Cuisine: Seasonal Italian with natural wines
Best for: Wine lovers and stylish dinners
Highlights: Natural wine list, fried porcini mushrooms and Piazza Grande views
Atmosphere: Chic yet relaxed
Why visit: A modern wine-focused dining spot pairing creative cuisine with one of Arezzo’s most beautiful historic settings.

Tucked under the arches of the historic Logge Vasari (yes, built by that Vasari) and overlooking Arezzo’s iconic Piazza Grande, this casual restaurant specialises in modern Italian dishes made with seasonal, organic ingredients, all paired with an extensive selection of natural wines. Expect elevated pasta plates, snacks like fried porcini mushrooms, and local meats like fillets of Chianina beef.

Tabac

Location: Central Arezzo
Cuisine: Cocktails, wines and aperitivo snacks
Best for: Evening drinks and local nightlife
Highlights: Fairy-lit garden, Negronis and lively social atmosphere
Atmosphere: Casual, buzzy and effortlessly stylish
Why visit: One of Arezzo’s favourite aperitivo spots where locals gather for relaxed evenings over cocktails and conversation.

A cornerstone of Arezzo’s social life, this simple yet refined bar splayed across the two verges on either side of a side street comes alive in the evenings as locals gather to enjoy aperitivo with friends and family. This is the kind of spot where long-time residents run into people they know and end up joining tables to shoot the breeze over Aperol Spritzes, Negronis and wines. Snap up a table for a pre-dinner drink in the fairy-light-strung garden for added ambience.

Frequently asked questions: Arezzo, Italy