- Arezzo is the birthplace of the musical scale system (do, re, mi), invented by the monk Guido d'Arezzo in the 11th century.
- The city is one of the world's most significant centers for gold jewelry manufacturing, producing a vast percentage of Italy's total gold exports.
- Arezzo served as a key filming location for Roberto Benigni’s Academy Award-winning film 'Life is Beautiful'.
- It was originally one of the twelve major cities of the Etruscan League, known as Arretium, and was a prominent producer of fine red-gloss pottery.
About Arezzo
Arezzo is an ancient Tuscan city distinguished by its rich Etruscan roots and its role as a pivotal center for the Renaissance art of Giorgio Vasari. The city's steep, medieval streets converge on the sloped Piazza Grande, a site that showcases the layered architectural history of the region. Visitors can explore the profound influence of Piero della Francesca at the Basilica di San Francesco or delve into the city's classical past at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Gaio Cilnio Mecenate. The local character is deeply tied to its tradition of goldsmithing and the preservation of its expansive historical ecclesiastical architecture, including the notable Arezzo Cathedral.
Highlights of Arezzo
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
This uniquely sloped, medieval-style square hosts the traditional Giostra del Saracino jousting tournament.
Temples
The chapel houses the renowned 'Legend of the True Cross' fresco cycle by Piero della Francesca.
Museums
This former residence of the famous Renaissance artist Giorgio Vasari contains his own frescoed works.
Museums
The museum displays a significant collection of Etruscan artifacts and Roman pottery found in the local area.
Temples
Perched on the hill, the cathedral features impressive stained glass windows and a tomb of Pope Gregory X.
Temples
This church is noted for its high-quality Mannerist interior and its significant role in the local monastic history.
Museums
It houses a comprehensive collection of medieval and Renaissance artworks salvaged from local deconsecrated churches.
Temples
This church is an essential stop for its early Renaissance architecture and tranquil artistic surroundings.
Top things to do in Arezzo
The 354 highest-rated places in Arezzo, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Piazza Grande is Arezzo’s sloping, trapezoidal main square, renowned for its uneven brick paving and surrounding medieva...
2
Historical places
Castello dei Conti Guidi in Poppi serves as a prime example of 13th-century military architecture, credited to the archi...
3
Temples
Arezzo Cathedral, formally the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donatus, dominates the city's highest point on the Prato hi...
4
Temples
The Franciscan Hermitage 'Le Celle' is a monastery founded by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1211, tucked into a narrow wood...
5
Temples
The Basilica di San Francesco in Arezzo is a 13th-century brick church renowned for housing Piero della Francesca's Rena...
6
Temples
The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio is a High Renaissance pilgrimage church located in the Tuscan countryside jus...
7
Temples
The Sacro Eremo di Camaldoli is a historic hermitage founded by Saint Romuald in 1012, serving as the mother house of th...
8
Temples
Pieve di San Pietro a Romena is a 12th-century Romanesque parish church located in the Casentino valley of Tuscany. The...
9
Museums
The Aboca Museum is located within the historic 16th-century Palazzo Bourbon del Monte in Sansepolcro, Italy. It is dedi...
10
Temples
The Basilica of Saint Margaret of Cortona is a neo-Gothic church situated at the highest point of Cortona, Italy. It ser...
11
Historical places
The Cross of Pratomagno is a large iron structure standing at 1,590 meters above sea level on the Pratomagno mountain ri...
12
Museums
The Museo Civico di Sansepolcro is housed in the 14th-century Palazzo dei Conservatori and serves as the primary reposit...
13
Museums
Casa Vasari is the historic residence where the painter and biographer Giorgio Vasari lived and worked in the 16th centu...
14
Parks
The Centro Visite in Badia Prataglia serves as the primary gateway for the Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi, a UNESCO...
15
Historical places
The Fortress of Girifalco, also known as the Fortezza Medicea, occupies the highest point in Cortona at approximately 65...
16
Museums
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale Gaio Cilnio Mecenate occupies the site of a 14th-century Olivetan monastery built over...
17
Museums
The Municipal Art Gallery of Palazzo Vitelli alla Cannoniera is housed in a 16th-century Renaissance palace designed by...
18
Temples
Pieve di San Pietro a Gropina is a Romanesque parish church located in the Tuscan commune of Loro Ciuffenna, situated on...
19
Temples
The Cortona Cathedral, or Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, is a Renaissance-era structure built over the foundations o...
20
Parks
21
Temples
22
Amusement parks
23
Venues
24
Temples
25
Places of interest
26
Museums
27
Temples
28
Zoos
29
Temples
30
Places of interest
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Arezzo on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Arezzo
May to June or September to October, when the weather is mild enough for walking the steep medieval streets without the intense heat of summer.
2 days, which provides sufficient time to tour the main artistic sites, museums, and the historic center.
The historic center is compact and best explored on foot, though steep inclines are common; a local bus system connects the outer areas to the train station.
Staying within or near the walls of the historic center provides immediate access to the major landmarks and main piazzas.
Arezzo is generally a mid-range destination, offering more moderate pricing compared to major tourist hubs like Florence.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 354 curated attractions in and around Arezzo, ranked by traveller ratings.
Piazza Grande is the highest-rated place to visit in Arezzo right now.
The largest category is temples, with 140 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
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