A Blast From The Past: 10 Best Things To Do In Arezzo, Italy

1. Arezzo Cathedral

Arezzo Cathedral, also known as Cattedrale di Arezzo in its native Italian, is the first Roman Catholic cathedral built in Arezzo on the Pionta Hill. The cathedral’s location is actually on top of the burial place of the martyr, Donatus of Arezzo, and is thus named after him. Construction of the cathedral consisted of various phases from the 13th-century through to the early 20th-century. Nowadays, plenty of tourists flock to the cathedral to view its stunning architecture, and it’s certainly a great way to spend an hour.

Arezzo Cathedral

Address: Piazza Duomo, 1, 52100 Arezzo AR, Italy

2. Piazza Grande

Piazza Grande is essentially the heart of Arezzo and a great place, for some people watching, while taking in the charming atmosphere of this lovely Italian city. What’s immediately noticeable is the unique trapezoidal shape of the central plaza, which slopes downwards on one side of the court. The surrounding buildings have varied architecture consisting of Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance influences. Spend an hour or two enjoying the best of traditional and modern Italian urban culture here.

Piazza Grande

Address: Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Piazza Grande (in Italian)

3. Anfiteatro Romano

Since Arezzo is such a city that dates back to antiquity, you’re bound to come across some cool ancient ruins. The Anfiteatro Romano is an amphitheater and museum featuring many fascinating artifacts from the Etruscan period. This historic landmark is situated close to Arezzo’s main street and is easily accessible. Keep in mind that it’s only open during weekdays, and expect to spend about an hour going through the amphitheater.

Anfiteatro Romano

Address: Via Margaritone, Via Crispi, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

4. Ivan Bruschi House & Museum

Arezzo is home to popular antique fairs, which attract many locals and foreigners. The original promoter of these fairs was the local antique dealer, Ivan Bruschi. To commemorate this famous dealer, the Ivan Bruschi House & Museum displays many unique artifacts and art pieces from his collection. Antique and art aficionados will be impressed by the sheer variety and rarity of the exhibits, and will undoubtedly spend many hours here.

Ivan Bruschi House & Museum

Address: Corso Italia 14, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Ivan Bruschi House & Museum (in Italian)

5. Santa Maria della Pieve

This magnificent abbey constructed in the Romanesque style sports a dramatic-looking bell tower. But the many unique facets of the Santa Maria della Pieve will certainly enthrall visitors. The minimalist façade and interior of the abbey contrast with the detailed frescos within. There’s also a baptismal font, sculptured doors, and a crypt that contains the head of the martyred patron saint.

Santa Maria della Pieve

Address: Corso Italia, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

6. Museo dei Mezzi di Comunicazione

Technology geeks will be in heaven, once they step into the Museo dei Mezzi di Comunicazione. This isn’t your typical Italian museum as it doesn’t focus on ancient artifacts. Instead, this museum covers technological advancements in the fields of telecommunication, telegraphy, radio, television, and computing. The vintage equipment on display was the foundation of all the modern technology we use today, so it’s certainly fascinating to see where it all began.

Museo dei Mezzi di Comunicazione

Address: Via Margaritone 10, Ex Monastero Olivetano di San Bernardo, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Museo dei Mezzi di Comunicazione (in Italian)

7. Villa La Ripa

There’s no point of visiting Arezzo without taking the time to view all those magnificent Tuscan hills. And there’s no better to enjoy all that lovely scenery, than with a glass of the finest Italian wine at hand. So take a day trip down to the Villa La Ripa, a gorgeous local winery that offers visitors a tour of the premises together with wine tasting. Overall, this ultimate sun drenched excursion will make you feel like you’re on a film set or even heaven.

Villa La Ripa

Address: Localita Antria 38, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Villa La Ripa

8. Corso Italia

Arezzo has what all great Italian cities have, and that’s a famous shopping street that attracts fashionistas. Corso Italia is a vibrant shopping strip that features plenty of fashion stores and antique shops, and there’s also some nice bars and restaurants that should satisfy most taste buds. This street is busy during the day and night, and yes, it’s safe enough to venture here during the evenings for a good time.

9. Antiques Market in Arezzo

If you enjoy tracking down unique antiques and haggling for a better price, then the Antiques Market in Arezzo is the right place for you. This colorful market attracts local and foreign bargain hunters for its wide variety stands, which are incredibly fun to rummage through to discover hidden gems. This market is so vast that it covers Piazza Grande and several nearby blocks. It’s a fun Sunday market with so much to see and do that it’s possible to spend around 3 hours here.

Antiques Market in Arezzo

Address: Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Antiques Market in Arezzo (in Italian)

10. Museo della Fauna Selvatica

It seems that there’s no shortage of unique museums in Arezzo, and to prove this point the Museo della Fauna Selvatica exhibits a massive variety of birdlife and fauna. The founders of this museum are experts in the fields of natural biodiversity; thus there’s over 600 birds and fauna on display with detailed descriptions of their respective origins. This museum is definitely a great attraction for animal and nature lovers of all kinds.

Museo della Fauna Selvatica

Address: Via Dell'Orto n. 7, 52100, Arezzo, Italy

Website: Museo della Fauna Selvatica (in Italian)

Arezzo is a doorway to Tuscany

Arezzo is a charming city that most visitors will probably fall in love with. There’s so many cool things to see and do in Arezzo, from visiting ancient ruins right through to collecting rare antiques. But since it’s situated in Tuscany, it gives visitors access to that gorgeous landscape and its amazing wineries.