City break in Arezzo. Active leisure ideas for Arezzo - attractions, recreation and nightlife

The exploration of the beautiful Tuscany province usually starts with Florence. After that, classic traveler’s guides suggest visiting Chianti and explore its vineyards, admire the hill towns in the area of Montepulciano and Montalcino, visit Siena or move to Pisa. At the same time, the eastern part of Tuscany often gets little attention. That can even be an advantage as the vibrant capital of the region, Arezzo, is not too crowded and not spoiled by endless hordes of tourists. It’s a great place to experience the authentic life of the province, see beautiful landmarks, and enjoy various activities.

The city is incredibly rich in architectural landmarks, but there are almost no crowds. Its relaxed atmosphere is ideal for a family vacation or a romantic breakaway. Medieval castles, Romanesque chapels, Franciscan monasteries, and fine restaurants – tourists will find many places to attend in Arezzo. In addition to sightseeing, there are places to explore for fans of natural landmarks. The Wood Sarge is an incredibly beautiful forest located close to the Convent of Sarge. Visitors can attend short excursions or simply choose to make a stroll and admire the perfectly preserved nature. If you stay there till night, you may see common raptors of the region, such as Barbagianni owls.

Tourists, who seek adventure, are recommended to visit the Park of Lignano. It’s a gorgeous nature reserve on Mount Lignano. Between Arezzo, Laterina, and Civitella in Val di Chiana, there is one more nature reserve – Ponte Buriano. It covers an area of 665 hectares that are mostly covered with forests and lush vegetation. Oakwoods have become home to various animals. Ponte Buriano also attracts fans of birdwatching. It’s a great place to see osprey, cormorants, and many other species in their natural habitat. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

It’s not hard to reach Ponte Buriano, so the park is suitable for families. The Visitor Center helps tourists to find the most suitable means of transport. Moreover, there is a direct Setteponti route from Arezzo to the nature reserve. If you have a full day to spend, consider making a trip to Monterchi and Sansepolcro. These towns are a must-visit destination for fans of art as it’s a fabulous opportunity to see precious frescoes by Piero della Francesca. For everyone else, it’s a great way to get acquainted with the beautiful rural part of Tuscany. All the areas are easy to reach by bus.

The charming village of Monterchi is located approximately 24 kilometers away from Arezzo. This small settlement possesses one of the greatest works by Piero – the Madonna del Parto. The precious work was carefully restored twenty years ago and is now kept in a protective glass box with climate control. The next stop on the way is Sansepolcro that is located approximately 16 kilometers away from Monterchi. The hometown Piero, Sansepolcro is an ancient town with many beautiful churches and palaces. Museo Civico exhibits a collection of precious works by the maestro, including the famous Resurrection fresco. While exploring the gorgeous architecture of the town, visit one of the local restaurants to enjoy home food and old-fashioned service. Local food specialties include tortelli with potato, cherry tomatoes, and basil.

Fans of shopping simply cannot fail to visit The Antiques Market in Arezzo. It’s a major event that draws nearly 20,000 visitors including sellers and tourists. The market is open on the first Sunday of every month and the Saturday before it. This is the time when Piazza Grande is filled with stalls that offer virtually everything – old furniture, coins, music instruments, antique clocks, silverware, paintings, and many more. The market started working in 1968 and currently attracts more than 500 exhibitors and over a hundred of smaller shops. Both connoisseurs and bargain hunters will easily find something to fit their taste and budget there.