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Pieve di Santa Maria and around
A day in Arezzo · 9:30–16:00 · 5 stops
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mapvivid.com/arezzo/itineraries/pieve-di-santa-maria-and-aroundA walking day around Pieve di Santa Maria, Piazza Grande and Cattedrale di San Donato, with a lunch break nearby and Fortezza Medicea to end the day.
Every stop on Google Maps: open the list
Morning
9:301Romanesque church with a striking arcaded facade and 'hundred holes' tower.
- Free entry
- See the Lorenzetti polyptych inside
↓ 2 min walk
10:302Sloping medieval square ringed by towers, loggias and palaces.
- Hosts the Giostra del Saracino joust
- Antique fair on the first weekend monthly
↓ 5 min walk
11:303Gothic cathedral with stained glass and a Piero della Francesca fresco.
- Free entry
- Find Piero's Mary Magdalene by the sacristy
↓ 3 min walk
12:454Hilltop park between the cathedral and the fortress.
- Shady benches for a picnic
- Petrarch monument in the park
Lunch
13:45Lunch break nearby · Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps ↗
↓ 2 min walk
Afternoon
15:005Fortezza Medicea ↗1 hSunset
16th-century Medici fortress with ramparts and valley views.
- Free walk on the ramparts
- Great at sunset
Good to know. Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.
Arezzo tips
Transportation
- Arrive by train: Arezzo station has frequent regional trains from Florence, and the old town is an easy uphill walk from the station.
- Park at Pietri: Leave the car at Parcheggio Pietri, where escalators carry you up into the historic centre near the Duomo.
- Explore on foot: Arezzo's centro storico is compact, with Piazza Grande, the Duomo and San Francesco all within walking distance.
Local Hacks
- Time it for the Fiera Antiquaria: On the first weekend of each month, one of Italy's biggest antiques fairs fills the old town with stalls.
- Relax at the Prato: The Prato park beside the Medici Fortress is free and offers sweeping views over the Arezzo countryside.
- Spot Life Is Beautiful locations: Fans of Roberto Benigni's film can find several filming spots around Piazza Grande and the old town.
Saving
- Eat away from Piazza Grande: Trattorias a few streets from the main square often offer set lunch menus with Tuscan dishes at better value.
- Drink coffee at the bar: Standing at the counter for an espresso costs less than table service in Arezzo's cafes.
- Base yourself in Arezzo: Hotels here are often cheaper than in Florence, and frequent regional trains make Florence an easy day trip.
Security
- Watch for ZTL cameras: Driving into Arezzo's limited traffic zone triggers automatic fines mailed home weeks later; check signs before entering the walls.
- Keep valuables close at the fair: The monthly Antiques Fair packs Piazza Grande and nearby streets with crowds, so keep wallets in front pockets.
- Take care on steep streets: The sloping stone streets around Piazza Grande can be slippery after rain; wear shoes with good grip.
Cultural
- See the Legend of the True Cross: Piero della Francesca's frescoes in the Basilica of San Francesco are Arezzo's masterpiece; choir visits are timed, so book ahead.
- Catch the Giostra del Saracino: In June and September, Arezzo's quarters compete in this medieval joust in Piazza Grande, with costumed parades.
- Try local dishes: Look for pappardelle with hare or wild boar sauce and hearty ribollita, paired with Chianti or Valdichiana wines.
Weather/Clothing
- Pack for hot summers: July and August in Arezzo are hot and sunny; bring light clothing, a hat and sunscreen for the climb to the Medici Fortress.
- Bring layers in winter: Winters are cool and damp with cold evenings; a warm coat and scarf are needed from December to February.
- Cover up for churches: Shoulders and knees should be covered in the Basilica of San Francesco and the Duomo, so carry a light scarf in summer.
Planned with MapVivid. Opening hours change, so check each place before you go. This day, with the map: mapvivid.com/arezzo/itineraries/pieve-di-santa-maria-and-around
Day 1 of 29:30–16:005 stops
Pieve di Santa Maria and around
A walking day around Pieve di Santa Maria, Piazza Grande and Cattedrale di San Donato, with a lunch break nearby and Fortezza Medicea to end the day.
Opens Google Maps with every stop of the day, ready to save to your own list.
Morning
109:30 · 1 hRomanesque church with a striking arcaded facade and 'hundred holes' tower.
3 tips
- Free entry
- See the Lorenzetti polyptych inside
- Apse faces Piazza Grande
📷 Photos
2 min walk
210:30 · 1 hSloping medieval square ringed by towers, loggias and palaces.
3 tips
- Hosts the Giostra del Saracino joust
- Antique fair on the first weekend monthly
- Cafés under the Logge for an aperitivo
📷 Photos
5 min walk
311:30 · 1 hGothic cathedral with stained glass and a Piero della Francesca fresco.
3 tips
- Free entry
- Find Piero's Mary Magdalene by the sacristy
- Lovely stained glass by Marcillat
📷 Photos
3 min walk
412:45 · 1 hHilltop park between the cathedral and the fortress.
3 tips
- Shady benches for a picnic
- Petrarch monument in the park
- Free and open all day
📷 Photos
Lunch
Lunch break nearby · 13:45
Find restaurants nearby on Google Maps2 min walk
Afternoon
515:00 · 1 h16th-century Medici fortress with ramparts and valley views.
- Tip: Sunset
3 tips
- Free walk on the ramparts
- Great at sunset
- Combine with the Prato park
📷 Photos
Take this day with you
Add the stops to your calendar
Times are local time in Arezzo. Apple Calendar adds every stop at once (Outlook too). Google Calendar adds one event per link.
Times are a guide for an unhurried pace. Check opening days before you go.