Arezzo Playbook: Your Unrivalled Experience With the Tuscan Underdogs

These are heady times for SS Arezzo. The Tuscan outfit secured promotion back to the second tier of the Italian game after a 19-year absence in some style.

Under the tutelage of Cristian Bucchi, the Amaranto bulldozed their way through Serie C Group B this season, scoring 64 goals, conceding 24 and finishing three points ahead of second-placed Ascoli. Indeed, it marks a return to Serie B for the first time since 2007, when they got to mix it up in a season that included Juventus, Bologna, Napoli and Genoa.

More recently they have been planning renovation of their Stadio Citta di Arezzo and, unlike with other stadium projects in Italy, they are actually making headway.

With promotion secure, work is due to start this summer, with December 2023 set as the completion date on a completely remodelled €30m structure that will have a shade under 13,000 seats and modern facilities.

Arezzo very much lives in the shadow of the other Tuscan clubs, with Fiorentina, Livorno, Pisa, Empoli and even Siena taking the limelight in recent years. But now it’s their time to shine.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of your trip.

Where To Stay

Arezzo, located on the extreme east of Tuscany, isn’t the largest city and anywhere you stay means being near to the city centre. Piazza Grande is, as the name suggests, the main hub of activity.

Plenty of hotels are dotted around Piazza Grande along with bed and breakfasts available to suit any budget. AirBnb is another alternative.

Where To Eat

Arezzo, like all Tuscan towns, is known for its rustic, hearty cuisine from the region. Meat plays an important role and dishes such as as Scottiglia (meat stew), Peposo (peppered beef stew) and Bringoli (a thick hand-rolled pasta) are all things you’ll want to try on your visit to the city.

With that in mind, Vineria Ciao should be high on your list of places to eat. Located in Piazza Sant’Agostino in the middle of the city, the resturant has been a cornerstone of Arezzo for nearly two decades and serves only authentic Tuscan cuisine.

At Antica Fonte on Via Porta Buia, the Ribollita Toscana was a particular a delight.

If you’d like something a little more upscale, then try Essenza Dario e Anna. Situated in Piazza Grande, the restaurant’s origins started with Dario Scoscini and Anna Parrini in 1964, who opened a grocery store in the city that has over time transformed into a restaurant. Now in its third generation, their Pappardelle with duck ragu simply has to be tried.

Where To Drink

Bar Stadio is the place to be in the hours leading up to kick-off. The bar is close to the stadium and on the small side, with a limited selections of bottled beer on offer, but you’re going there for the pre-match buzz and nothing else. 

In town, a perfect place for an evening aperitif is Caffe Amaranto on Via Trento e Trieste. A wide selection of drinks are available, in addition to nibbles such as salumi, cheese, pizza slices, olives and more. 

If cocktails in a cosy, intimate setting is your thing that’s also close to Piazza Grande, then look no further than Divo Cocktail Bar on Piazza San Francesco. This is more of late evening establishment, with dimmed lights and chic decor, yet it could be the perfect way to end a trip to Arezzo.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Available through the club’s official authoriser – TicketOne – and can be bought in the days leading up to games.

When picking up tickets at the stadium or at the office, remember ID.

Kick-off times can be moved at short notice, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – For now, Arezzo has no official online shop. The official store is on Corso Italia.

Did You Know?

The club celebrated its centenary in 2023. Arezzo was founded by a group of Juventus fans and was initially called Juventus Football Club Arezzo. The name only lasted a few years and was changed after a merger with several smaller teams in the city to become US Arezzo. 

Getting There

Arezzo has no airport so the easiest way to get to the city from the UK or elsewhere is to fly into Pisa and make the journey across, which takes around two hours. Perugia, Florence and Bologna are also options.

Need Another Football Fix?

Fiorentina is close for Serie A, Pisa are back in Serie B from 2026-27, along with Empoli while Livorno, Siena and Grosseto play further down the pyramid again.