Tuscany of Squares and Markets

The scent of freshly baked bread. Stalls of aged pecorino cheeses. Tables laden with hand-painted ceramics. Crates of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Hidden treasures among antique objects. Vendors' voices calling to customers. The slow rhythm of Saturday morning in the square.

Tuscan markets aren't just shopping: they're the authentic soul of the territory.

For centuries, every village has had its market day. Squares fill with colors, scents, voices. People buy, taste, chat. This is where local life beats, far from tourist routes.

From Podere Grotta Antica you can reach Tuscany's most beautiful markets: from the iconic Arezzo antique market (considered among Europe's 5 most important) to small village farmers' markets, from historic weekly markets to seasonal fairs.

This tour isn't a one-day itinerary: it's a guide to markets to experience during your stay. Each week has its appointments, each season its specialties. Choose which market to visit based on your day at the Podere.

And remember: returning from the market with a basket full of cheeses, cured meats, honey and wine is the most authentic way to take Tuscany home.

Tuscany's Most Famous Antique Fair

WHEN: First Sunday of the month (+ preceding Saturday)
WHERE: Arezzo historic center - Piazza Grande and surrounding streets
DISTANCE FROM PODERE: 50 km (50 minutes)
HOURS: 8:00am-7:00pm (arrive by 10:00am to avoid crowds)

The Story
Since 1968, every first Sunday of the month Arezzo transforms into Europe's antiques capital. 500 exhibitors occupy Piazza Grande, Piazza San Francesco, Via Cavour, Via Guido Monaco, Logge Vasari.
This isn't just any market: it's one of Europe's 5 most important antique markets, alongside Portobello (London), Marché aux Puces (Paris), El Rastro (Madrid) and Porta Portese (Rome).
The atmosphere is unique: the sloping Piazza Grande designed by Giorgio Vasari, medieval loggias, Renaissance palaces frame period furniture, antique prints, vintage jewelry, ceramics, silverware, rare books, paintings, Art Nouveau lamps, vintage toys.

What You'll Find

GENUINE ANTIQUES:
- Period furniture (chests, chairs, tables - including important pieces)
- Antique prints and engravings (maps, botanical, views)
- Vintage and period jewelry
- Silverware and porcelain
- Rare books and first editions
- Paintings and antique frames
- Art Nouveau and Deco lamps
- Antique textiles (damasks, embroidery)

VINTAGE & COLLECTIBLES:
- Vintage toys (tin, wood, dolls)
- Vinyl records and 78s
- Historic advertising posters
- Vintage postcards and photographs
- Vintage cameras
- 1950s-70s design objects
- Vintage clothing and accessories

CRAFTS & DESIGN:
- Hand-painted ceramics
- Hammered copper objects
- Local textiles and embroidery
- Artisan leather bags

How to Experience It Best

STRATEGIC TIMING:
Arrive between 8:00-10:00am for the best finds and fewer crowds. After 11:00am it's very crowded (especially spring/fall).

WHAT TO BRING:
- Cash (many exhibitors don't accept cards)
- Large bag or cart
- Patience for searching (treasures are found by rummaging!)
- Translator app if you don't speak Italian (many elderly vendors speak only dialect)

BARGAINING:
Bargaining happens, especially on important pieces. Be respectful but not shy: "Is this your best price?" is the magic phrase.

PARKING:
Avoid historic center (ZTL restricted zone). Recommended parking:
- Mecenate (paid, 15 min walk)
- Pietri (free, 20 min walk)
- Eden (paid, 10 min walk)

SHUTTLE: Free shuttles from peripheral parking on market days.

🎨 AREZZO ANTIQUE MARKET

📍 Podere's tip
The Arezzo market is an experience worth the Tuscany trip alone. It's not just shopping: it's getting lost among different eras, discovering objects with stories, talking with antique dealers who inherited the trade from grandparents. Our advice: leave the Podere early (7:00am), arrive in Arezzo by 8:00-8:30am, have breakfast at Caffè dei Costanti in Piazza San Francesco (operating since 1806!), then get lost among stalls until noon. Lunch at Taverna del Mercato or Gastone (near Piazza Grande), visit the Basilica of San Francesco with Piero della Francesca frescoes, then a final market round in the afternoon. Return to Podere for dinner. If you find something large (furniture, painting), many exhibitors offer shipping. And remember: the market also happens the Saturday before Sunday (less crowded, great deals!).

Every Day of the Week, a Different Market

Weekly markets are the soul of Tuscan villages. Here you find local products, clothing, housewares, but above all you meet the territory's real life.

MONDAY
CHIANCIANO TERME
- Distance: 12 km (15 minutes)
Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Viale della Libertà
- What: Clothing, housewares, food, flowers
- Note: Large market, very popular with locals

TUESDAY
PIENZA
- Distance: 35 km (35 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza Dante Alighieri (outside walls)
- What: Local products (Pienza pecorino!), clothing, crafts
- Perfect combo: Market + UNESCO village visit + lunch with Val d'Orcia view

WEDNESDAY
CHIUSI
- Distance: 2 km (5 minutes) ⭐ VERY CLOSE!
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazzale Marconi (near station)
- What: Food, clothing, housewares, textiles
- Note: Historic market, well-attended. Very fresh fish stand!

MONTEPULCIANO
- Distance: 25 km (25 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza Nenni (parking outside walls)
- What: Local products, Vino Nobile, cured meats, cheeses, clothing
- Perfect combo: Market + Piazza Grande visit + wine tasting

THURSDAY
SARTEANO
- Distance: 25 km (30 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Viale Europa
- What: Local products, clothing, food
- Note: Small but authentic market, only locals

CORTONA
- Distance: 40 km (40 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza Signorelli (outside walls)
- What: Local products, clothing, crafts, ceramics
- Note: Large touristy market (famous from "Under the Tuscan Sun" movie)

FRIDAY
CASTIGLIONE DEL LAGO (Umbria)
- Distance: 35 km (35 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Viale Mazzini (lakefront)
- What: Local products, Trasimeno lake fish, clothing
- Perfect combo: Market + lakefront walk + lunch with lake view

SATURDAY
AREZZO (if Saturday before first Sunday)
- See Antique Market section above

CITTÀ DELLA PIEVE
- Distance: 15 km (20 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza Plebiscito
- What: Local products, clothing, flowers
- Perfect combo: Market + Perugino visit (Adoration of the Magi) + Vicolo Baciadonne

SUNDAY
AREZZO - ANTIQUE MARKET (first Sunday of month)
- See dedicated section above ⭐

CASTIGLION FIORENTINO
- Distance: 50 km (50 minutes)
- Hours: 8:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza del Municipio
- What: Local products, clothing, crafts

🛒 VILLAGES' WEEKLY MARKETS

Km Zero, Organic Farming, Artisan Products

These markets are small, authentic, run directly by producers. No intermediaries: sellers are growers, breeders, producers.

CHIUSI FARMERS' MARKET
- When: Last Saturday of the month
- Hours: 9:00am-1:00pm
- Where: Piazza XX Settembre (historic center)
- Distance: 2 km (5 minutes)

What you'll find:
- Seasonal km zero fruits and vegetables
- Pecorino cheeses (cave-aged too!)
- Artisan cured meats (finocchiona, cinta senese)
- Honey and hive products
- Local hills extra virgin olive oil
- Bulk and bottled wine
- Artisan bread and sweets
- Homemade preserves and jams

Why go: Very fair prices, excellent products, chance to speak directly with producers. Many elderly farmers selling what they've grown for generations.

CORTONA MERCATALE
- When: Second Sunday of month (April to October)
- Hours: 9:00am-7:00pm
- Where: Parterre (outside Cortona walls)
- Distance: 40 km (40 minutes)

What you'll find:
- Certified organic producers
- Local crafts (ceramics, textiles, wood)
- Tuscan street food
- Wine and oil tastings
- Plants and flowers
- Natural cosmetics

Why go: Relaxed atmosphere, live music, chance to taste before buying. Very popular with families.

🎄 CHRISTMAS MARKETS (December)
Christmas Magic Among Tuscan Villages
From late November to late December villages light up and host Christmas markets with magical atmospheres.

AREZZO CHRISTMAS CITY
- Period: Late November - January 6
- What: Craft markets, ice rink, lights, Tyrolean Village, events
- Distance: 50 km (50 minutes)

- Why go: One of Tuscany's most beautiful Christmas markets. Illuminated historic center, fairy-tale atmosphere, artisan products, mulled wine, chestnuts

MONTEPULCIANO CHRISTMAS LIGHT
- Period: December 8 - January 6
- What: Craft markets, artistic nativity scenes, Vino Nobile tastings
- Distance: 25 km (25 minutes)
- Why go: Illuminated medieval village, markets in historic cellars, spiced hot wine tastings

CORTONA - CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE
- Period: December
- What: Markets, living nativity, concerts
- Distance: 40 km (40 minutes)

🎯 HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR "MARKETS WEEKEND"
Themed Stay Ideas

ANTIQUES WEEKEND (first Sunday of month):
- Friday: Arrive at Podere, relax, dinner
- Saturday: Arezzo Antique Market (less crowded!), visit San Francesco Basilica
- Sunday: Second market round (to reflect on purchases), lunch Arezzo, return

MARKETS WEEK:
- Monday: Chianciano Terme
- Tuesday: Pienza + village
- Wednesday: Chiusi (very close!)
- Thursday: Cortona
- Friday: Castiglione del Lago
- Saturday/Sunday: Rest or Arezzo if first of month

FARMERS WEEKEND (last Saturday of month):
- Saturday: Chiusi Farmers Market morning, afternoon relax at Podere with purchased products
- Sunday: Villages or relax

🧀 FARMERS' AND PRODUCERS' MARKETS

PRACTICAL INFO

What to Buy

AT AREZZO ANTIQUE MARKET:
- Antique prints and maps (€20-100, easy to transport)
- Small vintage objects (jewelry, postcards, books)
- Hand-painted ceramics (local crafts)
- Antique textiles if you have an eye (beware moths/stains!)

AT FARMERS' MARKETS:
- Aged pecorino cheeses (vacuum-packed for travel)
- Artisan cured meats (vacuum-packed)
- Honey and jams (perfect gifts)
- Local extra virgin olive oil (in tin for safe transport)
- Bulk wine (bring demijohns - or buy bottles)

AT WEEKLY MARKETS:
- Tuscan textiles and tablecloths
- Everyday ceramics
- Fresh food if cooking at Podere

How to Transport

If traveling by plane:
- Cheeses/meats: vacuum-packed + checked baggage
- Oil: tin (max 5L) + well-packed checked baggage
- Wine: max 5L total alcohol + protected checked baggage
- Honey/jams: no problem
- Fragile objects: pack VERY well or ship

If traveling by car:
- Bring cooler bags for cheeses/meats
- Crates for wine/oil bottles
- Blankets to protect antique objects

Market Etiquette

✅ YES:

- Bargain respectfully
- Ask vendors for advice (they're experts!)
- Taste before buying (cheeses, meats)
- Pay cash (many don't have card readers)
- Arrive early for best selection

❌ NO:
- Touch antiques without asking
- Offers too low (offends seller)
- Buy first price without looking around
- Leave trash in square

🎯 Ready to experience the markets?

Book your stay at Podere Grotta Antica on the right dates and discover authentic Tuscany among stalls, traditions and local flavors.

From the legendary Arezzo antique market to village farmers' markets, each day of the week is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the territory's real life.
We await you at the Podere with updated market calendar, parking tips, advice on where to eat after. Just bring your shopping bag: Tuscany will provide the treasures to find.