The ancient hill-top town of Cortona and the wealthy city of Arezzo - whose greatest treasure is the fresco cycle of Piero della Francesca - stand at the centre of the province of Arezzo. Northwards, it stretches up to Monte Falterona, where the Arno has its source, passing en route the thickly wooded Casentino and the beautifully sited monasteries of Camaldoli and Vallombrosa.

To the south, the province skirts the shores of Lake Trasimeno and crosses the Valdichiana, noted for its fine cattle (responsible for that great local speciality, bistecca alla Fiorentina) to encompass the venerable towns of Monte San Savino and Lucignano, the latter a charming curiosity with a street plan of four concentric circles.