Piedmont is a fascinating corner of Italy, a place where grand, elegant cities sit against a backdrop of snow-dusted alpine peaks. But deciding what to see in Piedmont is about more than just ticking off the sights. What’s on your plate is just as important as the historic palaces and vineyard views. Spend the morning exploring a royal residence and the afternoon tasting some of the world's most revered wines for a well-rounded and blissful day in the northern region of Piedmont.
Turin: the elegant capital
Turin is a city that often flies under the radar, which is a huge part of its appeal. It’s grand without being showy.
You can’t miss the Mole Antonelliana, the city's spire-topped icon, which houses the National Cinema Museum.
It’s worth taking the panoramic lift to the top for a spectacular view across the terracotta rooftops to the Alps.
For a dose of ancient history, the Egyptian Museum has one of the most important collections of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo.
The city was also the seat of the Savoy royal family, and you can get a real sense of their power at the Polo Reale, a complex of royal palaces and gardens.
By night, head to the old Quadrilatero Romano district, where the historic streets come alive with the city’s famous aperitivo scene.
The UNESCO vineyard landscapes: Langhe, Roero and Monferrato
South of Turin, the landscape softens into rolling hills, perfectly striped with vineyards that have been cultivated for centuries. This whole area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognised for its deep-rooted winemaking culture.
The unofficial capital of the Langhe is Alba, a lovely medieval town famous for its white truffles. It's the perfect base for exploring the surrounding countryside, including the superstar villages of Barolo and Barbaresco. These sleepy spots give their names to two of Italy’s most esteemed red wines. Don't overlook Asti either; it’s known for its sparkling Spumante wine and holds its own historic horse race, the Palio di Asti, every September.
The great outdoors: Alpine peaks and serene lakes
Piedmont is framed by the Alps, and you’re never far from some serious natural beauty.
- For walkers, Gran Paradiso National Park is a must. It’s Italy's oldest national park, a protected wilderness where you can spot ibex and chamois.
- The region also has its share of beautiful lakes. Lake Maggiore is the larger, more famous one, with elegant towns like Stresa and the lovely Borromean Islands.
- For something a little quieter, the smaller Lake Orta is a real gem, home to the impossibly pretty village of Orta San Giulio.
- In winter, the mountains come into their own, with ski resorts like Sestriere in the 'Via Lattea' (Milky Way) ski area offering hundreds of kilometres of pistes.
Historic jewels and sacred sites
Beyond the cities and countryside, Piedmont has some remarkable historic sites.
- The most dramatic has to be the Sacra di San Michele, an ancient abbey perched on a mountaintop overlooking the Susa Valley. Its imposing location is said to have inspired the setting for the novel The Name of the Rose.
- You'll find the Reggia di Venaria Reale further north, a magnificent former royal residence often called Italy's 'Versailles'. Its grand halls, particularly the Great Gallery, and vast, beautifully restored gardens, are an incredible sight.
The tastes of Piedmont: a food lover's guide
The Holy Trinity: truffles, hazelnuts, and cheese
The most famous local ingredient is the elusive white truffle of Alba, a pungent, prized fungus that surfaces every autumn and commands eye-watering prices.
Just as important is the Nocciola Piemonte IGP, a local hazelnut with such an intense flavour that it became the star ingredient in gianduja, the chocolate-hazelnut paste that was the precursor to Nutella.
The region also produces some formidable cheeses. Keep an eye out for the sharp, crumbly Castelmagno, the nutty Bra, and the soft, creamy tang of Robiola di Roccaverano.
The world-famous wines of Piedmont
Piedmont is serious wine country. The reds are the main event, led by the 'King and Queen' of Italian wines, Barolo and Barbaresco. Both are made from the Nebbiolo grape and are complex, powerful wines built to last.
For something a bit more suited to everyday drinking, the locals turn to the fruity, versatile Barbera or the softer Dolcetto. On the white front, you'll find the crisp, dry Gavi and the floral Arneis. And of course, the region is the home of sweet, sparkling wines, most famously Asti Spumante and the lighter, more aromatic Italian dessert wine, Moscato d'Asti.
Must-try Piedmontese dishes
When you sit down to eat, there are a few local plates that you really shouldn't miss.
Tajarin al Tartufo: a mountain of fine, golden, egg-yolk pasta, often served very simply with a knob of butter and generous shavings of fresh white truffle.
Agnolotti del Plin: small, hand-pinched pasta parcels, typically stuffed with a mix of roasted meats. The 'plin' refers to the pinch used to seal them, and it's a great example of a classic North Italian pasta dish.
Brasato al Barolo: a proper, soul-warming dish of beef, slow-braised for hours in Barolo wine until it is unbelievably tender.
Bagna Càuda: a sociable affair, this is a warm, bubbling dip of garlic, anchovies, and olive oil that’s kept over a flame at the table for dunking raw vegetables like cardoons and peppers.
Living in Piedmont
It's easy to see how a taste of the region's food, wine, and landscapes could leave you wanting more. If a trip has you dreaming of a more permanent stay, you can find out everything you need to know about living in Piedmont, from the day-to-day costs to the best places for expats to settle.
Stay inspired for your travels in Italy —get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.
For a taste of the high life, sign up for the monthly luxury market round-up.
Discover the charming Tuscan village where Leonardo da Vinci was born
Just 50 kilometres from Florence and close to Empoli, Vinci is a charming Tuscan village famous for being the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci. Surrounded by rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards, it’s the perfect destination for a cultural day trip or a relaxing escape in the heart of Tuscany.
Living in Piedmont: where Alpine views meet vineyard valleys
Piedmont sits in Italy's northwest corner, sharing a border with France and Switzerland under the watchful gaze of the Alps. Its Italian name, Piemonte, translates to 'foot of the mountain', a fitting description for a region of grand landscapes and sophisticated cities. The mix of urban elegance and deep-rooted rural traditions makes living in Piedmont an experience rich with culture, world-class gastronomy and magical natural beauty.
Things to do in Turin: palaces, chocolate & Alpine views
Sat in the northwest of Italy with the Alps providing a magnificent backdrop, Turin is a city of elegant architecture and grand squares. As the first-ever capital of a unified Italy, its royal past is evident in the palaces and wide, arcaded streets. The city is also a focal point for Piedmont's food culture, especially its chocolate and the cherished evening aperitivo.
Living in Turin: life between the Alps and the arcades
The capital of the Piedmont region is a place of understated elegance, a city of royal palaces and grand arcades that also served as the engine room of Italy's industrial heyday. As Italy’s fourth-largest city, with a population of just under 900,000, Turin, or Torino, has all the amenities of a major urban centre but without the chaotic energy of Rome or Milan.
Things to do on Lake Orta: swapping crowds for Piedmont's quiet spot
When it comes to visiting Italy's lakes, most people head straight for Como or Garda. But there's a quieter and arguably even more magical spot: Lake Orta. Tucked away in Piedmont, it's a pre-alpine lake with a serene atmosphere and a collection of sleepy, olde-worlde villages. Lake Orta is brimming with things to do and surely tops the list for the least touristy lakes in Italy.
The tallest building in Italy & other modern skyscrapers
For centuries, the Italian skyline was defined by terracotta rooftops and cathedral domes rather than modern skyscrapers. This historic character is so protected that high-rises are a rare sight, mostly concentrated in the business districts of cities like Milan and Naples. Before the age of glass and steel, the title for the tallest building in Italy belonged to the Mole Antonelliana in Turin. Completed in 1889, its 167.5-metre spire was an architectural wonder of its time.
Living in Pisa: life behind the Leaning Tower
When you think of Pisa, one thing springs to mind, but there's so much more to this Tuscan city than its famous architectural mishap. Sitting on the banks of the River Arno, Pisa is a proud, historic university town with a character all of its own. For those considering living in Pisa, the reality is a city buzzing with student life, where the locals, known as the Pisani, enjoy a relaxed pace of life amongst stunning Romanesque buildings and Gothic churches.