You know you’re in for a treat when the greatest locations to visit in Piedmont, Italy, include imposing Baroque royal residences, ancient villages, wine production districts, picturesque valleys, lakes, and surprisingly fascinating cities.
Piedmont, known in Italian as Piemonte, is the second largest region of Italy (after Sicily), but it still doesn’t receive the attention it merits. I want to change that.
1. Piedmont in Italy is Split Up into Eight Provinces
Alessandria, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Asti, Cuneo, Biella, Vercelli, Novara, and Verbella. It shares borders with France and Switzerland and borders the Italian regions of Lombardy, Liguria, Aosta Valley, and Emilia Romagna. It also borders Switzerland.
Despite the stunning natural scenery and mouthwatering cuisine of Piedmont, tourists haven’t yet fully explored this endearing region of Italy.
Quality reigns supreme, and meticulousness is never sacrificed. Piedmont places a strong emphasis on conserving and advancing regional culture and customs, as well as enjoying the priceless resources of the region of Italy, which it is glad to share from its location at the foot of the Alps.
2. Best 17 Places to Visit in Piedmont, Italy
The top places in Piedmont, Italy, are listed here without wasting any more time.
2.1. Turin
The city of Turin, the capital of Piedmont, is full of history and culture. Its monuments are numerous and significant, but among them, the Cathedral that contains the Holy Shroud, the Real Church of San Lorenzo, the Sanctuary of the Consolata, and the Mole Antonelliana must be recalled.
We can visit a variety of museums in Piedmontese, including the Egyptian Museum, the GAM, and Palazzo Madama, to name a few of the most notable.
The Residences of the Royal House of Savoy, a collection of palaces and villas that make up the entire region, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many of these homes may be seen in Turin’s historic centre because it served as the capital of many kingdoms governed by the Savoy dynasty.
The Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Carignano are a few of them. You may also go to the hilltop Villa Della Regina, which has a view of Turin from the eastern bank of the Po River.
If you need any more justifications, Turin is also the birthplace of the aperitivo tradition, the home of great old cafes, the Italian capital of chocolate, and a wonderful location to savour delectable Piedmontese cuisine.
2.2. Basilica of Superga
The Basilica of Superga is a gem of Italian Baroque architecture located northeast of Turin. With a rich history, the church is over 700 meters above sea level and offers stunning views of the city on clear days.
Duke Vittorio Amedeo II commissioned the construction of Superga Basilica, the activities by Sicilian architect Filippo Juvarra, after making a vow to the Virgin Mary that, in the event of triumph, he would have built a church from the hill where he and his soldiers settled to view the advancing French army.
The 75-meter-tall Basilica, which was dedicated in 1731, has six side chapels, five altars, and a substantial collection of artwork inside.
This can be seen when taking an educational tour (in Italian) that gives information on the Basilica’s construction and contemporary Italian history.
2.3. Biella
The world is familiar with the province of Biella for its textile industry, although this is only a small part of who it is. Because the region is green and bordered by the Alps, you can also find beauty in works of art and nature.
In northwest Piedmont, close to Turin and Milan, is the town that lends the province its name.
The separation of Biella into three levels—the river area, the Biella Piano, and the Biella Piazzo—is one of the city’s most intriguing features.
Biella’s Baptistery and its frescoes, the Oropa Botanical Garden, the Biella Synagogue, and the Museo del Territorio, which houses significant art collections and archaeological artefacts, are just a few of the city’s top attractions.
2.4. Stresa and the Borromean Islands
The Borromean Islands are a collection of islands and islets located in Lake Maggiore, just a short boat trip from the city of Stresa, and have been owned by the aristocratic Borromeo family since the 16th century.
Isola Bella and Isola Madre, which have spectacular palaces and well-planted gardens dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, are accessible to the general public from mid-March to October.
You can also stroll through the narrow streets of Isola dei Pescatori, the only inhabited Borromean island (or Isola Superiore).
2.5. Cannobio
Cannobio is one of the prettiest towns on Lake Maggiore, located close to the Swiss border, even though there isn’t much to see and do there.
Although there are just a few early Middle Ages records of it, archaeological evidence suggests it was occupied as early as the Roman era.
While you can visit the churches in Cannobio and take in the Sunday market, the seafront and the town’s alleyways and alleys are where its true charm can be found.
What could be better than having a cup of coffee or lunch and admiring the lake views from one of the cafes or eateries along the waterfront?
2.6. Sacra di San Michele
One of the nicest sites to visit in the Piedmont area of Italy is the spectacular Sacra di San Michele, which is only 40 kilometres from Turin and perched high above the entrance to Val di Susa.
The Savoy, one of the oldest royal families in history, has several members buried here. Depending on the weather, you may be able to view Turin from the Tower of Bell’Alda ruins.
You will have the chance to take in stunning vistas of the Susa Valley and the alpine high ranges of Italy, France, and Switzerland as you go along the route. You can travel by vehicle, bus, or on some fantastic hiking paths to get to the Sacra di San Michele.
2.7. Lake Orta
Although it’s one of the most stunning and greatest places to visit in Piedmont, Lake Orta occasionally goes unnoticed by tourists planning a vacation to northern Italy’s lakes.
A day should be enough to see a couple of its tiny but lovely towns, such as Orta San Giulio, Pella, and Omegna. Its beauty compensates for its lack of size.
You may also take a short boat journey from Orta San Giulio to the charming Isola San Giulio, a little islet in the lake most renowned for holding the Basilica di San Giulio from the 12th century.
2.8. Sestriere
Sestriere is one of the destinations in Piedmont that skiers and mountain enthusiasts should visit if they are planning a winter vacation in Italy.
Sestriere, which is close to the French border, was one of the first ski areas to be created specifically for skiing in the 1930s. Therefore, the resort offers all the facilities and services required for skiing.
You may roam around the Olympic village and facilities because it was a major location for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino and boasts one of the few facilities in the vicinity that allows for night skiing.
Visit the Gran Paradiso National Park if you’re looking for additional unspoiled areas to discover in Piedmont.
2.9. Fenestrelle Fort
Eighty-five kilometres west of Turin, in the heart of the stunning Val Chisone, stands the majestic Fenestrelle Fort. When passing through the small valley, the gigantic fortification is already visible from a distance.
The three separate forts that make up Fenestrelle Fort are joined by a wall that runs along the mountain ridge for three kilometres. The renowned 4000-step “covered staircase,” which is the longest in the world, is constructed inside that wall.
It bridges the more than 600-meter height difference between Fort San Carlo in the valley and Fort Delle Valli at 1800 meters above sea level.
You could also take a trek along the expansive walls of the Fort to get the most out of your trip. You can better understand and appreciate the size of that magnificent edifice in this way.
2.10. Asti
Asti should be on your list of the top Piedmont cities to visit after Turin.
Even though the region has been inhabited since before the Roman era, it wasn’t until the 12th and 13th centuries that Asti rose to prominence as one of Italy’s richest and most influential autonomous cities.
The Collegiata di San Secondo, the Torre Troyana, the Romanesque-Gothic Asti Cathedral, and other medieval landmarks are still intact today. Out of the more than 100 towers that previously stood here, only the latter and a few other structures survive.
You should also sample Asti’s world-famous wines, walk to the synagogue, and take a tour of the Mazzetti Palace (with the Torino+Piemonte Card, for no charge), which is home to the Civic Art Gallery.
2.11. Venaria Reale
Venaria Reale ought to be at the top of your list if you’re seeking quick day trips from Turin.
The village is easily accessible by bus number 11 from Turin.
Duke Carlo Emanuele II ordered the construction of the Palace of Venaria (Reggia di Venaria Reale) in the 17th century as a base for his hunting expeditions. Inside and out, the landmark’s Baroque design leaves an impression, and its Alpine location and lovely gardens are a major plus.
2.12. Saluzzo
One of Piedmont’s most well-preserved medieval towns is Saluzzo, which is perched atop a hill.
It was the capital of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, and although the House of Savoy finally took control of it, the Marquesses Ludovico I and Ludovico II were responsible for its Golden Age in the 15th century.
The Duomo di Saluzzo, Casa Cavassa, and Salita al Castello Street are a few must-see locations in Saluzzo’s old centre, which is ideal for people who want to get lost in a maze of medieval cobbled streets and the squares (Cathedral of Maria Vergine Assunta).
Saluzzo is, without a doubt, one of the most charming towns in Piedmont, Italy, so don’t miss it if you’re looking for the greatest places to travel.
2.13. The Natural Park of Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero
The Natural Park of Alpe Veglia and Alpe Devero best exemplifies the Piedmont region’s natural beauty.
A spot where you can walk among mountains of incredible beauty and immerse yourself in unspoiled, lovely nature.
2.14. La Morra
Small, medieval La Morra is located in the Langhe wine area. This village, a favourite among the residents, features superb wine as well as, depending on the season, hazelnuts and white truffles.
On a sunny day, you may enjoy a stunning view of the many miles of vineyards and Italian villas because it is perched on one of the numerous hills in the area.
There is a wine festival in the late summer where you can spend the day sampling numerous regional wines.
While in La Morra, you may also tour the rest of the Langhe, stop by a number of nearby villages, and see the vibrant Cappella delle Brunate (Barolo Chapel).
2.15. Alba
Particularly for connoisseurs of fine cuisine and wine, Piedmont’s historic city of Alba is a favourite destination. The 30,000-person little city is amazingly walkable in only a few days and has a small population.
The streets in Alba’s old centre are crowded with interesting stores and restaurants, and unexpectedly, they are also peppered with enough stunning Roman ruins to captivate even the most casual archaeology enthusiast. But for foodies, this is a unique city famed for exceptional food and wine.
Piedmont’s native wines are dominated by Barolo and Barbaresco, but the one dish for which Alba is known worldwide is the region’s profusion of distinctive Italian truffles.
Although early fall is the ideal time of year to visit Alba, if you don’t mind missing the festivities, October is a great month to escape the crowds while still taking advantage of the lovely fall weather.
2.16. Val Pellice
About 40 kilometres southwest of Turin is where you’ll find the lovely green Val Pellice. It is the only Italian Alps valley without a street connecting it to its French neighbours, and it is the only valley of the Italian Alps that is 30 km long.
The term “Waldensian valleys” refers to Val Pellice as well as the two neighbouring valleys, Val Germanasca and the lower Val Chisone.
In order to uphold their religious beliefs, Waldensians from France used those valleys as retreats between the 13th and 19th centuries. Their main hub was, and still is, the village of Torre Pellice. Waldensian Temples can be found all across the valley.
Outside of its extensive past, Val Pellice is known for its stunning scenery and fantastic outdoor recreation opportunities. It blends a unique terrain with an abundance of greenery.
Additionally, there are several opportunities for kayaking and rafting on the Pellice River, which runs across the entire valley.
2.17. Stupinigi
The Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi is another Savoy palace on the UNESCO World Heritage List that is within a few kilometres of Turin.
This magnificent 18th-century royal hunting lodge and pleasure mansion was built by Duke Victor Amadeus II and was designed by Filippo Juvarra. Its architecture blends the Baroque and Rococo styles of Italy.
Every area of this building, including the central hall, the Duke of Chiablese’s apartments, and the outside facade, is magnificently decorated and enriched with the most astounding embellishments, some of which are inspired by natural elements.
You don’t need to purchase your tickets in advance, and the Torino+Piemonte Card entitles you to free entry to the palace.
Final Remark
Piedmont is a charming region in Italy with plenty of things to see and do. From medieval castles to picturesque mountain towns, there is something for everyone.
This article provided a list of Piedmont, Italy’s best places to visit. Be sure to add these to your Italy travel itinerary!
Last Updated on January 29, 2024 by franshikha
