Have you always wanted to visit northern Italy but find Aosta too cold, Venice too humid, and Milan too gray? How about a lovely trip to Turin and its region? Here are plenty of things to do in Piedmont to build the perfect itinerary and see Italian locations, blending history and nature, that will leave you speechless!
Turin: The City of the Mole Antonelliana
Our Piedmont itinerary couldn’t start anywhere but the regional capital, Turin. The Piedmontese capital, with a truly rich heritage of art and history, offers a wide variety of things to do: museums, historic monuments, squares, exhibitions, and much more. You’ve surely heard of the Mole Antonelliana, a building originally designed as a synagogue and later repurposed by the city to become a monument to national unity, as well as a symbol of the city. The Egyptian Museum, one of the richest in Europe, is another historic site you absolutely must not miss, along with the Chapel of the Holy Shroud and the Medieval Village of Valentino.
If your interest in the city extends beyond sights to the palate, don’t miss stopping at one of the many historic cafés downtown, or tasting the local specialties. There are plenty of tastings available, and in a day you can try agnolotti, tomini cheese, Tajarin pasta and (to warm up cold winter days) the typical Bagna Cauda..
Villa Taranto and Its Flowers from Around the World
Villa Taranto is a stunning location near Lake Maggiore, between Pallanza and Intra, which we highly recommend if you love botany or outdoor walks. It’s a villa with numerous terraced gardens that make it a true natural work of art. There are thousands of plants and flowers in the villa, sourced from all over the world, and if you visit in the warmer seasons, it’s easy to be captivated by the vibrant array of colors before you. Mark it among the things to do in Piedmont because it’s one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy..
Fenestrelle Fortress in Piedmont: 5 Km of Fortress in the Mountains
Also known as the Great Piedmontese Wall because it resembles the more famous one in China, the Fenestrelle Fortress is a must-see for trekking enthusiasts. Built between the 18th and 19th centuries, it stretches over 5 kilometers and is divided into batteries, three main forts, and two smaller forts. Besides enjoying the valley views and exploring the surrounding mountains , during your visit you can even walk along the fortress walls, just like the ancient watchmen did.
Borromean Islands: A Magical Archipelago
Lake Maggiore is already a wonder in itself. What makes it even more unique is this small archipelago made up of three islands ( Isola Madre, Isola Bella, and Isola dei Pescatori), known as the Borromean Archipelago or Borromean Islands. On Bella and Madre, you can visit two palaces where the local history shines through the ancient salons inside, while the gardens showcase the art of Piedmontese gardeners, making you want to snap a selfie on the lake’s shores.), known as the Borromean Archipelago or Borromean Islands. On Isola Bella and Isola Madre, you can visit two palaces where the local history shines within the ancient salons, while in the gardens, the artistry of Piedmontese gardeners will make you want to snap a selfie on the shores of small island of San Giovanniand the rock ofMalghera , other spots you shouldn’t miss! Orta San Giulio: A Village of History and FlavorIf you love history, especially medieval history, the small village of
San Giulio on Lake Orta
is perfect for you. Imagine wandering through narrow streets and enchanted landscapes, breathing in a truly fairytale atmosphere, but that’s not all. In this village, you can taste Piedmont’s typical dishes, like vitello tonnato, Barolo risotto, or, since you’re by the lake, even trout fillet in carpione sauce is perfect for you. Imagine getting lost among narrow streets and enchanted landscapes, breathing in a true fairy-tale atmosphere, but that's not all. In this village, you can taste typical Piedmont dishes like vitello tonnato, Barolo risotto, or, since you're by the lake, also the Monferrato, Langhe and Their WinesBut not only San Giulio, because Piedmont is
rich in
villages and small towns to visit year-round , where you can explore markets and discover the traditions and folklore of these communities. Among these, theLanghe region
, stretching between the provinces of Cuneo and Asti, is not only a stunning place full of historic landscapes rich with castles, monuments, and hills, but also the home of world-famous wines like Barolo, Nebbiolo, and Barbera. Similarly, the, are not only a beautiful place to visit full of historic landscapes rich with castles, monuments, and hills, but also the home of world-famous wines such as Barolo, Nebbiolo, and Barbera.
, a historic area of Piedmont near Asti, boasts pristine nature where vineyards and fields alternate in a majestic display of colors. In this location, you absolutely must visit the wineries, where the region’s wines are bottled following a unique process. Gran Paradiso Park: Reaching Italy’s Peaks Another spot for trekking lovers is Gran Paradiso Park, stunning both in summer for walks and hikes, and in winter for snowshoeing. Among the areas included in the park, besides six municipalities, is the
Soana Valley
. It’s a narrow valley where the scenery is a spectacle of beeches and broadleaf trees. And if you love animals, you should know the park’s symbol is the ibex.You can admire many of them in the area. If you enjoyed our panoramic tour of Piedmont, sign up for Meeters so you don’t miss all the events we organize every week in your region. Registration is free and thanks to it, besides meeting other enthusiasts like you, you can also getoffers and discounts on all our events.
If you enjoyed our scenic tour of Piedmont, sign up for Meeters so you don’t miss any of the events we organize every week in your region. Registration is free, and by joining, besides meeting other enthusiasts like you, you can also get offers and discounts on all our events!