Piedmont driving itinerary

Piedmont is one of the most historically and culturally rich regions in the country! Its cities are full of charm, elegance and always seem to welcome us with open arms. In this post, we suggest an incredible road trip through the Piedmont region for six days! Come take a look! Read now our fresh post: Piedmont Road Map. Stay with us and make the most of boot country! Here at Italy’s Dream Tourism you can make the trip of your dreams come true! Also check out our Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your Vacations Section!

Our Introduction

Piedmont is a predominantly mountainous region famous for its wonderful alpine scenery, enriched with famous ski resorts. In addition to the wonders at high altitude, Piedmont is known for being a territory with an extraordinary cultural heritage rich in history, culture, and beautiful monuments and places, each with its own rarity, charm, and characteristics that offer tourists all kinds of charm, from ancient art villages to lively alpine sites. The kingdom of Savoy then left traces throughout the region, particularly in its architecture and vast nature reserves. Read also: Where to Ski in Italy?

The numerous UNESCO sites of its historical heritage, dating back to Roman times, enrich its beauty. Want to visit Piedmont but don’t know where to start? Do you have a few days available? Then it won’t be difficult to make the itinerary because there are many things to see. Here are some interesting destinations that you might be surprised by, and know that each of them will win you over! Next, you will get to know this extraordinary and elegant territory! The itinerary will be six days, and as a means of transport, we will go by car! We will start our journey in the city of Turin. Also read about Where to Sleep on the Piedmont Wine Route!

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1) Piedmont Road Trip – FIRST DAY

First Day: We start this itinerary by choosing as our first stop the city of Turin, which is also the capital of the region. Turin has a charm of its own—the one that captures tourists even through photographs. Imagine when you visit it! Why is Turin a conqueror of travelers? Because it is a city rich in history, artistic heritage, cultural gastronomy, landscapes with diverse elements, and much more. It would also be interesting to take a tour of Turin by bike. What do you think? Click here to take this tour!

Attractions in Turin

The heart of the Kingdom of Savoy for centuries, it was the theatrical center and the propulsion of national unity, as well as the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy. A visit to Turin means taking a leap in history between centers of power, castles dedicated to hunting, holiday resorts, and court life. Whichever direction you choose, Piazza Castello is the starting point. From here, you can reach the Palazzo Reale and all the museums of the Polo Real with great ease, or the nearby Via Roma and Via Garibaldi, which are the commercial centers of Turin. Learn more about Turin by clicking here!

Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Carignano

Visiting Turin without stopping at Royal Palace can be a serious mistake. To visit, just click here to take a guided tour of the Palace. It is the symbolic place of the power of the Savoys. A little further afield, you’ll find the Palazzo Madama and then the Baroque Palazzo Carignano, where Carlo Alberto and Vittorio Emanuele II were born and which was the first Italian Parliament. A short stop in Piazza San Carlo is a must, as this is the real ‘living room’ of Turin; take the opportunity to enjoy a light lunch. Check out our section on Food in Italy!

Museum of Cinema

Under the arcades, in fact, there are the historic cafes that peek out with their windows, while in the square, performances and concerts are held. Visiting Turin absolutely means seeing the city’s most striking feature, the Mole Antonelliana. Erected in the 19th century to become a Jewish temple, the majestic building now houses one of the most visited places of interest, the Museum of Cinema.

Egyptian Museum and the Basilica di Superga

Asking what to see in Turin means talking absolutely about the Egyptian Museum, an exciting and unmissable trip. Click here for a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum. Another must-see attraction is the Basilica di Superga, an 18th-century architectural gem that contains history, art, and culture, as well as a stunning view of the entire city. Turin is all this and more, but time is short, so we must stop at these places. Meanwhile, it’s already dark, so we’ll have dinner at a typical location, and afterwards, you head back to the hotel for a nice dreamy night.

2) Piedmont Driving Itinerary – SECOND DAY

Second day: After a tasty breakfast, you leave the city of Turin for a magnificent territory where you will stay for two days. We’re talking about Langhe and Roero. The splendid castles and the very particular villages make this area of Piedmont one of the most interesting culturally and scenographically. On the first day, we will visit Langhe, and the next day, we will head to Roero.

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Understand a little more about these territories…

The provinces of Cuneo and Asti are part of this territory, which is in turn divided into Bassa Langa, near Alba; Alta Langa, on the border with Liguria, and in Langa Astigiana, in the south of the province of Asti. In Piedmontese, the term Langa means hill, and it is precisely in these mountainous territories that, for centuries, some of the best wines in the world have been produced, such as Barolo, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera. At this point, we start the journey from the heart of the Langhe, which is made up of the two cities that are its symbols: Alba and Barolo.

Historic Centre of Alba

The historic center of Alba, located in Piazza Risorgimento, boasts medieval charm with picturesque towers and vaults and notable landmarks like the town hall, Duomo, and San Domenico Church. After exploring the city’s monuments, indulge in typical dishes and exquisite wines such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, and Moscato. Don’t miss the chance to savor dishes featuring Alba’s renowned white truffles. From Alba, venture to Barolo, a picturesque town nestled among vineyard-covered hills. How about a 3-hour Food Tour in Alba? Click here to take this Wine Tour!

Historic Center of Barolo

Barolo’s serene center boasts charming pedestrian streets ideal for leisurely strolls and immersing oneself in the village ambiance. Dominating the skyline is the imposing castle of the Marquises Falletti di Barolo, while the Wine Museum offers an enriching

exploration of the region’s viticultural heritage. Amidst the numerous bars and venues, visitors can indulge in local wines paired with regional delicacies. As the day winds down, embrace the wine culture and culinary delights before retiring for the night. While there are many villages to explore in Langhe, we have focused on the two most significant ones for this itinerary. How about a guided tour of a Barolo winery with bike and app? Click here to take this 4-hour tour!

3) Piedmont Driving Itinerary – THIRD DAY

Third day: after breakfast, we will get to know Roero, an interesting hill territory that bears the name of the noble family of Asti, Roero. A name that today evokes great DOCG wines, such as Roero and Roero Arneis. The tourist who enters the hills of Roero is not only starting a journey into the fiefdoms of the noble family of Asti, but he is also starting a great gastronomic tour.

We will take a walk to admire some of the wonderful villages of this place that are perched on a line of rocks, creating a mysterious journey in a continuous up and down through woods, hazelnut orchards, and vineyards. This hike in Roero is suspended between history and the legends of witches and thieves. After this tour of villages, castles, and churches, you can’t miss going for a short walk to enjoy the local food and wine. Roero is the homeland of flavor, both for typical wines such as Roero Arneis and Roero, which are great for specific dishes such as vitello tonnato, bunet, tonno di coniglio, raw meat beaten with a knife, and many others. After enjoying these delicacies, return to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

4) Piedmont Driving Itinerary – FOURTH DAY

Fourth day: After a good breakfast, the fourth day will be dedicated to the territory of Monferrato, a landscape of hills and charming villages. The air you breathe in the small villages perched on the low hills is, perhaps, unique. The route starts and ends in Asti, a town famous for the famous palio. A short stop allows you to visit the Gothic Cathedral and the Collegiate Church of San Secondo.

Nizza Monferrato

We then continue towards Nizza Monferrato, which is about 30 km away. An important agricultural center is located in one of the most interesting areas of the region. In the historic village, there are remnants of medieval buildings, including the crenellated tower of the town hall and some aristocratic buildings. The itinerary continues to reach the Murisengo area and arrive at Don Bosco, a very popular pilgrimage site. Then you go to Cortazzone, which can be a really good spot for a restorative break. Continue along the way, following pleasant country roads, to reach the small village of Valfenera, passing through Isolabella and then to Cisterna d’Asti. After visiting the many wonderful villages that crowd this area, you can take the direction that will allow you to return to Asti. So, a nice typical dinner, and then to bed.

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5) Piedmont Driving Itinerary – FIFTH DAY

Fifth day: after a good and hearty breakfast, you will head towards Orta San Giulio in the province of Novara, the magical Piedmontese village that is among the most beautiful villages in Italy, near Lake Orta. This is one of the most exciting corners of the province of Novara, a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and, above all, a favorite destination for many tourists. The center of the village is full of small streets where you can walk and admire picturesque landscapes.

Attractions

In the center, you can admire the beautiful Piazza Motta, overlooking the lake and surrounded by beautiful arcades in the historic buildings, including the Community Palace of San Giulio Riviera, which dates back to the late 500s. A more distinctive and historic building in Orta San Giulio is the small Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Among the other historic buildings to see in Orta, there is certainly Palazzo Gemelli and Palazzo De Fortis Penotti. The latter is a charming building that, in 2007, became an arts center.

Then there is the part of the village that is located in San Giulio, where you can admire the Christian basilica, founded by San Giulio in the fourth century and which has a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque art, the black marble of Oria, carved in the eleventh century. Really, it’s worth visiting because it’s one of the most beautiful places in the region. After seeing so many wonders, all that’s left for you is to satisfy your taste buds with a nice dinner in a small, typical place and then go to sleep.

6) Piedmont Road Trip – SIXTH DAY

Sixth day: on the sixth and last day, you, still in the province of Novara, have to visit another very beautiful place: Arona, the pearl of Lake Maggiore. The history of Arona is very old and full of events and dominations that have profoundly influenced its culture. There were numerous populations that followed one another, from the Gauls to the Romans, from the Spaniards to the Austrians to the Savoys. Start your visit in its historic center, full of ancient palaces, churches with many different styles, and other places of interest. Stop, especially in the heart of the typically medieval Arona, represented by Piazza del Popolo, where the Palazzo del Podestà and the Church of Santa Marta stand out in perfect Baroque style.

Other Attractions

Also noteworthy is the Collegiate Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, with a fifteenth-century façade, and finally the Church of Saints Anna and Gioacchino. Those who want to combine spirituality and contact with nature can make a stop at the Sacro Monte di Arona, dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo. You can’t miss a romantic walk along the lakefront, which is still under renovation, but the complete features give back all the charm of the landscape, where the scene of the Rocca di Angera is located. The lakeside is dotted with bars and restaurants where you can taste the typical specialties of the region, to enjoy at any time, and so you go to bed because the next day you go back home and to everyday life.

Map with the Piedmont Road Map

Source: Google Maps

How to Get to the Piedmont Region?

1) How to get to the Piedmont Region? BY PLANE

The main airport is Torino Caselle, ten kilometers from the city center. It may also be convenient to use Milan Malpensa International Airport.

2) How to get to the Piedmont Region? BY TRAIN

Piedmont’s railway system has more than 2,000 km of lines that are connected with the main Italian and European routes. Piedmont’s central position in relation to the most important European rail connections is also strengthened by the high-speed line, already partially active, which will be completed in the coming years.

Did you know that Trenitalia is the leading Italian company dedicated to the management of rail transport? Read here, “What is the difference of trains in Italy?“. Buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot; read the post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?“.

3) How to get to the Piedmont Region? DRIVING

Piedmont is easily accessible from all over Europe via its efficient and modern network of access roads, including five major motorways: A32 from Turin to Fréjus (France), A5 connecting Turin to Mont Blanc (France and Switzerland), A4 linking Turin to Milan and Venice (Central and Eastern Europe), A6 from Turin to Savona (Liguria and southern France), and A21 connecting Turin to Piacenza (central and southern Italy).

Read also TRAVELING BY CAR IN ITALY: EXAMPLES OF ITINERARIES. If you are renting a car, be sure to read our posts in the Driving in Italy section of Italy’s Dream Tourism!

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Important to know

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Conclusion

Piedmont driving itinerary? Piedmont is definitely an experience to live, a wonderful land to discover. To find new treasures, you don’t have to go to the other side of the world, some are just around the ‘corner’ and one of them is definitely Piedmont.