Where is Piedmont in Italy?
The Piedmont region, known in Italian as Piemonte, is located in the northwest of Italy. It covers an area of over 9,700 square miles (25,300 square kilometers) and has a population of more than 4.3 million inhabitants. It is the second-largest region in Italy by area, following Sicily.
Piedmont borders France to the west, Switzerland to the north, and Lombardy to the east. The southern boundary is naturally defined by the Apennine Mountains, which separate the region from Liguria.
As a result, the Mediterranean coast is just a short drive away, with Alba and the wine region at 90 minutes from Savona or the nearby seaside towns, and up to 2 hours to Portofino.
Which Airlines Offer Flights to Major Airports in or near Piedmont?
Piedmont is primarily served by its regional hub in Turin, but its proximity to Milan means that several of the world’s largest international airports are just a relatively short drive or train ride away.
Genoa Airport (GOA) is also close to southern Piedmont, particularly to Asti and Alba wine regions, offering an interesting alternative.
Turin Airport (TRN): taxi, trains, and airlines
Also known as Torino-Caselle. This is the main gateway for the region, located about 16 km north of Turin and well connected to the city center via train, public buses, and relatively cheap taxi rides.
Direct regional trains connect Turin Airport to Asti and Alba or an easy connection is often available at Torino Porta Susa train station.
In January 2026, the taxi fare to downtown Turin is about 40€, and the travel time is approximately 30 minutes.
Full-Service Carriers: ITA Airways (connecting to Rome), Air Dolomiti (Lufthansa group, flying to Munich and Frankfurt), Air France, British Airways, KLM, Royal Air Maroc, Turkish Airlines, and many others.
Low-Cost Carriers: Ryanair (with a wide choice of direct flights to smaller cities in Italy and throughout Europe), easyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, and Volotea.
Seasonal/Charter: TUI and Jet2 (primarily for ski season).
Cuneo Levaldigi Airport (CUF)
A smaller secondary airport can be used as a gateway to the southern Piedmont Alps and the Langhe wine region. This airport operated very few commercial flights, mainly Ryanair, occasional seasonal charters, while it has a conveniently located runway for private jets.
Milan Malpensa (MXP): How to Get There from the Piedmont Region of Italy
Located just across the border in Lombardy, Malpensa is often the most convenient choice for international travelers who want to take advantage of the several direct flights to the US, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Milan Malpensa is within a 2-hour drive from Piedmont’s wine region (Alba and Asti), about 1.5 hours from Turin, and only 45 minutes to Lake Maggiore and Lake Como.
The airport provides a direct public bus service from the city center of Turin. However, if you choose to travel by train, you will need to make a connection in Milan, which will make the overall travel time longer than using a private driver.
For those traveling from Alba or Asti, the train journey also requires a connection through Turin before reaching Milan. On a positive note, starting in December 2025, more regional direct trains will run from Asti to Milan Central Station, with the journey taking just under 2 hours.
Is a Car Necessary to Explore the Region?
While you can travel from Turin to the major cities of Piedmont by train, having a car or taking a guided tour is essential if you want to experience the allure of Piedmont. This region is known for its rolling vineyards, hilltop villages, and secluded castles, which have earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Asti is well connected to Turin Porta Nuova station via direct regional trains departing every 60 minutes, with a travel time of only 35 minutes. Longer rides that stop at every town are available from Turin Porta Susa station and Turin Airport.
Alba is served by regional trains (the SFM4 line) departing hourly from Torino Porta Susa and calling in the Slow Food town of Bra, with a journey of about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
The “Station Gap”: How to Enjoy Piedmont’s Rolling Hills
Once you step off the train in Alba or Asti, you are in a lovely town, but you are still miles away from the famous Barolo vineyards or the iconic castles of Serralunga and Grinzane Cavour. As of January 2026, outside of the main city centers, Piedmont’s public transport is designed for commuters (students and workers), not for tourists.
- Infrequent Schedules: Buses between Alba and villages like Barolo or La Morra may only runa few times a day. If you miss one, you are stranded.
- The Weekend Problem: On Sundays and public holidays, bus service effectively stops entirely, or it is significantly reduced in many parts of the Langhe and Roero Hills.
- Logistical Barriers: Most prestigious wineries (Cantine) are located on hillsides several kilometers from the nearest village bus stop. Walking these winding, narrow roads with no sidewalks is neither safe nor practical.
- The “Designated Driver” Dilemma: Italy has stringent blood-alcohol limits. Exploring wine country in a rental car means someone in your group must miss out on the tastings.
The Advantage of Guided Private and Small-Group Tours in Piedmont
Given the limitations of trains and the risks of self-driving, a guided small-group tour is often the most strategic way to experience the Piedmont region of Italy.
- Seamless Transfers: While private tours can pick you up at your hotel and at your preferred time, small-group tours depart from the train station to whisk you into the hills right away.
- Insider Access: Many of the best family-run wineries do not accept walk-ins. Small-group guides have long-standing relationships that grant access to private cellars and “hidden gem” producers.
- Expert Navigation: Navigating the winding of the Langhe can be stressful for visitors. A professional driver allows everyone to focus on the scenery and the wine.
- Curated Itineraries: Instead of spending hours cross-referencing bus timetables with winery opening hours, a tour handles the logistics, including lunch reservations at authentic osterie that are often off the main tourist path.
The Geography of the Piedmont Region
The geographical layout of Piedmont, in Italy, consists of mountains (48%) that frame the region on the west and north and protect the flat plains (32%) and a southern nucleus of hills (20%) from the colder blizzards of northern Europe. As a result, we can identify four main areas based on the type of landscape:
1. The Alps
2. The Lake District
3. The Po River Valley, where rice is cultivated
4. The hills (Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato), where wine-making is the predominant activity
With easy access to these natural attractions, Piedmont offers a wide range of activities that appeal to families, food and wine enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and history buffs.
Whether it is a company offering guided wine tours in Barolo from Turin or Alba, booking a cooking class featuring Piedmontese recipes, or local guides showing historical sites related to the House of Savoy, there is something for everyone to do in Piedmont, Italy.
Can I go skiing and wine tasting on the same trip?
The proximity of the ski slopes to the wine-growing heartland of Alba and the Langhe is not just a marketing convenience; it is a geological phenomenon.
The name “Piemonte” refers to the region’s geographical features, as it lies at the foot of the mountains: “pie” means “foot” and “monte” means “mountain”. This name aptly describes its position at the base of the Alps, which surround the plains and hills on three sides.
The Langhe Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for Nebbiolo grapes, sit in a basin-like position about 1.5 hours from the Maritime Alps, home to ski resorts like Limone Piemonte and Prato Nevoso (southwest of Alba).
To the west, the massive Via Lattea (Milky Way) ski area—which includes Olympic venues like Sestriere—is approximately two hours from the vineyards of Barbaresco and Barolo.
This short distance makes a “Ski and Sip” itinerary remarkably practical. A visitor can easily stay in a cozy agriturismo in the vineyards, drive to the slopes for a half-day of skiing, and return in time for an afternoon winery appointment.
While public transportation is insufficient for rural exploring, the well-maintained provincial roads allow for seamless transitions between the snow-capped scenery and the rolling vineyards.
By choosing the Piedmont region of Italy, travelers don’t have to compromise between an active adventure holiday and a sophisticated culinary escape. The region offers a rare “dual-identity” vacation, where the adrenaline of the Alps meets the elegance of the Langhe, often within a single sunset.
The Alps in Piedmont
The Alps in the Piedmont region extend from the lower peaks along the Liguria region and the southern French border, up to the Simplon Pass, which leads to Switzerland.
The northwest corner of the Alps, where the towering Mont Blanc—the highest peak in Europe—is located, actually belongs to the Aosta Valley, a separate Italian region.
Consequently, the highest peak in Piedmont is Monviso, standing at 3,841 meters (12,600 feet) above sea level. It is a popular summer destination for trekkers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Valle Stura, Valle Grana, Valle Maira, Valle Varaita
The southwestern alpine valleys offer stunning beauty while being less touristy than more popular alpine resorts. Located in the province of Cuneo, these valleys are easily accessible within a short drive from Turin, Alba, and Saluzzo.
Valle Stura leads into France through the Alpine pass known as Colle della Maddalena. This valley boasts one of the largest cross-country skiing trails in the region. In summer, visitors can enjoy breathtaking hikes to disused military observation stations that eventually cross into France.
Valle Grana and Valle Maira are home to an ancient language spoken in southern France. What may initially appear to be just a dialect is, in fact, a deeply rooted culture encompassing food, music, traditions, and costumes. Known as Occitania in Italian and Occitan in French, this culture serves as a shared cultural heritage for people living on both sides of the Alps.
Valle Varaita provides one of the main access points to Monviso. In the summer, professional alpine guides lead tourists on scenic treks around Piedmont’s highest peak, reaching elevations where the snow never melts.
Visitors can find cozy mountain cabins and rustic accommodations resulting from the restoration of former farms. Abandoned hamlets on the slopes of secondary side valleys have been revived and now welcome tourists seeking nature and tranquility.
Where are the Best Lakes in Piedmont, Italy?
Located at the foot of the Alps in northern Piedmont, the lake district comprises several bodies of water of varying sizes. The two largest lakes in Piedmont are Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, which share the exact glacial origins as other renowned Italian lakes such as Lake Como and Lake Garda, found in different regions.
Lake Maggiore became an international tourist destination with the opening of the railroad line to Switzerland via the Simplon Pass in the early 1900s. Today, luxury hotels and beautiful botanical gardens surround the towns of Stresa and Pallanza.
The Borromeo family, of noble origins, transformed a former rock in the middle of the lake into a palace of beauty and pleasure, where prominent guests, including Napoleon, stayed over the centuries. These properties are a treasure trove of art set against the serene waters of Lake Maggiore.
Closer to Turin are Avigliana Lake and Candia Lake, popular spots for day trips focused on sports and nature.
Read more information on Lake Maggiore here.
Piedmont Wine Regions
Wine is produced throughout most of Piedmont, an area situated at the foot of the Alps, just west of Lake Maggiore and Milan Malpensa Airport. This region is particularly known for Nebbiolo grapes. In northern Piedmont, a variety of wines are bottled, including Gattinara, Ghemme, and Colli Novaresi.
The countryside north of Turin has managed to resist the pressures of industrial development, resulting in a significant production of Canavese wines and Erbaluce.
At the foot of the western Alps, near the town of Saluzzo, there is also vineyard cultivation and wine production. However, the most extensive wine region is located in southern Piedmont.
The Langhe–Roero and Monferrato areas are recognized for their hilly landscapes, where notable wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti, and Moscato are produced and exported worldwide.
Piedmont’s Langhe Hills, One of Italy’s Top Wine Regions
The Langhe region lies south of the town of Alba, with wine production predominantly in the lower hills. To the north, the River Tanaro acts as a natural boundary. In contrast, the upper Langhe, known in Italian as “Alta Langa,” extends southward toward the Apennines. This area is wilder and more remote, featuring meadows, hazelnut groves, and cheese production.
The soil in the Langhe is primarily clay, enriched with minerals that originate from ancient seawater. These hills were among the first to emerge from the sea.
The hills are characterized by their wave-like crests, which all point in the same direction—from southeast to northwest—forming parallel strips of land. Some believe the name “Langhe” derives from the Italian word “lingua,” meaning “tongue of land.”
Each hill has a steep side that supports the next gentle slope, creating unique sun exposures that contribute to the area’s complex wine production.
Learn more about Nebbiolo Wines and the Top 11 Facts about Barolo Wine.
The Roero Hills
North of the Tanaro River lies Roero, a region characterized by sandy soils and a relatively young geological history. It is renowned not only for its wines but also for its fruit crops, including strawberries and peaches. The name “Roero” is derived from a noble family in Asti that, during the Middle Ages, conquered and acquired numerous castles and estates, ultimately gaining control over the entire area.
Geologists have established that the current course of the Tanaro River results from prolonged, gradual erosion. Over time, the river’s shifting course has led to the formation of picturesque cliffs and sculpted hill slopes, locally known as “rocche.” These natural features are steeped in local beliefs and traditions. The region is also celebrated for its spontaneous truffle growth, while honey producers often conceal their beehives within the landscape.
Piedmont’s Eastern Monferrato Hills and Asti Wine Region
Monferrato is a historical territory that has never had well-defined political or geographical borders.
The Marquis of Monferrato was a noble family that controlled the area between the Po River and the foothills of the Apennines for centuries. Their lineage eventually was extinguished due to a lack of male heirs, and other dynasties took their place until the Savoy family took control of the entire region of Piedmont.
Monferrato did not have an official capital; instead, these dynasties moved from palace to palace, with Asti, Casale Monferrato, and Chieri being their preferred cities.
Today, the Monferrato hills are less touristy than the areas around Alba and Barolo, yet they offer equally stunning views and beauty.
The main wines produced in Monferrato are Barbera d’Asti and Moscato, which thrive in the southern province of Asti, particularly around the towns of Nizza Monferrato and Canelli. The northern part of Monferrato is known for other local wines, such as Grignolino and Freisa.
The countryside is dotted with Romanesque country churches and chapels dating back to the 11th and 16th centuries, which were once stops for pilgrims traveling to Rome.
One notable feature of Monferrato is its extensive agricultural area, which has not been as heavily vineyard-covered as the Barolo region. This results in a more natural environment and, in some areas, it remains wilder, allowing the spontaneous growth of Alba’s prized white truffles.
At the southern tip of the Monferrato hills, on the way to Genoa, Gavi wine is produced.
