Piedmont (Piemonte) is a large region in northwest Italy, ringed on three sides by the Alps and sloping down toward the Po Valley. Its capital, Turin, is a city of elegant arcades, royal palaces, and the landmark Mole Antonelliana. Beyond the city lie the UNESCO-listed vineyards of the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato, home to Barolo and Barbaresco wines and Alba's prized white truffles, plus the serene shores of Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. Piedmont is the birthplace of vermouth, gianduja chocolate, and the Slow Food movement.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Piedmont.
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1
Mole Antonelliana & Museo Nazionale del Cinema
The 167-metre Mole Antonelliana is the symbol of Turin and houses the National Museum of Cinema across a spiralling exhibition that climbs the interior. A panoramic glass lift rises through the centre of the dome to an open viewing platform with sweeping views of the city and the Alps.
Tip: Buy the combined museum-plus-lift ticket online to skip two separate queues · The panoramic lift has its own line; visit it first on busy days · Late afternoon gives the clearest Alpine views from the platform · Allow 2-3 hours; the spiral exhibition is longer than it first appears · Closed Tuesdays, so plan around the weekly closing day
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2
Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum)
The Museo Egizio in Turin is the oldest museum dedicated entirely to ancient Egyptian culture and holds one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world, second only to Cairo. Highlights include the intact tomb of Kha and Merit, the temple of Ellesiya and a hall of monumental statues.
Tip: Book a timed-entry ticket online to avoid long queues at the door · Take the included video or audio guide for context in the key rooms · Arrive at opening or in the last two hours for the quietest galleries · Allow at least two hours; the collection is vast · Mondays close early at 2PM, so plan a longer visit on other days
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3
Palazzo Reale & Musei Reali (Royal Palace)
The former residence of the House of Savoy anchors the Musei Reali complex in the heart of Turin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The circuit takes in lavish state apartments, the Royal Armoury, the Galleria Sabauda picture gallery, the Royal Library holding a Leonardo self-portrait, and the Royal Gardens.
Tip: Book online at the official museireali portal to skip the ticket line · The single ticket covers several museums; allow time for the Armoury and Sabauda · Free first-Sunday admission draws crowds, so arrive at opening that day · Leonardo's self-portrait is shown only rarely; check before visiting for it · Closed Mondays, so plan accordingly
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4
Reggia di Venaria Reale
A vast Baroque royal palace and one of the grandest Savoy residences, the Reggia di Venaria Reale is a UNESCO World Heritage Site just outside Turin. Its highlights are the luminous Great Gallery of Diana designed by Filippo Juvarra and the enormous landscaped gardens, which host major art and garden installations.
Tip: Buy the combined palace-and-gardens ticket to see the full estate · Allow at least half a day; the gardens alone are huge · Use the Venaria Express shuttle from central Turin for an easy round trip · Visit in spring or summer when the gardens are in bloom · Closed Mondays; weekday mornings are the least crowded
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5
Sacra di San Michele
Perched dramatically on the summit of Monte Pirchiriano at the entrance to the Val di Susa, this medieval Benedictine abbey is the symbolic monument of the Piedmont region. Visitors climb the Scalone dei Morti staircase to the Romanesque-Gothic church, with panoramic views over the valley and the Alps.
Tip: Wear sturdy shoes; the approach and the Stairway of the Dead are steep · Bring a layer, as the summit is windy and cool even in summer · Check seasonal opening hours, which shorten in winter · Drive to the upper car park to shorten the final climb · Come on a clear day for the full valley and Alpine views
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6
Basilica di Superga
Built by Filippo Juvarra atop the Superga hill above Turin, this 18th-century Baroque basilica holds the royal tombs of the House of Savoy in its crypt. The terrace offers a sweeping panorama of Turin and the Alps, and the rear wall marks the 1949 air disaster that killed the Grande Torino football team.
Tip: Ride the historic rack railway from Sassi station for the full experience · The basilica is free, but the crypt and dome require a paid guided visit · Come on a clear morning for the best Alpine panorama · Check rack railway timetables, which are reduced in winter · Allow time on the terrace for the city and mountain views
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7
Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi
A magnificent Baroque hunting lodge designed by Filippo Juvarra for the House of Savoy, Stupinigi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site crowned by a bronze stag on its central dome. The interior houses a museum of furnishings and decorative arts, set amid formal gardens and parkland.
Tip: Combine the lodge with a walk in the surrounding Stupinigi park · Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest rooms · Check the schedule for temporary exhibitions and concerts · Closed Mondays, so plan around the weekly closure · Reach it by GTT bus from central Turin or by car
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8
Castello di Rivoli – Museo d'Arte Contemporanea
A former Savoy residence transformed into one of Italy's leading contemporary art museums, Castello di Rivoli combines an unfinished Baroque palace by Juvarra with cutting-edge installations. The collection spans Arte Povera and major international artists, displayed across grand restored halls.
Tip: Visit at the weekend, when opening hours are longest · Check current temporary exhibitions before you go · Allow around two hours, more for major shows · Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan mid-week or at the weekend · Take the metro to Paradiso then a bus for the easiest approach
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9
Piazza San Carlo
Known as Turin's drawing room, this elegant Baroque square is framed by porticoed palaces and the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo. At its centre stands the equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto, and historic cafes line the arcades.
Tip: Come for the early-evening aperitivo hour to see the square at its liveliest · Photograph the twin churches in soft morning light before crowds gather · Pause at one of the historic cafes under the porticoes for a bicerin · The square is free and always open, ideal between nearby museums · Expect crowds during festivals and city events
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10
Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista (Turin Cathedral)
Turin's Renaissance cathedral is famous as the home of the Shroud of Turin, the linen cloth venerated as the burial shroud of Christ, kept in the Guarini-designed Chapel of the Holy Shroud. The shroud itself is rarely displayed, but a photographic reproduction is on view.
Tip: Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, as it is an active church · Visit in the morning before tour groups arrive · The shroud itself is rarely displayed; expect to see the reproduction · Entry is free; combine it with the adjacent Palazzo Reale · Keep noise low during services
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Mole Antonelliana
The 167-metre tower that is the symbol of Turin, home to the cinema museum
Piazza San Carlo
Turin's elegant Baroque 'drawing room' lined with historic cafes
Forte di Fenestrelle
Europe's largest fortress, the 'Great Wall of Piedmont' in the Val Chisone
Castello di Grinzane Cavour
Medieval castle and UNESCO site amid the Barolo vineyards of the Langhe
Orta San Giulio
Medieval village facing the island and basilica of Isola San Giulio
Museums
Museo Egizio
The world's oldest Egyptian museum, second only to Cairo in scale
Museo Nazionale del Cinema
National cinema museum spiralling up inside the Mole Antonelliana
MAUTO National Automobile Museum
One of the world's leading car museums, with 200 historic vehicles
Pinacoteca Agnelli
Agnelli art collection in the Renzo Piano box atop the Lingotto factory
Castello di Rivoli
Leading contemporary art museum in a Savoy palace by Juvarra
Palaces
Palazzo Reale (Musei Reali)
The Savoy royal palace and museum complex at the heart of Turin
Reggia di Venaria Reale
Vast Baroque Savoy palace with the Great Gallery of Diana
Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi
Juvarra's Baroque royal hunting lodge crowned by a bronze stag
Palazzo Madama
Medieval castle and Baroque facade housing the Museum of Ancient Art
Palazzo Borromeo, Isola Bella
Opulent island palace and tiered garden on Lake Maggiore
Religious
Sacra di San Michele
Cliff-top Benedictine abbey, the symbolic monument of Piedmont
Basilica di Superga
Juvarra's hilltop basilica with the Savoy royal tombs above Turin
Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista
Turin Cathedral, home of the Shroud of Turin
Sacro Monte di Orta
UNESCO devotional hill of chapels above Lake Orta
Santuario di Oropa
Largest Alpine Marian sanctuary, with the Black Madonna
Nature
Isola Madre
Romantic botanical island garden on Lake Maggiore with peacocks
Parco del Valentino
Turin's riverside park with a Baroque castle and medieval village
Lake Orta
Tranquil pre-Alpine lake centred on Orta San Giulio and its island
Langhe Vineyards
UNESCO rolling wine country of Barolo, Barbaresco and white truffles
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most Turin museums open 9AM-7PM and many close on Mondays or Tuesdays; royal residences keep similar hours, while lake islands and Langhe sites are seasonal and largely closed in winter
- Fees
- City museum entry is typically €10-18, royal residences €12-25, and lake-island palaces €17-22; squares, churches and villages are generally free, with sanctuaries free to enter
- Best Times
- Late spring (May-June) and September-October for mild weather, vineyard colour and the truffle season; book the Museo Egizio and Reggia di Venaria slots in advance
- Booking
- Reserve Museo Egizio tickets at museoegizio.it and Musei Reali at museireali.beniculturali.it; the Torino+Piemonte Card covers many sites and transport
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Buy a Torino+Piemonte Card if visiting several museums, as it covers entry and public transport across the region
Book timed tickets online for the Museo Egizio and Reggia di Venaria Reale, which sell out at peak times
Use Turin's metro, trams and the Venaria Express shuttle to reach the royal residences without a car
The lake islands of Maggiore and Orta and many Langhe sites close in winter, so check seasonal hours before travelling
Piedmont churches and sanctuaries are free but require modest dress covering shoulders and knees
A car is the easiest way to explore the Langhe, Monferrato and mountain forts, where public transport is sparse
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Piedmont?
May-June and September-October offer mild weather, blooming gardens and the autumn truffle and grape harvest, while the lake islands and Langhe are quieter and partly closed in winter
Do I need to book Turin's main museums in advance?
Yes for the Museo Egizio and the Reggia di Venaria Reale, which can sell out; book online at museoegizio.it and museireali.beniculturali.it to secure a timed slot
How do I get around Piedmont without a car?
Turin has a metro, trams and buses plus shuttle links to the royal residences, and trains reach Stresa, Lake Orta, Alba and Asti, but the Langhe and mountain forts are far easier by car
Is the Shroud of Turin on display?
The shroud is kept in Turin Cathedral but is only shown to the public during rare special exhibitions; at other times a photographic reproduction is on view
How much time do I need for Piedmont's main attractions?
Plan at least 4-5 days to see Turin and its royal residences, the Langhe wine country, and a day on Lake Maggiore or Lake Orta