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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Barolo & Barbaresco Wine
The great age-worthy Nebbiolo reds of the Langhe, bought direct from cellar-door estates around Alba, La Morra, and Barbaresco for the best selection and provenance
Price: EUR 25-150 per bottle (approx USD 27-162)
Where: Langhe wine estates, Alba enoteche, Turin wine shops
Gianduiotto Chocolate
Turin's iconic ingot-shaped hazelnut-chocolate, invented in the 19th century, sold by historic chocolatiers; gianduja paste and chocolate boxes travel well
Price: EUR 8-30 per box (approx USD 8.60-32)
Where: Guido Gobino, Baratti & Milano, Turin chocolatiers
White Truffle of Alba (Tartufo Bianco)
The prized autumn tartufo bianco d'Alba, sold fresh and by weight at the Alba truffle market, or preserved as truffle oil, butter, and paste for transport
Price: Fresh priced by weight; preserved goods EUR 8-40 (approx USD 8.60-43)
Where: Alba truffle market, Langhe truffle shops, Turin gourmet stores
Langhe Hazelnuts (Tonda Gentile)
The prized Tonda Gentile delle Langhe IGP hazelnut, sold whole, roasted, or as creamy hazelnut spread, the basis of Piedmont's chocolate tradition
Price: EUR 6-20 (approx USD 6.50-22)
Where: Langhe producers, Alba shops, Eataly Lingotto
Vermouth di Torino
The aromatised wine invented in Turin, from the historic houses of Carpano, Cinzano, and Martini and small artisan producers; Vermouth di Torino has protected status
Price: EUR 10-35 per bottle (approx USD 11-38)
Where: Turin vermouth bars and shops, Eataly Lingotto, historic cafes
Grissini Torinesi
The thin crisp breadsticks invented in Turin, with the rustic hand-stretched grissia stirata the artisanal favourite, packaged for travel
Price: EUR 3-8 (approx USD 3.20-8.60)
Where: Turin bakeries, Mercato Centrale Torino, Porta Palazzo
Piedmontese Cheeses (Castelmagno, Bra, Toma)
Prized DOP mountain and valley cheeses including the crumbly Castelmagno, the tangy Bra, the supple Toma Piemontese, and Robiola, sold by affineurs and at markets
Price: EUR 10-40 per kg (approx USD 11-43)
Where: Eataly, Mercato Centrale Torino, Langhe and Cuneo cheesemongers
Valenza Goldsmith Jewellery
Fine gold and gem jewellery from Valenza, one of Italy's leading goldsmithing towns near Alessandria, with workshops and ateliers producing high-end pieces
Price: EUR 80-2000+ (approx USD 86-2160+)
Where: Valenza ateliers and jewellers, Turin Via Roma boutiques
Mondovi & Castellamonte Ceramics
Hand-painted majolica from Mondovi with its distinctive 'vecchia Mondovi' rooster motif, and the terracotta stufe (stoves) and pottery of Castellamonte
Price: EUR 15-200 (approx USD 16-216)
Where: Mondovi and Castellamonte workshops, Turin craft shops
Biella Wool & Cashmere
Fine wool, cashmere, and textiles from the historic Biella textile district, home to luxury mills such as Zegna and Loro Piana, sold at factory outlets and town shops
Price: EUR 30-400 (approx USD 32-432)
Where: Biella mills and outlets, Turin fashion boutiques
Grappa & Liqueurs
Refined Piedmontese grappa distilled from Nebbiolo and Moscato pomace, plus regional liqueurs and amari, from artisan distilleries in the Langhe and beyond
Price: EUR 12-50 per bottle (approx USD 13-54)
Where: Langhe distilleries, Turin enoteche, Eataly Lingotto
Krumiri & Torta di Nocciole
The curved Krumiri biscuits of Casale Monferrato and the moist Langhe hazelnut cake (torta di nocciole), classic Piedmontese sweet souvenirs that pack well
Price: EUR 6-18 (approx USD 6.50-19)
Where: Casale Monferrato and Langhe pasticcerie, Turin food shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercato di Porta Palazzo
Europe's largest open-air market, sprawling across Piazza della Repubblica in Turin, with vast produce, fish, meat, cheese, clothing, and a multicultural food scene
Where: Piazza della Repubblica, Turin
Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM-2PM, Sat 7AM-7:30PM (covered halls vary)
Mercato del Balon e Gran Balon
Turin's historic flea market in the Borgo Dora district, held every Saturday, with the larger Gran Balon antiques fair on the second Sunday of each month
Where: Borgo Dora, Turin
Hours: Sat 8AM-6PM; Gran Balon every 2nd Sunday of the month
Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba
The renowned Alba White Truffle Fair, the autumn highlight of the Langhe, with the World Truffle Market, wine tastings, and food events filling the town
Where: Alba, Cuneo province
Hours: Weekends October-November; truffle market mornings