🧭When travelers think of Piemonte, their minds often go straight to Turin, truffles, or a fine glass of Barolo. But beneath the surface of this elegant region lies a network of charming towns and forgotten villages, rich in history, culture, and warm local life. If you dream of wandering quiet streets, tasting artisan cheeses, or finding frescoes in unexpected places — you are in the right place! 🇮🇹
🏰 1. Neive – A Wine Village Frozen in Time
Province: Cuneo
Best for: Wine tasting, historic ambiance, countryside walks
Nestled in the Langhe hills, surrounded by vineyards that produce some of the world’s finest wines, Neive feels like stepping into an oil painting. It’s part of the “I Borghi più belli d’Italia” network — and it earns the title.
✨ What to Experience:
- Centro Storico: The medieval old town is small but magical. Wander through cobbled alleys, admire noble palaces like Palazzo dei Conti Bongioanni and Palazzo Demaria, and spot remnants of the ancient clock tower.
- Cantinas & Tastings: Stop in local wine cellars to sip Barbaresco, Dolcetto d’Alba, and Moscato straight from the source. Many producers are family-run and love to share stories with guests.
- Fine Dining: Try La Luna nel Pozzo or Degusto Enoteca for traditional dishes with a gourmet twist. Don’t miss the tajarin al tartufo when truffle season rolls around.
- Seasonal Magic: Visit in autumn for harvest colors and food festivals, or in spring when wildflowers bloom along vineyard trails.
📸 Insider tip: Climb the Torre dell’Orologio for panoramic views over the Langhe UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
🏞️ 2. Orta San Giulio – Piedmont’s Fairytale by the Lake
Province: Novara
Best for: Romantic escapes, lakeside strolls, spirituality
Often dubbed the “Lake Como of Piemonte,” Lake Orta remains relatively under the radar. Its jewel is Orta San Giulio, a pedestrian-only town where art, silence, and serenity reign.
✨ What to Experience:
- Piazza Motta: The town’s beating heart, with cafés and restaurants spilling out onto cobblestones beside the lake. Sip a spritz while watching small boats glide by.
- Isola San Giulio: Reachable by a 5-minute boat ride, this island is dominated by a 9th-century basilica, a Benedictine monastery, and the “Path of Silence”, where spiritual quotes guide your walk in total peace.
- Sacro Monte di Orta: A UNESCO-protected sacred hill just above town with 20 chapels filled with Baroque art, offering a peaceful hike with lake views.
- Boutique Stays: Stay at Hotel San Rocco, an elegant lakeside former convent turned hotel.
📍 Did you know? Orta San Giulio has inspired writers and painters for centuries, including Nietzsche and Lord Byron. You’ll feel why the moment you arrive.
🧀 3. Oleggio – A Gateway to Local Life & Alpine Simplicity
Province: Novara
Best for: Authentic markets, rural culture, day trips near Milan
Often overlooked due to its proximity to Milan’s airport, Oleggio is a quiet town with strong local traditions and a vibrant food culture. It’s a slice of daily Piedmontese life.
✨ What to Experience:
- Museo Civico di Oleggio: A small but rich ethnographic museum located in a former convent, displaying traditional costumes, farming tools, and ancient local crafts.
- Foodie Finds: Visit the Saturday market in Piazza Martiri to buy local cheese like Toma or Bettelmatt, fresh focaccia, and seasonal produce.
- Church of San Michele: A Romanesque jewel with frescoes dating back to the 11th century, considered one of the oldest in the area.
- Ticino Natural Park: Just outside town, this lush protected area is ideal for cycling, birdwatching, or a riverside picnic.
🚗 Fun fact: Oleggio is also a great base for exploring Arona, Stresa, and Lago Maggiore without staying in tourist hotspots.
🏛️ 4. Saluzzo – Medieval Majesty & Mountain Views
Province: Cuneo
Best for: History lovers, mountain day trips, cultural events
Once the capital of an independent marquisate, Saluzzo offers a rare blend of medieval elegance and laid-back Alpine charm.
✨ What to Experience:
- La Castiglia: A fortified castle with sweeping valley views, now a museum of medieval life and resistance history.
- Historic Center: Think narrow stone streets, flowered balconies, gothic arcades, and artisans still working with wood, glass, and iron.
- Antique Market: Every first Sunday of the month, Saluzzo becomes a paradise for treasure hunters with its famous open-air Mercato dell’Antiquariato.
- Concerts & Art: The town hosts a renowned chamber music festival in summer and seasonal exhibitions in noble villas.
⛰️ Bonus: Drive 30 minutes west to reach the source of the Po River and trails near Monviso, one of Italy’s most iconic Alpine peaks.
🕍 5. Cherasco – Where Baroque Meets Gastronomy
Province: Cuneo
Best for: Foodies, architecture lovers, antique shopping
Cherasco may be small, but it boasts a rich mix of art, history, and culinary traditions — and one of Italy’s most unusual festivals.
✨ What to Experience:
- Historic Ambiance: With over 7 kilometers of porticoes and an immaculate old town, Cherasco is a Baroque paradise. Visit Palazzo Salmatoris, often used for modern art shows, or the tranquil Jewish ghetto.
- Snails Everywhere: Cherasco is the international capital of snail farming, and the Fiera della Chiocciola celebrates this delicacy with tastings, tours, and gourmet menus.
- Baci di Cherasco: These legendary dark chocolate and hazelnut bites are a must-try. Buy them fresh from Pasticceria Barbero.
- Spiritual Sites: Discover peaceful convents, a sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna del Popolo, and frescoed churches without the crowds.
📍 Extra tip: Time your visit with one of Cherasco’s famed antique fairs — collectors from all over Italy descend on the town.
🌄 6. Cocconato – The Balcony of Monferrato
Province: Asti
Best for: Wine lovers, scenic drives, agrotourism
With its panoramic location overlooking the Monferrato hills, Cocconato is a dreamy escape full of flavors and views.
✨ What to Experience:
- Stroll the Historic Ridge: Cocconato’s town center runs along a ridge, offering uninterrupted views of vineyards, hazelnut groves, and on clear days, even the Alps.
- Malvasia Heaven: Try local Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, a lightly sparkling red perfect for spring afternoons.
- Agriturismo Culture: Cocconato is home to some of Piemonte’s best farm-to-table experiences. Book a stay at places like Agriturismo Cascina Rosengana, where you can dine, sleep, and even make cheese.
- Fiera di San Marco (April) and Palio degli Asini (September) are two excellent times to witness local pageantry, food fairs, and donkey races.
🌿 Slow Travel Tip: Cocconato makes a perfect 2-day escape to disconnect, reconnect, and recharge in natural elegance.
🎨 7. Mondovì – Ceramics, Colors & Hidden Heights
Province: Cuneo
Best for: Art & architecture lovers, street photography, hilltop escapes
Colorful façades, historical funiculars, and artisan traditions make Mondovì a whimsical and creative stop.
✨ What to Experience:
- Funicular Ride: Take the historic funicular up from the lower town to Mondovì Piazza, a peaceful upper district filled with Renaissance buildings and tiny museums.
- Ceramics Legacy: Visit the Museo della Ceramica to explore the town’s 400-year-old pottery tradition.
- Piazza Maggiore: Soak in one of Piemonte’s most elegant squares, framed by noble palaces, artisan shops, and frescoed churches.
- Street Art Festival: Every year, Murales Mondovì invites artists to transform blank walls into colorful masterpieces — the town is a living gallery.
🌈 Weekend tip: Stay overnight and enjoy aperitivo hour with a view from Antico Palazzo or La Funicolare B&B.
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