Alba

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Logistics

Things to do and see

Food and Drinks

Other Notes

Logistics

Getting There

Alba is in Piedmont, a region in northwest Italy with mountains, vineyards, and many small towns. The city of Turin is the capital in the area and has its own airport, while Alba is a smaller city closer to the wineries.

For those traveling from outside Italy, if you can get a direct flight, travel into Turin to immediately arrive in Piedmont. From Turin airport, there’s direct (and indirect) trains to Alba. The journey time is about 2 hours. If you decide to stay in Turin, you’ll be able to take the train from the airport directly into the city as well and the journey is only 20 minutes.

For those where a direct flight is not an option, Milan is an easy alternative with flights from all over. Milan is part of the region of Lombardy, not Piedmont, and thus you’ll need to take a train(s) to reach Piedmont. The journey time from Milan to Alba is likely about 3-4 hours depending on the train or bus connections you book.

Getting Around

How you get around in the region is very much dependent on your plans here. Staying in Alba means you do not need to rent a car. You can reach the city with trains and visit nearby towns also by train. Additionally, you can book a wine tour day trip to explore some of the local wineries. Renting a car upon arrival will of course give you more flexibility to travel at your own pace if looking to see more in the region.

The town of Alba is easily walkable in the city center, which is largely pedestrianized. This makes it perfect for a morning stroll to grab a coffee or afternoon aperitivo in the sun before dinner in town.

Accommodations

Where possible, stay in the city center in or near the pedestrianized zone. This ensures you have a good base point to easily access the shops, cafes, wine bars, and restaurants in the area.

Things to do and see

Wine Tour

Piedmont is well known for its wine with famous complex wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. Book a wine tour to visit a few wineries and enjoy tasting and learning about the locally produced wines.

Below are two wineries we visited on our wine tour. The tour was organized for us, but it’s possible to reach out to either to book a visit.

Poderi Luigi Einaudi – stunning location with views of the rolling hills into the mountain. They have a wine bottle shaped pool and a gorgeous tasting room. Highly recommend a visit here!
Poderi Marcarini – found in the town of La Morra, this is much more classic than the above winery. As a family run establishment, you’ll learn about the history of the winery and their wine production

Alba Old Town

The old town is very charming. Take a stroll through the pedestrianized streets, popping into shops, getting lost in the back streets, and sitting for a drink on one of the town piazzas.

La Morra

Quaint town in Piedmont where Poderi Marcarini is located. It’s a great town to make a stop in and enjoy the panoramic views of the rolling hills and mountains, grab a bite to eat, and sit on a terrace enjoying a glass of wine.

Food and Drinks

Monviso Italian Coffee Factory

Cafe

Alba

Other Notes

Duration

A long weekend is perfect for visiting Alba, as it allows you to see the town and also get out for a wine tour. With more time, you can visit more neighboring towns and add time to visit the city of Turin.

Time of year

Autumn is the peak season here, largely due to truffle season, though the summer months are also busier as visitors come to enjoy the warm weather and vibrant atmosphere. Both are great times to visit the area.

If you prefer slightly quieter towns while still enjoying pleasant weather, try visiting in spring. We visited in early April and were lucky to have gorgeous sunshine and warm temperatures. While there is still a chance of rain at that time of year, the weather generally begins to improve in April. The towns didn’t feel overcrowded at all, and the experience felt a bit like discovering a hidden gem.

Fun Fact

Ferrero Rocher was invented in Alba, Italy in 1982! The region is known for it’s hazelnuts which is key to this premium chocolate

Traditional food

Hazelnuts and truffles are both common ingredients found in Piedmont, meaning you’ll see a lot of dishes or snacks with these ingredients.

Agnolotti del Plin – a meat filled pasta

Battuta di Fassona – essentially a raw beef dish

Tajarin al tartufo bianco – thin noodle pasta with a creamy truffle sauce

Vitello Tonnato – a cold meat dish with a mayo served on it