Things to Do in Piedmont — Italy: Top Attractions, Tours & Tickets

The Savoy court complex is the essential starting point for understanding Turin as a former royal capital. Allow time for the apartments and collections, then step straight into the surrounding historic center rather than treating it as an isolated museum stop.

2h Timed entryBook the opening slot or visit later in the afternoon.

Reserve an entry time online for weekends and holiday periods; walk-up admission is often possible on quieter weekdays.

Pairs with: Egyptian Museum · Mole Antonelliana · Basilica Santa Maria Ausiliatrice

#2Egyptian MuseumMust

Turin’s Egyptian Museum is one of the region’s defining cultural experiences and is substantial enough to anchor a day in the city. Prioritize a focused route through the galleries rather than trying to read every label, then continue on foot into central Turin.

2.5h Book aheadTake the first entry of the day or a later-afternoon slot.

Book a timed ticket ahead for weekends, school holidays, and popular morning slots.

Pairs with: Royal Palace of Turin · Mole Antonelliana · Basilica Santa Maria Ausiliatrice

#3Mole AntonellianaMust

Turin’s unmistakable skyline symbol combines the city’s best-known exterior with the National Cinema Museum inside. Go for the museum if it interests you, but also treat the building and its viewpoint as a way to orient yourself in the city.

2h Timed entryReserve an early lift slot or go closer to closing for shorter waits.

Book ahead for the panoramic lift, particularly on weekends and in peak travel periods.

Pairs with: Egyptian Museum · Royal Palace of Turin · Fountain of the 12 Months

#4Sacra di San MicheleMust

Perched above the Susa Valley, this abbey is Piemonte’s great dramatic silhouette and a powerful excursion from Turin. The appeal is as much the approach, setting, and views as the interior, so go when conditions are clear.

2h Walk upArrive early on a clear weekday, before day-trippers and summer heat build.

Pairs with: Fenestrelle Fortress

#5Reggia di Venaria RealeMust

This grand Savoy residence delivers the most complete palace-and-gardens experience around Turin, with more room to linger than the city-center royal complex. It merits a dedicated half-day rather than being squeezed between central Turin sights.

3.5h Timed entryStart at opening and see the palace before the gardens fill later in the day.

Buy online ahead for weekends and major exhibitions, especially if you want to combine palace and gardens.

Pairs with: Royal Palace of Turin

#6Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Vineyard LandscapesMust

The rolling vineyard country is a defining Piemonte experience, best understood slowly through villages, viewpoints, local food, and a pre-arranged winery visit. Use a car or driver and build a route around a small number of stops rather than trying to cover every famous town.

4h FreeWeekday mornings are best for quieter roads and easier restaurant or tasting reservations.

Pairs with: Castello di Grinzane Cavour

#7Fenestrelle FortressShould4.8(5,566)

This vast alpine defensive complex is Piemonte’s most dramatic military site and rewards visitors willing to leave Turin behind. It works best as a guided outing in the valley, with expectations set for a substantial outdoor walk and changeable mountain weather.

3h Book aheadChoose an early tour in warmer months and confirm weather conditions before setting out.

Reserve a guided visit in advance, especially on weekends, since access follows scheduled tours.

Pairs with: Sacra di San Michele

#8Castello di Grinzane CavourShould4.6(9,562)

This compact hilltop castle gives useful historical context to the Langhe wine country and offers a handsome, manageable stop among cellar visits and village lunches. It is more rewarding as part of a broader Langhe day than as a standalone long visit.

1h Walk upVisit near opening or late afternoon, avoiding the busiest lunch period in the surrounding villages.

Pairs with: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato Vineyard Landscapes

#9Fountain of the 12 MonthsIf time4.6(5,274)

This exuberant fountain is a pleasant stop within Parco del Valentino rather than a destination in its own right. Use it as part of a riverside walk or a pause between Turin’s central museums.

15m FreeGo in daylight on a weekday, when the park is at its calmest.

Pairs with: Mole Antonelliana · Royal Palace of Turin

#10Basilica Santa Maria AusiliatriceIf time4.8(5,074)

This is Turin’s major Salesian pilgrimage church, with an interior that matters most to visitors interested in the city’s religious and social history. It is a worthwhile quieter counterpoint to the royal and museum-heavy center.

35m FreeAvoid service times if you want to look around without disrupting worshippers.

Pairs with: Royal Palace of Turin · Egyptian Museum