What to see in Alba in 2 days: complete itinerary

What to see in Alba in 2 days

Alba is the capital of the Langhe, a land of white truffle, Barolo wine, hazelnuts and UNESCO-listed hilly landscapes. This Piedmontese town of 30,000 inhabitants hides a medieval centre rich in towers, churches and palaces that deserves far more than a hasty visit during the Truffle Fair.

Day 1: The medieval historic centre

Morning

Start from **Piazza Risorgimento**, the city's drawing room where the Saturday market is held. The **Cathedral of San Lorenzo** dominates the square with its Romanesque-Gothic bell tower. Inside, the inlaid wooden choir from 1512 is a masterpiece of Piedmontese art.

Walk along **Via Vittorio Emanuele**, the centre's main axis, flanked by medieval towers. Alba was called the "city of a hundred towers": about fifteen remain, including the **Torre Bonino** and **Torre Astesiano**. Stop at the **Church of San Domenico**, 13th-century Piedmontese Gothic with 14th-century frescoes in the side chapel.

Afternoon

Visit the **Federico Eusebio Civic Museum** for its Roman archaeological section (Alba Pompeia was founded in 89 BC) and natural history. Continue to the **Church of the Maddalena**, Piedmontese Baroque with an elliptical interior.

Hidden gem: seek out the **inner courtyards** of noble palaces between Via Cavour and Via Maestra. Many are accessible and hide Renaissance loggias and medieval wells. The **Town Hall** has a courtyard with a 15th-century portico.

Devote the late afternoon to a walk along the **Tanaro**, the river embracing the city. The pedestrian path below the walls offers an unusual perspective on Alba.

Evening

Dinner at a centre restaurant with tajarin with truffle (in season), vitello tonnato, plin with roast gravy and a bottle of Nebbiolo d'Alba. Evening stroll through the lit streets of the centre.

Day 2: The Langhe and vineyards

Morning

Devote the morning to the **Barolo Langhe**. From Alba reach **La Morra** in 15 minutes: from the Piazza Castello belvedere the vineyard panorama is among Piedmont's finest. Continue to the **Barolo Chapel** (colourful chapel by Sol LeWitt and David Tremlett among the vines) and the village of **Barolo** with the Wine Museum in Castello Falletti.

Alternative for Barbaresco lovers: from Alba reach **Barbaresco** in 10 minutes, a tiny village with its medieval tower and regional wine shop. The road through the vineyards of Neive and Treiso is spectacular.

Afternoon

Return to Alba to visit the **Church of San Giuseppe** and the **Cherasca** quarter with its artisan shops. Obligatory stop at **Ferrero** (headquarters are here) for a purchase at the outlet.

Hidden gem: the **Temple of Santa Caterina** near the old hospital area, with a silent Renaissance cloister and little-known devotional frescoes.

If it's the season (October-November), visit the **International White Truffle Fair** in the Maddalena courtyard, where truffle hunters display their precious tubers.

Evening

Dinner in the hills outside Alba with vineyard views: agnolotti del plin, bollito misto alla piemontese, bunet chocolate pudding. A Barolo DOCG completes the experience.

Recommended walking routes

• **Tower route** (2.5 km): Piazza Risorgimento → Via Cavour → Torre Bonino → San Domenico → Via Maestra → Cathedral
• **River route** (3 km): Tanaro Bridge → riverside walk → Parco Tanaro → climb back to centre via Via Elvio Pertinace

Practical tips

• The Truffle Fair runs every weekend from October to December (book accommodation well in advance)
• Saturday morning market in Piazza Risorgimento is unmissable
• Winery tastings require booking (especially small producers)
• Alba is reachable by train from Turin (1h20) and by car from the A33

Further reading

• [Where to stay in Alba](/guida/dove-dormire-a-alba)
• [Where to eat in Alba](/guida/dove-mangiare-a-alba)
• [How to get to Alba](/guida/come-arrivare-a-alba)