A guide to the most beautiful villages in the Langhe 

The Langhe are one of Italy’s most popular destinations for anyone looking to enjoy a food and wine experience. With its vineyards, wineries, villages and traditional restaurants, this area offers a journey to explore the flavours of Piedmont, ranging from great wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco to white truffles, from the Piedmont hazelnut PGI to the most iconic local dishes.

Organising a food and wine tour of the Langhe means alternating tastings and visits to wineries with exploring the villages and landscapes that have made this corner of Piedmont famous. Here are some of the places to include in your itinerary, all of which can be easily reached from Turin.

Alba, the culinary heart of the Langhe

Alba is probably the best place to start a tour dedicated to the flavours of the Langhe. The town is closely associated with the white truffle, one of the highlights of the local cuisine, particularly in the autumn. An exploration of the most popular flavours would not be complete without the Piedmont hazelnut PGI, as well as the fine wines from the surrounding hills and the traditional Piedmontese cuisine.

You can sample some of the region’s most iconic dishes, from tajarin to carne cruda all’albese (raw meat, Alba style), as well as veal with tuna sauce and agnolotti pasta. And between one tasting and the next, take time to explore the various attractions in the famous historic centre:

• Piazza Risorgimento. Also known as Piazza Duomo, it is regarded as the starting point for exploring the town and its historic cafés. What is more, every Saturday morning you will find the weekly market – the ideal opportunity to sample local specialities.
• Via Cavour and Via Vittorio Emanuele, the two main thoroughfares linking the main square with the heart of shopping in the town, are lined with medieval buildings, wine bars and shops selling local specialities.
• The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, rebuilt in the 15th century, and the medieval towers that tell of the town’s ancient soul.
• Alba Sotterranea (underground Alba): the hidden side of the town, just waiting to be discovered through tours organised by the association of the same name.

What is more, this is the season for the eagerly awaited International Alba White Truffle Fair, an event that attracts visitors from far and wide: it will take place from 10 October to 6 December 2026 and, as usual, will offer a packed programme of tours, experiences, cookery shows and the unmissable World Truffle Market.

Grinzane Cavour and the culture of wine

In Grinzane Cavour, culinary traditions are mainly tied to the culture of wine: the village – of which Camillo Benso was mayor – and its castle are set in the midst of the wine-growing lands of the Langhe del Barolo, a zone that forms part of the area recognised by UNESCO for its vineyard landscapes.

This is a particularly worthwhile stop if you are interested in wine tastings accompanied by local produce, but also to gain insight into the fascinating cultural aspects that lie behind a “simple” glass of wine and how wine has become an integral part of the history and identity of the Piedmontese hills.

La Morra, the gateway to Barolo

La Morra is a wonderful place if you want to combine an exploration of the area with the traditional flavours of autumn in the Langhe. Through collaboration between the La Morra Tourism and Culture Association and the local council, seven walking trails have been created: a total of 50 km winding through vineyards, woods, villages and hamlets, as well as offering panoramic viewpoints and botanical areas. You can explore the trails either on foot or by bike, but you do need to be fairly fit.

In this area, the relationship between wine, the local area and cuisine is particularly strong and is best savoured through an unhurried and thoughtful experience, designed to allow you to discover the region’s finest wines at your own pace. Indeed, the official tourist area defines the “Langa del Vino” through its vineyards, wine tastings and great wines such as Barbaresco and Nebbiolo.

Barolo, the symbol of Piedmontese winemaking

A name that needs little introduction: Barolo is the quintessential wine destination. The village has lent its name to one of Italy’s most famous DOCG wines and is the ideal starting point for exploring the wine culture of the Langhe. 

The ideal visit here includes a wine tasting tour of the wineries, a stroll through the village and a stop at the WiMu – Wine Museum, housed in the castle. The museum, regarded as one of the most important and innovative in the world, is open every day from 10.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. and is perhaps the best way to gain an in-depth understanding of the close relationship between tradition and the culinary world.

Monforte d’Alba: Piedmontese cuisine and a village atmosphere

Monforte d’Alba is a village of Roman origin nestled in the Langa del Barolo and situated on one of the most majestic hills in the entire region. This town is best known for its historic centre, its characteristic narrow lanes and its many traditional trattorias and restaurants, where you can sample Piedmontese specialities accompanied by wines from the surrounding hills, in particular, local specialities such as Dolcetto d’Alba DOC and Barbera d’Alba, as well as the white truffle we mentioned earlier.

Barbaresco: discovering the Langhe’s other great red wine

Barolo is a symbol of the Langhe and the winemaking tradition of this part of Piedmont, but we must not forget all the other stars of the local culinary scene: foremost among them, Barbaresco DOCG. To find out for yourself, you should include the village of the same name in your itinerary – a little gem nestled in the hills where you can enjoy some of the most authentic tasting experiences in the Langhe. The village is also home to the distinctive Barbaresco Tower, which stands 36 metres tall and offers a unique view of the entire surrounding area. 

Neive: wines, hazelnuts and Piedmontese traditions

Neive is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and it only takes a stroll through the historic centre to see why: the historic buildings, gardens and churches are surrounded by rows of vines, creating an exceptionally picturesque setting. Among the various sights to see, we recommend the Palazzo dei Conti Bongioanni Cocito, the most elegant building in the town, the Chapel of San Rocco and the Clock Tower.

Of course, there is no shortage of opportunities to sample the best of the local cuisine, including the traditional Neive salami (salam ‘d Neive).

What to eat in the Langhe: traditional dishes and local produce

Let us now take a closer look at the cuisine of the Langhe, which is closely linked to the local area and Piedmontese tradition. If you are wondering what to eat in this area, here are some of the specialities and local products to try on a food and wine tour:

• Tajarin. These are thin egg tagliolini typical of the Piedmontese tradition, often served with ragù, butter and sage or, particularly in autumn, with white truffle.
• Carne cruda all’albese. Traditionally prepared with finely sliced raw Piedmontese Fassona beef and simple seasoning.
• Vitello tonnato (veal with tuna sauce). A great classic, made with thin slices of veal served with a creamy sauce made from tuna, anchovies and capers.
• Agnolotti del plin. Small ravioli, usually filled with meat, characterised by their typical pinched edges.
• Bagna cauda. A dish made with anchovies, garlic and oil, served hot and accompanied by vegetables. One of the most convivial and characteristic dishes of Piedmontese cuisine.
• Alba white truffle. As previously mentioned, this is one of the symbols of the Langhe’s food and wine culture and a star attraction of the autumn season.
• The Piedmont Hazelnut PGI. A local agricultural speciality, used primarily in pastry-making and in numerous sweet dishes.
• The ever-present wines of the Langhe. Barolo and Barbaresco are the most famous appellations, but the region’s wine heritage also includes Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto.

From Turin to the Langhe: staying at Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze

All the charming places we have told you about can easily be reached from Turin by car in about an hour, making them perfect for a day trip. If you want to explore the most beautiful villages for your food and wine tour of the Langhe – and, why not, the architectural gems of the Piedmontese capital too – we recommend staying at Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze.

The hotel is situated in the heart of Turin, a prime location that makes it the ideal base for your stay. The exterior stands out for its rationalist style and the way in which its elegant architectural lines blend with the city’s timeless atmosphere: stepping inside this 5-star hotel, you will find refined and spacious surroundings, designed to welcome guests with the utmost comfort, from the common areas to the 100 rooms and suites offering panoramic views of the city and the Alps. Among the hotel’s most famous features, we cannot fail to mention the stunning Salone delle Feste: a gilded treasure trove showcasing exquisite Venini mosaics, Murano glass chandeliers and ornate ceilings.

Among the many facilities the hotel has to offer, the Alkemy SPA is worth a special mention: this is a modern wellness centre featuring a Turkish bath, sauna, heated swimming pool with massage jets, a relaxation area and much more; a wide range of facilities designed to rejuvenate body and mind through sensory stimulation. Guests can also choose from a wide range of treatments available by appointment, such as personalised massages and natural wellness programmes. The SPA is open Monday to Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.; furthermore, with the Day SPA package, non-residents can also use the facilities. Discover our beauty treatments and the services on offer!

And if you simply cannot do without a bit of exercise, Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze has a fully equipped fitness centre, open every day from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Villages to visit in the Langhe and their culinary delights

A food and wine tour of the Langhe is much more than a series of visits to wineries and wine tastings: it is a journey through a region where wine, cuisine, landscape and culture are deeply intertwined. From the Alba white truffle to the renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wine appellations, as well as traditional Piedmontese dishes and the small villages nestled among the vineyards, each place offers a different way to explore the character of these hills.

Choosing Turin as your base allows you to enjoy this experience with the convenience of a city stay, alternating days spent exploring the Langhe with the atmosphere, culture and beauty of the Piedmontese capital. An ideal combination to turn a simple tasting into a true journey of discovery through Piedmont.