Attractions Nearby Turin, Day Trips and Excursions

(Turin, Piedmont, Italy)

There are so many attractions in Turin that it's hard to see why you would want to venture further afield. However, if you do happen to have a spare day or two in your itinerary to travel round and about, there are some interesting nearby towns and villages, filled with attractions and just a relatively short distance from central Turin itself.

All of these can easily be reached by car and many can be visited using public transport. Some of the most popular attractions close to Turin include the towns of Alba, Avigliano, and also Crissolo, a scenic mountain resort where recreational activities abound.

Alba

Just over an hour's drive away, Alba is close enough to Turin to make a good day-trip destination. Visitors can enjoy strolling through its streets and admiring the many fine examples of Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Particularly worth a look is Alba's Cathedral, overlooking the town's main square. October is a great month for a visit when Alba is filled with seasonal attractions, with a famous donkey race staged along with the town's famous truffle festival. Wine-lovers will, of course, recognise Alba as the centre for red wine. There are a number of museums dedicated to the production of wine in this area, and plenty of opportunities to pick up a selection to take home.

Aosta

The nearby small town of Aosta is thought to be one of the most outstanding examples of a Roman military settlement. Built by Roman legions some 2,000 years ago, its ruined attractions are all made from the characteristic grey stone found in the surrounding hills. Visitors from Turin can walk around Aosta's amphitheatre, the Praetorian Gate and the remains of a number of other buildings, including a bathhouse and apartments. Roman history aside, the town also boasts an impressive 11th-century cathedral with examples of some beautiful stained glass windows.

Avigliano

The nearby town of Avigliano is just 25 km / 15 miles from Turin and is always a popular visitor destination. As well as the nearby Sacra di San Michele, an impressive abbey that has become a symbol of the region, the town is rich in natural attractions, namely the two Lakes of Avigliano.

Asti

About 55 km / 34 miles from nearby Turin, medieval Asti was one of the most powerful city-republics of Northern Italy. Today, there are plenty of beautiful buildings for visitors to admire, including the town's many medieval towers and churches. Indeed, Asti was once known as 'the city of 100 towers'. Of the towers that survive to this day, the best known are the Torre di Comentini and Torre Troyana. To see this town at it's most lively, head out to Asti during September, when the town holds its famous 'palio' horse race.

Crissolo

This mountain resort is an attractive base from which visitors can take off on hikes during the summer months. For the most energetic visitors, Crissolo is a good starting point for climbing nearby Monviso. At about 4,000 metres / 13,123 feet in height, this is the highest mountain in the region and conveniently close to Turin. For the less ambitious, several mountain lakes and the Grotta del Rio Martino make much more accessible hiking destinations. During the winter time, Crissolo is transformed into the main skiing resort of Monviso with a ski lift, accommodation, restaurants, family attractions and even an ice rink to keep its visitors happy and entertained.

Saluzzo

A short drive from Turin brings visitors to the nearby small medieval town of Saluzzo. As famous for its furniture workshops as its renovated castle and historic quarter, there's plenty to keep day trippers busy round and about the town. A Renaissance palace offers a splendid backdrop for exhibits in the town's civic museum. The upper part of the town also boasts plenty of antique shops.