When Is the Best Time to Visit Piedmont, Italy?
Most people come for truffle season—but what's the rest of the year like?
I’ve experienced Piedmont in every season, and the truth is, there’s no bad time to visit. Festivals fill the calendar, vineyard visits are possible most of the year, and when the hills quieten for winter, the ski slopes open in the Alps.
The “best” time to visit Piedmont depends on what you hope to experience, but for most travellers, spring through autumn offer the best balance of weather, seasonal experiences, and crowds.
This guide breaks down the best time to visit Piedmont by season and traveller type—so you can choose the timing that fits your style, not just what the forecast says.
Looking for guidance on Piedmont's climate? This post breaks down the region's weather by month.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Best Time to Visit Piedmont: By Experience
If you’re planning a trip and want a clear starting point, this section highlights the best months to visit Piedmont for different types of trips.
The most popular time of year is October to December, when the Alba white truffle fair takes place.
Spring offers mild weather and fewer visitors, summer brings warmer temperatures and lively villages, and winter is the season of fog, ice, and snow.
Best Time to Visit Piedmont for Slow Travel: May–June and September–October
If you want to avoid the crush of truffle season and enjoy the region at a relaxed pace, these months offer the best balance of mild weather, seasonal food and wine experiences, and manageable crowd levels.
Vineyards, cities, and countryside are all active, but visiting at this time of year usually means easier bookings and more personalised attention.
Looking for a slow travel experience that goes beyond the usual hotspots? Check out this Alta Langa itinerary.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Best Time to Visit Piedmont for Wine and Food: September–December
As the peak of Piedmont’s food and wine calendar, with the grape harvest (vendemmia) and truffle season attracting visitors from all over the world, autumn is the best time to explore Piedmont's food and wine culture.
During the truffle fair, which runs from October to December, restaurants across the region offer truffle-based menus, and you can join professional hunters looking for the elusive tuber.
Truffle season continues into December, with festive menus offering up more culinary delights as the region turns into a winter wonderland.
Visiting Alba for the truffle fair? This itinerary helps you fit it all into a long weekend.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Best Time to Visit Piedmont for First-Time Visitors: May–June or September–November
For many people, their first visit to Piedmont is during truffle season. But if you want to get to know the region beyond the hype of the truffle fair, late spring or early autumn are your best bet.
These months make it easiest to combine cities, countryside, and food experiences in one trip. Weather is comfortable for sightseeing, transport runs smoothly, and key attractions are open without needing to book months in advance.
Planning your first trip to Piedmont? This guide takes the hassle out of getting there.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Best Time to Visit Piedmont for Skiing: December–February
For snow sports enthusiasts, winter is the best time to visit Piedmont’s Alpine areas, with reliable snow in resorts such as Sestriere and the Via Lattea—which also tend to be less crowded and expensive than more popular European ski resorts.
Turin and other cities are quieter at this time, making it a good option for combining skiing with culture and winter food traditions.
Passing through Turin on your way to the slopes? Here's how to spend a winter day there.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Piedmont by Season: When to Visit Throughout the Year
Let's take a closer look at each of the seasons in Piedmont, so you can choose the best time for your visit.
Spring (March-May)
Spring in Piedmont arrives slowly, as the hills and vineyards awaken after winter. Cherry trees blossom, asparagus and strawberries appear in markets, wineries reopen their doors.
Festivals start to blossom too, like Vinum Alba, Barbaresco in Tavola, and the Santena Asparagus Festival. Spring is also when the bianchetto truffle, a more common cousin of the white truffle, comes into season.
As the mountain snow melts, another tradition comes to life: hikes in the alpeggi. These high-altitude summer pastures open up, welcoming cows and calves after winter stabling.
Travellers heading into the Val di Susa or Valle Maira can stop at alpine dairies to sample fresh toma and other mountain cheeses.
Summer (June-August)
Early summer offers long, warm days and lush green vineyards. By July and August, the sun is intense in the plains, but the Alps and lake district provide cool escapes.
The season is alive with village festivals and outdoor events: from the hazelnut fair in Cortemilia to the music extravaganza of Collisioni. Evenings are best spent al fresco—sipping Barbera at a winery concert, or enjoying cocktails on Lake Orta as the sun sets.
Note that August is Italy’s traditional holiday month: many businesses close around Ferragosto (August 15th) for the second half of August. In exchange, you’ll find lively piazzas, firework displays, and a contagious holiday spirit.
How many days do you need in Piedmont? Plan the trip that fits your schedule with these done-for-you itineraries.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Autumn—(September-November)
Autumn is the season that defines Piedmont. The vendemmia (wine harvest) brings life to the vineyards, and in the forests, chestnuts and mushrooms appear.
Throughout October, November, and early December, the International Alba White Truffle Fair draws chefs, foodies, and travellers from across the globe. Bookings for truffle hunts, tastings, and cooking demonstrations sell out early, so plan well ahead.
Beyond Alba, autumn is festival season everywhere, including Asti’s Festival delle Sagre, Bra’s Cheese! Festival, Vercelli’s Rice Festival, and Turin’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto (every other September).
And despite the changeable weather, it’s also the most atmospheric time for romantic weekends in hill towns or lakeside retreats.
Winter (December-February)
Winter in Piedmont is long, cold, and rainy in the plains, snowy in the mountains. In the Alps, ski resorts buzz with life, while in wine country, snow-dusted vineyards fall silent. Many wineries close, but those that stay open feel wonderfully exclusive.
It’s a season for mountain spas, hearty cucina piemontese, and festive traditions. Turin’s Christmas markets transform the city into a fairytale, and nearby Govone hosts an elaborate Christmas village. In February, CioccolaTò celebrates the city’s world-class chocolate heritage.
For travellers who prefer peace, winter offers a slower, cosier way to experience Piedmont—whether skiing by day or savouring bagna cauda by a firelit trattoria table at night.
Looking for a Valetine's getaway? Here's why Turin is the perfect romantic city break—and how to spend Valentine's weekend there.
Victoria Peel-Yates
So, When Is the Best Time to Visit Piedmont, Italy?
The “best” time to visit Piedmont depends on what you want to do. If you want to take part in the region’s most celebrated culinary rituals, truffle season (October–December) is ideal.
But if you want to explore the region more deeply while avoiding the crowds, late spring and early summer offer a more authentic experience, with pleasant weather and quieter towns.
Ready to start planning your trip? Explore my Piedmont travel guide for insider tips on getting started.
Victoria Peel-Yates
