Is Piedmont, Italy Worth Visiting in Spring? A Slow Travel Guide
Spring is like finding Piedmont at home in its pyjamas: more natural, intimate, and authentic.
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When planning a spring trip to Italy, your thoughts might turn to Tuscany’s cypress-lined roads, the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic views, or Venice’s romantic canals—but there’s another region worth including in your shortlist:
Piedmont.
At this time of year, the hills begin to wake, vineyards turn green, wildflowers dot the slopes, and the Alps remain snow-capped in the distance.
With fewer visitors and a slower pace of life, spring offers a chance to experience Piedmont as it really is: lived-in, local, and unhurried.
Wondering what Piedmont’s like the rest of the year? Check out this guide to the best times to visit.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Is Piedmont Worth Visiting in Spring?
Spring is one of the best times to visit Piedmont, especially if you care about slow travel, sustainability, and authentic experiences.
Tourism to the region has grown in recent years, particularly during truffle season. But if autumn and the truffle fair are the face Piedmont presents to the world, spring is like finding it at home in its pyjamas: more natural, intimate, and authentic.
Spring is like finding Piedmont at home in its pyjamas: more natural, intimate, and authentic.
This quieter season lends itself to immersing yourself in the rhythms of Piedmontese life. It’s perfect for exploring the region’s hidden corners, enjoying intimate winery visits, and wandering the hills on foot or by e-bike.
Even truffle enthusiasts can enjoy the spring in Piedmont, as the first black summer truffles and bianchetti truffles come into season, and some hunters offer truffle experiences year-round.
However, true truffle fans may prefer the autumn in Piedmont, when you can taste the famous Alba white truffle and visit the truffle fair.
Is Piedmont worth visiting in November? Here’s what the region is like at the peak of the Alba Truffle Fair.
Victoria Peel-Yates
What Spring Is Like in Piedmont
Spring in Piedmont is the soft rustle of a cool breeze as the sun rises over verdant vineyards. It’s contemplating Santena’s medieval castle with a glass of Dolcetto in one hand and a plate of asparagus tajarin in the other, or tasting the new vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco while admiring the wildflowers blooming in the hills.
At this time of year, the region feels renewed. Many hotels and wineries reopen after the winter break, bringing life and movement back to the hills, and the first food and wine festivals of the year take place. The scenery is lush and green, while snow remains visible on the peaks of the ever-present Alps.
What’s the Weather Like in Piedmont in March, April & May?
Spring is a wet, mild, and changeable season in Piedmont. Sunny days can bring pleasant temperatures, but rain can quickly roll down from the mountains, and evenings remain cool—particularly at higher elevations. Snow is still possible in March and early April.
For a detailed breakdown of temperatures, rainfall, and daylight hours, see my full guide to Piedmont’s weather by month.
Victoria Peel-Yates
What to Do in Piedmont in Spring
Wine Experiences (without the Crowds)
As the vineyards come alive with wildflowers, Piedmont’s wineries re-open their doors. Since most visitors won’t arrive until the weather warms up or the harvest comes, it’s the perfect time to get to know producers, who are less busy than at other times of year.
But if you really want to try something different, head to the high-altitude wine-producing hills around Ivrea, Biella, and Caluso to the north of Turin.
While a car makes exploring Piedmont’s wine hills easiest, guided tours offer a convenient alternative if you prefer not to drive. Spring is the perfect time to book your winery experiences before the crowds arrive.
Spring Food & Wine Festivals in Piedmont
If truffles are Piedmont’s main attraction in autumn, wine is the star of the show in spring. This is when the new vintages of Barolo and Barbaresco are presented, with events like Barbaresco a Tavola attracting in-the-know food and wine lovers, while Vinum Alba brings in a younger crowd of wine enthusiasts.
For a more local spring wine festival, head to Castagnole delle Lanze in May for Festa della Barbera, celebrating Monferrato’s favourite red.
Other local festivals celebrate spring produce, from Sommariva Perno’s strawberry festival to Santena’s asparagus fair, while Latte Formaggio spotlights Piedmont’s 30+ cheeses.
Explore more seasonal food and wine events in Piedmont.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Walking, Cycling, & Landscapes
When you’re ready to burn off all that wine and pasta, Piedmont offers plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors, including:
- Vineyard walks: Wander the hills, smell the wildflowers, and see the first buds and leaves forming on the vines.
- Alpine foothills: Places like Val di Susa offer trekking, while higher up the slopes you might catch some late-season skiing.
- The lakes: Wander the quaint streets of Orta San Giulio or glide across the glassy Lake Maggiore to visit the Borromean Islands.
How Many Days Do You Need in Piedmont in Spring?
If You Have A Long Weekend (2–3 Days)
A long weekend is enough to get a feel for Piedmont. Base yourself in the Langhe and focus on one area: spend time in Alba, visit a couple of wineries, and explore nearby villages. Alternatively, swap Alba for Asti and the Monferrato vineyards, or head north to one of Piedmont’s high-altitude wine-producing areas.
If You Have 4-5 Days
With a few extra days, you can combine countryside and city. Pair the Langhe with Turin, and take time to understand the region’s history, architecture, and culture—or slow things down with a stay in a spa town like Acqui Terme.
If You Have a Week or More
A week allows you to see how diverse Piedmont really is. In addition to the Langhe, you can explore Alta Langa, Alto Piemonte, Val di Susa, or follow parts of the historic Salt Roads (Via del Sale), moving beyond wine country into mountains and borderlands.
See my in-depth guide on how many days to spend in Piedmont—plus 10 itineraries to suit every schedule.
Victoria Peel-Yates
How to Plan a Spring Trip to Piedmont
Getting to Piedmont
Turin is Piedmont’s main airport, but many international flights land at Milan Malpensa.
From either airport, you can hire a car or take a train to Turin or one of Piedmont’s main towns. Depending on your final destination, you may need to arrange a pickup to reach your accommodation.
Plan your arrival with this guide to getting to Piedmont.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Getting around Piedmont
Renting a car or hiring a driver gives you the most freedom for getting around Piedmont, especially if you want to visit wineries out in the hills.
That said, towns like Alba, Asti, and Bra are all easily accessible by train from Turin. Find tickets.
Learn more about the best ways to get around Piedmont.
Victoria Peel-Yates
Where to Stay in Spring
While Turin makes an excellent city break at any time of year, much of spring’s magic in Piedmont is found out in nature.
If you’re short on time, or don’t want to rent a car, base yourself in a town like Alba or Bra, where you can visit urban wineries like Pio Cesare in Alba or Cantine Ascheri in Bra (which also has a hotel and spa).
If you have the time and the means of getting there, it’s worth staying out in the countryside in a nice family-run agriturismo or boutique spa hotel.
Looking for a place to stay in the heart of the vineyards? Here are the 10 best luxury hotels in Piedmont’s wine country.
Victoria Peel-Yates
So, Is Piedmont Worth Visiting in Spring?
Spring in Piedmont makes a perfect shoulder season getaway for wine enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and slow travellers.
By visiting at this time of year, you relieve pressure on Piedmont’s delicate ecosystem during peak season, and help preserve what makes this region special.
Learn why Piedmont makes the perfect slow-travel destination.
Victoria Peel-Yates
