Free walking tours in Alba and what to see

Must-sees

Alba is the capital of the Langhe, in southern Piedmont, and is known for its white truffle and for the wines of the surrounding hills. Its medieval centre keeps several towers of stone and brick, hence its nickname, the city of a hundred towers. Its axis is Via Vittorio Emanuele, a pedestrian street full of shops selling local produce, which ends in Piazza Risorgimento, home to the cathedral of San Lorenzo.

It is worth going inside the cathedral and the Gothic church of San Domenico, and looking out for the towers peeping above the rooftops. Beneath the centre survive remains of the Roman city, which can be visited on tours of underground Alba. All around, the vineyard landscapes of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato are a World Heritage Site, with villages such as Barolo, La Morra and Barbaresco a short distance away.

Free tours and guided visits

Alba has no regular free walking tours. What Civitatis offers is linked to its two great products: a truffle tour, to learn how truffles are hunted and appreciated, and a Vespa route through the Barolo wine country. In autumn, the white truffle fair fills the centre with stalls, tastings and visitors.

How long to spend

The historic centre can be seen in half a day, with time for the cathedral, the towers and a good lunch. But Alba is above all a base: with two or three days you can tour the Langhe hills, visit wineries and villages such as Barolo, La Morra or Grinzane Cavour, and try Piedmontese cooking.

Where to stay

Staying in the centre of Alba lets you do everything on foot and have dinner without the car, with small hotels, pensioni and apartments. If you prefer the landscape, in the surrounding hills there are country houses and hotels among the vineyards, ideal for a few quiet days. In autumn, especially during the truffle fair, book well in advance.