5 Great Day Trips To Take From Turin

Turin is a great base to explore the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Walking in the mountains, vineyard wine tastings and quaint lakeside villages, are all within reach in a day trip from the city.

Lake Orta

Lake Orta has been hailed as ‘The Italian lake tourists haven’t discovered yet’ and is closer to Turin than Lake Maggiore or Como (one hour 40 minutes by car). It makes a wonderful trip in spring, summer and autumn: during the summer enjoy its many beaches and watersports, in autumn and spring take a boat trip to island San Giulio, or hike the parameter and admire the seasonal changes in the surrounding hills.

Sacra di San Michele

Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso, Aosta Valley

The upper echelons of Aosta Valley are known for skiing and too far for day trips from Turin, but the national park Gran Paradiso makes for great alpine walking. It has 450 miles of marked trails and mule tracks – check out the best route for you on the national park website here. Reachable by car in one hour 20 minutes.

Barolo vineyards, Langhe

Piedmont is home to the vineyards of many world-renowned wines, including Barolo that is produced in the Lange district, just a one hour 15 minute drive from Turin. A trip to Langhe promises stunning views of rolling, vineyard covered hills, quaint rural architecture and of course, enjoying great wine. Both large and small vineyards offer tours with wine tastings, and there will likely be the option to have lunch too. For a more intimate experience with the possibility of meeting the wine producer, opt for a smaller operation. A car is needed to reach the vineyards and visitors are required to make a booking in advance. Alternatively sign up with a wine tour company and they will take care of transport and reservations.

La Venaria Reale

This magnificent Baroque estate built in the 1600s for Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy, is considered ‘ Turin’s Versaille’. The royal palace extends over an area of 80,000 square metres and has extensive grounds and gardens, in which archaeological remains and 17th-century grottos are complemented by contemporary sculpture. The famous Hall of Diana designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte is a Baroque masterpiece fit for a Disney Princess. The estate also runs a lively events programme from concerts to educational workshops, so be sure to check out what is on offer before your visit. It is a 30 minute drive from Turin and just under one hour on the train.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.