Choose from 39 Fun Things to Do in Piedmont Liguria
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Royal Palace Museum (Museo di Palazzo Reale)
The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) in Genoa (Genova) is one of the city’s Palazzi dei Rolli, magnificent residences built by the Genoese aristocracy during the Republic of Genoa’s height of wealth and power. Get a glimpse into the city’s opulent baroque period by touring the sumptuous interiors and art collection of this palace museum.
The Basics
Though the palace seems designed for royalty, it was actually built in the early 17th century for the Balbi family, who sold it to the wealthy Durazzo family just a few decades later. Originally called Palazzo Balbi, it only became the Royal Palace in the 19th century when the Royal House of Savoy moved in. The Palazzo Reale is now a museum filled with a collection of fine antique furniture and decorated with frescoes, stuccowork, and paintings by important artists, such as Tintoretto and van Dyck.
The Museo di Palazzo Reale is an unforgettable stop on Genoa walking tours and one of the city's main attractions, along with the Nautical Museum (Galata Museo del Mare) and Genoa Aquarium. If touring independently, book admission in advance so you can skip the lines upon arrival.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Walking tours of Genoa involve a considerable amount of time on your feet, so choose comfortable shoes.
- The palazzo is accessible to wheelchairs via an elevator.
- Flash photography is not allowed inside the museum.
- A tour of the Royal Palace Museum is especially interesting for art and architecture aficionados.
How to Get There
Genoa is the capital of Liguria and one of the most important ports in Italy, so it’s easy to reach by train from any other major Italian city. The Royal Palace is just a 5-minute walk up Via Balbi from the train station.
When to Get There
The museum is open all day, so it’s a good stop during those tricky early afternoon hours when many churches and other attractions close for lunch. Keep in mind that the Royal Palace Museum is closed on Mondays, and Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Highlights of the Royal Palace Museum
Be sure to visit the ornate Piano Nobile, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Throne Room. Outside, you can also tour the pretty palace gardens.
Address: Via Balbi, 10, Genoa, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 7
Royal Church of San Lorenzo (Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo)
Next to Turin's Royal Palace, you'll find (not surprisingly) a royal church – the Royal Church of San Lorenzo, to be exact. Construction on the church was completed in 1687, and it was consecrated in 1680. The Royal Church of San Lorenzo (Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo in Italian) was built around an older structure, a former chapel for the Dukes of Savoy, which you can see near the entrance of the current church.
Designed by Modena master-architect Guarino Guarini – who was also a priest – in the 1660s, the church is located to the left of the entrance gates of the Palazzo Reale, its plain, pastel-hued façade topped by a lacy dome and hiding a frothy interior.
This fanciful Baroque jewel is smothered in oil paintings, exquisite wooden carving, gilt and multi-colored marble, with an ornate octagonal layout and eight wildly elaborate side chapels covered in seraphim and gilding. The central cupola is decorated with a six-point star, which was the signature flourish of the architect Guarini, and seems to dance as beams of sunlight pours through its windows. Its high altar is one of the most extravagant in Italy, fronted with an inlaid marble floor, studded with gilt and adorned with twisted marble columns and cherubs as well as statues of the ruling Savoy family; this is all backed by a portrait of San Lorenzo (St Lawrence in English), the patron saint of Turin.
Practical Info
The Royal Church of San Lorenzo is located near the entry gates of the Royal Palace, just off the Piazza Castello. It's open for visitors Monday-Friday from 7:30am-12pm and 4-7pm. On weekends, it is open from 9am-1pm and from 3-7:30pm. Admission is free. Much of Turin’s Baroque heart is pedestrianized and it is easy to walk to all the main sights. Alternatively, take trams 4, 13, 15 or 18 to Piazza Castello.
Address: Via Palazzo di Città, 4, Torino 10122, Italy
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-12pm & 4pm-7pm, Sat 9am-12pm & 3pm-6pm, Sun 3pm-6pm
From $ 237
Palazzo Ducale
From the 14th through the 18th centuries, the rulers of Genoa were called doges, and they ruled from the Doge's Palace "“ the Palazzo Ducale in Italian "“ in the historic city center. Today, the palace is open to the public as a museum.
The Palazzo Ducale was built starting in the 1250s, although the finishing touches on the building weren't complete until the 1530s. The palace once served as both the residence for the ruling doge and the offices from which he would govern the Republic of Genoa. The palace was added to at various points over the years, and partially rebuilt twice (once after a fire in the 1770s).
There are two main entrances to the Palazzo Ducale. The main entrance is on the Piazza Matteotti, and a secondary entry is on the famous Piazza de Ferrari. Today, the palace serves various civil functions. There are regular exhibitions held in the palace, including visiting contemporary art shows, as well as a couple of large halls that are often used for events. Those halls are decorated with historic frescoes, making the venue part of the highlight of any event held there.
Practical Info
The Palazzo Ducale is open every day, but since the exhibitions change regularly you'll need to consult the tourist information office in Genoa or simply visit the Doge's Palace to find out what's on display when you're in the city.
Address: Piazza San Marco, Venice 31024, Italy
Admission: 16.00 euros
From $ 17
Church of San Giorgio
Portofino's waterfront is a jewel of the Italian Riviera with its pastel-colored buildings, but the vibrancy also extends onto the surrounding hills, where the bright yellow Church of San Giorgio sits overlooking the Portofino harbor. The original church on this site was built in the 12th century before it was expanded and later totally destroyed during World War II. The church seen today dates from 1950, although some features are from earlier structures.
The church takes its name from Portofino's patron saint, whose relics were brought to the city after the Crusades and are kept inside the church in a shrine. The small piazza in front of the church offers wonderful views over Portofino.
Practical Info
Mass at the Church of San Giorgio occurs on Saturday evenings in winter at 5pm and in summer at 6:30pm, and on Sundays and holidays at 11:15am. In July and August only, Sunday Mass is at 6:30pm.
Address: Salita San Giorgio, Portofino, Liguria 16034, Italy
From $ 85
Palazzi dei Rolli
It's often said that all of Genoa's historic center is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but in truth the designation is more specific. It includes the city's "Strade Nuove," or new streets, and the system of "Palazzi dei Rolli."
The collection is made up of 42 palaces, all built in the 16th-18th centuries, which were listed on city's register "“ the rolls, or "rolli," which later gave the system of palaces its name. Each time a dignitary was on a state visit to Genoa, he or she needed a place to stay that was worthy of his or her status. The palazzo that got the honor was chosen at random from the "rolli."
The Palazzi dei Rolli were an early example of a city and its citizens forming a partnership of architectural design as well as cooperative urban planning. The palaces are unique, but they are of a design that suits the overall style. The Palazzi dei Rolli were added to UNESCO's list in 2006.
Practical Info
There were different categories of Palazzi dei Rolli, and most of the top tier palaces were on Via Garibaldi, Via Lomellini, and Via Balbi.
Address: Genoa, Italy
From $ 17
Palazzo Reale
Elegant Turin, which was the seat of the Duchy of Savoy before briefly becoming the first capital of unified Italy, is home to a number of sumptuous historic palaces and castles. The Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) is among the most opulent, and today it houses the Royal Museums, with an extensive art collection, armory, and gardens.
The Basics
Originally the Bishop’s Palace, the Palazzo Reale was taken over by Duke Emmanuel Philibert when the city became the Savoy capital, and was expanded and embellished following the marriage of Victor Amadeus to the French Princess Christine Marie during the 17th century. The princess and architect Filippo Juvarra added a number of features, including the Scala delle Forbici staircase and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, to house the Shroud of Turin.
Today, you can see firsthand how the European aristocracy lived by visiting the palace’s richly decorated rooms filled with tapestries and artwork. The Palace is also home to an armory, the Sabauda art gallery, Royal Library, Archaeological Museum, and Royal Gardens. A visit to the Royal Palace and gardens is included in most Turin small-group walking tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Inside the Royal Museums, there is a cafeteria, restrooms, and a locker room where large bags and backpacks must be stored.
- There are two wheelchair-accessible entrances: one on Piazzetta Reale and one on Piazza San Giovanni.
- Visitors may take photographs without flash or tripods inside the Royal Museums.
- Modest attire covering shoulders and knees is required to enter the Chapel of the Holy Shroud.
- Admission to the Royal Gardens and reading room in the Royal Library is free; there is a single ticket for access to all the museums in the Royal Palace complex.
How to Get There
The Royal Palace is located on Piazza Castello, a short walk from the Porta Nuova train station. From the nearby city of Milan, you can take a day trip to Turin via the high-speed train that runs between these two capitals.
When to Get There
Though the Royal Palace museum complex stays open until 7:30pm, there is a lot of ground to cover and it takes at least two hours to visit, so plan to begin your visit by the late afternoon. The complex is closed Monday; the library is closed Sunday.
The House of Savoy’s Controversial Shroud
The Holy Shroud, housed in a chapel adjoining the palace and cathedral, has been the subject of debate by theologians and historians for centuries, because its authenticity as the cloth laid over Jesus’ body after his crucifixion has never been officially recognized by the Catholic Church. However, this doesn’t deter the thousands of faithful and curious who come to view this religious relic on the rare occasions when it is shown publicly.
Address: Turin, Italy
Admission: Free
From $ 17
Via San Lorenzo
The street called Via San Lorenzo runs in a southeasterly direction from close to the port in Genoa to one of the city's major public piazzas.
Perhaps the biggest attraction along Via San Lorenzo is the church that shares its name "“ the Genoa Cathedral, or Cattedrale di San Lorenzo. It was consecrated in the early 12th century, and the square in front of the church was Genoa's only public piazza during the Middle Ages.
Today, one of Genoa's most popular piazzas is just up Via San Lorenzo "“ Piazza Matteotti leads from the street up to the Palazzo Ducale, and the Chiesa del Gesù e dei Santi Ambrogio e Andrea is off to one side. The church was built in the late 16th century, while the Palazzo Ducale dates from the late 13th century.
Practical Info
Via San Lorenzo runs from next to the Piazza della Raibetta, near the San Giorgio Metro stop near the port, and continues southeast past the cathedral until you reach the Piazza Matteotti. If you continue beyond the piazza, the street changes its name "“ but further along you'll see an impressive 12th century city gate with two semi-circular towers, as well as an 18th century reconstruction of the house in which Christopher Columbus lived as a boy.
Address: Genoa, Italy
From $ 17
Piazza de Ferrari
Piazza de Ferrari is the expansive main square in Genoa, separating the historic district from the modern city center. Its large fountain is the square's centerpiece and a central meeting point for tourists and locals alike. The piazza is named for Raffaele de Ferrari, who donated a lot of money to help expand Genoa's port in the 1800s.
The Basics
Piazza de Ferrari is a bustling area featuring many important buildings such as the Palazzo Ducale, once the Palace of the Doge of Genoa and now used as a cultural center; the neoclassical opera house of Genoa, Teatro Carlo Felice; and the old stock exchange building. You can walk to the piazza and stroll around on your own, or book a city sightseeing tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour to explore Piazza de Ferrari and other Genoese landmarks.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The piazza is a must-visit for first-time visitors to Genoa, especially those who love architecture.
- There is little shade in the piazza, so bring sun protection if you plan to visit during the day.
- The streets in and around the piazza are cobblestone and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes to walk around.
- Strollers and wheelchairs may have some trouble navigating the bumpy piazza.
How to Get There
Piazza de Ferrari is located in the heart of Genoa, in the Molo neighborhood. It's an easy walk from the historic city center and the Old Port. Alternatively, take the metro to the De Ferrari stop; a number of city buses also stop in the main square.
When to Get There
As Piazza de Ferrari is Genoa's main square, it is always bustling. The piazza hosts many events throughout the year, including the lighting of the city's Christmas tree and the Genoa City Festival. The best times to visit Genoa are between May and September, when the weather is warm and relatively dry.
Palazzo Ducale
One of the piazza's most significant structures is the Palazzo Ducale, the grand mansion of the former Doge of Genoa. The large palace was built in 1298 and is filled with sculptures, frescoes, and marble columns"”flaunting the wealth of Genoa during its peak maritime trade. The palace is also home to La Grimaldina, or the People's Tower, which served as a jail for political prisoners and commoners.
Address: Piazza de Ferrari, Genoa, Italy
From $ 17
San Lorenzo Cathedral
In the heart of Genoa’s old town, San Lorenzo Cathedral (Duomo) is the most important church in the city. It’s a soaring Gothic and Romanesque masterpiece in alternating bands of black and white marble, where the magnificent art and architecture serve as reminders of this former maritime republic’s historic wealth and power.
The Basics
Construction of Genoa's cathedral began in the early 11th century, though the facade and interiors weren’t completed until centuries later under Perugian architect Galeazzo Alessi. As a result, the architecture blends Romanesque, Gothic, and mannerist elements. Inside, the cathedral is decorated with sumptuous 14th-century frescoes and is home to the chalice said to have been used by Christ during the Last Supper (displayed in the Treasury Museum beneath the cathedral).
San Lorenzo Cathedral is a popular stop on hop-on hop-off or private walking or scooter tours, along with the Palazzi dei Rolli, Palace of the Doges, and Old Port. Tours of Genoa’s historic center can be paired with day trips to the nearby coastal villages of Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, and the Cinque Terre.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Comfortable shoes are recommended if you’re taking a walking tour of Genoa.
- Photography without flash is allowed inside the cathedral.
- Modest attire that covers shoulders and knees is required to enter the church.
- The Cathedral is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
The San Lorenzo Cathedral is located in the heart of Genoa’s historic center, an easy walk from the port and a short metro ride from the train station. Get off at the De Ferrari stop.
When to Get There
The cathedral closes daily from noon to 3pm, so be sure to plan your visit for the morning or late afternoon to be able to admire the interiors and visit the Treasury Museum on the lower level.
Underground Treasures
Beneath the main level of the cathedral, the Treasury Museum displays a collection of sacred art and religious artifacts in gold and silver, dating from the 11th to the 19th centuries. Highlights include the ninth-century glass Sacro Catino (believed for centuries to be Jesus’ Holy Chalice), the Byzantine Croce degli Zaccaria reliquary, and a chest containing the ashes of St. John the Baptist.
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo, Genoa 16123, Italy
From $ 139
Santa Margherita Ligure
The resort town of Santa Margherita Ligure on the Italian Riviera is often outshined by its famous neighbor, Portofino, but deserves no less attention. The larger of the two, Santa Margherita Ligure feels less overrun with tourists while offering similarly quaint cafes and boutiques, pastel-painted buildings, and glorious views of the sea.
The Basics
A popular holiday destination among Italians, Santa Margherita Ligure is much less well-known among international travelers, making it an attractive alternative to other coastal towns in Liguria, like Cinque Terre and Camogli, which are often expensive and crowded.
You can easily explore the town's sights during a half-day walking tour and still have time to relax on the beach before sunset. Attractions include a 16th-century castle (Castello di Santa Margherita Ligure), the Chiesa di Santa Margherita d'Antiochia and adjacent Santuario di Nostra Signora della Rosa, the tiny Oratorio di Sant'Erasmo set directly on the water's edge, and Villa Durazzo, known for its 19th-century English-style botanical garden.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Santa Margherita Ligure has a number of beaches: The most popular are the Spiaggia Minaglia, the Spiaggia Regina Elena, and the Bau Bau beaches along the road to Portofino.
- The town is relatively level and compact, though Villa Durazzo is set on a hilltop just outside the center, so some uphill walking is required.
- With its mix of indoor and outdoor sights and beaches, Santa Maria Ligure is an ideal destination for families on a private tour.
How to Get There
Unlike Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure has a train station, making it easier to access from elsewhere in Italy. High-speed trains from Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice connect through Genoa (Genova), just a 30-minute train ride away. From Portofino, you can take the bus or ferry.
When to Get There
Santa Margherita Ligure is a seaside town and so is best visited during the tourist season from April through September when shops and restaurants are open. Many businesses shutter for the winter.
Cervara Abbey (La Cervara)
Along the coastal road between Santa Maria Ligure and Portofino, the 14th-century Cervara Abbey—also known as the Complesso Monumentale La Cervara, Abbazia di San Girolamo, or San Girolamo al Monte di Portofino in Italian—is a beautiful complex including a church, cloister, and gardens. The abbey is located within the confines of the Portofino Regional Park (Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino) near Paraggi Bay (Baia di Paraggi).
Address: Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
From $ 50
Piazza Statuto
Like many public squares in Italy, Turin's Piazza Statuto has something of a checkered past, including supposed ties to black magic.
Piazza Statuto was built in 1864 in order to make the four entry points to the city symmetrical—the other three entrances already had piazzas. The piazza is ringed on three sides by Baroque buildings, and there is a small garden at its center. Long before the piazza was built, during the Roman Empire, this spot was an execution site.
The piazza also features a monument to the people who built the Frejus Tunnel, connecting Italy and France through the mountains. The monument features an angel at the top, with figures representing the workers climbing over a mountain of boulders underneath. The sculpture is near a manhole cover in the pavement, which some say is a doorway to hell and has led the piazza to be associated with black magic over the years.
Practical Info
Piazza Statuto is at the old western entrance of Turin and is a regular stop on black magic tours of the city.
Address: Turin, Italy
Hours: Daily
From $ 29
Museum of the Automobile (Museo dell'Automobile)
Turin is headquarters to Fiat and Alfa Romeo, so it's only fitting that the city is home to the Museum of the Automobile, as well. With one of the largest collections of cars on display in Europe, this museum is a mecca for antique car enthusiasts as well as those interested in prototypes for cars of the future.
The Basics
The Museum of the Automobile (Museo dell'Automobile) was founded in 1932, making it one of the oldest automobile museums in the world. In 2011, the complex underwent an extensive renovation and reopened with a contemporary new look and engaging curation. Its three floors walk visitors through the automotive history of not just Italy, but the world, with a collection of nearly 200 cars (including some of the first cars made in Italy), as well as racing cars made by Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. There are cars from eight different countries on display, plus an extensive library on automotive history.
A stop at the Museum of the Automobile is a must for car buffs, and the museum can be visited during a hop-on-hop-off tour of Turin along with other city sights like Piazza Castello, the Mole Antonelliana, Piazza Carlo Felice, and the Duomo.
Things to Know Before You Go
- In addition to the permanent collection, the museum hosts a number of temporary exhibitions dedicated to automobiles and automotive history.
- The museum is wheelchair accessible.
- The Museum of the Automobile is especially engaging for kids interested in cars.
- There is a museum shop and cafe located in the ground-floor atrium.
How to Get There
The Museum of the Automobile is located just south of the center of Turin just along the Po River, and is well-served by a number of city bus lines and the Lingotto metro stop. Turin is a major transport hub in northern Italy, and it's connected by high-speed rail to other important Italian cities like Milan, Rome, Florence, and Venice.
When to Get There
The museum is open daily except Monday afternoons and Tuesday mornings. It's best to visit on weekdays, when the space is less crowded than it is on weekends.
Turin's Automotive Past
The sprawling Lingotto building, just around the corner from the Museum of the Automobile, was originally a FIAT automobile factory that opened in the 1920s and was shuttered in 1982. Architect Renzo Piano revamped the complex, and it now contains concert halls, a theater, a convention and shopping center, and a hotel. Visitors can still see the original internal spiral roadway used to move cars through the vertical assembly line and the rooftop test track.
Address: Corso Unitàd'Italia, 40, Torino, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Palazzo Carignano
The Piazza Carignano is one of Turin’s most majestic squares and is overlooked by the equally handsome, redbrick and white alabaster palace of the same name. Built between 1679 and 1685 by Baroque maestro Guarino Guarini as one of the royal homes of the ruling Savoy dukes, the Palazzo Carignano gained huge national significance when in 1861 it became the occasional home of Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II, following the Unification struggles that began in 1848. The palazzo now houses the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento as well as the elaborate, circular meeting rooms that were briefly the location of Italy’s first united government, which was formed in 1861 and lasted four years.
Palazzo Carignano first became a museum in 1908; it was originally housed in the Mole Antonelliana – now the city’s film museum – but moved to its present site in 1938. After a period of closure for the revamping of the collections, it reopened in 2011 and now showcases the events that brought about the Risorgimento (literally ‘resurgence’ in English), with a series of 30 ornately decorated apartments leading chronologically through the various military and political battles as the country headed towards unification. Displays of uniforms, dramatic equine portraits of war heroes, weapons, flags, maps, and correspondence reveal feats of bravery as visitors discover the disjointed, disillusioned Italy of the 19th century, accompanied by informative multi-lingual films giving the background to each stage of the campaign.
Practical Info
Palazzo Carignano is located at Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5. Admission costs €10 for adults, €8 for seniors, €5 for students, €2.50 for children and is free for those 6 and under. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm, and Tram 13 and 15 can get you there.
Address: Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5, Torino, Italy
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults €10, Seniors €8, Students €5, Kids €2.50, Under 6 Free
From $ 58
Area Marina Protetta Portofino
The Ligurian town of Portofino is popular with visitors for its pastel-colored buildings, but it's also home to an important protected marine area "“ the Area Marina Protetta. The site covers just under 350 hectares of the sea off the coast around the whole promontory (not just the town), and was established in 1999. It is known for its diverse sealife, and its protected status helps ensure those populations remain.
Different parts of the protected area include Zone A, where everything from boating and anchoring to diving is prohibited, and Zone C, where there are far fewer restrictions on activities. In some places, visitors are more than welcome to swim and even kayak, stand-up paddleboard or dive.
Practical Info
In addition to the offshore marine protected area, much of the promontory of Portofino is also a park, where there are nearly 50 miles of paths. Several towns are enclosed in the park's boundaries.
Address: Portofino, Liguria 16034, Italy
From $ 85
Piazza Caricamento
One of Genoa's main public squares "“ the Piazza Caricamento "“ is located along its famous waterfront.
Whether you're in Genoa because you're on a cruise or you're simply visiting this historic city on your own, you'll no doubt spend plenty of time at the city's waterfront. The port is Italy's largest, so there's always lots going on, which makes the placement of the Piazza Caricamento particularly good for anyone who likes people-watching.
The piazza sits across from the pier on which the Genoa Aquarium sits, and extends underneath a road overpass away from the harbor. The 13th-century Palazzo San Giorgio sits on the piazza's southern end.
Practical Info
Piazza Caricamento is a popular meeting point for many guided tours, and there's a tourist information office located in the square.
Address: Genoa, Italy
From $ 17
Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino)
Set in acres of landscaped parkland on the banks of the Po River, Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino) is Turin’s most stately building and one of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.
The UNESCO-listed royal palace dates back to the 16th century, but its heyday was under Duchess Christine of France, who redecorated in a style fit for her lavish parties. Today, visitors can admire many of the beautifully preserved rooms, including the Roses Room, the Zodiac Room, the Valentine Room and the War Room, each richly decorated with white and gold stuccoes, colorful frescoes, and elaborate friezes.
As well as touring the former palace, visitors can enjoy views from the castle gardens, now a public park and a popular inclusion on walking and biking tours of Turin.
Practical Info
Valentino Castle is located on the Po Riverfront in central Turin, and is open to visitors on the first and third Saturday of every month. Guided tours (held at 10am and 1pm) are free of charge, but reservations are recommended.
Address: Viale Pier Andrea Mattioli, 39, Turin, Italy
Hours: First and third Saturday of each month
From $ 93
Serralunga d'Alba Castle
With its square keep and imposing towers perched on the hilltop above Serralunga village, Serralunga d'Alba Castle commands attention and it boasts an idyllic location, looking out over the UNESCO-listed Barolo vineyards. Built in the 14th-century, the castle never saw battle and remains in remarkable condition with much of the original medieval fortress still intact.
Visitors can explore inside the castle on a guided tour and learn about its unique architecture, which resembles a French donjon rather than an Italian castle; admire the coffered ceiling and magnificent frescoes of the Salone dei Valvassori (Great Hall); and stroll through the Palacium. Don’t forget to take in the views from the ramparts – the castle’s high vantage point affords stunning views over Piedmont and the surrounding vineyards.
Practical Info
Serralunga d'Alba Castle is located in Serralunga, around 11km east of Barolo by car. The castle can be visited by guided tour only (adults: €6) and opening hours are as follows: mid-March-April: Sat-Sun 11am-1pm & 2-6pm; May-June: Mon, Thurs and Fri 2 6pm & Sat-Sun 11am-1pm & 2-6pm; July-Oct: Mon, Thurs and Fri 2-6pm & Sat-Sun Sat-Sun 11am-1pm & 2-6pm.
Address: Via Castello, Serralunga 12060, Italy
Hours: Varies
Admission: By guided tour only: Adult: £6, Adult: 18-25 years: €3, Child: Free
From $ 122
Via Garibaldi
One of the most famous historic streets in the center of Genoa is the Via Garibaldi. This street has had a few names over the centuries, but it's always been a fashionable address.
What we know today as Via Garibaldi was first built in the mid-1500s, when it was called Strada Maggiore "“ or "Great Street." Later, it became known as "Strada Nuova," or "New Street." It was renamed in 1882 for Italy's great revolutionary leader, Giuseppe Garibaldi, and in 2006 the street and the historic palaces on it were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.
From the time when the Via Garibaldi was first designed and built, it was intended to be a street upon which the wealthy families of Genoa would build their homes. The street was soon lined with palaces, each occupied by a noble family, and many passed down through generations and hundreds of years. Today, several of those former private homes are now public museums and galleries, and the entire street is a feast for the architecturally inclined.
Some of the palaces you can visit along the Via Garibaldi are the Palazzo Rosso, the Palazzo Bianco, and the Palazzo Doria Tursi. Some of the buildings are not open to the public, but with a good guided tour of Genoa you'll be sure to not miss any of the ones you can get into "“ many of which have beautiful old frescoes on internal walls.
Address: Via Garibaldi, Genoa, Italy
From $ 17
Parco del Valentino
The first public gardens to be opened in Turin still exist as the Parco del Valentino, one of the city's most popular parks. Opened in 1856, the Parco del Valentino covers more than 123 acres in Turin along the left bank of the Po River. The park includes the Castello del Valentino, the University of Turin's botanical garden, and a replica medieval village – complete with a castle – built for the 1884 Turin International Expo.
The park was once the setting for car races—these were held between 1935 and 1954, all known as the Gran Premo del Valentino.
Practical Info
The Parco del Valentino is always open, and admission is free. It's on the west side of the river, between the Umberto I and Isabella bridges. Admission to and open hours of various attractions inside the park varies. The medieval village's castle, for instance, is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm, and admission is €5 for adults. The Castello del Valentino now houses the architecture department of the University of Turin, and is not open to visitors.
Address: Corso Massimo d'Azeglio, Turin, Italy
Hours: Daily
From $ 14