Spring and autumn are the perfect seasons to visit the Langhe, that area of lower Piedmont where some of Italy’s finest wines are produced. Amid rolling hills and rows of vines, here are our 11 recommendations on which villages to visit in the Langhe.
Villages in the Langhe: 11 recommendations on which to visit
Spending a weekend in the Langhe is one of our favorite pastimes. The food and wine of this area won us over from our very first trip, which is why we love coming back often to discover new villages in this enchanting region.
The first time we visited the Langhe, we stayed at the Eno-Agriturismo Cascina L’Arché in Santo Stefano Belbo. Great value for money and a good location, very close to Neive and Barbaresco.
We rewound the tape of our memories, retracing some of our most beautiful trips through the Langhe. In the end, we picked out 11 of the most beautiful villages to visit in the Langhe.
Table of Contents
1. La Morra
Perched atop a hill, La Morra is one of the villages with the most spectacular view over the Langhe. Small as it is, its historic center is full of lively spots and very bustling in high season.
Don’t miss the Church of the Confraternity of San Sebastiano (usually open on weekends), Piazza Castello, and the Bell Tower (currently closed for renovations), which you can climb to admire a 360-degree panorama. One of the village’s most important symbols was the bronze monument to the Vignaiolo d’Italia, sadly stolen in 2018.
Staying on the subject of wine, La Morra is home to the historic Cantina Comunale, open since 1973 and housed in the palace of the Marquises of Barolo. The Cantina is a great reference point for anyone wishing to taste or buy wines from the many local producers.
2. Verduno
Just 5 minutes from La Morra lies another Langhe village we visit often: Verduno. Here, a native grape variety called “Pelaverga Piccolo” is grown, producing a delicious red wine, the Basadone or Verduno Pelaverga.
This wine is produced only in the towns of Verduno, La Morra, and Roddi d’Alba. It’s also one of the reasons why we sometimes take a day trip to Verduno for lunch and let ourselves be spoiled by the food at Agriturismo Ca’ del Re.
Verduno’s belvedere park is perfect for a bit of relaxation. On clear days, if you look carefully, you can see the entire Roero area.
Right next door stands Verduno Castle, known for its cellar tours with tastings, where you can sample their range of wines.
3. Barolo
Now let’s move on to the village that best represents this Piedmontese region: Barolo. It’s the namesake of one of Italy’s finest wines, with bottles that can reach very high values depending on the vintage and the winery.
A visit to the WiMu, the wine museum inside Barolo’s Falletti Castle, is a must. The building’s cellars are also home to the Enoteca Regionale del Barolo, where you can find bottles from over 100 member producers, whose wineries are located in the 11 Langhe villages where Barolo is made.
4. Serralunga d’Alba
The symbol of Serralunga d’Alba is undoubtedly its castle, majestic and striking. From Castiglione Falletto you can enjoy a spectacular view of this small village: the castle towers imposingly over a cluster of houses surrounded by gentle rows of vines.
You can visit the castle and immerse yourself in the noble history of 14th-century Piedmont, knowing that the fortress’s slender shape remains unique in all of Italy, a sort of tribute to French donjons. From the top of the building, you can admire one of the most enchanting views in the Langhe.
5. Barbaresco
After Barolo, the finest wine of the Langhe is certainly Barbaresco. The village of the same name is a perfect place for anyone who doesn’t yet know this incredible wine and isn’t sure where to taste it.
In the historic center of the town you’ll find Gaja winery, which we only recommend if you have a very generous budget. Their wines are renowned worldwide for quality and value, but there are still plenty of more affordable producers.
You’ll immediately notice that the town’s symbol is the Tower of Barbaresco, which you can climb for a view of the village from above.
6. Neive
Just a few minutes’ drive from Barbaresco lies Neive, a less visited village but no less beautiful for it. The historic center retains all the charm of Italian villages, with alleys winding upward to the Clock Tower.
For a lunch stop, we recommend Osteria Borgo Vecchio: as soon as you walk in, you’ll realize it’s one of those “old-fashioned” places, with checkered tablecloths and a building that tells its own long history. The dishes are warm and comforting, just like the atmosphere. You’ll feel right at home.
7. Grinzane Cavour
The name of this village comes, as you might guess, from Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour, who served as mayor of Grinzane for seventeen years. It’s a must-see stop, mainly to visit the Castle of Grinzane Cavour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The castle, besides being quite striking thanks to its elevated position and the rows of vines surrounding it, today houses the Museo delle Langhe, a wine shop, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
The museum traces the traditions of this Piedmontese region, highlighting the importance of Cavour’s presence for grape cultivation through several technological innovations.
8. Castiglione Falletto
The village of Castiglione Falletto, which also has its own castle, is one of the best spots for photographing Serralunga d’Alba. However, Castiglione’s historic center also offers some interesting sights, such as the Church of San Lorenzo and the Cappella dei Battuti.
It’s undoubtedly one of the smallest and most characterful villages in the Langhe, with a magnificent view over the surrounding hills.
9. Monforte d’Alba
Monforte d’Alba is a colorful, lively village whose beating heart is the Auditorium Horszowski. It’s a natural amphitheater with exceptional acoustics, named after the pianist Mieczysław Horszowski, who inaugurated it.
Over the years, it has hosted many concerts, including performances by great artists such as Paolo Conte and Massimo Ranieri. Beyond the amphitheater, Monforte will surprise you with its charming views and the bright colors of its houses.
10. Santo Stefano Belbo
The birthplace of Cesare Pavese, Santo Stefano Belbo is the right place to start if you want to discover the more cultural and literary side of the Langhe. Here you’ll find the Fondazione Cesare Pavese, which, among other things, organizes guided tours of the settings from the novel La luna e i falò.
Both the Foundation and the writer’s birth house can be visited. Experiencing the Langhe without reading Pavese is a bit like having only half the experience, which is why we recommend stopping in Santo Stefano Belbo to learn more about this author’s life.
11. Roddi
In Roddi, people are very proud of their University, although to be honest it’s a rather unusual one: it’s actually the world’s first and only University for truffle-hunting dogs. The teachers definitely deserve a round of applause from all of us lovers of Piedmontese cuisine, and beyond.
Roddi also has its own castle, which, like many other Langhe castles, can be visited. Special mention also goes to the Open-Air Truffle Museum, which winds through the streets of the center and beneath the castle walls. The museum consists of art installations recounting the history and anecdotes of this prized tuber.
Outdoor experiences to enjoy in the Langhe
If you’re looking for inspiration for outdoor activities in the Langhe, on Freedome you’ll find plenty of outdoor experiences suited to every taste. From horseback rides to e-bike tours, here are some of the adventures waiting for you:
- Hot air balloon flight over Barolo
- E-bike tour through the Barbaresco hills
- Horseback ride in the Langhe with aperitivo
- Group hot air balloon flight over Mondovì: Alps, Langhe, and sea
We’ve reached the end of our list of 11 villages to visit in the Langhe. We never tire of coming back to these areas in search of peace and quiet and good food, and every time they manage to surprise us.
Have you already visited some of the villages on this list? Do you have any others to recommend? Leave a comment!
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