Asti
Medieval towers, sparkling wine, and Italy's most dramatic horse race outside Siena.
About Asti
Asti is a proud medieval city with more towers than you'd expect, a sparkling wine named after it, and a Palio horse race that predates Siena's. The centro storico is a handsome collection of Romanesque churches, gothic towers, and baroque palaces, all centred on the triangular Piazza Alfieri where the famous Palio di Asti is run every September. The surrounding Monferrato hills—a UNESCO World Heritage landscape—produce not just the famous Asti Spumante but also the underrated Barbera d'Asti, a versatile red wine that's become one of Piedmont's best values. The town's food traditions run deep: bagna càuda (hot anchovy-garlic dip), agnolotti del plin (tiny pinched pasta), and hazelnut cake.
Best Time to Visit
September for the Palio horse race and Douja d'Or wine festival. October to November for truffle season. May to June for vineyard touring in the Monferrato without crowds.
Local Tips
- See the Palio di Asti.
Asti's September Palio is older than Siena's and equally thrilling, with medieval costume parades and bareback racing in the main piazza. A local will explain the neighbourhood rivalries and secure the best viewing spot.
- Tour Barbera vineyards.
The Monferrato hills produce Barbera d'Asti that rivals wines costing three times as much. A local knows the family producers who pour their best vintages in hilltop cellars with panoramic views.
- Share a bagna càuda.
This hot dip of anchovies, garlic, and olive oil is Piedmont's most communal dish—everyone gathers around a pot with raw vegetables. A local knows the trattorias that serve it properly, with the right winter atmosphere.
(the local lens)
Meet the Local Experts
Your on-the-ground insiders. The ones who know the enduring favourites, the quiet corners and what’s worth your time.
Isabella
Novara, Turin +3
I am a tour guide, a travel companion, and a travel designer, but perhaps above all, I am a discerning traveler. My decade-long experience and my way of discovering the world allow me to create proposals and itineraries that transform every trip into a unique and memorable experience. With a solid background in the tourism industry that began in hospitality and grew with travel, I have developed a keen sensitivity to the needs of my clients, ensuring travel experiences that go beyond expectations.
Heaven
Turin, Alba +2
Ciao! My name is Heaven, originally from the UK but living in Piemonte for the last 10 years and travelling around the world for work and research, more than 60 countries at the last count! I'm a big foodie (currently writing a book about five foods that changed the world) and Piemonte is an absolute foodie paradise. It's also one of the most beautiful parts of Italy in my opinion with mountains, forests, rolling vineyards, fascinating villages and beaches all in close proximity. I'm also a hot air balloon pilot so I'm lucky enough to get to see all this from the air!