Cuneo
An elegant provincial capital at the foot of the Maritime Alps, gateway to hidden mountain valleys.
About Cuneo
Cuneo sits at the confluence of two rivers on a wedge-shaped promontory (cuneo means 'wedge') backed by the Maritime Alps. The city's elegant Via Roma, lined with porticoed buildings, leads to one of Piedmont's largest and most beautiful piazzas—Piazza Galimberti. Cuneo is understated but rewarding: a well-kept historic centre, excellent restaurants, and a famous Tuesday market that fills the entire piazza. The real magic lies in the surrounding valleys—the Valle Maira, Valle Varaita, and Valle Stura—where Occitan-speaking communities maintain traditions and cuisine found nowhere else, and hiking trails wind through landscapes that are spectacular yet virtually unknown to international tourists.
Best Time to Visit
May to October. Summer for hiking in the Maritime Alps valleys. The Tuesday market is one of Piedmont's best. Autumn brings the Fiera del Marrone chestnut festival.
Local Tips
- Explore the Occitan valleys.
The valleys south of Cuneo preserve Occitan language and culture unique in Italy. A local can guide you to the tiny villages of Valle Maira where stone houses, ancient trails, and family-run locande offer an Italy that's almost vanished.
- Visit the Tuesday market.
Cuneo's enormous market fills Piazza Galimberti and surrounding streets with local produce, cheeses, and crafts. A local knows the best stalls for the famous Cuneo chestnuts and Robiola cheese.
- Hike the Maritime Alps.
The Parco Alpi Marittime offers hiking among ibex, chamois, and marmots in mountains that touch the Mediterranean. A local knows the rifugi with the best food and the trails where you won't see another soul.
(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!