Asti packs an outsized cultural punch for a city of 76,000. Its medieval centre holds more than a dozen surviving tower houses from the 12th and 13th centuries, the largest Romanesque-Gothic cathedral in Piedmont, and a horse race that predates Siena’s Palio by nearly 400 years. The surrounding Monferrato hills, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape of vineyards and hilltop villages, are 20 minutes from the city centre by car. Here is what to see, climb, taste, and watch. For more detail, see our Asti weather by month.
Things to Do in Asti: Historic Landmarks
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
Asti’s cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Piedmont, built between the 13th and 14th centuries on the site of an earlier Romanesque structure. The interior spans 82 metres with soaring brick vaults and a cycle of 18th-century frescoes. Do not miss the 12th-century floor mosaic in the crypt depicting biblical scenes. The freestanding Romanesque bell tower (campanile) dates to 1266. Entry is free; the cathedral is open daily from 8:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 18:30 (shorter Sunday hours). Via Caracciolo 6, just off Piazza Cattedrale. For more detail, see our best time to visit Asti.
Collegiata di San Secondo
Built on the site where Asti’s patron saint was martyred in 119 AD, this Gothic collegiate church dominates Piazza San Secondo in the heart of the city. The brick facade features three rose windows and a 13th-century Romanesque bell tower. Inside, the 15th-century polyptych by Gandolfino d’Asti is the artistic highlight. The crypt holds San Secondo’s relics. The Palio victory ceremony and blessing of the horses happen here each September. Open daily; free entry. For more detail, see our Asti events and festivals.
Torre Troyana
The only Asti tower you can climb, the 44-metre Torre Troyana was built in the 13th century by the Troya family and later acquired by the city. The 198-step climb rewards you with a 360-degree view across Asti’s terracotta rooftops to the Monferrato hills and, on clear days, the Alpine arc. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00 (extended hours in summer). Entry costs 3 euros, combined ticket with Palazzo Mazzetti available for 8 euros. Piazza Medici, adjacent to Palazzo Mazzetti. For more detail, see our Asti neighborhoods guide.
Palazzo Mazzetti
This 18th-century baroque palace houses Asti’s civic art gallery and the city’s most important museum. The collection spans medieval Asti artefacts, 17th-18th century Piedmontese paintings, and a remarkable collection of antique textiles and furniture from noble Asti families. The Orient Room on the piano nobile contains hand-painted Chinese wallpaper from the 1750s. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:00). Full ticket 6 euros, reduced 4 euros. Corso Alfieri 357. For more detail, see our where to stay in Asti.
Things to Do in Asti: Wine and Food
Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti Tasting
Asti is the namesake and production centre of Asti Spumante DOCG, Italy’s most exported sparkling wine. Made from Moscato Bianco grapes grown on the limestone-rich hills around the city, it ranges from the fully sparkling Asti Spumante (7-9% ABV) to the lightly sparkling, lower-alcohol Moscato d’Asti (5.5% ABV). Several wineries within 15 minutes of the city centre offer tastings: Cantina di Vinchio Vaglio Serra on Piazza San Martino runs one-hour tastings for 15 euros per person, while Consorzio dell’Asti DOCG on Piazza Roma provides maps and touring advice. Book ahead by phone during harvest season (September). For more detail, see our Asti travel tips.
Barbera d’Asti Wine Route
Barbera is Piedmont’s everyday red wine, and the best examples come from the hills around Asti (Barbera d’Asti DOCG). The Strada del Vino Astesana wine route connects dozens of cantine across the Monferrato hills. Notable stops include Braida in Rocchetta Tanaro (20 minutes south), famed for its Bricco dell’Uccellone Barbera, and Marchesi di Barolo’s Barbera d’Asti vineyards near Costigliole d’Asti (15 minutes west). Most wineries require a phone call or email to book a tasting; the tourist office on Piazza Alfieri can help arrange visits. A designated driver or hired car service is essential; the winding hillside roads are not forgiving.
Mercato Coperto di Asti
The covered market on Piazza Campo del Palio is the place to see Asti’s food culture in action. Open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 to 13:00 (Friday also 16:00-19:00), it houses butchers selling vitello tonnato-ready veal, cheese mongers with Castelmagno and Robiola di Roccaverano, and produce stalls with seasonal white truffles in autumn. The market building itself is a 1930s rationalist structure worth seeing. Pick up picnic supplies here before heading into the Monferrato hills.
Things to Do in Asti: Day Trips
Monferrato Vineyard Landscape (UNESCO)
The Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014, recognising the centuries-old relationship between grape growing, winemaking, and the landscape. From Asti, the best Monferrato access is a 15-20 minute drive south or west. Stop in Canelli (20 minutes south) to visit the “wine cathedrals”, vast underground cellars where sparkling wine is made using the metodo classico. The Gancia and Contratto cellars both offer guided tours (10-15 euros). Costigliole d’Asti (15 minutes west) has a well-preserved castle now housing a cooking school and hotel.
Alba and the Langhe
Alba sits 30 kilometres southwest of Asti (35 minutes by car or 25 minutes by train on the Turin-Genoa line). It is the truffle capital of Italy, with the Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco running weekends in October and November. The historic centre features medieval towers and a 14th-century Duomo. Beyond Alba, the Langhe hills produce Barolo and Barbaresco wines. The hilltop village of La Morra (15 minutes from Alba) has panoramic views of the Barolo vineyards. Grinzane Cavour Castle (10 minutes from Alba) houses a wine museum and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Turin Day Trip
Turin is an easy day trip from Asti: 55 kilometres northwest, 35-50 minutes by regional train (5.90 euros one way). Trains depart Asti station roughly every hour. Turin’s attractions include the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum, 15 euros), Mole Antonelliana and the National Cinema Museum (11 euros), and the Palazzo Reale (12 euros). Lunch at a historic cafe like Caffe Torino or Caffe Mulassano on Piazza Castello. The last train back to Asti departs Turin Porta Nuova around 22:00 on weekdays, earlier on Sundays.
