Autumn in Torino

Updated 11/2025

Autumn in Torino is truly perfect; this city was made for this season. And I tend to think I have the authority to say so, being from small-town Vermont where Autumn is truly our thing. While Vermont really does beat out anyone for leaves, Turin does have that cozy cafe feeling, the abundance of seasonal dishes, festivals celebrating those Fall products (like truffles, chestnuts, grapes, and many, many squash varieties), and a peek at some great foliage also.

When I fell in love with Turin

My first memory of Turin is wandering off the Intercity Notte train early on an October morning into one of its beckoning 19th-century style cafes for a coffee. Welcomed with not only an excellent espresso but also the delicious gianduja paired with it!

For those of you who didn’t know, Torino actually is home to espresso, the machine we know today was invented here in 1884. It is also known for its hazelnut chocolate spread known as Gianduja, a prelude to Nutella, which was invented at the end of the 18^th century. In fact, Nutella and internationally loved Ferrero products come from nearby Alba. Turin is the city of chocolate. Beyond gianduja, you’ll find many solid, tasty hazelnut-based chocolates like gianduiotti, cremini, cri-cri etc.

Apart from the tasty welcome, I fell in love with Torino for a million reasons, and being here in the fall amplified every one. Before Torino, I had never had true autumn in Italy, coming from New England that was a hard adjustment. I missed the leaves changing, apple season and all the cozy afternoons curled up. This city, on the other hand, is perfect for this time of year. Every park changes color to warm reds and oranges, perfect sweater weather almost every day, and all the local markets are filled with fresh apples and local varieties of pumpkins (not to mention the chestnut varieties, wine grapes, leeks, and so much more)!

That brings me too…

My top things enjoy about Autumn in Torino

1. Relax in the Giardini Reali; The most recommended park in Torino is usually Parco Valentino, but in Fall I love the Giardini Reali. The small park is filled with warm tones and crunchy leaves, adorable dogs, and a spectacular view of the Mole. Walk to Porta Palazzo to pick up some picnic supplies, or head to Latteria Bera for a charcuterie spread to go. Bring your snacks and a good book here for a relaxing, sunny autumn afternoon.

   

2. For those colder days, stay curled up with a warm coffee, tea or even a rich Bicerin. Turin is well known for its stunning historic caffés, but it also has some great new ones poping up. I’m a sucker for the old favorites, there is just something about the warm wood tones of the decor, the bright marble tops of the banco, ait all feels like you are stepping back in time.
   Some places to try: the classic Caffe Bicerin, Orso Caffe in San Salvario for specialty coffee, Pepino or La Farmacia in Piazza Carignano, Nora Book and Caffe, Pressato, or Ola Coffee Club in Quadrilatero, or Caffe Elena in Piazza Vittorio.

   

3. Take a stroll, or a bike ride up the Po, start from Parco Valentino and head north, there is a path that leads along the river, surrounded by peaceful nature, also passing Parco Michelotti, and Madonna del Pilone. This takes you past a little beach, and right under Superga. In fact if you are feeling a bit more active, why not just try a hike up to Superga? You’ll catch some great foliage, and if the weather is clear, get an amazing view from the top.
4. Warm-up with a glass of regional wine. Barbera and Dolcetto are some of the perfect Autumn wines, where better to taste them then in one of Torino’s grand Piazzas. Or if you are looking for a more particular vibe check out the many wine bars in Vanchiglia, towards the Santa Giulia area. I recommend Ranzini, Caffe Elena, La Farmacia, or Enoteca Botz.
5. Wander under Torino’s many porticoes to take a look through the many antique art galleries and antique bookstores. Scattered through the city you can see prints by Dali, Chagall, and Picasso as well as 15th-century books and maps of the region. No matter what your artistic interest you’ll find something incredible. What could fit better with the nostalgic homey feeling of Autumn than paging through old books and images?

Beyond Torino

Taking a step away from all the autumnal beauty of the city, Piedmont is full of events for the season. Being the wine harvest, every region and cantina offers a “Vendemmia” parties. Other “sagre” or festivals celebrating gastronomic excellence include ones celebrating truffles, apples, pumpkin, chestnuts and hazelnuts.

Every two years, the Slow Food Movement’s Cheese event takes over Bra with artisan cheese makers from all over the world. There is lot to taste, and lot’s to learn. In alternating years, Slow Food’s Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin keeps the spirit alive with producers, workshops, and more tastings. Every year has a different theme but it always celebrates Italian food and niche producers from around the world.

Down in the Langhe, the International White Truffle Fair in Alba perfumes the entire town with that unmistakable white-truffle magic. It’s chaotic, delicious, and absolutely worth the trip. It only happens on weekends from October through November. Over in Cuneo, the Fiera Nazionale del Marrone celebrates chestnuts in every possible form. This area is known for the large Marroni type, which is what is used to make incredible marron glacée throughout Italy, and even reaching the pastry counters of Paris. As the future owner of a Marron grove, I’m pretty partial to this event.
And for something truly piemontese, Bagna Cauda Day invites the entire region to gather around bubbling pots of garlic-anchovy goodness. You can participate in many different restaurants, so you won’t miss out if you are in Turin, but I will say there is something extra special about heading to a countryside piola to enjoy the meal!

All in all, if you are planning on a trip to Torino and Piedmont, book your trip for September through November!