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Sustainable Hotels in Cuneo
Piedmont's Alpine gateway — where the Langhe hills meet the Maritime Alps
Why Stay in Cuneo?
Cuneo sits at one of the most enviable geographic intersections in Italy. Look south and the Maritime Alps rise dramatically, their snow-dusted peaks visible from the city's main square. Look northeast and the landscape softens into the vineyard-covered Langhe hills — home to Barolo and Barbaresco, two of the world's greatest wines. Cuneo occupies the sweet spot between them, a handsome Piedmontese city of neoclassical arcades, broad piazzas, and a food culture that draws equally from mountain and vine.
The city's centrepiece is Piazza Galimberti — a vast, half-kilometre-long square surrounded by elegant 19th-century arcaded buildings painted in warm ochres and siennas. It's one of Italy's largest piazzas, and the arcades (portici) that line it and the adjacent Via Roma extend for nearly 8 kilometres — the longest continuous covered walkway in Italy after Bologna. On Tuesday and Friday mornings, the square fills with one of Piedmont's best open-air markets, a riot of local cheeses, salumi, truffles (in season), and hazelnuts from the surrounding Langhe.
Cuneo's gastronomic identity is inseparable from its geography. The province is Italy's largest producer of hazelnuts — the tonda gentile variety used in Ferrero's Nutella — and the city's most famous creation is the Cuneese al Rhum: a chocolate praline filled with rum-flavoured cream, invented in 1923 by pasticceria Arione on Piazza Galimberti. The original shop still operates, its Liberty-style interior unchanged, and the Cuneesi remain the definitive souvenir.
Beyond chocolate and hazelnuts, Cuneo is surrounded by some of Italy's most compelling landscapes. The Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime to the south offers Alpine hiking, via ferrata routes, and wildlife including ibex and golden eagles. The Langhe-Roero and Monferrato UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape begins just 30km northeast — the hill towns of Barolo, La Morra, and Monforte d'Alba are an easy day trip. The French Riviera is two hours away via the Colle della Maddalena (or the Col de Tende tunnel), and Turin is just over an hour north by train.
At a Glance
Getting the Most from Cuneo
Cuneo's historic centre is entirely walkable, radiating from Piazza Galimberti along the pedestrianised Via Roma — the city's shopping and social spine. The Contrada Mondovì (the old medieval quarter east of Via Roma) is a warren of cobbled lanes, hidden courtyards, and tiny osterie that reward aimless wandering. The Museo Civico in the former church of San Francesco houses archaeological finds from the Roman city of Augusta Bagiennorum and a collection of Sacred Art.
The Santuario della Madonna degli Angeli, a Baroque sanctuary on the city's eastern edge, offers a panoramic terrace with sweeping views of the Stura and Gesso valleys backed by the Alpine arc. The funicular railway (or a steep walk) climbs to the sanctuary and continues to the hilltop hamlets of San Rocco Castagnaretta and the trails of the Parco Fluviale Gesso e Stura — a network of riverside paths perfect for walking and cycling.
For day trips, the options are extraordinary. The Langhe wine route — Barolo, La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba, and the white truffle capital of Alba — is 40–60km away by car. The Monregalese area to the east includes the spectacular Santuario di Vicoforte with the world's largest elliptical dome. Southwards, the spa town of Valdieri and the thermal baths of Terme di Valdieri sit within the Alpi Marittime park. And if you fancy a day on the French Riviera, Nice is a scenic 2.5-hour drive through the mountains.
Where to Stay — Cuneo's Best Areas
Eco-Friendly Hotels in Cuneo
All bookable via IMPT — same price as Booking.com, 5% cashback, 1t CO₂ removed per stay.
Things to Do in Cuneo
Recommended Walks & Trails
🚶 Parco Fluviale Gesso-Stura Loop
Start at the Santuario degli Angeli, follow the Gesso river path south, cross at the old bridge, and return along the Stura river. Gravel paths through poplar groves with Alpine views. Perfect for an afternoon walk or family cycle.
🥾 Vallone della Meris — Alpi Marittime
From Terme di Valdieri (30 min drive from Cuneo), follow the old military road into the Meris valley. Alpine meadows, waterfalls, and a high-altitude cirque at 2,000m with views to Monte Argentera. Ibex sightings are common in summer.
🚴 Cuneo to Borgo San Dalmazzo Greenway
A dedicated greenway following the old railway line from Cuneo to Borgo San Dalmazzo. Flat, traffic-free, with mountain views the whole way. Continue to the Certosa di Pesio for a longer ride.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cuneo famous for?
Cuneo is famous for its elegant neoclassical arcaded centre, Piazza Galimberti (one of Italy's largest squares), and the Cuneesi al Rhum chocolate pralines created in 1923 at Pasticceria Arione. The province is Italy's largest hazelnut producer. Cuneo is also the perfect base between the Langhe wine region and the Maritime Alps.
Is Cuneo near the Alps?
Yes — Cuneo sits at 534m elevation at the foot of the Maritime Alps, visible from the city centre. Ski resort Limone Piemonte is 20km south, and the Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime offers hiking, via ferrata, and wildlife. The French border is a short drive via the Colle della Maddalena.
How do I get to Cuneo from Turin?
Cuneo is 88km south of Turin. Trains from Torino Porta Nuova take about 1h10. Driving via the A33/A6 motorway takes approximately 1h15. There's also a small regional airport (Cuneo Levaldigi) with limited seasonal flights.
What day trips can I do from Cuneo?
Top day trips: the Langhe wine region (Barolo, Alba, La Morra — 40–60km), Limone Piemonte ski resort (20km), Santuario di Vicoforte (30km), the French Riviera via the Col de Tende (2h), and Turin (1h15).
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