Bra in Italy: 5 things to do in Bra, Piedmont!

We’re travelling through Northern Italy in a campervan with our one-and-a-half-year-old son. And so we’re visiting several lovely places in Piedmont. On the way from the Alps to Alba, our final destination for the day, we decide to stop in Bra. We’ve heard good things about Bra, and there’s a market, I read, as Ries manoeuvres our large campervan through the Italian hills. Perfect timing so that we can stock up on tasty treats for drinks tonight.

Unfortunately, the parking lot is full of market stalls and visitors’ cars. Bra isn’t the easiest city to visit with a large campervan: most parking spaces are cramped or occupied. Eventually, we find a spot where parking isn’t allowed, but hey… “do as the Romans do,” right?

We stroll through the charming centre of Bra, enjoy a cappuccino and croissant at a terrace, and I casually ask the waitress if illegal parking is strictly enforced. She looks up, startled, and tells us that there are strict checks on market days, and fines can reach up to €500. Oops. We quickly take a last sip, and Ries sprints back to the camper.

And so, our first visit to Bra ends within half an hour.

Fortunately, we were impressed by the atmosphere in Bra and decided to return the next morning by train from Alba. And this time, without the parking stress, we can truly enjoy everything Bra has to offer. So, a tip for campervan travellers: leave your campervan in Alba or Turin and take the train to Bra. This way, you avoid parking problems and can explore the city at your leisure.

Parking tip in Bra (especially on market days):

The Italians recommended parking at this lot (free and usually plenty of space). If there’s no market, you can also use the parking lot here, which we initially had in mind.

The small town of Bra is situated in Piedmont, specifically in the Langhe region. A hilly region famous for its wines, fruit, and hazelnuts. Surrounded by so much delicious food, it’s no wonder that Bra is all about good food. The city is the birthplace of the Slow Food movement.

Slow Food is the opposite of fast food and therefore revolves around careful preparation, healthy fresh produce, and high quality. This philosophy originated in the 1980s in Bra, Piedmont. Now, decades later, almost everything in Bra seems to revolve around good and tasty food and drink.

But Bra is more than just good food. It’s also a beautiful medieval town with narrow streets, charming Italian boutiques, and impressive churches. There are several striking buildings, and for children, there are several playgrounds and squares where they can play.

Bra is not (yet) very touristy, and for that very reason, it remains wonderfully authentic. The surrounding towns, such as Alba, Turin, and the famous wine villages of Barolo, La Morra and Neive, can also be perfectly combined with a visit to Bra.

How much time do you need for Bra?

We spent a morning in Bra (and 30 minutes the day before), which was enough time to explore the city. If you also want to explore the surrounding area, plan at least three days for Bra and the Langhe region.

Where is Bra, and how do you get there?

Bra is located in Piedmont in northwestern Italy. The city is just south of Turin, about an hour’s drive away. Alba, another beautiful nearby city, is 30 minutes away.

What are the best things to do in Bra and the surrounding area? Below you’ll find five tips for Bra that you won’t want to miss.

1. Stroll through Bra’s historic centre

Bra’s old town is compact but very charming. There are several nice shopping streets with beautiful boutiques. I was pregnant during our trip, but otherwise I would definitely have found something here at the Spazia and Intimissimi shops. The best shops are on Via Vittorio Emanuelle.

For children, the Piazza Roma park, located near the train station, is a must-visit. There you’ll find several playgrounds. Close to the market square is Corso Garibaldi, featuring a beautiful colonnade lined with flowers on the opposite side. If you continue walking, you’ll pass Palazzo Mathis and, on the corner, Bra’s town hall.

Other palaces in Bra that you can admire are Palazzo Traversa, Palazzo Valfrè, and Palazzo Garrone. All are located on a small square near the town hall.

On a hill just outside the city center lies Villa La Zizzola, overlooking Bra and the surrounding vineyards. We walked up, but unfortunately, the villa is only open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday). The villa is part of a network of five museums in Bra; you can find more information here.

Tip: Want to learn more about the city? Then book a guided walking tour. This tour lasts two hours and provides a deeper insight into Bra’s architecture and culture.

As you read above, Bra is the birthplace of Slow Food. There are restaurants in abundance. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner, as most restaurants are always full! Unfortunately, we couldn’t dine there due to our son’s bedtime, but we did discover a few great Bra hotspots for lunch or pastries.

Hotspots for lunch, pastries & coffee in Bra

Looking for delicious places to eat in Bra? Below are our favourite spots:

1. La Boqueria – Mediterranean food in Bra

We enjoyed a delicious breakfast here, but you can also go there for lunch and dinner. This trendy hotspot in Bra has a courtyard garden, local products, and a pleasant atmosphere. Click here for the location of this restaurant in Bra.

2. Parallels Café – the best coffee in Bra

The best coffee in Bra is served at Parallels Café. They also offer plant-based milk options and a display case filled with homemade pastries. Click here for the location of this hotspot in Bra!

3. Cru d’Bra – Best toasted sandwiches in Bra

For a quick, delicious lunch, Cru d’Bra is the place to be. During the day, you can enjoy toasted sandwiches, and in the evening, it transforms into a cosy bar. Click here for this bar in Bra.

4. Bar Pasticceria Converso – The best pastries in Bra

At this famous pasticceria in Bra, you’ll find a beautiful counter filled with traditional Italian pastries. Be sure to try the Baci di Dama (lady’s kiss), a local speciality from Piedmont. Click here for the location of this café in Bra.

Restaurants in Bra that we were recommended

Other restaurants in Bra that we were recommended are:

• Osteria del Boccondivino
• Ristorante Battaglino dal 1919
• Materia

Extra Food Tip Bra: Cheese Festival

Every two years in September, Bra hosts the Bra Cheese Festival, showcasing the best (raw milk) cheeses in Italy. 

Looking for delicious local produce in Piedmont? Then visit the market in Bra, where you’ll find fresh produce to take home or to enjoy with drinks. Four days a week, you’ll find market stalls in several squares overflowing with Italian delicacies, including cheeses, local meats, fresh fish, vegetables, pasta, bread, fruit, and nuts. It’s a great idea to visit Bra on a market day.

Bra’s main market is held on Fridays (7:00 AM–1:00 PM), but there are also market stalls in the town centre on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The market begins at Piazza Spreitenbach and extends through the town from there.

4. Take a day trip to Alba

Not far from Bra lies the larger city of Alba, the capital of the Langhe wine region. There’s plenty to do in this city: you can explore charming shops, visit the underground city, and even hunt for truffles in the surrounding area.

The easiest way to reach Alba is by train from Bra. A direct train departs every hour, taking you to Alba in just over 20 minutes.

Be sure to read our Alba, Piedmont travel blog for more tips!

Piedmont, where Bra is located, has three important wine regions: the Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato. Bra is located in the Langhe, Piedmont’s most renowned wine region, home to famous wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Dolcetto. This region is considered the highest-quality wine region in Italy; the wines produced here are among the finest.

From Bra, you can, of course, sample all these wonderful wines by visiting the nearby wineries or vineyards. Unfortunately, I’m pregnant when we’re in Bra, so I won’t be able to sample all these fantastic wines. So we have to return to this area sometime, because, as you may know, I love wine!

Visiting the Wine Villages in the Langhe

La Morra, Barolo, and Neive are beautiful wine villages to explore, located near Bra. They are nestled on hilltops among the vineyards, with narrow streets, historic squares, and ancient churches. You can often enjoy a wine tasting in the wine shops in these villages. La Morra and Barolo are located close to each other, making it easy to combine them. A bonus: to get from La Morra to Barolo, you drive for a while through the vineyards.

Tip: A blog post about the beautiful wine villages of La Morra, Barolo, and Neive will be online soon.

Visit a winery in the Langhe

Want to learn more about the Italian wine production process? Then visit a winery. You’ll learn all about the region’s history and traditions. Note: It’s often helpful to call or make a reservation in advance. Some wineries are small and operate by appointment. There are also organised wine tours; click here for a handy overview.

Cycle through the Langhe vineyards: Bar to Bar route

Fancy something active? Then the Bar to Bar cycle tour is for you! This circular route connects Barbaresco with Barolo and takes you right through the Langhe vineyards. Along the way, you’ll pass wineries where you can stop for a tasting.

The route is marked with red and white signs or tree markings.
Click here for more information about the route and a detailed description of the short or long Bar to Bar route.

Bra itself has several lovely hotels, and the surrounding area also offers beautiful spots. For example, you can stay at wineries. Below you’ll find a selection of fantastic hotels in and around Bra. Or click here for an overview of all hotels in Bra.

Camping near Bra, Piedmont

We travelled through Piedmont by campervan and stayed at campsites. There’s no campsite in Bra, but there are some in the surrounding towns and villages. For example, in Alba, there’s a city campsite where we stayed. Near Barolo, you’ll find the beautiful Sole Langhe campsite, which features a swimming pool. You can camp at a (wine)farm at La Rosa nel Borgo or at the luxurious agriturismo of Cascina Rocca, which also produces wine.