Mondovì is one of the most surprising towns in southern Piedmont: a Baroque capital looking out from its hill over the Cuneo plain, with the Maritime Alps behind it and the Langhe a short hop away. It is a land of art and snow, of woods and hot-air balloons, still little touched by mass tourism. Here is where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
Where to stay depends on what you’re after: the charm of the upper town and its history, the convenience of the Mondolè snow, or the quiet of valley nature. Let’s look at the main areas of the Monregalese.
Mondovì, the Baroque town on two levels
Mondovì is a Baroque jewel built on two levels: Mondovì Piazza, the historic upper town, with its splendid arcaded square, frescoed churches and the Belvedere Tower, from whose gardens the view sweeps from the plain to the Alps; and Breo, the lower town along the stream, livelier and more commercial. The two cores are linked by the historic Breo-Piazza funicular, a characterful way to reach the centre. Mondovì is also Italy’s capital of hot-air ballooning, and in January, around Epiphany, it hosts the great International Balloon Meeting that fills the sky over the Monregalese. It’s the most complete, best-served base. The addresses we choose in town:
Bed and Breakfast Caplin
A family-run bed and breakfast among the hills and vineyards of Mondovì, with a garden, free bikes, private parking and rooms with a terrace. The quiet of the countryside a stone’s throw from town, with the warm welcome of a family-run place. Ideal for those who want nature, silence and a handy base for the Monregalese.
Palazzo Fauzone Relais & Spa
A bed and breakfast in a historic palazzo in Mondovì, with its own wellness centre, garden and apartments with kitchens for longer stays. The charm of sleeping in a period residence, with a touch of spa after a day among art and hills. Ideal for a couple seeking elegance, relaxation and independence in the centre.
B&B Sant’Agostino
A family-run bed and breakfast in the old centre of Mondovì, with views over the town, a panoramic terrace and free bikes. The convenience of having the art and arcades of Piazza on your doorstep, with the gaze reaching to the mountains. Ideal for those who want to experience the town’s Baroque heart on foot, carefree.
All the small hotels in Mondovì →
Villanova Mondovì, between town and mountains
At the foot of the mountains, a few minutes from Mondovì, Villanova Mondovì is a handy town for those who want to be halfway between the city and the Mondolè snow. It is known for its craft tradition and for its proximity to the Bossea cave, one of Italy’s most famous show caves. The choice for those seeking a quiet, well-placed base:
Albergo della Ceramica
A family-run hotel set in a former ceramics factory in the centre of Villanova Mondovì, with a garden, terrace and a well-cared-for breakfast. The charm of sleeping inside a piece of the area’s industrial history, between design and a homely welcome. Ideal as a handy base between the Baroque town and the Mondolè slopes.
Prato Nevoso and the Mondolè snow
Behind Mondovì opens the Mondolè Ski area, which links Artesina, Prato Nevoso and Frabosa Soprana: over 100 kilometres of slopes and around twenty lifts between 800 and 2,000 metres, among the largest ski areas in the Cuneo province. Prato Nevoso is the resort most loved by families, with child-friendly slopes and services on the snow, and the Monregalese is growing: the most recent ski season recorded a rise in overnight stays. The choice for those who want to sleep on the slopes:
Chalet Everest – Luxury Apartments
An aparthotel in Prato Nevoso with apartments featuring a kitchen, balcony and mountain views, a few metres from the slopes and restaurants, with parking. The convenience of ski-in access and the independence of a home at altitude, for families and groups on the snow. Ideal for those who want to ski without transfers and enjoy the mountains at their own pace.
All the small hotels in Prato Nevoso →
Chiusa di Pesio and the Marguareis Park
West of Mondovì, Chiusa di Pesio is the gateway to the Marguareis Nature Park, in the Maritime Alps: a world of woods, trails and peaks, with the historic Certosa di Pesio set in the greenery. It’s the choice for those seeking nature, hiking and quiet, away from the big crowds. The pick for a stay surrounded by green:
Hotel Valle Pesio Ristorante
A family-run hotel with restaurant in the heart of Chiusa di Pesio, among the mountain trails, with views of the Maritime Alps and rooms with a terrace. The warmth of a family-run place and good food after a day in the park. Ideal for nature lovers seeking quiet, hiking and local flavours.
All the small hotels in Chiusa di Pesio →
When to go
Winter
The snow season: the Mondolè Ski area, with Prato Nevoso, Artesina and Frabosa Soprana, offers family-friendly slopes less than an hour from the plain. It’s the time for skiing and snowshoeing, with Prato Nevoso the handiest base for those who want to sleep on the slopes. It’s always worth checking that the lifts are open before you set out.
Summer
The season of trails and of the town: hiking in the Marguareis Park, walks in the cool valleys and days of art among the arcades of Mondovì Piazza. It’s the best time to discover the Monregalese on foot, between nature and culture, with the mild hillside climate.
Spring and autumn
The shoulder seasons are ideal for enjoying the Baroque town and the hills at leisure, among vineyards and villages, away from the crowds. They’re the perfect months for those who put art, good food and walks first, with the colours of the foliage in autumn.
Getting there
By car Mondovì is easily reached from the A6 Turin-Savona motorway at the Mondovì exit. From there you climb the provincial roads towards Villanova, Frabosa and Prato Nevoso for the mountains, or towards Chiusa di Pesio for the park. The town is also served by rail, on the line to Cuneo and Turin. To get around the villages and reach the slopes, the car remains the most convenient option.
For the full picture on roads, trains and getting around the region: how to get to Piedmont. Mondovì pairs well with Cuneo and the Langhe; for snow in the Maritime Alps there is also Limone Piemonte.
This guide is part of our grand tour of the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Piedmont.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Mondovì and the Monregalese.
Where is the best base to stay in Mondovì?
The town of Mondovì is the most complete choice: the Baroque upper town of Piazza and the livelier Breo offer art, services and good connections, central to the whole Monregalese. Those after the snow can stay at Prato Nevoso, on the Mondolè slopes; those seeking nature and quiet at Chiusa di Pesio, at the gateway to the Marguareis Park.
What is the Mondolè Ski area?
It’s one of the largest ski areas in the Cuneo province, linking the resorts of Artesina, Prato Nevoso and Frabosa Soprana: over 100 kilometres of slopes between 800 and 2,000 metres of altitude. Prato Nevoso is the one most loved by families, with easy slopes and services on the snow, less than an hour from the plain.
What is there to see in Mondovì?
The heart is Mondovì Piazza, the Baroque upper town, with the arcaded square, frescoed churches and the Belvedere Tower, from whose gardens you look out over the plain and the Alps. Also worth seeing are the funicular linking Piazza to Breo, the lower town, and the Ceramics Museum. Mondovì is also Italy’s capital of hot-air ballooning.
Why is Mondovì linked to hot-air balloons?
Mondovì is considered Italy’s capital of hot-air ballooning thanks to its long aerostatic tradition. Every year in January, around Epiphany, it hosts the great International Balloon Meeting, when dozens of colourful balloons rise into flight above the town and the hills of the Monregalese: a striking and much-loved spectacle.
How do you get to Mondovì?
By car from the A6 Turin-Savona exit at Mondovì, then along the provincial roads towards the mountains or the park. The town is also served by rail on the line to Cuneo and Turin. To get around the villages of the Monregalese and reach the Mondolè slopes, the car is the most convenient option.
