Ivrea at a glance
Ivrea is a town on the Dora Baltea river and a good day trip from Lake Viverone. It has three things that set it apart: a castle with towers that is open again after restoration, the Olivetti buildings that make up a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Carnival of Ivrea with its Battle of the Oranges.
The UNESCO listing is called "Ivrea, industrial city of the 20th century". It was inscribed in 2018, and the boundary was changed in 2021. The heritage is the factory, office, social and residential buildings of Olivetti, mostly from the 1930s to the 1960s. It is not the whole old town. If you want to build a longer day around Ivrea, our Piedmont tours and day trips list guided options in the area.
Our picks: Ivrea
The old-town walk is the quick introduction and includes the civic museum. For the UNESCO Olivetti side, the city tour goes inside several iconic buildings, while the factory tour adds the product exhibition and former factory areas.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Olivetti factory and community tour on Via Jervis
- Olivetti product exhibition
- Former factory areas
- Industrial and housing architecture
A deeper look at the UNESCO area than a general city walk, with the history explained along the way.
Check availability →Ivrea city tour of the 20th-century industrial city
- Certified guide
- Inside several iconic buildings
Covers the Olivetti-era city that was added to the UNESCO list in 2018.
Check availability →
Ivrea old town walk with museum entry
- Museo Civico P.A. Garda entry
- Archaeological collection
- Guide in Italian and English
The guide covers the castle, the cathedral and the carnival. Castle entry is not part of the ticket.
Check availability →Day trips and tours around Ivrea and Biella
Guided visits, wine tastings and day trips in the Ivrea and Biella area, with live prices and availability.
Ivrea castle: opening hours and ticket
The castle of Ivrea, with its towers above the trees, can be visited again after restoration. It opens only on certain days, so plan around the calendar.
- 1 June to 31 October 2026: Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00.
- 1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027: the first Sunday of the month, from 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00.
- Extra opening: 8 December 2026.
The ticket is €5, with a reduced rate of €2 (2026). Check who qualifies for the reduced rate before you go. Parking at Piazza Castello is paid.
Olivetti heritage: the MaAM outdoor museum
The Olivetti buildings are the main reason Ivrea is on the UNESCO list. Many are private and cannot be entered freely. The route of the MaAM, the open-air museum, is designed so that you see the buildings from the outside along public footpaths. It has 7 information stations that explain what you are looking at.
Interiors and guided visits have to be requested through the city or the UNESCO visitor centre. Do not expect a free visit of the factories. Plan on a walk of a couple of hours with a camera and good shoes, and ask about guided visits beforehand if you want to get inside.
Ivrea cathedral and the old town
The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta has Romanesque building phases and was later remodelled in the Baroque style. It is a short stop in the town centre. Opening times for visitors and for the crypt are not fixed, so check on the day or ask locally.
For the rest of the old town, walk down to the Dora Baltea. The colourful houses along the river are the classic view of the town.
The Carnival of Ivrea and the Battle of the Oranges
The Carnival of Ivrea is known for the Battle of the Oranges, in which teams in protective gear throw oranges at each other. The 2027 programme starts on 6 January 2027, and the Battle of the Oranges is on 7, 8 and 9 February 2027, each day starting at 14:00. Ticket prices, safety zones and rules for spectators are set by the organisers, so check their programme before you travel.
Getting to Ivrea
Trains and buses until the end of 2026.
| Route | What to know |
|---|---|
| Train from Turin | Works between Stura and Chivasso run from 15 September to 12 December 2026. Some Turin to Ivrea regional trains leave about 5 minutes earlier at Porta Nuova and Porta Susa. Check your connection. |
| Bus from the lake | ATAP line 358 Extra.TO runs Cavaglià, Piverone and Ivrea, and serves Viverone, Roppolo and Anzasco. Check the current timetable. |
| Train to Aosta | The Ivrea to Aosta line is closed until 13 December 2026, with replacement buses. The end date may move into 2027. |
For most visitors staying at the lake, the 358 bus is the simplest link, because it avoids changing trains. If you have a car, you can also drive. For more on arriving, see getting there.
Nearby places to add
Ivrea combines well with the lake villages and with Biella.
Ivrea: frequently asked questions
When is Ivrea castle open?
From 1 June to 31 October 2026 on Sundays, 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 18:00. From 1 November 2026 to 31 May 2027 on the first Sunday of the month, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00. There is an extra opening on 8 December 2026.
How much does the castle cost?
The ticket is €5, reduced €2 (2026). Check who qualifies for the reduced rate before you go.
Can I visit the Olivetti buildings?
You can see many of them from the outside along public footpaths, with 7 information stations on the MaAM route. Interiors and guided visits have to be requested through the city or the UNESCO visitor centre.
When is the Battle of the Oranges in 2027?
The carnival programme starts on 6 January 2027 and the Battle of the Oranges is on 7, 8 and 9 February 2027, each day starting at 14:00. Check the organisers for tickets and rules.
How do I get from Lake Viverone to Ivrea?
Take ATAP bus line 358 Extra.TO, which runs Cavaglià, Piverone and Ivrea and serves Viverone, Roppolo and Anzasco. Check the current timetable.
Is this the official website of Ivrea?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the town of Ivrea, the carnival foundation, the castle or any local authority.