Piedmont wine tours and day trips from Lake Viverone
Lake Viverone sits between the Canavese and the Biellese, so a day out can mean a wine tasting in the morainic hills, a castle with a park, a medieval storehouse village or a pilgrimage sanctuary in the mountains. Most of these are small, local visits rather than big coach tours. Some work best with a guide, others are simply a ticket and a car.
The list below covers the options that are easy to reach from the lake. Prices and opening hours are the 2026 figures. The booking cards on this page show live prices and availability for guided tours, wine tastings and day trips.
Our picks: tours near Lake Viverone
The Masino ticket is the simple choice if you only want the castle and garden, and the Ivrea tour suits you if the Olivetti story interests you. The Biella walk includes the cathedral, and the winery visit is a wine and food stop in Villareggia. Both horse rides provide the gear, so you only need to turn up.
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.
Biella old town walk with cathedral entry
- Guided walk
- Cathedral entry
Entry to Palazzo Ferrero, Palazzo Lamarmora and Palazzo Gromo Losa is extra.
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Horseback riding in the Parco della Bessa
- Guide, horse and helmet
- Briefing before the ride
- Insurance membership included
A ride through nature with a choice of lengths from one to three hours. It starts in Zubiena in the Biella area.
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Organic winery visit with five wines and local food
- Five wine tastings
- Cheese, ham and grissini
- Cellar and production tour
The winery is in Villareggia, not in Turin. Children under 17 get non-alcoholic drinks and snacks.
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Short horseback ride in the hills of Albiano d'Ivrea
- Experienced riding guide
- Riding equipment
A shorter ride from the same address as the longer one, for a first taste of riding. It starts in Albiano d'Ivrea, not in Turin.
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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.
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Castello di Masino entry ticket
- Castle entry
- Garden entry
Entry to the FAI castle and its garden in Caravino. The castle is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so check the opening days first.
Check availability →Piedmont wine tours and day trips near Lake Viverone
Wine tastings, castle visits and guided day trips around Biella, Ivrea and the Canavese, with live prices and availability.
Erbaluce di Caluso: the wine behind the tastings
The main white wine of this corner of Piedmont is Erbaluce di Caluso, also sold as Caluso. It has held DOCG status since 2010. The rules cover still wine, sparkling wine made by the classic method, sweet passito and passito riserva. The production area reaches into the provinces of Torino, Biella and Vercelli, so you will find estates on several sides of the lake.
The Canavese has its own DOC, which is a different appellation. The glacial moraine amphitheatre of Ivrea, the line of low hills you see from the shore, is the setting for the vineyards. Many producers in the Torino area receive visitors for tastings. Arrange a visit with the estate in advance, and do not expect to turn up and find a tasting room open on every day of the week.
A tasting works best as half a day. Pair it with Castello di Masino or a walk in a village, and let someone else drive if you plan to taste more than one wine.
Day trips compared
Entry and hours for 2026. Always check the current calendar before you set out.
| Trip | What it is | Adult entry | Season and hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castello di Masino | Castle, park and hornbeam labyrinth | €15 castle and park, €10 park only | Wednesday to Sunday, 10 to 18 until early November, then 10 to 17 |
| Ricetto di Candelo | Medieval fortified storehouse village | Free | Outer area open 24 hours |
| Castello di Roppolo | Castle above the lake, brick tower | €9.80 | 1 April to 31 October, Wednesday to Sunday, 10 to 12 and 14 to 18 |
| Santuario di Oropa | Mountain sanctuary above Biella | – | Bus 360 from Biella San Paolo, about 14 km |
| Castello di Ivrea | Castle open on set Sundays | – | Sundays 1 June to 31 October, then the first Sunday of the month |
| Cittadellarte, Biella | Art foundation with guided visits | €12, reduced €8 | Guided visits at weekends at 10:30, 14:30 and 16:30 |
| Boat on the lake | Calls at Lido, Anzasco and Masseria | €6, children to 6 years €2 | Weather dependent, paid on board |
For most visitors with one free day, Castello di Masino is the straightforward choice: a fixed ticket, a clear opening calendar and a park for children. Add Candelo on the same day if you want something free and walkable. Choose Oropa if the mountains matter more than the castles.
Planning the day trips
Where each one fits.
Castello di Masino
About 30 minutes from the lake by the SS/SP 228 via Azeglio and Caravino. Tickets are sold online without extra fees. Groups need to reserve.
Castello di Masino →Candelo
A walkable village inside old brick walls with free entry. Go in the afternoon after a morning elsewhere.
Candelo guide →Oropa
The sanctuary has two basilicas and does not need a cable car. The cable car is closed for technical revision, so plan the bus from Biella.
Oropa guide →Gesiùn and the Via Francigena
The ruins of San Pietro di Sugliaco stand among vineyards and fields near Piverone, on the Canavese stretch of the pilgrim route. It is a walk, not an organised tour.
Lake villages →Ivrea
The castle opens only on set Sundays, so check the date before you go. The town is also worth a stop for its carnival and industrial heritage.
Ivrea guide →What to check before you book a tour
Small details change the day more than the price does.
Meeting point
Check where each tour starts and whether a pickup near the lake is offered. Do not assume a pickup at your hotel.
What the price covers
Entry tickets, tastings and lunch are often listed separately. Read the included and excluded lists on the booking page.
Language
Smaller estates and castles may guide in Italian first. Check that your language is offered on your date.
Cancellation terms
Terms differ by operator. Read them before you pay, especially in autumn when weather can change plans.
Seasonal closures
Roppolo is closed to walk-in visitors from 1 November to 31 March, and Masino shortens its hours in November. Ask for the winter arrangement.
More around the lake
Pages that pair well with a day trip.
Piedmont wine tours and day trips: frequently asked questions
Are there wine tours that start at Lake Viverone?
Wine tastings at local estates are a normal way to spend a day here. Whether a tour picks you up at the lake depends on the operator, so check the meeting point on the booking page before you plan around it.
Which wine is typical for this area?
Erbaluce di Caluso, a white DOCG wine made still, sparkling, as passito and as passito riserva. The Canavese area also has its own DOC.
What is the easiest day trip from the lake?
Castello di Masino. It takes about 30 minutes by car, the ticket is €15 for adults in 2026 and the park suits children.
Can I visit the castles in winter?
It varies. Masino runs shorter hours in November and December, Roppolo is open by booking from 1 November to 31 March, and Ivrea opens on the first Sunday of the month.
Is this the official site of the tourist board or the municipality?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not connected to the municipality of Viverone, the Biella tourist board or any tour operator mentioned.