Sacra di San Michele day trip from Turin
A day trip to the Sacra di San Michele from Turin: the abbey on top of Monte Pirchiriano in the morning, then down to the lakes of Avigliana, the castle ruins and the medieval square of Avigliana, and the frescoed abbey of Sant'Antonio di Ranverso on the way back. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Sacra di San Michele in 1 day
Day 1
Sacra di San Michele
Abbey of the late tenth century built on a rocky peak above the Susa valley, the symbol of Piedmont, with wide views of the Alps.
Lakes of Avigliana (Lago Grande)
The larger of two small lakes in a nature park below the hills, with lakeside paths, picnic spots and views of the Sacra.
Castle of Avigliana ruins
Ruins of the Savoy castle on the hill above Avigliana, a short climb for views over the town, the lakes and the valley.
Historic centre of Avigliana (Piazza Conte Rosso)
Medieval town of porticoes and old houses round Piazza Conte Rosso, named after Amadeus VII of Savoy, the Red Count.
Sant'Antonio di Ranverso Abbey
Gothic preceptory of the Antonian monks, with a decorated brick facade and fifteenth-century frescoes by Giacomo Jaquerio inside.
Getting there
From Turin, by car it takes about 45 minutes west along the Susa valley and up the road to the Sacra. By train, the Turin-Susa line reaches Avigliana and Sant'Ambrogio in about half an hour; from Sant'Ambrogio a steep mule track climbs to the abbey. A car makes it much easier to link the Sacra, Avigliana and Ranverso in one day.
Staying in Turin? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Sacra di San Michele
Spring and autumn are the best times, with clear views of the Alps and mild days for walking. In summer the lakes of Avigliana are pleasant for a break, and the Sacra keeps longer opening days. In winter it is cold and windy at the top, opening days are fewer, and snow is possible.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Sacra di San Michele on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Sacra di San Michele on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Sacra di San Michele on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Sacra di San Michele
- The Sacra closes at lunchtime and on some weekdays outside summer, usually Mondays: check the opening days before you go.
- Sant'Antonio di Ranverso is closed on Mondays and over lunchtime, so plan it for the morning or the afternoon.
- The climb inside the Sacra, up the Staircase of the Dead, is steep: wear good shoes and take your time.
- Without a car, take the train from Turin towards Susa to Sant'Ambrogio and walk the old mule track up, a steep climb of about an hour and a half.
- Bring a layer: at the top the wind can be strong even when the valley is warm.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Castle of Avigliana ruins: Tournasol7, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Avigliana (Piazza Conte Rosso): unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lakes of Avigliana (Lago Grande): Gianni Careddu, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sacra di San Michele: Elio Pallard, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sant'Antonio di Ranverso Abbey: Georgius LXXXIX, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
