It is one of the main cities in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato.

[4] Alba's origins date from before the Roman civilization, connected probably to the presence of Celtic and Ligurian tribes in the area.

After the fall of the Western Empire, the city was repeatedly sacked by Ostrogoths, Burgundians, Byzantines, Lombards, Franks, Hungarians and Saracens.

Alba won a Gold Medal for Military Valour for the heroic activity of its citizens in the Italian resistance movement during the course of World War II.

[5] The wines of Alba are among the most renowned in Italy and are divided into: The city has a thriving economy, boasting the confectionery industry's world-renowned Ferrero, the publishing house Società San Paolo and the textile firm Miroglio.

The town also houses the largest cooperative credit bank of Italy, by number of partners,[6] the Banca d'Alba, and the international food chain Eataly.

UniEuro, the Italian chain of stores specializing in household electrical appliances and acquired by Dixons Retail in 2002, was also established in Alba.