I must confess that before our year long career break, I had not heard much about Turin. Despite countless visits to Italy, the city had never made it onto my list of must-visit places. At this point, I didn’t have any idea of the wonderful things to do in Turin.
That all changed in 2019. Firstly, one of my good friends visited who couldn’t stop raving about it. She demanded it make the cut of our next Italian itinerary. Secondly, the Piedmont region (of which Turin is the capital) was named the number one region in the 2019 Lonely Planet Best in Travel list.
Iconic brands like Fiat, Lavazza Coffee, Martini and Ferrero chocolate all call Turin home. We were left wondering how we were so ignorant of Turin’s existence.
So on our next Italian adventure, we didn’t just make room for Turin. We started our trip there and spent 4 amazing days there.
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We were pleased to find that the city was not yet over-run with tourists. Sure, we’ve been to the big 3: Venice, Florence and Rome. But, we’ve started to fall more in love with the smaller Italian cities and regions like Bologna, Verona, Modena and Puglia.
Turin is a deceptively large city, which we traversed predominantly on foot. We’d return home to our apartment each night completely exhausted. Our Fitbits told us we averaged about 30,000 steps a day, so we were thankful it is majorly flat.
So what made us walk all over and enjoy this city so much? Read on for my guide on the best things to do in Turin.
#1 Church on the hill (Monte dei Cappucini)
For a picture perfect view of Turin, head to Monte dei Cappucini. Located up a short hill across the Po River, it’s a great spot for panoramic views of the city. From a lookout point directly in front of the church, you’ll get the best view of Mole Antonelliana.
Mole Antonelliana is the iconic symbol of Turin. It’s a tower with an impressive aluminum spire that shoots up above the buildings. You may have even noticed it on the Italian 2 cent Euro coin.
On a clear day, this vantage spot will provide views out to the surrounding snow-capped mountains. We didn’t have such luck, but were still in awe of the scenes in front of us.
Once you’re done enjoying the views, don’t forget to step inside the church too. It’s free to enter and with a stunning and atypical Italian church interior.
#2 Cinema Museum at Mole Antonelliana
You’ve seen the Mole Antonelliana from afar, so now is your time to get up close. The building was initially built to house a synagogue, which never eventuated. It’s now the home to the National Cinema Museum and a city viewing platform.
If like us, you don’t speak Italian, fear not. The museum doesn’t just cover Italian cinema. It begins with the history of cinema, right back to 1800’s with many interactive displays. And don’t miss the Chronophotography exhibit – these were the very first Gifs!
The interior of the building needs to be seen to be believed. The windowless interior is surrounded by a walking ramp and on first reading may sound unappealing. Throughout you’ll see exhibits covering actors, directors, manga and props. These cover major movie productions from cinematic foundation until today. On the bottom of the floor, you’ll find rooms containing an array of movie props and stories. Our favourites were the original Darth Vader, Storm Trooper and Chewbacca masks. Originals from Star Wars, right here in Turin!
Even if you’re not a cinema buff, the interior of this museum with its array of cinematic paraphernalia is impressive.
In the centre of the room, a free standing lift will take you to the roof for the panorama views of Turin. Every so often, you’ll be treated to an interior cinematic experience which is something to marvel as the lift cascades to the heavens.
From the viewing platform, you’ll take in the beautiful views of the city below.
Tickets at entry: Cinema Museum || 2 hours || €11 for the cinema museum. €8 for the panoramic view. Better value is the combo ticket for €15. Also included with the Torino-Piemonte card.
#3 Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio)
If finding an original Darth Vader mask in Turin was a surprise, wait until you hear about this place.
The Museo Egizio is the world’s second largest collection of Egyptian artefacts. Unsurprisingly, it is the biggest outside of Egypt. There are over 26,000 artefacts on display. From mummified remains of humans and animals to impressive statues of the Egyptian kings.
Whilst there are many rooms to explore, my favourite was the impressive Gallery of Kings. In a darkened room, the large Egyptian statues illuminated by the light was a wonderful sight.
Naturally, its one of the things to do in Turin that simply cannot be missed whether you have a few hours or a few days in town.
Tickets at entry: Egyptian Museum || 2-3 hours || €15, includes an audio guide with headset. Also included with the Torino-Piemonte card.
#4 The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale)
The Royal Palace of Turin dates back to the 16th century. Built for the House of Savoy, it’s the grandest building in the centre of the city. Set aside some time to visit the interior of this opulent palace.
A ticket into the Royal Palace includes an art museum, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud and entry to the royal apartments.
The Chapel of the Shroud is accessed from the palace. The Holy Shroud is a linen cloth that is said to bear the image of Jesus Christ. The Savoys acquired the cloth in the 1400s. The chapel was built to house the shroud, and it had direct access to their palace. You won’t be able to view the shroud however. That is locked away and is only brought out every few years or so for special occasions.
The chapel was damaged in a huge fire in 1997. The Bertola Altar is on display, which visibly shows the damage the fire caused. Once you’re finished here, head into the old royal apartments and prepare for your jaw to drop.
The big rooms are a window into the past. Opulent is a word that only half describes the grandiose nature of these rooms. There doesn’t appear to be an inch of the walls that aren’t decorated. Chandeliers drop from the ceilings. Golden doors abound. Frescoes adorn the walls.
Once you’ve been through all the rooms, you’ll be presented with the armoury. This is a museum in itself. Shields, swords and knights, you’ll find weaponry from a variety of eras. There’s some really impressive war time gear. I wouldn’t have messed with the Savoys!
We’ve seen our share of royal palaces, and this one will be firmly implanted in our minds as one of the more impressive.
Tickets at entry: The Royal Palace || 2-3 hours || €12 (special art exhibits are extra). Free on the first Sunday of the month as well as some pubic holidays. Also included with the Torino-Piemonte card.
#5 Palazzo Madama
Within Piazza Castello lies Palazzo Madama. Another extraordinary baroque building that acted as the first Senate of the Italian Kingdom.
Today the palace is home to the Turin City Museum of Ancient Art. For this reason, you’ll learn all about the history of the building as well as the artwork that lies within it. Roman ruins will also feature, given the site was used as one of the gates of the old Roman walls in the 1st century.
Tickets at entry: Palazzo Madama || 1 hour || €10 (special art exhibits are extra). Free on the first Wednesday of the month. Also included with the Torino-Piemonte card.
#6 Porta Palatina
Whilst you can be dazzled by the more recent 16th century palaces, don’t leave Turin without getting a glimpse of some old Roman ruins. Head to Porta Palatina to see some impressive old Roman city gates. Out front, statues of Augustus and Julius Caesar stand tall.
#7 Take a stroll down via Roma
Via Roma is the main high street of Turin, and it’s likely you’ll find yourself walking up and down here at least a few times. Lined with arcades along both sides, you’ll find plenty of high end shops, restaurants and cafes. If you’ve got some money to burn in your pocket, this is the place to go.
Having undergone renovation in the 1930’s, the fascist style architecture dominates. Walking up from the Porta Nuova train station, you’ll be led through the Piazza San Carlo to Piazza Castello.
Looking for more Italian inspiration? Check out our 50+ things on our Italian bucket list to add to yours!
#8 Piazza San Carlo
Piazza San Carlo is one of the most beautiful squares of the city. The piazza was completed in the 1600s for the House of Savoy alongside the Palazzo Reale.
The buildings around the square feature Baroque architecture, with the buildings a mirror image of each other. There are also twin churches that adorn either side, called Santa Cristina and San Carlo.
In Piazza San Carlo you’ll also find Caffé Torino.
#9 Visit a café and have some bicerin: Caffé Torino
How do you get two non-coffee drinkers to order a cup of coffee? You add chocolate, cream and a dose of Italian charm!
Bicerin is a hot drink that was created in Turin. It sounds a little like a medicine you don’t want to take, but I promise it is much better than that! There are many café’s you can choose to have a try of this local delicacy. We chose Caffe Torino which will take you back to another era.
Caffe Torino is located in Piazza San Carlo. It’s home to a vibrant neon Martini sign that hangs in the arcade. You can’t miss it. The Martini brand began in Turin. This sign hangs, oozing its orange hues throughout the evening over Caffe Torino.
We loved drinking our bicerin at this café. It’s a wonderful place to watch the world go by. And even for non coffee drinkers like us, our cup was surprisingly delightful. We’re glad it was good though, because the cost of a seat here is a little absurd. If you take your drink at the bar, it’s half the cost. If you’re on a budget, consider your choice of seat wisely!
Before you leave Caffe Torino, check out the lucky golden bull at the entry. If you walk over it, you are sure to return to Torino!
#10 Do some shopping on via Garibaldi
If you didn’t get your shopping fix on via Roma, head to via Garibaldi. It’s the second longest pedestrian strip in Europe. It’s also a great place to shop with at more mainstream stores.
#11 Piazza Vittorio Veneto
You’ll find Turin’s largest square right in the middle of the city. You’ll no doubt find yourself here at some point if you’ve visited Mole Antonelliana. In the summer you’ll want to head for the arcades as the middle of the square is uncovered and under the scorching sun. It’s often touted as the largest in all of Europe. Whilst there are some debates about this and how this is measured, one things is for sure – it’s big.
#12 Admire Turin’s vintage signs
Turin has some of the most amazing vintage signs we’ve ever seen. We were in typography heaven. We loved pointing out new favourites to each other.
Cinema Lux is one of the most spectacular facades in the city. Located in Galleria San Federico, it’s definitely worth stopping by for a visit.
Interestingly, Cinema Lux is at least the third name it’s been given. Previous iterations have included Cinema Dux and Cinema Rex!
#13 Quadrilatero
The Quadrilatero is a great spot to visit in the evening. This rectangle of narrow streets comes alive at aperitivo hour. Find a spot you fancy and then continue on to dinner.
#14 Try some local Piedmont dishes
You’re in the capital of the Piedmont region, so it’s the perfect place to try some local dishes.
I’d recommend a visit to Cianci Piola Caffè. Located in a vibrant square, this place comes alive at night. Sitting almost elbow to elbow, you can dine under the stars munching down on the best food Piedmont has to offer. The menu is small and changes every day. The prices are also reasonable. We paid €5 for pasta and €6 for our main of roast beef and potatoes. Order a carafe of their local red wine to finish off a great experience and send you home a little tipsy.
#15 Cool down with some amazing gelato
You’re in Italy, the home of gelato. The good news is, Turin has some of the most amazing gelato we’ve eaten.
We love a good gelato, and we’re always keen to avoid the bad gelato in Italy. You might know some of these places. The shops near the tourist traps that charge double what you should pay.
Below are some of our favourite gelato shops in Turin:
Gelateria La Romana
There is a spectacular range of gelato here and it was always busy. The cone with a dip of white or milk chocolate is a divine extra touch when you’ve smashed through the gelato.
We did visit here a few times! Nonna’s biscotti, pistachio, limone and mango hit the high benchmark for us. It even makes our list of the best gelato in Italy.
Albert Marchetti
There are a great range of flavours here, but the refreshing winner has to be the granita. Local to Sicily, the Albert Marchetti version is still of the highest quality. We ate on a hot day, and it was simply delicious and light. Fragola and Limone granita for the win!
Ottimo
You’ll find a few Ottimo stores in Turin. There is a nice range of artisan gelato to choose from. An added bonus is that they are very generous with their tastings, so you have no excuse for choosing poorly.
#16 Visit the local markets
We love visiting local markets in Italy. Turin is home to Porto Palazzo, which is one of the biggest food markets in not just Italy, but all of Europe. Wandering around, that won’t be a surprise. The stalls of fresh fruit, vegetables and other bits and pieces seem endless.
Across the road from Porto Palazzo is the modern equivalent in il Mercato Centrale. Here you’ll find an upscale food hall. Amongst a selection of premium restaurants, you’ll find cheese, focaccia, pizza or pasta amongst other things. This can be an excellent spot to stop and enjoy a bit of post market shopping.
We ate at the Del Cambio outlet given its impressive reputation. You cannot come to Turin and not eat agnolotti. Del Cambio is renowned for the dish. This beef based ravioli in a broth sauce is strongly flavoured without being overwhelming. The three cheeses gnocchi is similar in its lightness. Typically, I find gnocchi to be a little on the heavy side. With the recommendation from the staff we gave it a go. For us it had the right depth and was light enough the enjoy.
#17 Museo dell’Automobile di Torino
Towards the suburb of Lingotto, you’ll find the National Automobile museum. We sadly missed out on visiting here (yes, even with 4 days in town!). If you are a car lover however, a visit here has to be a must. With an impressive collection of some 200+ cars, you’ll find some classic models here. Cars include Fiat, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Maserati alongside some big name international brands. This is the absolute must do in Turin for an Italian car lover.
Tickets available at entry: Museo dell’automobile di Torino || €12 but also included with the Torino-Piemonte card.
Where to stay in Turin
Turin has a good selection of hotels. Being a little less tourist centric, there are possibly less hotels than you might think, particularly if you’ve been to other cities throughout Italy.
A number of the big budget brands have a presence here, but we decided on a short stay apartment. Torino to Stay apartments were located a block from the train station. Location wise, it was about a 10-15 minute walk (or 2-3 minutes on a tram) from the centre, although many of the main attractions we visited are at the further end of the city. In this part of the city however, you’ll find even less accommodation.
Our apartment was an oversized one bedroom with kitchen, dining table and good internet. We were located on the third floor, with access to a lift. We’d have no hesitation returning again.
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How to get to Turin
I hope our long list of things to do in Turin has you interested in a visit to this amazing city. The good news is, the city is well connected via multiple transport options.
There is an international airport in Turin, known as Turin-Caselle Airport. It is located 16 km (10 miles) north of Turin’s city centre. A shuttle bus services links the airport to the Porta Nuova and Porta Susa railway stations.
Also, don’t forget about other nearby airports. We flew into Milan airport on Easyjet and stayed an evening at the Moxy Airport hotel. Flixbus offers services direct from Milan-Milpensa Airport to Turin.
Turin is well serviced by trains to other parts of Italy too. Rome, Milan, Florence, Bologna and Venice can all be reached on direct train services. We always use Omio when booking trains in Italy.
How to get around Turin
Turin is easily explored on foot. If you’re staying in the centre of the city, it’s entirely possible you won’t need to use any public transport during your stay.
However, if you do need some extra help to get around, there is an easy to use tram and bus service. Tickets are available to buy at most newsagents, tobacconists or small coffee shops.
The cost is €1.70 for a 100 minute ticket or €4 for a daily ticket. Remember to tap on to validate your ticket. You can also buy on board for one way fares, but you’ll need exact coins for this.
Metro tickets can be bought from metro stations directly.
Like our things to do in Turin? Pin it for later!
Did we miss any of your favourite things to do in Turin? Let us know below!
Thanks Kristen for inspiring me to put yet another destination on our Italian Trip next year. I hadn’t thought of visiting Turin. So this post is timely. This looks such a great city. The Egyptian Museum is a bonus surprise. But Wow, the city has so much on offer in its very own right. I will pin it for future reference 👍
Thanks Estelle! It is an amazing city, although we’re a bit biased towards those cities in the north! The Egyptian Museum is magnificent. Look forward to hearing about your Italian trip next year!
Turin is one city in Italy I have not had the pleasure of visiting yet. Great tips and info 🙂
Thank you! It’s a stunning city. From the food to the people to the sights. Hope you can get there on a future trip 🙂
Thnaks for a great round up of Turin – I have also spent time there last year. The only thing missing from your article is to visit the Superga Cathedral on the hill – if you liked the Savoy history you will enjoy it there as well, you can do a tour through the royal crypts under the cathedral which are very impressive. And the views are divine!
Thanks Anne! It’s a wonderful city isn’t it? Yes, we didn’t get the Superga Cathedral. We plan on a return visit at some point, so will be sure to put that on our itinerary 🙂