Turin, Italy: 28 Best Things to Do and See

Right beneath the peaks of the Alpine mountains, you’ll find the Northern Italian industrial metropolis of Turin. The city of Turin, or Torino for short, is the cradle of Fiat automobiles, Lavazza coffee, and the Italian aperitivo tradition. So let’s explore it together! In this guide — Turin, Italy: 28 Best Things to Do and See — you’ll find out what to see and do in Turin, as well as where to stay strategically.

When to Visit Turin

You can visit Turin all year round, as each season is suitable for different activities. Turin offers opportunities for city tourism, as well as skiing in winter resorts, for example.

However, probably the best months to visit the city are May to September.

Turin: where to Stay

In Turin, it’s best to stay near the city center; the best hotels include:

• Adalesia Hotel & Coffee,
• Hotel Roma e Rocca Cavour,
• CHC Hotel Torino Castello.

Turin, Italy: 28 Best Things to Do and See

Turin is a city with a rich history, industry, and many attractions. If you decide to visit, I have 28 tips on what to see in Turin for you. If you plan to visit multiple sights, we recommend purchasing the Turin: Torino+Piemonte 3-Day City Card via GetYourGuide, which will give you cheaper entry to museums and other attractions.

Mole Antonelliana

The city’s dominant landmark is the Mole Antonelliana tower, which was originally built as a synagogue between 1863 and 1889 by architect Alessandro Antonelli. It has an imposing appearance and stands out with its height of over 160 meters.

Currently, the Mole Antonelliana serves as the National Museum of Cinema.

Royal Palace

You will find the Palazzo Reale di Torino, or Royal Palace, in the historic part of the city. It was built in the 14th century and became the seat of the Savoy monarchs. The Royal Palace also features the so-called “King’s Apartment”, which were rooms used by the monarchs for private purposes.

Tip: If you don’t want to wait in line for tickets, we recommend buying them in advance, for example, online via GetYourGuide.

Palazzo Madama

Palazzo Madama is another historic building which was built in the 15th century as a fortified castle. Its name is derived from the Queen Mother who lived there in the 17th century.

Today, Palazzo Madama is home to an art collection and museum.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist dates back to the 15th century and combines Gothic and Baroque elements. The facade is adorned with statues, and inside you will find artworks, altars, and beautiful stained glass windows.

Superga Basilica

The Superga Basilica is an important religious site in the city. Its construction began after promises made by the Duke of Savoy, who vowed to build a church if the Savoyard army defeated the French army and liberated Turin during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Porta Palatina

In the center of Turin, you will come across the historic Porta Palatina gate. The gate was built during the Roman Empire. The original structure included four arches, of which only three are visible today.

Egyptian Museum

Turin is home to one of the most significant Egyptological museums. The Museo Egizio holds one of the most extensive collections of Egyptian artworks and artifacts in the world. The exhibits include statues, inscriptions, mummies, sarcophagi, religious objects, and much more. Many of the exhibits come from archaeological excavations carried out in Egypt in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Palazzo Carignano

The Palazzo Carignano is a palace built between 1679 and 1685 at the behest of Prince Emanuel Philibert, a member of the House of Savoy. The building was designed by architect Guarino Guarini and features a Baroque architectural style.

In 1848, the so-called Statuto Albertino was signed here, which laid the foundations for the Italian constitution. Today, Palazzo Carignano houses the Museum of Risorgimento, which chronicles the Italian struggle for unification and the birth of the modern Italian state.

Via Roma

Via Roma is an important street that connects Piazza Carlo Felice with Piazza Castello. Via Roma originated in the 16th century, is 607 meters long, and today is the main tourist and shopping street.

Automobile Museum

In Turin, you’ll find an automobile museum, which is one of the oldest in the world. It has extensive collections, including over 200 vehicles, from historical to contemporary. The exhibition includes cars, motorcycles, scooters, and other vehicles that document the development of the automotive industry. You can buy tickets via GetYourGuide.

Church of the Great Mother of God

One of the most interesting churches in Turin is the Chiesa della Gran Madre de Dio (Church of the Great Mother of God). The church was built between 1818 and 1831 in Piazza Gran Madre di Dio. Its construction began after the victorious return of King Victor Emmanuel I from the war and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary in gratitude for Turin’s preservation.

Borgo Medievale

The Borgo Medievale in Turin is a reconstruction of a medieval village that was created at the end of the 19th century. The exhibition was a success, and so it was eventually decided to preserve the village, turning it into a permanent tourist attraction.

Palazzina Di Caccia Di Stupinigi

The Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi is an 18th-century hunting lodge in Baroque architectural style. Today, the Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi is open to the public and serves as a museum and cultural center.

Castello Del Valentino

The Castello del Valentino is a castle in Turin with a rich history. It was built in the 16th century and was originally designed as a summer residence for the House of Savoy. Currently, the Castello del Valentino is home to an art museum.

Piazza Castello

The main square in Turin is Piazza Castello. On one side, the Royal Palace dominates, and on the other stands the Church of San Lorenzo. Around the square, you’ll find plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Parco Del Valentino

If you want to escape the city bustle, then visit Parco del Valentino, which is a public park on the right bank of the Po River. The park consists of beautiful gardens, green avenues, and the Valentino Castle.

Villa Della Regina

The Villa della Regina was built in the 17th century for Queen Anne Marie d’Orléans, wife of Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy. It was originally conceived as a hunting lodge and later served as a summer residence for the royal family.

Today, Villa della Regina is open to the public and functions as a museum.

Santuario Della Consolata

Another important church is the Santuario della Consolata. The church’s roots go back to the Middle Ages, but the current form of the Santuario della Consolata was built between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The church is considered one of the most important religious sites in Turin and holds deep significance for the local Catholic community.

Church of San Lorenzo

The Church of San Lorenzo is another one of Turin’s religious and cultural landmarks. The church’s architectural style combines elements of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The church’s facade is adorned with statues and reliefs, and inside you will find altars, chapels, and artworks.

Piazza San Carlo

The Piazza San Carlo square is located in the center of Turin and is surrounded by historic buildings. Piazza San Carlo is also known for two historic cafes, Caffè Torino and Caffè San Carlo.

Royal Armory

Turin houses a rich collection of weapons, which you can find in the local Royal Armory. The Royal Armory hosts an extensive collection of military artifacts, weapons, armor, and military uniforms. The exhibition covers the period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

National Museum of Cinema

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema is located in the Mole Antonelliana tower. The museum contains rich collections related to the history of cinematography. It includes film posters, props, costumes, photographs, and other items related to the film industry and its development.

Juventus Museum

All football fans surely know that Turin is home to the stadium of the Juventus football club. Juventus also has its own museum, which you can visit.

The museum offers interactive exhibitions and exhibits that showcase the club’s history and achievements. Visitors can explore various parts of the museum and learn more about legendary players, coaches, and key moments in the club’s history.

Porta Palazzo

Porta Palazzo is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Turin. Here you’ll find two markets: Balon Market and Piazza della Repubblica Market. Balon Market is a flea market where you can find various treasures and antiques. Piazza della Repubblica Market offers a wide selection of fresh food, fruits, vegetables, fish, and other products.

Excursions in the Surroundings

To be honest, Turin isn’t a destination where you need to spend a long time. However, it has a convenient location, and you can take day trips to the surrounding areas. Get inspired for trips on GetYourGuide.

TIP: If you can’t stay in one place for long, you can take a road trip (more like a train trip, but we get it 😄) from Turin via Genoa, Cinque Terre all the way to Pisa, or vice versa, via Milan, Verona to Venice. The combination of cities is up to you.

Genoa

Take a trip from Turin to the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa. You can get there by train in about two hours. You can find all important information about Genoa in our article.

Milan

In less than two hours by train, you can travel from Turin to Italy’s second-largest city — Milan. In my opinion, everyone should see the Milan Cathedral at least once in their lifetime.

France

Turin is located near the border with France, so it’s no problem to combine your visit to Italy with a French city.

Turin Facts

While Turin may not be the most sought-after tourist destination, it is associated with several interesting facts:

• The tradition of the Italian aperitivo was born in Turin in the 18th century.
• Turin is home to the Fiat automobile company.
• Turin is also known for its chocolate and the production of a chocolate dessert called bicerin.
• The city’s name is derived from the Celtic term ‘Tau’, which means mountain.
• The city of Turin is also the cradle of Italian cinematography.
• Turin is home to the Italian top-tier football club Juventus.
• The city’s landmark, the Mole Antonelliana, is depicted on euro coins.

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