Turin
Introduction
You will find Turin situated in northern Italy, serving as both a cultural hub and a center for business. Located on the western bank of the River Po below the Susa Valley, the city sits nestled between the Superga hill and the western Alpine arch.
Experience the historical weight of this capital city of the Piedmont region, which also served as the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy during the mid-19th century.
Before you go
Prepare for a city defined by its layered history, from its ancient roots as a site of conflict to its transformation into a royal capital adorned with baroque palaces and grand piazzas. You will experience a landscape shaped by industrial power in the 19th century and a modern reinvention that embraces design and services. The continental climate offers warm summers and cold winters where snow is common, while the abundance of indoor attractions and open spaces ensures you can enjoy the city year-round.
When navigating the city, be mindful of your surroundings in certain areas: the top end of Via Nizza near Porta Nuova station can be seedy at night, and the San Salvario district becomes raucous and attracts low-life elements after dark. To stay safe from pickpockets in busy areas, keep a close watch on your bags. Most importantly, avoid wearing football shirts or club colors; local rivalries mean that displaying the colors of major European clubs can provoke confrontations with local supporters.
Getting there
You can reach the city by air via Turin Airport, located north of the city center. From this terminal, you can choose between several transport options: a dedicated train line connects to major hubs like Porta Susa and Lingotto, while multiple bus lines provide service to various local stations and the city center. Taxis are available at the arrivals area for trips into the city, and car-hailing services also operate from designated parking areas. If you arrive at nearby airports such as Milan Malpensa, a direct bus service links those terminals to Turin Porta Susa.
For rail travelers, Porta Nuova serves as the primary station and is the closest to the city center, featuring various shops, cafes, and a left-luggage office. Other significant stations include Porta Susa, which offers amenities like a café and convenience store, and Lingotto, located south of the center. If you prefer traveling by road, the city is accessible via several toll motorways including the A4, A5, A7, and A32. Long-distance buses also provide connections from numerous European cities, with many services stopping at a designated point near the Porta Susa railway station.
Getting around
You can navigate the city using an integrated network of buses, trams, and a metro line operated by GTT. The metro features driverless trains that connect major hubs like Porta Nuova and Porta Susa, while the extensive bus and tram network serves as the backbone of local travel. For late-night trips, night buses fan out from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. You must purchase and validate your ticket before boarding; these can be found at tabaccherie, bars, kiosks, or vending machines at metro stations. If you prefer to explore on two wheels, several bike-share services are available via mobile apps, though you should be mindful of traffic and the condition of the bicycle paths.
For travel beyond the city center, the GTT network includes the suburbs, while regional trains and specialized bus lines serve outlying communities and nearby sights. If you choose to travel by car, note that driving in the city is challenging due to restricted-entry streets and heavy traffic; however, a central parking garage is available beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Taxis are available at major railway stations and specific street corners, though they typically start their meters upon your request rather than being hailed on the street. You may also choose from various car-sharing or electric scooter sharing services to move around the city.
Where to stay
Depending on your preference for atmosphere and location, you can find a variety of accommodations across the city. For those seeking value, options range from simple pensions in the Vanchiglia district with convenient transport to more central hotels near Porta Nuova station. If you prefer a modern feel, some well-furnished properties offer underground parking or are situated conveniently near metro stops.
For a more indulgent stay, you can choose from several high-end options:
- Experience an oriental theme and spa facilities in a charming central hotel.
- Stay in the historic centre at a property opposite Palazzo Reale featuring a beautiful spa.
- Enjoy elegant rooms and attentive service in the heart of the historical district.
- Relax in a well-appointed hotel just a short walk from Piazza San Carlo.
- Stay in a business hotel set within a former factory, featuring high-ceilinged rooms and a rooftop race-track.
Food & drink
Experience a distinct regional cuisine in Turin that differs significantly from other parts of Italy. You can sample traditional Piedmontese dishes such as vitello tonnato, tajarin, agnolotti, and bagna cauda. For local treats, look for specialty products including torrone, bicerin, grissini, and gianduiotto. If you prefer a lighter snack, find thin waffles with sweet or savory fillings or enjoy crispy focaccia.
You can stay hydrated with high-quality public water sourced from nearby mountains, which flows from fountains often shaped like green bulls known as Turet. While the historic center offers many charming old-world cafés, you will find a concentration of bars along the river near Ponte Vittorio Emanuele. For late-night drinks, head toward the area around Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
What to see and do
Explore the historic heart of Turin, where you can wander through an extensive network of arcades and a grid of streets lined with attractive porticos. The city is defined by its grand architecture, including several baroque palaces and churches that served as residences for the Savoy royalty. You can visit famous coffee shops or explore renowned museums scattered throughout the city.
Your visit to the local landmarks offers a wide variety of cultural experiences:
- Explore the Palazzo Reale, a hybrid of medieval and baroque styles housing the Royal Library, the Royal Armoury, and the Chapel of the Shroud.
- Visit the Museo Egizio to see an extensive collection of Egyptian artifacts, including mummies and ancient funerary items.
- Experience the history of Italian unification at the Risorgimento Museum in Palazzo Carignano.
- See a vast collection of 19th and 20th-century art at GAM Torino or view modern photography at Galleria d'Italia.
- Ascend the Mole Antonelliana, a landmark masonry tower housing the National Cinema Museum where you can watch Italian film classics.
- View a diverse range of vehicles, from historic carriages to Formula 1 racers, at the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile.
When to go
You can experience four distinct seasons in Turin, each offering a different atmosphere. During the winter, you will encounter moderately cold and dry conditions where snowfalls occur occasionally, though significant accumulation is rare. While banks of fog form across the plains during this time, they rarely reach the city itself.
Spring and autumn serve as transitional periods with mild temperatures. You should expect frequent rain during both of these seasons; however, as autumn arrives, you may notice banks of fog beginning to form in the plains. Summer brings quite hot conditions to the plains, while only the hills remain mild. During these hotter months, rainfall is less frequent but often arrives as heavy thunderstorms.
Three days in Turin
Day one, you can begin your journey in the heart of the city by exploring the historic center. You can visit the Palazzo Reale and relax in the nearby Piazza San Carlo or Piazza Vittorio Veneto to experience the atmosphere of this Piedmont region.
Day two, you can venture toward the outskirts to see Superga. From there, you can travel toward the Alpine scenery of the Susa Valley to experience the landscape beyond the city limits.
Day three, you can explore different neighborhoods like San Salvario or Vanchiglia. You can also visit the Lingotto area to see a different side of the local surroundings before your departure.