Guide to Turin

Turin (Torino) is one of Italy27s most elegant and underrated cities: a place of grand boulevards, graceful piazzas, royal palaces and chocolate-scented cafe9s. For guests staying in the Piedmont countryside, it makes a perfect day trip or short city break: compact, walkable, and full of art, history, food and atmosphere.

1. Why visit Turin?

Turin was the first capital of unified Italy and the home of the Savoy royal family, and that heritage shows in its stately architecture and palace-lined avenues. Yet it also feels relaxed and liveable, more like a refined northern European city than a hectic Mediterranean one.

2. When to visit Turin

Turin is a year-round destination, but your experience will vary with the seasons. For countryside guests, spring and autumn offer the best balance of pleasant weather and cultural events.

Spring (March2dMay)

Days get longer, the city27s parks turn green, and cafe9 terraces start to fill. Expect mild to warm temperatures, with the chance of showers. It27s an excellent time for walking tours and combining Turin with countryside drives among blossoming hills.

Summer (June2dAugust)

Summer can be hot, especially in July and August, but Turin27s wide, shaded boulevards and arcades make it more comfortable than many Italian cities. Midday is best spent in museums, churches or long lunches, with sightseeing in the morning and evening.

Autumn (September2dNovember)

Autumn is perhaps the most atmospheric time: golden light, crisp air and all the flavours of Piedmont27s harvest season. It27s ideal for pairing a day in the city with wine tasting in the Langhe or Monferrato hills.

Winter (December2dFebruary)

Expect cold, often dry weather, with snow visible on the surrounding Alps. Turin does winter beautifully: glowing lights, cosy historic cafe9s serving hot chocolate and bicerin, and excellent Christmas and New Year27s decorations. It27s also a good time to combine city visits with skiing in the mountains.

Key events and festivals

3. How to get to Turin

If you are already staying at a countryside property in Piedmont, Turin is typically between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours away by car, depending on your exact location. For international arrivals, there are good options by air, train and road.

By air

Turin2dCaselle Airport (TRN) is the city27s main airport, located about 25minutes from the centre by car or airport bus. It has direct flights from several European hubs, with more options in peak seasons.

By train

Turin is well-connected by rail, making it a comfortable option if you prefer not to fly or drive long distances.

By car

Driving gives you maximum flexibility, especially if you are combining Turin with a countryside stay.

4. Neighbourhoods & where to stay

Even if you are staying in the countryside, it can be useful to know Turin27s key neighbourhoods when planning where to park, explore, or possibly spend a night in the city.

5. Top 10 highlights in and around Turin

You won27t see everything in one day, but these highlights give a brilliant taste of the city. Pick a mix that suits your interests and pace.

1. Piazza Castello & Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale): Turin27s monumental heart, framed by regal buildings. Visit the Royal Palace, Royal Armoury and Royal Gardens for a sense of Savoy splendour. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e buy a combined ticket or the Torino+Piemonte Card if you plan multiple museums.
2. Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio): one of the world27s finest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts, beautifully presented and engaging for adults and older children. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e pre-book timed tickets, especially in high season or bad-weather days.
3. Mole Antonelliana & National Museum of Cinema: Turin27s iconic spire houses a superb cinema museum. Take the glass lift to the panoramic terrace for sweeping views over the city and Alps. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e combine museum + lift, and go early or late to avoid queues.
4. Piazza San Carlo: an elegant, perfectly proportioned square lined with historic cafe9s. Ideal for a coffee, chocolate or aperitivo stop under the arcades.
5. Via Roma & Via Garibaldi: the city27s main shopping arteries, perfect for a gentle stroll between sights. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e arcades keep you dry in rain and shaded in summer.
6. Parco del Valentino & the Po River: a long riverside park with walking paths, views of the hills, and a charming medieval-style village (Borgo Medievale). Great for families and a pause from museums.
7. Basilica di Superga: perched on a hill overlooking the city, reachable by a historic rack railway (from Sassi) or by car. The views over Turin and the Alps are superb. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e pick a clear day and bring a light layer 2d it can be breezier at the top.
8. Venaria Reale: a grand royal residence and gardens just outside Turin, sometimes compared to Versailles. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e allow at least half a day; consider pairing it with a relaxed evening in the city or countryside.
9. Porta Palazzo Market & surrounding streets: one of Europe27s largest open-air markets, bursting with fresh produce, cheese, cured meats and more. 3cem3eTip:3c2fem3e go in the morning; keep valuables secure in busy areas.
10. Historic cafe9s & chocolate shops: places like Caffe8 Torino, Caffe8 San Carlo or Caffe8 Mulassano (to name just a few) offer a taste of old-world Turin. Order a bicerin (layers of coffee, chocolate and cream) or hot chocolate and soak up the atmosphere.

6. Things to do in Turin

Museums & culture

Royal residences

Turin and its surroundings are dotted with royal residences, many of them UNESCO-listed as part of the “Residences of the Royal House of Savoy”.

Markets & shopping

Turin is a wonderful place to browse food markets, independent boutiques and classic Italian brands.

Parks, views & walks

Family-friendly ideas

7. Food & drink in Turin

Turin is a paradise for food lovers, combining rich Piedmontese cooking with refined cafe9 culture and excellent wine. A day here can easily revolve around breakfast in a historic cafe9, a leisurely lunch, an afternoon chocolate stop and a classic aperitivo before heading back to the countryside.

Local dishes & flavours

Chocolate & sweet treats

Turin is one of Italy27s chocolate capitals. You27ll find historic chocolatiers and modern pastry shops across the centre.

Coffee culture & historic cafe9s

Turin27s historic cafe9s are as much about the atmosphere as the drinks: high ceilings, mirrors, chandeliers and polished wood.

Aperitivo & wine

Early evening is aperitivo time, when locals meet for a drink and small bites before dinner. Turin has a long tradition with vermouth and cocktail culture.

8. Day trips from Turin

If you are based in the countryside, Turin may itself be your day trip. But if you choose to spend a night or two in the city, there are wonderful excursions within easy reach.

9. Practical tips for visiting Turin

Getting around: public transport, walking & cycling

Turin is compact, and most main sights in the centre are within a 152d20 minute walk of each other. Public transport is useful for longer hops or if you27re arriving by train.

Safety

Turin is generally a safe city, especially in the central areas most visitors explore. As in any city, use normal common sense.

Budget & typical costs

Compared with cities like Milan or Venice, Turin offers good value for money. Prices vary, but as a rough guide:

Language

Italian is the main language, and you27ll hear the local Piedmontese dialect among residents. English is widely understood in central hotels, major museums and many restaurants, but less so in small neighbourhood places.

Weather & what to wear

Turin has a continental climate with warm summers and cool winters. Pack layers, as temperatures can change between sunny afternoons and cooler evenings, especially in spring and autumn.

Dress code for churches & nicer restaurants

10. Suggested 3-day Turin itinerary

This sample itinerary assumes you are staying in the Piedmont countryside and visiting Turin by car or train. Feel free to adapt timings based on season, opening hours and your own pace.

Day 1 2d First taste of Turin

Day 2 2d Views, parks & lingering cafe9s

Day 3 2d Markets, royal residences or a themed day

For your third day, choose a theme depending on your interests and energy levels:

Whether you dip into Turin for a single day or return several times during your stay, the city rewards unhurried exploration. Combine its museums and monuments with plenty of cafe9 stops, river walks and time simply watching local life, and you27ll soon understand why so many visitors fall quietly in love with this elegant northern city.