Have you ever experienced love at first sight, but with a city? I had that experience with Turin. We were driving across the north of Italy on one of our epic autumn Italian road trips, and decided to stop for the day in Turin. Originally, we had planned to push west back towards France that evening, but fell head-over-heels in love with Turin, so we stopped for the night. Since then we have returned twice more, and only have great things to say about it. Here’s my guide to one day in Turin, the perfect day trip guide or starter itinerary for a longer visit.
Turin was the capital for a brief time, during the Risorgimento, a political movement to unify the various independent states on the Italian peninsula in the mid-1800s. Italy wasn’t actually unified fully until 1871, when Rome became the capital.
Turin’s time as the ducal city of the House of Savoy is evident in the many palaces and grand buildings. I must admit to having a more industrial vision of Turin before visiting, and it’s true that Turin has had an illustrious industrial history (Fiat, Lancia), but it has a much longer history with dukes, kings, and opulence!
1 Day in Turin
As always, this itinerary will run midday to midday, so as to include one lunch, one dinner and one breakfast. Feel free to change up the itinerary to run 9am – 9pm if you are just in Turin for a day trip.
Lunch at a Piola
If you want a typical Piedmontaise tavern style dining experience, eat at a Piola. Similar to a Bouillon in Paris, these institutions focus on workers lunches at a great price. We didn’t have a bad meal in Turin, even the little tourist cafe across the street from Mole Antonelliana served delicious bowls of cheap and cheerful pasta.
Piola da Celso is a little out of the way, in the Cenisia neighbourhood, but it’s worth the trip. Dark wood panelling, and red and white chequered table coverings make this place reminiscent of times gone by. It’s like stepping into a grandma’s kitchen to eat a family dinner. It can be loud, but in that cacophony is the joy of eating comfort food with good company. Book ahead if you can, it can get busy.
If you don’t fancy a trip out of the old centre (which is understandable on a short visit), there are other piolas to visit for a cheap, authentic meal. At Piola da Cianci, you can get a hearty and delicious meal for 10-20€.
Choose a Museum
Turin has an amazing array of museums, from modern art to old palaces with collections of suits of armour and gilded rooms. The architecture of the city is predominantly Baroque and Neoclassical, which makes most of the museums very impressive in looks too.
Choose one of these fine museums in Turin:
- Musei Reali – Like 4 museums in one, the Musei Reali really is worth the entry fee. In the Savoy-era Royal Palace on Piazza Castello, in the centre of Turin, the museum includes the armoury, the palace rooms, floors of Piedmontaise and Renaissance art, and an archaeology wing. Not to mention the Chapel of the Shroud and the royal gardens too. The armoury wasn’t what we came for, but blew us away (pun intended) with its opulent and symmetrical hall, and incredible displays of armour (including taxidermy horses and horse armour). The palace rooms are an interesting look into the royal history of the city, but we didn’t spend too much time here. Instead we spent some time upstairs looking at the rooms and rooms of art, and then toured the newer architecture wing. Culminating with a visit to the partially exposed Roman amphitheatre which the palace sits on top of!
- Palazzo Madama – Museum of Ancient Art – On the same square as Musei Reali, Palazzo Madama is a Baroque palace showcasing art and artefacts from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.
- Museo d’Arte Orientale (MAO) – MAO exhibits a remarkable collection of Asian art, from ancient to contemporary.
- Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio) – The Egyptian Museum in Turin is renowned as one of the world’s greatest collections of ancient Egyptian artefacts.
- Automobile Museum (Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile) – Dedicated to Italy’s rich automotive history, featuring vintage cars and cutting-edge designs.
- Other museums include the Museum of the Risorgimento, GAM – Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and the Lavazza (coffee) Museum!
While the Shroud of Turin may bear the city’s name, this much-contested religious relic is not on display (to conserve it). The Chapel of the Shroud, accessed via the Musei Reali, was built to house it, but it is not on display (or anywhere else at present) – it is conserved in special facilities in the Turin Cathedral.
Palatine Gate & Roman Archaeology
Turin’s Roman history began in 28 BC when it was founded as a military colony called Augusta Taurinorum (during the time of Augustus). The city was strategically located at the crossroads of key trade and military routes in northern Italy.
Turin has a typical Roman grid layout, which you can still see evident in Turin’s modern street plan.
You can see remnants of the Roman roots at the Porta Palatina (Palatine Gate), which is one of the best-preserved Roman gates in the world. There are also intact sections of some ancient walls.
The Roman theatre, in/under the Musei Reali, also highlights the city’s importance during the Roman Empire as a regional administrative and military hub.
Aperitivo In Quadrilatero
The Quadrilatero is a district of restaurants and bars, so there are lots of places to choose from. I’m a fan of the restaurants and bars on the edge of this area, around the Piazza Emanuele Filiberto. I’d want an apartment on this square if I lived in Torino!
I would recommend getting a drink with Vermouth in it, as this spirit was invented here in Turin (late 1800s by Antonio Benedetto Carpano). A Negroni (gin, campari, sweet vermouth) is my favourite cocktail, and we sure do try a lot of these whenever we are in Turin.
Dinner at Tre Galli or Tre Galline
Pick one of these sister restaurants for your evening meal. Dinner at Tre Galli, a restaurant and wine bar on Via Sant’Agostino, was a highlight of our first visit to Turin – I still dream of the goat cheese and falafel starter!
The chic atmosphere of the inside wine bar spills out into bistro seating outside – ideal for people-watching!
** Fall into bed at an undisclosed hour **
Breakfast at Avocuddle Café
Have a relaxed breakfast at this avocado toast specialist cafe in Galleria Umberto. These folks have lots of breakfast options (not just avocado), including pancakes and french toast, so there’s something for everyone.
Take in the view from Mole Antonelliana
Turin’s most recognisable landmark, Mole Antonelliana, was designed in 1863 by architect Alessandro Antonelli as a synagogue. Pivoting in the design, he later added the iconic spire in 1889. Too expensive and big to be maintained as a synagogue, it was sold to the city and has served as an exhibition space in the past. It is now the National Cinema Museum.
You can also go up to the lookout at 85-metres, by way of a glass elevator! Have your own Charlie and the Chocolate Factory moment with a 1-minute ride up to the lookout platform, and get marvellous views of the Cinema museum and dome on your way up. The views from the lookout are amazing!
Churches, Squares & Gallerias
Lastly, before the end of your 24 hours in Turin, take a wander the city centre – the churches, squares and gallerias are a joy to wander around.
- The grandeur of Piazza Vittoria Veneto, which leads down to the Po River and across to the stunning Neoclassical domed church, Gran Madre di Dio.
- Wander into the Galleria Subalpina, a beautiful Art-Nouveau and Neoclassical shopping galleria with a fountain in the centre.
- Stop for coffee and cake in Galleria San Federico.
- Visit the Turin Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista) – home to the Shroud of Turin (although it is not on display). You can climb the tower for a fee
- Meander from the Piazza Carlo Alberto, past the National Museum of the Risorgimento Italiano (history of the unification of Italy).
- Enjoy the symmetry of Piazza San Carlo.
- Admire the many archways of Turin. Although there probably aren’t as many archways as there are in Bologna, Turin makes a good effort!
Join a walking tour, or do a self-guided wander through the city and down along the river or through a park. Turin is a very green city, and on a sunny day, a wander is nothing short of magnificent.
Things to do if you have longer than 1 day in Turin
- Take a food tour with Turin Epicurean – It’s worth spending a bit longer in Turin to take a food tour. With local expertise and a deep love for Piedmontese cuisine, you will get a glimpse into the fantastic foodie culture of Turin.
- Take a day trip to Castello di Rivoli – One of the very best modern art spaces I have ever visited (and I have visited a few) is located just 13 miles outside of Turin. The Castello di Rivoli – Museo d’Arte Contemporanea was the first museum dedicated to contemporary art in Italy, and opened in 1984. But it is set in an incredible Baroque castle, an ex-House of Savoy residence, that has been restored and with the damaged areas rebuilt with modern accoutrements. The juxtaposition of Baroque architecture and decoration with modern art is both fascinating and jarring in wonderful measure! They also have a great cafe and terrace with beautiful views.
We found Castello di Rivoli quite by accident – we saw the sign from the highway, and needed to pee, so followed the brown heritage signs! We love following our noses (or bladders in this case) to new places – fate has a way of rewarding this wandering!
Getting to and around Turin
Getting to Turin
By Air: Turin Airport (TRN), also known as Caselle Airport, is located 16 kms north of the city. There are shuttle buses and taxis to the city centre, which is around a 30-minute journey.
By Train: Turin is a major rail hub with excellent high-speed train connections. The Porta Susa and Porta Nuova stations serve routes from cities like Milan, Florence, Rome, and Paris. High-speed trains (TGV or Frecciarossa) from Milan take just 1 hour.
By Road: Turin is well-connected via highways, including the A4 from Milan and the A32 from France through the Alps. Long-distance buses from cities across Italy and Europe also arrive at Turin’s main bus station, Corso Bolzano.
Due to Turin’s location, it makes a great city from which to start your Northern Italy road trip, or to rest before exploring the Dolomites.
Getting Around Turin
Public Transport
Turin has a good public transport network, operated by GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti), which includes buses, trams, and one metro line. The metro is modern and convenient, connecting key areas like Porta Susa, Porta Nuova, and Lingotto. Tickets are valid across all forms of public transport and can be purchased at stations, tobacco shops, or kiosks. A single ticket lasts 90 minutes, while daily and multi-day passes are available for tourists.
Walking & Cycling
Turin is a walkable city, especially in the historic centre. Biking is another fun way to get around – you can rent a bike through services like TOBike, and explore the beautiful Po River paths.
Taxis
Taxis are widely available but must be hired from stands or by phone. Uber is limited in Italy, so use the Free Now app for Turin ride-sharing services.
Driving and Parking
We found it relatively easy driving and parking in Turin. We used the large and well-lit underground carpark under Piazza Emanuele Filiberto on two of our visits, which was very convenient for the Quadrilatero neighbourhood. Driving in Turin’s ZTL (restricted traffic zone) is limited to residents and permit holders. You should park in designated garages or lots outside the ZTL area to avoid fines. These limited areas are well signposted.
Where to stay in Turin
Two of my favourite hotels are in Turin. Both were interesting buildings that have been repurposed into hotels:
- AC Hotel Torino by Marriott – Housed in the old Pastificio Italiano (Italian Pasta Factory), this stylish old turn of the century building has been given new life as a stylish AC branded hotel. We chose this location, while being a few tram or bus stops from the centre of town, because it has a good sized, secure, carpark out the back – perfect for those road-tripping around Italy.
- NH Collection Torino Santo Stefano – This stunning hotel in the heart of Turin incorporates a tower built by renowned Turin architect, Roberto Gabetti. With a breathtaking staircase around the internal walls, and nothing but views out and views down, the tower marks the striking frontage. The hotel itself is high-end and the beds were lush!
Both hotels are pet-friendly for a fee. We found Italy to be very accommodating of dogs in general.
Food to try in Turin
- Bagna Cauda – A warm dip made with garlic, anchovies, and olive oil, traditionally served with fresh veggies.
- Vitello Tonnato – Thinly sliced veal topped with a creamy, tangy tuna sauce.
- Agnolotti al Plin – Small, hand-pinched pasta pockets filled with meat or vegetables, typically served with butter and sage or a meat sauce.
- Gianduja Chocolate – Turin’s signature chocolate-hazelnut creation, the OG Nutella 😉
- Bicerin – A traditional hot drink made with layers of espresso, chocolate, and cream. You can’t see the layers in my photo, but it has a three layer effect with the different ingredients.
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All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM; and an iPhone.
