Turin Things to Do

Turin is no doubt one of the crown jewels of Northern Italy. This gorgeous city is set amongst distant mountains, nearby hills, local rivers, and patches of greenery that together increasingly make it a favorite for travelers. Turin has everything from chocolate festivals, architecturally impressive piazze, museums, parks, open-air markets and more, making a vacation here one of the most charming experiences Italy has to offer. Tourists could easily spend a week in Turin enjoying the rich history, culture, cuisine, and seemingly never-ending list of things to do. Whether you choose to stay for a day or two or a whole week, do not waste a minute and explore everything this amazing city has to offer!

FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN TURIN, ITALY

Some view Turin as the birthplace of Italian cinema, and, over the years, the city’s role in the cinematic industry has only grown. Typically, during the month of November, the city of Turin hosts the Torino Film Festival, which is Italy’s second largest film festival. This international celebration of film features movie screenings at the Mole Antonelliana, a distinctive Turin structure recognized primarily by its unique spire. The Italian National Museum of Cinema is also located here and is home to famous movie memorabilia from a variety of different film genres as well as artifacts related to the history of film.

November also ushers in the Turin Chocolate Festival. Called CioccolaTò (which plays on the Italian word for chocolate and the city’s name), this festival is a definite must for hardcore foodies. During this literally mouthwatering event, the Piazza San Carlo is overtaken by more than one hundred twenty Italian chocolate makers. If you visit during the festival, expect to try some free samples of a number of decadently flavored chocolates.

In the month of December, the city center of Turin is transformed with light installations designed by local artists. Known as Luci d’artista (artist lights), the unique event dates back to 1998. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, the streets of Turin as well as its main squares and most famous monuments, such as the Mole Antonelliana, become part of an open-air museum, making Turin’s fabulous city center even more magical.

OUTDOOR

One of the city’s main squares, Piazza Castello, is home to a number of architecturally impressive buildings that the city is well known for. This beautiful open-air piazza was completed during the eighteenth century after centuries of construction. The stars of the show here are the widely famous Palazzo Madama, which was the seat of the first Italian Senate, and Palazzo Reale, which is a Savoy royal palace that dates back to the sixteenth century. The square is one of the best meeting places in the city because four of Turin’s major streets (Via Garibaldi, Via Po, Via Roma, and Via Micca) all come together here in Piazza Castello.

The Piazza San Carlo is another popular landmark in Turin. While this beautiful square is a fantastic place to relax and people watch, it is perhaps best known for the so-called twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo. These churches are built side by side with symmetrical façades. Stop to marvel at the harmony of the exterior of both churches, but do not forget to wander inside for intimate views of religious paintings and frescoes.

To truly get to know the city, take a nice walk along one of its major streets, such as Via Roma or Via Po. The former connects Piazza San Carlo to Piazza Castello and features many local shops, restaurants, and cafés, while the latter leads to the Po River offering scenic views.

For a unique afternoon, take the tramway up to the Basilica of Superga. From here, travelers can enjoy stunning views of Turin and the surrounding area as well as the beauty of the Baroque church. Overlooking the city, the Basilica of Superga dates back to the eighteenth century and was designed by famed architect Filippo Juvarra. The church alone is worth a visit, but it is also notable due to the fact that its crypt houses the tombs of members of the Savoy royal family, which can be visited.

If stunning royal palaces catch your attention, head to the Palace of Venaria, which is one of the most splendid former residences of the House of Savoy. Located outside of Turin, the expansive palace is one of the largest in the world and originally served as a hunting lodge. Eventually, the palace was expanded to the Baroque masterpiece we see today with gorgeous interiors designed by Filippo Juvarra. Do not spend all your time indoors though, as the fabulous gardens, which give the gardens of Versailles a run for their money, are truly beautiful.

Turin is also home to a few fascinating castles. One excellent example is the Castello di Valentino or Valentino Castle. Located in a park and surrounded by greenery, the Valentino Castle is now part of the architecture department of Turin’s prestigious Polytechnic University. Dating back to the sixteenth century, the castle was extended twice: first under the vision of Christine of France in the seventeenth century and then by Count Camillo Benso di Cavour in the nineteenth century. The castle’s gardens now serve as the Botanical Gardens of the Polytechnic University and offer a nice respite in the city center of Turin.

Just outside of Turin, travelers can visit the Castello di Rivoli, a military fortress originating from the eleventh century. Once the castle was under Savoy power during the thirteenth century, it served as the first court of the Duchy of Savoy before becoming a royal residence during the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, Filippo Juvarra was commissioned to expand the castle, but the works were never completed. Restored in the 1980s, today the castle hosts the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Also outside of Turin, travelers will find another royal residence of the Savoy family, Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi. Dating back to the eighteenth century, the structure served as a hunting lodge and was designed by Filippo Juvarra. Exquisitely decorated, today the palace is home to a Furniture Museum that displays historical pieces from this palace as well as other residences of the Savoy family.

One of the most unique buildings in the city center of Turin is the synagogue, which was designed with distinct Moorish elements. Completed in 1884, it was unfortunately destroyed during Allied bombardments in 1942. However, the exterior walls survived and the synagogue was eventually rebuilt during the post-war period. A second synagogue was completed in 1972 in the shape of an amphitheater and styled with Baroque elements.

INDOOR

If you are looking for something a little more exotic, consider a visit to the Egyptian Museum, locally referred to as Museo Egizio. Housing more than 30,000 artifacts spanning from the Paleolithic era to the Coptic era, visitors can admire temples, sarcophagi, painted fabrics, intact tombs, ancient tablets, and papyrus maps. Many scholars consider this museum to be second only to Egyptian Museum located in the city of Cairo.

Turin is filled with impressive art galleries, and perhaps one of the most important is the Galleria Sabauda, or Sabauda Gallery. Here, visitors can admire countless masterpieces collected by the House of Savoy over many centuries. Displaying art from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries, the great Piedmontese painters are all represented, as are many renowned Italian artists, such as Filippino Lippi, Andrea Mantegna, and Duccio di Buoninsegna, alongside international talents, such Jan van Eyck, and Rembrandt.

The Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento is the largest museum in Italy dedicated to the movement for Italian unification. Originally located in the Mole Antonelliana, today the museum can be found inside Palazzo Carignano. Spread across 30 rooms, the collection features art, weapons, uniforms, original documents, and more spanning from the revolutions that began in the eighteenth century until the dawn of World War I.

After visiting the Risorgimento Museum, head to Palazzo Cavour to learn more about one of the founders of the Risorgimento movement. This Baroque palace dates back to the eighteenth century and was the home of Count Camillo Benso di Cavour. It was here that the newspaper “Il Risorgimento” was founded and that the leaders of the Risorgimento would meet to discuss plans for a unified Italy. Today, the building is richly decorated and open to visitors.

The Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, or Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, is one of the biggest collections of modern art in the country and the oldest permanent collection of modern art in Italy. The museum is home to more than forty-five thousand masterpieces including paintings, sculptures, and more. With works dating back to the nineteenth century and many renowned artists represented, including Giorgio de Chirico and Max Ernst, the Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, or GAM is an absolute must-see.

Especially for those who love the performing arts, no visit to Turin is complete without attending a performance at the Teatro Regio. This stately opera house is among the largest in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, this historic theater still hosts operas, concerts, and ballets.

Several of Turin’s museums and landmarks, including Palazzo Reale, Galleria Sabauda, the Royal Armory, the Royal Library, the Archeological Museum, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and Palazzo Chaiblese, are part of the Musei Reali (Royal Museums) project. The goal is to highlight the artistic heritage of the city in conjunction with its history. Together, these sites create a roughly two-mile itinerary that illustrates Turin’s past, from its origins as a Roman settlement to its role at the center of the Risorgimento.

Lovers of history should not miss the Armeria Reale (Royal Armory), which features a large collection of historic arms and armor. The core artifacts were collected by the House of Savoy. Among the most prized items on display are the sword of San Maurizio and the pistol of Emperor Charles V as well as vast collections of high-quality armor and arms.

FAMILY

Turin has always had a love affair of sorts with cars. There is just something about a well-made Italian car that makes you want to explore the open roads among the hills of the Italian countryside. For the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile, or National Automobile Museum, to be located here is a natural fit. A jaw-dropping collection of more than two hundred automobiles makes it a draw for anyone who likes cars and enjoys picturing how they would look behind the wheel.

One must-see for travelers of all ages is the National Museum of Cinema located in the Mole Antonelliana. In addition to the stunning panoramic terrace that offers the best views of Turin, the museum itself is truly one-of-a-kind. Outlining the history of cinema from its early beginnings to the present day, the National Museum of Cinema hosts a remarkable collection of cinema artifacts, film posters, props, classic films, and more. The large theater room is the best place to watch a film in the whole city and the museum often hosts special viewings and workshops.

In a city as beautiful as Turin, visiting an open-air market is a must. Some markets have been operating here for well over a century. Enjoy the bright colors, the art of the sale, and even the smell of fresh food that often permeates these busy locales. Shopping a flea market in Turin can be a fantastic way to find a unique souvenir for a family member or friend, and food markets are a fun way to see and sample Turin’s cuisine.

Additionally, Turin’s modern indoor market, Mercato Centrale Torino, is an excellent place to engage with the local culture and taste the freshest local food. Divided into three floors, the market features 26 different shops, a cooking school, a mill, and a roastery.

KIDS

If the children have had all the art, museums, and culture they can handle, plan a morning or afternoon trip to Parco Valentino. The large nineteenth century park borders the Po River and is a favorite spot for locals and visitors alike. This gorgeous area is filled with shady trees, green grass, park benches, small ponds and more that make it a place of natural respite from the busy city. The children will be able to run, play and explore, and when they tire of that, they may enjoy outdoor views of the seventeenth century Castello del Valentino that looks like it is straight from the pages of a child’s fairytale.

Another fascinating historic site the kids may enjoy is the Borgo e Rocca Medievale. Originally constructed in the nineteenth century, the complex is home to a remarkably accurate reproduction of a typical medieval village of the Piedmont region. Located along the picturesque Po River, the scene comes alive with artisan workshops where curious minds can learn more about printing, iron works, jewelry making, and more. Complete with a castle and gardens, travelers of all ages will enjoy traveling back in time to the Middle Ages.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN TURIN, ITALY

It is said that no one does Italian automobiles like Turin. Visitors need look no further than the former Fiat Lingotto Factory here. The structure was originally established for Fiat as a large and efficient car factory. One of the most unique features of the factory was a rooftop track where the cars could go straight from the production line to the test track and eventually to the showroom.

The factory is no longer in use and today the site is home to the administrative headquarters of Fiat and an entertainment complex. However, the test track and car ramps are still present and usually are open to visitors. The rooftop of the building is now also home to the Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli, which is an art gallery featuring the masterpieces of the former head of Fiat’s personal collection. If visiting the art gallery when the weather is nice, visitors can usually see the old Fiat rooftop test track and breathe in the history. Most car enthusiasts will tell you, a visit to the site of the old Fiat factory is simply a one-of-a-kind experience.

Though Turin might not be as internationally famous as other Italian cities, this Northern Italian gem offers plenty of activities to for travelers of all ages. From the royal palaces and museums to the verdant gardens and picturesque landscapes, Turin’s beauty is endless.

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