Turin

Torino

Turin is Piedmont's elegant capital, known for its baroque architecture, world-class museums, and café culture. It was Italy's first capital and home to the Savoy royal dynasty.

Things to do

• Visit the Egyptian Museum — One of the world's finest Egyptian collections; book tickets in advance to avoid queues.
• Explore the Royal Palace — The Palazzo Reale showcases Savoy opulence; the armory is particularly impressive.
• Climb the Mole Antonelliana — Take the panoramic elevator for sweeping views over Turin and the Alps.
• Stroll Piazza Castello — The historic heart of Turin, ringed by royal monuments and elegant arcades.
• Aperitivo on Via Po — Turin invented the aperitivo tradition; order a Vermouth di Torino at a historic café.
• Visit Palazzo Madama — Explore this UNESCO-listed medieval castle turned baroque palace housing the Civic Museum of Ancient Art.
• Tour the National Automobile Museum — MAUTO showcases over 200 historic vehicles tracing the history of the car from 1769 to today.
• Walk through the Gran Mercato di Porta Palazzo — Browse Europe's largest open-air market for fresh local produce, cheeses, and Piedmontese street food.
• Taste Bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin — Sip Turin's iconic layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and cream at the historic café that invented it in 1763.
• Day trip to Sacra di San Michele — Visit this dramatic medieval abbey perched on a rocky spur 40 km from Turin with sweeping Alpine views.

Food to try

• Vitello Tonnato — Thin sliced veal served cold with a creamy tuna and caper sauce, a Piedmontese classic.
• Gianduiotto — Turin's iconic chocolate made with local hazelnuts, sold wrapped in gold foil.
• Bagna Cauda — Warm anchovy and garlic dip served with raw vegetables, a beloved regional communal dish.
• Bicerin — A layered hot drink of espresso, chocolate, and cream served in Turin's historic cafés since 1763.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect café traditions — Ordering at the bar is cheaper and more authentic than sitting at a table in classic Turin cafés.
• Sunday closures — Many shops and some museums close on Sundays, so plan museum visits for weekdays.
• Dress smartly — Turin is fashion-conscious; locals dress elegantly even for casual outings.