Turin is the capital city of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy. Torino, as it’s called in Italian, is considered an important cultural and business center. Turin was the first capital of a unified Kingdom of Italy between 1861 to 1865. The city is located on the banks of River Po, surrounded by the Superga Hill and the Alps.
Originally founded by the Taurini Celtic tribe, the city’s name, “Turin” is derived from this ancient settlement. Historically, Turin served as the capital of the Duchy of Savoy and later the Kingdom of Sardinia. It played a crucial role in Italy’s unification by serving as its first capital. The royal past of Turin is evident in its stunning architecture, grand squares, and historic palaces.
As a center of innovation and industry, Turin has played a vital role in Italy’s industrial development, particularly in the automotive sector. Torino is the birthplace of iconic automobile brands such as Fiat and Alfa Romeo. After Milan and Rome, Turin is ranked third for its economic strength in Italy.
Turin’s cultural significance is exemplified by its contributions to art, literature, and science, and houses numerous museums and cultural institutions. The city is home to some of Italy’s best universities, such as the University of Turin and Politecnico di Torino. Apart from the automobile brand Fiat, Turin is also famous for the Holy Shroud of Turin (Sacra Sindone) and football clubs Juventus and Torino FC.
How to get to Turin
Turin is in the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. The city is part of the industrial triangle along with Milan and Genoa, making it a hub for trade and commerce. There are several options available to get to Turin, Italy.
Train
Turin is well-connected by train, with several national and international railway lines passing through the city. The high-speed rail network TAV (Treno ad Alta Velocità) also passes through Turin providing connectivity to other major cities like Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome. Turin has two major train stations, Porta Nuova and Porta Susa, which offer frequent connections to major Italian cities and neighboring countries. Torino Porta Nuova is the main train station of Turin, and the Torino Porta Susa is the second busiest train station in the city, both stations are located near the city center. Torino Porta Nuova train station is the third busiest station in Italy after Roma Termini and Milano Centrale
.
Trainline
is a popular and convenient option to get the best available prices, times, and book train tickets. Trainline makes trip planning simple and with early booking, you can save upto 51%.
Air
Turin has an international airport, Turin Airport (TRN), also known as Turin-Caselle Airport, located around 16 km from the city center. It serves both domestic and international flights, providing direct connections to various European cities. There are bus and train connections between the airport and the city center. The airport is also called Torino Sandro Pertini Airport, named after the former Italian President.
Bus
There are many buses connecting various Italian cities and countries in Europe to Turin. Autostazione di Torino
(Turin Bus Station) is the central bus station of Turin, which sees the arrivals and departures of buses.
Flixbus
and Itabus
are two of the leading bus service providers in Italy. It is recommended to book the tickets online and well in advance to avoid any long queues near the bus terminals.
Car
Turin is easily accessible by car and five motorways pass through the city from different sides. The A4 from Trieste-Venice-Milan to Turin. T1/T2-A5 from MontBlanc Tunnel-Aosta to Turin. A6 from Savona to Turin. A21 from Piacenza to Turin and T4-A32 from Frejus tunnel to Turin.
How to get around Turin
Once in Turin, the city offers an efficient public transportation system, including buses, trams, and a metro network. The public transport services in Turin are managed by GTT (Gruppo Torinese Trasporti ). The public transport fleet managed by GTT consists of buses, trams, and 3 metro lines. A single ticket costs 1.7€ and is usable for 100 minutes from the time of validation, and a daily ticket/pass costs 4€, at the time of this writing. Check out the GTT transport fares page for more details and alternatives. The majority of the places to see in Turin can be covered on foot but having the option of public transport makes travel even more easier. The public transport system is a convenient way to visit the myriad of attractions in Turin and to get around the city.
Top Things to Do in Turin, Italy
Turin has a rich history and cultural heritage consisting of many art galleries, palaces, piazzas, theatres, and museums. With numerous attractions in the city, here are the best things to do in Turin.
Mole Antonelliana
The Mole Antonelliana is an iconic landmark and symbol of Turin, Italy. Originally built as a synagogue in 1863, the construction of the building was completed in 1889 by the City of Turin and was named after its architect, Alessandro Antonelli. The Mole Antonelliana is now home to the National Cinema Museum. The Mole Antonelliana is 167.5m tall and is believed to be the tallest museum in the world. The local derby between the two Turin football clubs, Juventus and Torino FC, is called Derby della Mole and derives its name from this building.
Turin Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista)
The Turin Cathedral, also called Duomo di Torino
, is the main Roman Catholic cathedral of Turin. The cathedral was built in the late 15th century and designed by Guarino Guarini. It is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and later added the Chapel of Holy Shroud to its structure in the late 17th century.
The Turin Cathedral is famous for the Shroud of Turin, believed by some to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The Shroud of Turin has been preserved for more than 4 centuries by the cathedral. Visitors to the Turin Cathedral can see a replica of the Shroud of Turin.
Royal Palace of Turin (Palazzo Reale di Torino)
Palazzo Reale
is a palace of the House of Savoy, originally built in the 16th century. It was later modernized in the 17th century with Baroque designs. The Royal Palace became a state property in 1946 and now houses the museum. The museum is a delight for the eyes showcasing opulent rooms, massive art collections, and historical artifacts.
Palazzo Reale was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997. Entrance to the museum is not free, and tickets are priced at 15€ which can be bought online. The reduced ticket costs 2€ for visitors between 18 to 25 years of age.
Piazza Castello
Piazza Castello is the renowned square in the historical center of Turin. It is surrounded by impressive buildings, including Teatro Regio, Palazzo Madama, and the Royal Palace, making it a vibrant hub for both locals and visitors. It is a beautiful place to walk or enjoy Italian food from the restaurants in Piazza Castello.
Palazzo Madama
The Palazzo Madama
is a historic palace with a mix of medieval and Baroque architecture. Palazzo Madama was the first Senate of the Kingdom of Italy until 1864. It houses the Museum of Ancient Art and offers insights into Turin’s past. Tickets to visit the museum cost 10€. Palazzo Madama is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with the other royal residences of the House of Savoy.
Piazza San Carlo
Piazza San Carlo is one of the prominent squares and is also called the living room of Turin. Originally built in the 17th century, it now forms the heart of the city. The Piazza San Carlo square features historic cafes, restaurants, twin churches with beautiful architecture, and a statue of Emanuele Filiberto, Duke of Savoy.
Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio)
The Museo Egizio
was established in 1824 and today it houses one of the largest collections of Egyptian relics, second only to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The museum has an amazing exhibit, consisting of artifacts, mummies, and ancient treasures spanning several millennia. The most prominent items in the collection are the Temple of Ellesyia, the Tomb of Kha and Merit, the Bembine Tablet, and the papyrus collection.
The Egyptian Museum in Turin has an extensive collection of artifacts, and would take at least 2 to 3 hours to see everything. Tickets to enter Museo Egizio cost 18€, and can also be bought online
. The reduced-price ticket costs 15€ for seniors over 70 years of age, and the reduced student ticket costs 3€.
National Museum of Cinema (Museo Nazionale del Cinema)
The National Museum of Cinema is located inside the Mole Antonelliana. The museum celebrates the history of cinema with interactive exhibits, film screenings, and memorabilia. Visitors can take an elevator to the top for spectacular views of the city and the Alps. Tickets to the National Museum of Cinema are priced at 12€ and for the Panoramic Lift it is 9€, if you plan to do only one of the two. The ticket including both admission to the museum and the lift costs 17€. Tickets can be purchased online from the Museum’s official website and are recommended when visiting during weekends or holidays.
National Automobile Museum (Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile)
The National Automobile Museum
, abbreviated as MAUTO, was founded in 1933 and first opened to the public in 1960. The museum has more than 200 cars on display from close to 80 automobile brands, and some more are accessible only by reservation. Apart from the cars it also has a Documentation Center with photos, monographs, and newspapers relating to cars. The full ticket for the automobile museum costs 15€ and can be purchased online.
Parco del Valentino
Parco del Valentino is a public riverside park located on the banks of the Po River, perfect for strolls, picnics, and enjoying the beauty of nature. It is the oldest and most famous park in the city of Turin, spanning more than 400,000 square meters. Parco del Valentino is home to the stunning Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino), a royal residence of the House of Savoy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Castello del Valentino now houses the architecture faculty of the Polytechnic University of Turin.
Valentino Park also consists of the Borgo Medievale
, an open-air museum depicting the medieval architecture and lifestyle of the Piedmont region. Entrance to the Borgo Medievale is free. Parco del Valentino is a beautiful place in Turin to get away from the bustle. Do not miss to see the exquisite Fountain of the 12 months (Fontana dei 12 mesi).
Monte dei Cappuccini
Monte dei Cappuccini, or the mountain of capuchins, is a small hill of 325 meters, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Turin. It has the Church of Santa Maria, built in the late 16th and early 17th century, overlooking the River Po and the city. Getting to the church involves a short walk up the hill. For the best free viewpoint of Turin with the Alps in the background, Monte dei Cappuccini is the place to be.
Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)
The Juventus Stadium is a football stadium in Turin and the home of Juventus Football Club . It is a modern world-class stadium, built in the late 2000s, and the sixth largest football stadium in Italy. In the guided tours of the Juventus Stadium, visitors are taken around to see the pitch, dressing rooms, press room, and museum. A Juventus stadium tour ticket costs 29€; online purchases are recommended, and only unsold tickets can be purchased at the office. If possible based on the schedule, do one better and experience a football match at the Juventus stadium for an amazing experience. Tickets to both can be bought from the Juventus official website .
Basilica di Superga
The Basilica di Superga
, built in the early 18th century, is a church located on the Superga hill overlooking Turin. It is a Baroque-style basilica offering stunning panoramas of the city and houses the tombs of the House of Savoy. The interiors of the Basilica have impressive and beautiful architecture.
The Basilica of Superga was built for Duke Vittorio Amedeo II, because of a vow that in case of victory, he would build a bigger church in honor of the Virgin. Admission to the church is free of cost and the price for visiting the Royal Tombs and the Royal Apartment is 5€. To reach Basilica di Superga, which is a few km away from the city center, you can take public transport (line 15, 61, or 68 in the direction of Sassi) or drive there.
Is Turin worth visiting?
Turin is an underrated city and surely worth visiting. You can find a variety of interesting things to do in Torino, such as seeing the exceptional museums, exploring its rich history, admiring the beautiful architecture, and experiencing a vibrant atmosphere all set against stunning scenery. Also compared to other major Italian cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, Turin is often less crowded with tourists, making it an excellent destination for a more relaxed and authentic Italian experience.
Conclusion
Turin is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and is a lesser-known tourist destination. There is a raft of things to do in Turin with numerous must-see attractions. The city can be easily reached through various means of transport. So definitely give Turin a thought when planning your next vacation.
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