Discover Turin: Italy’s Elegant Capital of Royal Palaces, Museums and Chocolate

Explore Turin's regal past as the first capital of Italy and seat of the House of Savoy. Tour the opulent Royal Palace, admire Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Carignano, and step inside grand baroque interiors designed by Guarini and Juvarra. Turin's elegant arcades and porticoed boulevards make the whole centre feel like an open-air palace.

Turin is one of Italy's great museum cities. Visit the Museo Egizio, home to the world's most important collection of Egyptian antiquities outside Cairo, climb the Mole Antonelliana to the National Cinema Museum, and discover the MAO Museum of Oriental Art and the Risorgimento Museum. There is enough here to fill several days of culture.

Turin is the birthplace of gianduja chocolate and Italian vermouth, and the home of the aperitivo ritual. Sip a traditional bicerin in a centuries-old café, sample gianduiotto pralines, and join locals for evening drinks in San Salvario. Few cities reward slow, indulgent wandering quite like Turin.

Stroll along the River Po through the leafy Parco del Valentino, with its mock medieval village and botanical gardens, then climb to the Monte dei Cappuccini or the Superga Basilica for sweeping views of the city framed by the snow-capped Alps. Turin combines urban elegance with spectacular natural backdrops.

Experience everyday Turin at Porta Palazzo, one of Europe's largest open-air markets, browse antiques at the Balon flea market, and relax in monumental squares such as Piazza Castello, Piazza San Carlo, and Piazza Vittorio Veneto. These spaces capture the city's blend of grandeur and authentic local life.

The historic heart of Turin centres on grand squares, royal palaces, and the ancient Roman grid of the Quadrilatero. Stay here for easy access to Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace, and the Museo Egizio, plus a maze of pedestrian streets packed with osterias, wine bars, and aperitivo spots.

Turin's most vibrant nightlife and multicultural district sits just south of Porta Nuova station. By day it offers leafy streets and the green expanse of Parco del Valentino; by night it comes alive with bars, bistros, and one of the city's best aperitivo and dining scenes.

A bohemian, student-friendly quarter near the river, Vanchiglia blends artisan workshops, independent cafés, and a lively craft-beer and cocktail scene. It's a favourite for travellers wanting a creative, local atmosphere within easy walking distance of the centre.

An elegant, residential district known for its tree-lined avenues, refined architecture, and one of Turin's most popular street markets. Crocetta offers an upscale, quietly local feel and is well connected to the centre, making it ideal for a relaxed, authentic stay.

Across the river beneath the wooded hills, this scenic neighbourhood is anchored by the Gran Madre di Dio church and riverside promenades. It's the gateway to Monte dei Cappuccini's panoramic terrace and offers some of the prettiest views back over the Turin skyline.

Home to the former Fiat factory immortalised in The Italian Job, Lingotto is now a modern hub with the Pinacoteca Agnelli art gallery, the rooftop test track, shopping, and concert venues. A great base for visitors interested in design, contemporary culture, and Turin's industrial heritage.

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We recommend: Best Day Trips from Turin

Just outside Turin, the Royal Palace of Venaria is one of Europe's grandest baroque residences, often compared to Versailles. Wander its monumental halls, the Great Gallery, and sprawling formal gardens on an easy half- or full-day escape from the city.

Around 90 minutes from Turin, the rolling, UNESCO-listed hills of the Langhe produce some of Italy's finest wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco. Visit historic cellars, hilltop villages, and in autumn enjoy the region's celebrated white truffles.

Perched dramatically above the Susa Valley about 40 km from Turin, this ancient abbey inspired Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose. Reached by car in around 45 minutes or by train and a hike, it rewards visitors with atmospheric architecture and sweeping valley views.

Less than two hours from Turin, the serene Lake Orta and its larger neighbour Lake Maggiore offer romantic island monasteries, lakeside villages, and palatial gardens. Perfect for a scenic, relaxed day away from the city.

Italy's fashion and design capital is just about an hour from Turin by high-speed train, making it an easy day trip. Admire the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and world-class shopping before returning to Turin in the evening.

West of Turin, the Susa Valley opens onto the Italian Alps and resorts such as Sestriere and Bardonecchia. A short drive or train ride brings skiing in winter and hiking, lakes, and mountain scenery in the warmer months.