The 12 Best Things to Do in Turin, Italy

Want to head to some of the beautiful cities in the North of Italy? Well there are plenty of things to do in Turin, which is capital of the Piedmont area.

Turin, also known in Italian as 'Torino", is an important commercial and cultural center, and boasts refined architecture and cuisine. It is a charming city, and most of the highlights can be seen in just one day! Here are the best things to do in Turin in just 24 hours.

Things to Do in Turin #1: Marvel at the Royal Palace 

The Royal Palace of Turin, also known as Palazzo Reale di Torina, is one of the top things to do in Turin, Italy.

It is the oldest and most significant residence of the House of Savoy in the city. It was originally built in the 16th century and was later modernized by Christine Marie of France in the 17th century, carrying designs by the Baroque architect Filippo Juvarra.

The palace is full of ornate apartments, sculptures, a chapel, and lavish gardens. The hours are 9:00- 7:00, with the exception of Mondays, when it is closed. The cost of entry is 15 euros (if you would like the enter the palace. The gardens are free). If you are under 18 entry is free, and 18-25 year olds pay just 2 euros.

Things to Do in Turin #2:  Learn About Films at the Cinema Museum

The National Cinema Museum is one of the most popular things to do in Turin, and is one of the very few places in the world that you can visit a museum and really learn about the art of cinemetography.

With several stories and different areas to check out, along with its exhibition style set up, there is so much to see here! Entry to the museum is 11 euros, and it is open from 10 am to 7 pm.

Things to Do in Turin #3:  Take in the Views at Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is the most iconic building in the city of Turin. Heading to the Cinema Museum? Well it's actually located inside the Mole Antonelliana! This building is known for its stunning dome, which you can take the elevator to the top for the best views of the city! The ride up is just 8 euros.

Things to Do in Turin #4:  Wander Around Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo is one of the main squares in the city of Turin. The square is characterized by beautiful arches, twin churches, and cobblestone floors.

Not only is it known for its stunning architecture, statue, and shops & resturants, but in 2017 there was an infamous stampede that took place here after panic hit from a robbery attempt.

Things to Do in Turin #5:  Check out St. John the Baptist Cathedral

St. John the Baptist is a Roman Catholic Cathedral with a historic bell tower & adjacent chapel. The cathedral is home to the famous Shroud of Turin This refers to a long piece of linen cloth bearing the negative image of a crucified man.

Some claim the image depicts Jesus of Nazareth, and that the fabric is the burial shroud in which he was wrapped after crucifixion.

Things to Do in Turin #6:  Visit Madama Palace

Just a three minute walk from the Royal Palace, lies the Madama Palace. Also known as 'Madama e Casaforte degli Acaja' it was the first Senate of the Italian Kingdom, and takes its traditional name from the embellishments it received under two queens of the House of Savoy. 

It is open from 10 am- 6pm, with the exception of Tuesdays when it is closed. The admission is 10 euros, and is free for those under the age of 18. It is also free of charge to visit for all on the first Wednesday of each month.

Things to Do in Turin #7:  Walk Around Parco del Valentino

Parco del Valentino is a popular public park in Turin, and the biggest green space in the city. It is located along the west bank of the Po river, and is home to the Valentino Castle, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site. The park is also full of charming buildings, lush botanical gardens, and a small medieval village.

Things to Do in Turin #8:  Stop at Basilica of Superga

This Baroque style church is bright yellow in color, and features a large dome and stone pillars. It is open from 9 am-12pm, and from 3pm- 6pm. Take the funicular up to the top to enjoy the panoramic views of the city. It has been reportedly closed recently, but is worth checking out for its outside architecture at the very least.

Things to Do in Turin #9:  People Watch at Piazza Castello

Piazza Castello is the most lively area of the city of Turin, as is the center of it all. Surrounded by museums, theaters, and cafes, it is impossible to be bored in this lively open square. One of the best things to do in Turin is to hang out at one of the cafes and take in the busy atmosphere of this commercial city.

Things to Do in Turin #10:  Discover La Venaria Reale

Located just 10 kilometers outside the metropolitan area of Turin, lies one of the biggest palaces in the world! The Palace of Venaria is a former royal residence, and has gardens with 80,000m² in palace area and over 950,000m² in premises.

The palace is open from 10:30 am to 6:30 pm except for Mondays, when it is closed. Admission varies, as there are different tickets to access certain areas such as the gardens. That being said, the most expensive is 20 euros for adults. Click here for more details.

Things to Do in Turin #11:  Stop by Piazza Carignano

Although not normally on the main list of things to do in Turin, we stumbled upon this plaza by accident, and really loved the atmosphere. With a few restaurants that have outdoor seating, you can see the Palazzo Carignano and Museo Egizio, while enjoying an aperitivo or meal.

The red brick gives a different feel than the rest of the city. Also being that it is right in the center, it's definitely worth a stop.

Things to Do in Turin #12: Stay at a Quirky AirBnb

This is another of the things to do in Turin that is a little unique. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the place that we stayed at. The apartment is cluttered, but in a cute and fun way.

Hosted by an old retired Italian actor, the AirBnb is covered in colorful dolls and nick-nacks. Not only that, but the hospitality was the best! The name is ABBA house, and the host is Franco.

Turin is a great city to visit while in Northern Italy, and boasts a lot of culture and history. We would recommend 2 days to fully enjoy everything it has to offer, but if you only have a day, you can check off most of this list!

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Want to see other great places throughout Italy? We have plenty of guides for different cities from the north to south.

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