Top 13 Experiences to Enjoy in Turin, Italy

As Italy’s fourth-largest city, Turin embodies the spirit of la dolce vita.

Unlike the lively, scooter-filled streets of the south, Turin exudes a dignified elegance shaped by the noble House of Savoy and a politically charged unification history. Once the nation’s first capital in the 1860s, it remains the capital of Piedmont today.

Though Turin’s sophisticated atmosphere may feel more French than Italian, immerse yourself in this beautiful city woven with porticoed streets and palatial squares, and you'll discover a vibrant locale that proudly declares 'Made in Italy.'

Discover unique, high-quality museums (dedicated to football, cars, chocolate, and coffee) and cutting-edge galleries filled with striking art. Stroll through magnificent royal palazzi and lush gardens.

Savor Slow Food and wine in elegant cafes and traditional osterie adorned with chandeliers. With each bite, experience the vibrant energy of a dynamic city rich in artistic, cultural, historical, and culinary heritage.

Outdoor enthusiasts and those craving a green retreat may not find the excitement they seek here. However, for anyone after a weekend of Italian urban living infused with creativity and curiosity, day or night, Turin offers the perfect escape year-round. Here are the top activities to enjoy during your visit.

1. Dedicate a day to exploring museums

Few Italian cities boast such a diverse array of museums – there truly is one to match every taste and interest. Turin's renowned Museo Egizio ranks among the world's finest, showcasing anthropomorphic coffins, animal mummies, and other invaluable treasures from Ancient Egypt.

The Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano caters to those fascinated by modern Italian history, while car enthusiasts and families rave about Turin’s outstanding Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile.

In Italy, art and design enthusiasts will find plenty to admire: the Palazzo Reale showcases the Savoy monarchy's personal art collection, while the stunning Pinateco Giovanni e Marella Agnelli features masterpieces collected by the late Fiat chairman Gianni Agnelli.

For 19th- and 20th-century Italian and European art, Galleria Civica d’Arte e Contemporanea is a must-visit. Don't miss Fondazione Merz, Fondazione Sandretto re Rebaudengo, and Museo Ettore Fico for significant contemporary art.

Detour: Venture to the nearby Castello du Rivoli to explore works inspired by Italy’s Arte Povera movement from the 1960s and 1970s.

2. Master the Turinese Tradition of aperitivi

The early evening aperitivo crawl offers a fantastic chance to savor exquisite Piedmont wines and sample delicious bites like acciughe al verde (anchovies in a pea-green garlic-parsley sauce) or carne cruda al’Albese (raw beef), all while exploring neighborhoods you might not usually visit.

Popular spots to mingle with locals over expertly crafted cocktails, Campari, or Aperol spritz, along with generous snack spreads – ranging from complimentary to €15 with a drink – include the historic Bar Cavour, Farmacia Del Cambo located in an 1830s pharmacy, and the trendy bookshop-cafe-bar Bardotto.

3. Discover Cinematic Turin

A trip to the outstanding Museo Nazionale del Cinema – a favorite for families – offers more than just watching silent films and indulging in looping virtual-reality experiences; it’s a deep dive into Turin’s captivating film history.

Equally captivating as the thoughtfully arranged exhibits is the museum itself: the unique, spire-topped structure of Mole Antonelliana was originally designed as a synagogue in 1863 but has solely served as a museum. Climbing its dome to take in the views from the 167.5m (550ft) tall tower is a must-do experience.

4. Embrace the city’s Passion for Chocolate

Cioccolato (chocolate) is the essence of this city, and family-owned chocolatiers have been perfecting their craft in Turin for generations – it’s impossible to resist.

Bicerin, the city’s iconic hot beverage topped with cream, combines chocolate and coffee, drawing patrons to the elegant Caffè Al Bicerin since 1763. Turin’s favorite modern chocolatier, Guido Gobino, is celebrated for his exquisite, tile-like ganache chocolates infused with vermouth or Barolo wine, as well as his classic gianduiotto (triangular chocolates made from gianduja, Turin's famous hazelnut paste).

Planning tip: Be sure to experience Turin’s 10-day chocolate festival in November.

5. Embrace the Good Life at Piazza Castello

The vibrant essence of la dolce vita is felt most intensely at Piazza Castello, the city’s main square and the heart of the Savoy dynasty from the 16th to 18th centuries.

Surrounded by magnificent buildings housing palace museums, cafes, and the city’s opera house, this square serves as a cultural hub and epitomizes the elegance of Turin.

Take in the stunning porticoes (Turin boasts an impressive 18km/11 miles of them), constructed under Vittorio Emanuele I in the 18th century to allow the royal family to stroll comfortably between the palace and the river with a degree of privacy.

6. Discover Slow Food at the Terre Madre Festival

As the birthplace of Italy’s Slow Food movement, it’s fitting that Turin hosts one of the world’s largest food and wine festivals: Slow Food’s biennial Terre Madre, coming up in September 2024 and in even-numbered years thereafter.

One-day tickets provide access to a feast of intriguing culinary experiences, from artisan tastings with local Turinese and Piemontese producers and chefs to hands-on cooking workshops and discussions with global food activists and sustainable farmers.

Detour: The venue itself is remarkable: Parco Dora transformed from an industrial wasteland (once home to steelworks and a Michelin tire factory until the 1980s) into a vast open-air art space, green park, marketplace, and festival site in the new millennium.

7. Explore Turin’s Vibrant Art and Music Scene

It’s no wonder Turin is part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network: delve into the city’s influential contemporary art scene at Officine Grandi Riparazioni. This innovative cultural hub is housed in a repurposed train depot built from red brick between 1885 and 1895, located near the Porta Susa and Porta Nuova train stations.

Attending the latest public art installation, seasonal exhibit, live performance, or other cultural event provides a chance to admire the striking industrial architecture of this vast U-shaped space while immersing yourself in Turin’s dynamic visual and performing arts landscape.

Intriguing 3D tours allow visitors to explore the original 19th-century repair workshops, and a variety of cafes and restaurants are on hand to satisfy your hunger or cocktail cravings.

For club enthusiasts, you’re in luck. Turin is a hub for some of Italy’s finest dance music, with clubs and live music venues in vibrant neighborhoods like Vanchiglia, San Salvario, Dora, and Lingotto keeping the party alive into the early hours.

Planning tip: For over 20 years, Lingotto’s C2C Festival has established itself as one of Europe’s premier avant-pop music festivals.

8. Sip a cocktail with breathtaking views at Italy’s highest bar

From the 37th floor of the impressive Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper, you can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and its surrounding Alpine landscape. This striking glass-and-steel structure was designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano and serves as the headquarters for the Intesa Sanpaolo banking group.

The highlight is the futuristic rooftop bar, Piano35, where expert mixologists craft innovative twists on classic Italian cocktails. Don’t miss the signature Bicerin cocktail, blending sweet Mancino vermouth, coffee liqueur, sherry, and milk, or the Spritz No More, featuring vodka, elderflower liqueur, sake, and chili pepper.

9. Discover the royal lifestyle of the Savoy kings at an array of opulent residences

Turin boasts six royal residences right in the city center, each featuring extravagant interiors, invaluable artworks, tapestries, and occasional museum exhibits.

Explore a range of decorative arts at Palazzo Madama; delve into the city’s pivotal role in the Risorgimento at the top-tier history museum in Palazzo Carignano; and marvel at stunning Greek and Roman archaeological artifacts in Palazzo Reale.

If you're pressed for time at the Royal Palace, make a beeline for the Savoy’s exquisite art collection in the Galleria Sabauda. For those with leisure, enjoy afternoon tea on the palace’s enchanting Caffè degli Argenti terrace, offering beautiful views of the verdant lawns and the Alps beyond.

10. Discover vintage treasures and designer finds in the Quadrilatero Romano

While Via Roma’s elegant porticoes hide stylish boutiques of renowned fashion labels, the Quadrilatero Romano is the go-to area for upscale vintage and trendy creations by emerging designers. Enhance your shopping experience by reserving a table in advance at Consorzio for lunch.

Bargain seekers should join the locals at Balon, a vibrant and lively flea market just north of Porta Palazzo that has been captivating visitors since 1857. On the second Sunday of each month, specialized antique and vintage vendors join in at the Gran Balon market.

11. Experience Vermouth in the trendy San Salvario neighborhood

Indulging in Turin’s signature Vermouth di Torino – a fortified wine infused with over 30 botanicals – has been a cherished tradition since 1786, when Antonio Benedetto Carpano first created it for the royal court. The tourist office offers organized tastings (€18) in selected city bars.

Enjoy locally crafted vermouth on the rocks or in a cocktail at the lively Lanificio San Salvatore in trendy San Salvario. Their Torino Milano Via Novara cocktail, which blends Vermouth di Torino with Campari, Cynar (a bitter aperitif made from 13 herbs, including artichoke), chocolate, and rock salt, captures the essence of Turin in a glass.

12. Discover purposeful street art

Venture off the typical tourist path into the northern working-class district of Barriera di Milano to find old warehouses adorned with graffiti, public baths transformed into community hubs, and 13 striking black-and-white wall murals by Italian street artist Millo (originally from Puglia); begin your Millo exploration at Piazza Bottesini.

Afterward, embark on a self-guided tour of the city’s Murales Lavazza, featuring 17 stunning murals that highlight global goals for sustainable development by 2030, created by international artists. These murals include No Poverty (Lungo Po Antonelli 15) by Florentine street artist Zed1, Good Health by Venezuelan-Italian Gomez (Via Berthollet 6), and Gender Equality (Corso Belgio 9) by Rome-based Camilla Falsini.

13. Stroll along Fiat’s rooftop e-track

Turin is closely associated with Fiat cars, and its 1920s factory in Lingotto was the largest in Europe. Walking the exhilarating rooftop track, where cars were tested until 1982 when the iconic factory shut down, is a must. For a glimpse of this historic site, check out the 1969 classic film The Italian Job.

Today, new-generation electric Fiats race around the 1km (0.6-mile) loop. In 2021, the rooftop was transformed into a public garden named La Pista 500, featuring 40,000 native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers.

Yoga, fitness, and meditation areas nestled among hazelnut trees and towering sunflowers provide a tranquil ambiance within the green public space, offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding Alps.