Turin Travelers Recommend

Turin ranks among northern Italy’s most destination-worthy cities, thanks to its opulent palaces, wealth of museums, and many gourmet restaurants. The city is also ideal terrain for oenophiles, as the Barolo wine region is just a quick jaunt away. Three days in town is enough time for a full immersion—here’s how to plan your Turin stay.

Day 1: Sightseeing and History

Once home to the Royal House of Savoy, stately Turin still has a regal feel, thanks to its elegant palaces, its grandiose public squares, and its opulent architecture. Set off on a walking tour on your first day in town to learn more about Turin’s history, and to discover some of the city’s most beautiful corners up close. Visit the sprawling Piazza Castello, admire the distinctive facade of the Palazzo Carignano, gaze upwards at the Mole Antonelliana, venture into the old Roman Quadrilateral, and more. For a speedier way to explore, hop on an electric bike and zoom past Roman ruins, follow along the River Po, and catch your breath at the verdant Parco del Valentino. Alternatively, hop-on hop-off bus tours let you kick back and relax as you travel across the city. After your busy day of sightseeing, unwind with an aperitivo like a true Turinese. 

Day 2: Culture and Entertainment

Turin certainly doesn’t lack in cultural offerings, and your second day in town is the perfect time to explore its many museums. The city’s most celebrated cultural institution is the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum). It’s home to one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts, and a must-see for history buffs and would-be archaeologists. Explore its galleries in the company of an expert egyptologist to learn even more about Egyptian history and traditions. The National Museum of Cinema, housed in the Mole Antonelliana, is another Turin highlight. If you’ve got a sporty streak, venture to the Juventus Stadium and Museum, or explore the National Automobile Museum, where visitors can glimpse rare Ferraris and other supercars on display. Finish your cultural day out on an indulgent note with a gourmet meal or a roving food tour.

Day 3: A Piedmont Wine Tour

Piedmont makes some of the world’s most celebrated wines, which means you can use Turin as a jumping-off point for various vinous adventures. Book a private driving tour for a seamless way to explore the scenic (and UNESCO-listed) Barolo wine region. Visit numerous wineries, tour vineyards and cellars, and taste Barolo, widely considered to be one of Italy’s best wines. You’ll also want to sample other regional wines, including Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto. Alternatively, see another perspective on the Barolo region with a hot-air balloon tour. Admire castles, wineries, and the Turin cityscape as you go (you’ll even soar by the Alps, located just northwest of the city).

The capital of Italy’s Piedmont region, Turin has a reputation for elegance. From its beautiful architecture and internationally renowned museums to its culinary scene, the northern Italy city is a showstopper on many fronts. Covering sightseeing, food tasting, and everything in between, here’s how to spend two days in Turin.

Day 1: Sightseeing in Style

**Morning:**Start with an overview of Turin on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Keep your eyes peeled for top-drawer attractions like the Mole Antonelliana, the Palazzo Castello, the Villa della Regina, and more.

**Afternoon:**Turin is a city that takes its culture seriously, and its diverse museums number among its top attractions. The Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) is a dream destination for would-be egyptologists, while the National Automobile Museum should appeal to anyone with a need for speed. And if you count yourself as a cinephile, make way to the National Museum of Cinema.

**Evening:**Though it’s always enchanting, Turin takes on a rare magic after the sun sets, thanks to its golden-lit squares and illuminated palaces. An evening walking tour lets you see the city’s romantic, after-dark persona.

Day 2: Italian Indulgence

**Morning:**One of Europe’s top chocolate-making cities, Turin has crafted prized sweets for centuries (gianduja—a chocolate-hazelnut treat—was even invented here). Discover the city’s sweet side on a chocolate-themed walking tour. Don’t forget to order a bicerin: an irresistible chocolate and espresso drink.

**Afternoon:**Use the rest of your day to explore more of Turin’s gastronomic highlights. Book a cooking class with a local chef and learn how to make pasta, risotto, and other local specialities. Alternatively, go on a culinary-focused walking tour to visit the city’s bustling markets and tempting eateries (and do plenty of sampling along the way).

**Evening:**The Piedmont region produces some of the world’s most coveted wines—including Barolo, Barbera, and Barbaresco—and a trip to Turin is the perfect excuse to do some tasting. Book a tasting tour of the city that emphasizes its vinous bounty. Alternatively, go on a vermouth tour to discover one of Turin’s other preferred beverages.

Tourists in Turin tend to make a beeline for Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace, the Shroud of Turin, the Egyptian Museum, and the 548-foot (167-meter) Mole Antonelliana tower. But, if you’re looking to find some hidden gems, you’re going to want to stray from the beaten path—see below for our top picks of alternative attractions in Turin.

Underground Turin

Many travelers in Turin are unaware that a secret network of tunnels, cellars, and shelters, lies beneath their feet. Visitors can embark on guide-led tours of this subterranean realm, walking through darkened underground corridors—originally built for defensive purposes—and chambers that were once used as air-raid shelters. 

Casa Martini

Set within an historic 19th-century building where the well-regarded Martini vermouth was first produced, Casa Martini now serves as home to a wine museum and Mondo Gallery Martini. The former exhibits objects relating to wine-making over the centuries, including Greco-Roman artifacts, while the latter chronicles the history and heritage of Martini & Rossi, one of Italy’s leading alcohol companies.  

Cesare Lombroso Museum of Criminal Anthropology

One of Turin’s best-kept secrets, this thought-provoking museum is set inside the University of Turin. Examine objects from the collection of Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso, including skulls used for study, crime weapons, wax death masks, and scientific equipment.

Borgo Medievale

Set within Parco del Valentino is the Borgo Medievale, a faithful full-scale replica of a medieval village. Originally built in the 1880s, the village mimics the style of a 15th-century medieval town, with porticoed houses, a drawbridge, and even a castle. Many of the buildings are modeled on real-life structures from throughout the Piedmont region. 

Renowned for its opulent palaces, grandiose public squares, and high-brow gastronomy, stately Turin is one of northern Italy's gems. Happily, even a single day is enough time to discover many of the city’s key highlights. From picturesque monuments and immersive museums to top-notch restaurants, here’s your perfect 1-day itinerary.

Morning: Introducing Turin

When you have just one day to discover Turin’s charms, make the most of your time and embark on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. In the space of just a couple hours, you can look forward to discovering everything from the elegant Piazza Castello and the Mole Antonelliana (a soaring monument that’s a symbol of the city) to the Turin Cathedral and the Villa della Regina palace, depending on the route that you select. Alternatively, a bike tour lets you discover the sights up close while also providing a speedy overview of the city.

Afternoon: A Turin Museum Tour

One of Turin’s most popular attractions is the Museo Egizio, or Egyptian Museum: Founded several centuries ago, the museum today hosts one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including sarcophagi, mummies, statues, and more. Book a skip-the-line tour to save time, or explore the galleries in the company of an egyptologist for a more in-depth experience. For a different kind of museum outing, spend an afternoon at the National Automobile Museum. See close to 200 cars on display, including vintage Fiats, Ferrari racing cars, and other prized vehicles.

Evening: Sample Turin’s World-Class Gastronomy

It isn’t a visit to Turin without a culinary adventure, especially considering that languorous meals, preprandial drinks, and indulgent dishes are the norm here. Enjoy a classic Turinese experience when you sign up for an aperitivo tour: In the early evening, venture to several traditional local bars and cafes for vermouth, cocktails, and generous platters of snacks. For a more varied experience, dinnertime walking tours broaden the gastronomic scope and include stops at multiple local eateries—a perfect way to sample widely when you only have one day to get acquainted with Turin’s delectable bounty.

The northern Italian city of Turin (Torino) may be best known for its religious relics like the famous Shroud of Turin, but it is also home to myths, legends, and a reputation for magic. Read on to learn about Turin’s supernatural side and how to engage with it during a visit. 

History of Black Magic in Turin

The location of Turin contributes to its reputation for magic. The city supposedly lies on the axis of black magic (along with London and San Francisco) and on the axis of white magic (together with Lyon and Prague). Legends of black magic go as far back as the times of the ancient Romans, and stories of the occult have thrived here for centuries. Today, Satanic faces and devilish sculptures are seen throughout the historic city center, and locals point to sites like the location of Turin’s medieval gallows when discussing the city’s black energy.  

Ways to Experience Black Magic in Turin

You can discover Turin’s rich history of black magic through a range of tours and activities. After dark, board a coach to explore the streets of Turin for a tour focused on the occult. Along the way, hear about Turin’s two types of magic (black and white), see an ancient Roman burial site, and check out the city’s top landmarks including the Duomo. A nighttime walking tour featuring spooky ghost stories and legends of unsolved murders offers another lens into Turin’s mysterious past.