What to see in Turin: historic cafes, royal palaces and Savoy culture

Turin, the first historic Italian capital, offers a wide range of attractions and things to see. In this guide, we will explore what to see in Turin, the activities to do, and the places of interest that will make your stay unforgettable. You will discover the wonders of this elegant and mysterious city, rich in history, culture, and charm. Whether you are interested in visiting Turin for its museums, its historic cafés, or simply to explore the historic center, this guide will help you plan your perfect visit.

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History, elegance, and culture condensed in a few minutes: watch Turin from an exciting and evocative perspective.

Things to see in Turin: some notes on what to visit

Despite the many things to do in Turin, tourism has grown exponentially only since the 1990s. Before that, the city of the Savoys was essentially seen as the “city of Fiat,” with the Lingotto district as the heart of the Turin industry. Now, let’s discover together the main attractions of Turin and the things to see in this fascinating city. For those wondering what to do in Turin, here is a list of the 10 things to see in Turin that you absolutely cannot miss.

The 12 Most Famous Attractions of Turin

Turin is a city that surprises with its regal elegance and a very rich cultural offer. Here is a selection of the 12 most iconic attractions to start exploring it.

1 Turin, Mole Antonelliana

La Mole Antonelliana is the symbol of Turin. It was built in 1863 by Alessandro Antonelli and with its 167 meters it dominates the city of Turin. It is currently home to the National Museum of Cinema, and Turin and cinema are two words that go hand in hand. The city indeed saw the first film screening by the Lumière Brothers and the birth of the first national film industry, before Cinecittà.

2 Madama Palace

In the center of Piazza Castello stands Madama Palace, while on the eastern side is the Teatro Regio, rebuilt after the 1936 fire. The square takes its name from the castle which was later transformed into Madama Palace. During the nineteenth century, the Madama Palace of Turin was the seat of the sessions of the Subalpine Senate. The building incorporated the two Roman towers of the ancient “Porta Pretoria“. Doubled in the 15th century by Ludovico d’Acaja with the creation of the front on the Po river, it was later remodeled in the 17th century by Ascanio Vitozzi and Carlo di Castellamonte. The monumental baroque façade was made between 1718 and 1721, based on a partially realized project by Filippo Juvarra. It is characterized by a giant order of lesenes and fluted Corinthian columns topped by a marble balustrade with reliefs, statues, and vases. Inside, the monumental juvarrian honor staircase stands out. The Palace houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art which holds rich collections of sculptures, paintings, glass, tapestries, etc., which was transformed into a castle in the Middle Ages and later expanded in the 15th century by the Savoia family to become the residence of the Madama Reale Cristiana of France during the 17th century. The baroque façade dates back to 1721. Today, Madama Palace is home to the Civic Museum of Ancient Art. Built as a fortress in the 13th century by the will of Marquis Guglielmo VII of Monferrato.

3 Turin Cathedral

The Turin Cathedral, built at the end of the 15th century, features a Renaissance-style facade and a Romanesque bell tower. Next to the Cathedral are the Royal Palace and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, must-see places to visit in Turin.

4 Royal Palace of Turin

Until 1865 the Royal Palace of Turin was the residence of the Savoy. Built between 1646 and 1660, the Royal Palace features lavish rooms with carved ceilings and wooden floors. Famous is the Scissors Staircase. The upper part of the palace was damaged by the fire in April 1997. The back of the Royal Palace features the Royal Gardens, in French style. Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Royal Armoury which has one of the most important collections of weapons and armor in the world.

5 Egyptian Museum

The Egyptian Museum in Turin is considered the most important in the world after the one in Cairo. With over 30,000 artifacts, it offers a fascinating journey through the history of ancient Egypt. It is a must-visit for anyone visiting Turin and wishing to immerse themselves in the millennia-old history of this civilization.

6 Piazza San Carlo

Known as the “living room of Turin,” Piazza San Carlo is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Surrounded by elegant arcades and historic cafes, it is the perfect place for a break during your walking tour of the city center.

7 Parco del Valentino and Castle

Parco del Valentino is the largest public park in Turin and an ideal place to relax after a day of sightseeing. Inside the park is also the Borgo Medievale, an accurate reconstruction of a Piedmontese medieval village. In the mid-19th century, on the left bank of the Po, the Parco del Valentino was created with an attached Botanical Garden. The park also includes the Valentino Castle (1620/1640) built according to French standards. The Castle is open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM except on Mondays. The Botanical Garden is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM except on Sundays.

8 Basilica of Superga

Located on a hill overlooking Turin, the Basilica of Superga offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and the Alps. Accessible by a picturesque rack railway tram, it is a place of great historical and religious importance. About 10 kilometers from Turin, on a hill, the Basilica of Superga was commissioned by Vittorio Amedeo II. The crypt houses the tombs of the Savoy kings, while the interior of the basilica is composed of six chapels. The basilica is classical in style and has a dome with two adjacent bell towers. For football enthusiasts, it is also possible to visit the Juventus Stadium and attached museum.

9 Museum of the Automobile in Turin

For motor enthusiasts, the Museum of the Automobile in Turin is a must. With a collection of over 200 vehicles from 80 different brands, it tells the history of the automobile and its impact on society. The Museum of the Automobile in Turin is among the most important in Europe, documenting the evolution of the automobile from its beginnings to the 1980s with an exhibition of over 150 original cars, along with models, prints, posters, and vintage drawings. The museum features many unique or very rare pieces and a section dedicated to racing cars. It also has a well-stocked bookshop, rich in books about automobiles, the Historic Tire Room, and hosts temporary exhibitions. It is located on Corso Unità d’Italia at number 40.

10 Porta Nuova und Porta Susa

Diese beiden historischen Bahnhöfe sind nicht nur Ankunfts- und Abfahrtspunkte, sondern auch faszinierende Beispiele für Eisenbahnarchitektur. Porta Nuova ist insbesondere ein Meisterwerk des eklektischen Stils des 19. Jahrhunderts.

Um all diese Attraktionen optimal zu erkunden, sollten Sie den Piemonte Card in Betracht ziehen, der kostenfreien oder ermäßigten Zugang zu vielen Museen und Attraktionen der Stadt bietet.

11 Turin, Shroud Museum

When wondering what to see in Turin, the mind definitely goes to the Shroud Museum, a fascinating place that encompasses mystery, history, science, and religion. It is a unique museum in the world, therefore it is a pride for the city of Turin and for Italy itself. It is divided into two sections: the purely scientific one and the historical one. The Museum offers visitors an exhibit that, following a path equipped with interactive stations and multimedia systems, presents evocative artifacts, religious objects, and the results of experimental research on the Shroud, in order to provide the most complete possible information on the various aspects it involves (historical, scientific, devotional, artistic). Wonderful is the historical 16th-century case that contained the Holy Sheet until 1997 when a fire destroyed the decorations of the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, yet the armor resisted the high temperature.

12 Sabauda Gallery

In the Palace of the Academy of Sciences is located the important painting collection which includes works of Dutch and Flemish schools. The collection of the Sabauda Gallery also contains Italian works such as those of Beato Angelico, Veronese, Mantegna, and Tintoretto, among others.

Things to do in Turin

In addition to visits to monuments and museums, there are many other activities to do in Turin. Here are some ideas:

• Join a walking tour of the historic center to discover the secrets and legends of the city.
• Visit the Museum of Oriental Art for a journey through Asian cultures.
• Explore the Royal Church of San Lorenzo, a masterpiece of Turin Baroque.
• Take a walk in the Royal Gardens, an oasis of peace in the heart of the city.
• Don’t miss the opportunity to visit La Venaria Reale, a magnificent Savoy residence just outside the city.
• For football lovers, a look at the Allianz Stadium is a must.
• Discover the city’s military history at the Pietro Micca Museum.
• Admire the masterpieces of the Sabauda Gallery, one of the most important art galleries in Italy.

Hidden Turin: what to see off the beaten path

Beyond its most famous attractions, Turin offers authentic views and surprising atmospheres.
For those who want to explore the city beyond the usual tourist routes, there are neighborhoods and corners that tell a more intimate, lively, and creative Turin.

Among the must-see places is the Roman Quadrilateral, the ancient heart of the city now animated by bars, shops, and nightlife.
The San Salvario district, instead, is a vibrant and continuously evolving cultural melting pot, ideal for those who love urban art and alternative restaurants.
If you’re looking for a stunning view, climb to Monte dei Cappuccini: less known than the Mole, but with one of the most beautiful panoramas of Turin.
Finally, walking along the Lungo Po Armando Diaz offers a different and romantic perspective of the city. And then there are lesser-known Museums of Turin and many other less trodden places.

13 National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento

The National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento is located in the Palazzo Carignano. It is a Baroque building commissioned by Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia Carignano in 1679 to Guarini and later completed between 1864 and 1872. In thirty rooms, besides the numerous works of art and relics that tell the Italian history from the beginning of the 19th century to 1946, stand out the Hall of the Subalpine Parliament and the First Italian Parliament, together with a series of evocative reconstructions of historical environments, including the chamber of Carlo Alberto in Oporto and the study of Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour.

14 Cisterna Palace in Turin

Cisterna Palace was expanded by adding, in 1691, the wing towards Carlo Alberto street. The garden was initially entrusted to Henri Duparc, later Superintendent of the gardens of the Venaria Reale castle. Between 1773 and 1787, the palace took on its current appearance, in the style of refined classicism, under the direction of the architect Valeriano Dellala di Beinasco. The project for the façade, marked by Corinthian pilasters concentrated in the center and on the corner risalti, is dated 1780. The interior was also updated with contributions from some of the most renowned artists: the painters Antoniani and Cignaroli, the wood sculptors Gianotti and Bonzanigo, the marble sculptors Bernero and Ferrero, the stucco artist Bolina, all active on dozens of sites between noble and court palaces. Since 1940, the building, whose rooms document the Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque taste of the second half of the nineteenth century, has housed the Province of Turin.

16 Palazzo Falletti di Barolo

A fundamental example of a patrician residence in Turin, the Palazzo Falletti di Torino has come to us almost intact. The building, erected at the end of the seventeenth century by Baroncelli, was restored in the mid-eighteenth century by Alfieri, who is responsible for the decoration and the design of some furniture in the style rooms. It was an important cultural salon in the mid-1800s.

17 Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art

The Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art of Turin is among the largest art collections in the country. Located on Via Magenta, the gallery primarily contains Italian works from De Chirico to Modigliani, including sculptures by Canova. It also features renowned foreign artists such as Picasso, Renoir, Manzù, and Chagall. The artistic heritage consists of over 15,000 works including paintings, sculptures, installations, and photographs, as well as a rich collection of drawings and engravings. The collections date from the late eighteenth century to the present day. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., every day except Monday.

18 Museum of Radio and Television of Turin

Il Museum of Radio could only have been established in Turin, the city where Italian radio broadcasting was born, and it was RAI that carried out this project in the 1960s. The collected, organized, and cataloged material includes original documents, phonograph and tape recordings, and technical-professional equipment of great interest. The museum is located at Via Giuseppe Verdi, 16.

19 Albertina Academy of Fine Arts Art Gallery

The Albertina Academy of Fine Arts Art Gallery has been located in the Academy’s building since 1837 and was established for educational purposes. It is based on the legacy of the Mossi di Morano collection (1828), which includes works from the 15th to the 18th century (Filippo Lippi, Defendente Ferrari, Martino Spanzotti, Caravaggisti, Flemish, Genoese, Venetian), and the donation of Carlo Alberto (1832) of 60 cartoons by Gaudenzio Ferrari and his school, a unique collection worldwide of a Renaissance workshop graphic archive.

20 National Artillery Historical Museum

The National Artillery Historical Museum is the first institution of its kind in Europe and the oldest museum in Turin, founded at the Royal Arsenal by Carlo Emanuele III in 1731 for the use of young artillerymen of the theoretical school established by Ignazio Bertola. The importance of the collections on display, which feature many specimens from around the world, some unique and of great value, gives the museum a prominent place among similar museums worldwide. The museum is located on Corso Galileo Ferraris.

21 Pietro Micca Civic Museum

Dedicated to the patriot who played a decisive role in stopping the French siege of 1706, the Pietro Micca Civic Museum and the Siege of Turin of 1706 stands on an area that corresponds approximately to the center of the enemy attack front. Opened in 1961, it houses models, prints, and memorabilia from the era. Of great interest and spectacle is the underground itinerary of the counter-mine tunnels lit by lanterns from the past. The museum is located at Via Guicciardini, 7/A.

22 Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography

The origins of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of Turin, while incorporating earlier collections, date back to 1923. In 1936 it was moved to its current location and since 1961 it has been owned by the University. Among the exhibition materials are numerous collections for the study of primatology, anthropology, paleontology, and ethnography, which include artifacts of exceptional quality.

23 Puppet Museum

A world of miniature curiosities, suspended between play and the magic of theater: it is the realm of puppets housed in the Gianduja Theater-Museum. The precious collection of the Lupi family, accumulated over 200 years of activity, includes over 5000 pieces among which are hundreds of puppets, furnishings, and 19th-century costumes.

24 Civic Museum of Numismatics, Ethnography, and Oriental Arts

For the first time gathered in a permanent exhibition, the three sections of numismatics, ethnology, and oriental arts. of the original Civic Museum, the result of about a century of public and private collecting, constitute the heritage of the Museum set up in an elegant fin-de-siècle building. The variety of collections and the preciousness of the artifacts make it particularly interesting.

25 Underground Turin

A definitely different tour, but one that will guarantee you discover the true mystery and real history of the Piedmontese city. Underground Turin is wonderful, unique, mysterious. Catacombs, underground cellars, the infernotti of Baroque palaces, etc. Highly recommended.

26 Magical Turin, the tour you must not miss

Turin is famous for legends related to the cult of white magic and black magic. It is said that certain places in the city are full of energy. There is a tour, the “Magical Turin Tour”, which takes place on Thursday and Saturday evenings, during which visitors are taken to discover these special places and the legends related to that place are explained to them. Curious?

Turin in a nutshell: curiosities, things to do, nightlife, hotels and transport. Everything you need to know to best organize your trip.

27 Torino Card City

To make your stay in Torino more economical, we recommend purchasing the Torino Card City, which will allow you free entry or discounts for museums, exhibitions, tours, etc. The costs are really very affordable. It starts at €35 for 2 days.

28 Turin nightlife and historic cafes

Turin at night is quite calm. Young people like to go to the Murazzi, on the Po riverside, for a cocktail and some live music. You will have the chance to have fun without descending into pure chaos, which is certainly not a characteristic of this city. But Turin is above all the city of historic cafes. In the city center you can find many cafés with ancient tradition, excellent meeting points.

29 Turin artist lights

The “Artist Lights” of Turin represent the highlight of winter and Christmas in Turin. It is a prestigious exhibition of installations and luminous works of art that, every year, light up the streets and squares of the city center, transforming the city into a capital of lights. Today Artist Lights is an event that also takes place in the city of Salerno, inspired precisely by those in Turin.

30 How to get to Turin

If you arrive by train, we recommend Turin Porta Nuova, the third largest station in Italy, very central and wonderful architecturally. For air travel, the arrival point is Turin Caselle Airport. It is about 16 km from Turin and is well served by bus services, shuttle, etc.

31 Where to Sleep in Turin: Central and Convenient Areas to Visit the City

Turin is an elegant city and easy to explore on foot, so choosing a central area is the best solution. The areas of Porta Nuova, Piazza Castello, Piazza San Carlo, and Piazza Solferino offer excellent accommodations, very close to the main monuments, museums, and historic cafés.

These areas are well served by public transport, but often you can move around comfortably on foot. Furthermore, compared to other Italian cities, Turin has a good quality/price ratio, even in the central areas.

🛏️ Tip: check our selection of hotels and accommodations in Turin to find the most suitable option or read our article on how to spend less on accommodation in Turin.

💡 Or search for offers on: Booking.com

Frequently Asked Questions About What to See in Turin