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How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Turin, Italy (2024)

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Planning to spend one day in Turin? We are sharing the perfect Turin itinerary in this guide.

Turin is a beautiful northern Italian city famous for its chocolate, Baroque architecture, and wonderful museums. You can easily visit most of Turin’s main attractions in one day, whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Milan or spending a night here.

We recently spent a long weekend in Turin discovering the best foods to try, restaurants, and sites. We loved the authentic and local feel of the city – it doesn’t feel touristy at all.

In this guide, we are sharing our guide to Turin in a day, plus all of our tips to help you plan the perfect trip.

One Day in Turin Itinerary

Breakfast at a local cafe

Turin is home to many beautiful old world cafes that make you feel like you’re stepping into Italy’s past. Begin your day trip with a visit to one of these cafes for breakfast, including a taste of one of Turin’s specialties – Bicerin.

Bicerin is a popular drink in Turin that dates back to the 18th century. It is made up of 3 layers: chocolate, espresso, and cream. It’s as delicious as it sounds.

Caffè Mulassano is one of the best spots in town to try Bicerin and it’s also one of the most beautiful cafes in Turin. We recommend ordering a drink along with one of their small sandwiches or pastries for breakfast.

Another great option for breakfast is Baratti & Milano, a historic cafe located in the gorgeous Galleria Subalpina.

Visit the Royal Palace of Turin

The Royal Palace of Turin, or Palazzo Reale di Torino, is one of the must-see sites in Turin and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Piazza Castello, this 16th century palace was the royal residence of the House of Savoy.

The palace’s opulent interiors showcase the extraordinary amount of detail that went into the construction of this palace. From the lavish throne room and Royal Armory to the beautiful royal apartments adorned with sumptuous fabrics and wallpapers, exploring this palace is a feast for the eyes.

After exploring the rooms of Palazzo Reale, make sure to take some time to visit the Royal Library, which has over 200,000 works, and the Royal Gardens, which are lovely to walk through.

Additionally, you’ll also find the Savoy Gallery, Chapel of the Holy Shroud, and the Archaeological Museum within the palace. For the sake of time, we recommend only visiting the chapel, as you could easily spend half the day visiting everything in the palace.

PRACTICAL INFO: The Royal Palace of Turin is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am – 7:00pm. It’s closed on Mondays. Full price tickets cost €15. Reserve your tickets online in advance to avoid the lines.

Explore the Egyptian Museum

Photo credit: paologallophoto | Canva Pro

The Egyptian Museum in Turin, or Museo Egizio, is one of the most significant museums of its kind outside of Egypt. It’s also the oldest Egyptian museum in the world, founded in 1824.

The museum owes its origins to the acquisition of an extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities by King Carlo Felice in the early 1800s. Later on, in the early 1900s, an additional 30,000 artifacts were excavated by Ernesto Schiaparelli and Giuli Farino and brought back to the museum.

Today, the museum showcases over 4,000 years of history with thousands of Egyptian artifacts – from pottery to statues and even mummies.

PRACTICAL INFO: Museo Egizio is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00am-6:30pm and on Mondays from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Purchase your tickets in advance at the official website to avoid the lines.

Book this 2-hour Guided Tour of the Egyptian Museum to learn about the history of the ancient Egyptian artifacts from an expert.

Lunch at a local restaurant

Turin is home to the slow food movement and the region is famous for its wines, truffles, and incredible cuisine. With only one day in Turin, you need to schedule two delicious meals into your itinerary to really get a taste of the food from the Piedmont region.

For lunch, we suggest eating at Porta di Savona, located in Piazza Vittorio. This is an institution in Turin serving Piedmontese cuisine – from homemade pasta to traditional meat dishes.

We recommend trying Vitello Tonnato, veal covered in a creamy tuna sauce, and Agnolotti, a stuffed pasta served in a meaty sauce. The tajarin pasta is always a good choice, too.

Taste some chocolate

Turin was one of the first cities in Europe to embrace chocolate, thanks to Madama Reale in the 17th century. Ever since, Turin has been dubbed the European capital of chocolate, and you can enjoy this delicious title today by visiting a couple of the best chocolate shops in Turin.

Turin is mostly famous for the invention of Gianduia in the 19th century, which is still a chocolate fan favorite today, myself included. The ingenious blend of cocoa and hazelnuts creates a smooth, rich, and creamy truffle. It’s basically the original Nutella.

We recommend visiting Caffarel, the inventor of Gianduia, to try some of their chocolates. A visit to Guido Gobino is also worth it.

If you’re visiting Turin from the end of October into the first week of November, don’t miss the annual chocolate festival – Cioccolatò. This 10-day festival brings in some of the best producers from around Italy for a celebration of chocolate.

Book this 2.5 hour Chocolate & Sweets Tour with a local guide to learn more about the history of chocolate in Turin.

Wander around Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo is located in Turin’s historic center and is one of the most beautiful squares in the city. Dating back to the 17th century, this piazza is a masterpiece of Baroque design, designed by architect Carlo di Castellamonte.

The square is surrounded by covered walkways that house some of the city’s oldest cafes, including the famous Caffe Torino and Caffe San Carlo. At the far end of the piazza are two churches – Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo.

The piazza’s centerpiece is a statue of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, that was designed by Carlo Marochetti.

Grab an afternoon coffee, visit the churches in the piazza, or simply wander around the square to take it all in.

Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is an iconic landmark in Turin, soaring above the cityscape with its distinctive silhouette and unique architecture. The building was originally conceived to be a synagogue, but was instead made into a monument representing national unity. It was completed in 1889 and designed by Alessandro Antonelli.

Today, you can take an elevator up to the top of the Mole Antonelliana for breathtaking views of the Turin and the surrounding Italian alps in the distance.

National Cinema Museum

The Mole Antonelliana is also home to Italy’s National Cinema Museum, or Museo Nazionale del Cinema. The museum provides an immersive experience for cinema buffs to explore the history of film through interactive exhibits.

Inside, you’ll discover a vast collection of film posters, devices originally used for movies, and other temporary exhibitions.

PRACTICAL INFO: The museum and panoramic lift are open Wednesday to Monday from 9:00am-7:00pm (open until 10:00pm on Saturdays). It’s closed on Tuesday. The museum costs €15 per person and the panoramic lift costs €9. You can purchase a combined ticket for €20.

We highly recommend reserving your tickets online in advance to avoid lines.

Enjoy Aperitivo

Aperitivo is a beloved tradition in Italy. Pop into one of Turin’s famous cafes in Piazza San Carlo for a little pre-meal drink and snack.

We recommend Caffe Torino or Caffe San Carlo, both historic cafes with elegant interiors. There are tables outside under the porticoes that are perfect for people watching in the square.

Order one of Turin’s classic wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco, or a glass Negroni or Aperol Spritz.

Discover wines of the Piedmont region in the heart of Turin during this wine tasting class at Cultura Liquida Wine School.

Dinner

Make a reservation at least a few days in advance for dinner in Turin. The good ones book up quickly.

With so many fantastic options in the city, it can be hard to choose where to eat, especially if you only have one day in Turin. We are sharing a few of our recommendations below:

  • Ristorante Consorzio | Serving up a fresh take on Piedmontese cuisine, this restaurant is a must for those looking for a wonderful food experience in Turin.
  • Al Gatto Nero | One of Turin’s most famous restaurants, book a table here if you’re looking for a fine dining experience.
  • Tre Galli | If you’re looking for a bit of everything, this restaurant is for you. From pasta to fish dishes, you can high-quality variety of food here.
  • Contesto Alimentare | A Michelin Guide restaurant serving up a creative take on the local cuisine.
  • Del Cambio | Another Michelin Guide restaurant and one of Turin’s oldest restaurants from the 18th century.

More time in Turin?

Do you have an extra day in Turin? Or a few hours left in the evening to see another site or two? Here are some additional things to add to your Turin itinerary:

  • Take a food tour: One of our favorite ways to get to know any city in Italy is by taking a food tour. We recommend taking this 3.5-Hour Turin Food Tour where you’ll get a sampling of the local cuisine.
  • Parco del Valentino: Located on the banks of the Po River, the beautiful park has many pathways and sitting areas, making it a lovely spot to relax after a busy day.
  • Enjoy the views: Head to either Piazzale Monte dei Cappuccini or Basilica di Superga for fantastic panoramic views of the Turin skyline, including the Mole Antonelliana. The Piazzale Monte dei Cappuccini is within walking distance of the city center.

One Day in Turin Map

This map includes the best things to do in Turin in 1 day, plus the best places to eat. You can use it to easily navigate your way around town.

To save the map to Google Maps on your phone or computer, click on the star next to the title. Once you do this, you’ll be able to find the map in your “saved maps” list on your phone.

To see a list of all the items on the map, click the box with arrow on the left. To enlarge the map, click the box on the right.

Getting around Turin

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Turin’s city center is fairly small, and you can easily get around on foot. Everything in this 1-day in Turin itinerary is within walking distance.

The city also has buses and trams running throughout the center, so if you get tired of walking, you can hop on one of these to your next stop!

Tickets for both the tram and bus cost €1.90 for 100 minutes. You can either purchase physical tickets at a local tobacco shop displaying the “GTT” logo, or with contactless payment onboard.

How to Get to Turin

Located in the northwestern corner of Italy, it can feel like a bit of a jaunt getting to Turin. However, it’s well connected with the rest of Italy and Europe by high-speed trains and the Turin Airport.

The main train station in Turin is called Porta Nuova. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the train station to the historic center. We recommend booking your high-speed train tickets at least 3 weeks in advance for the best prices. You can book these on Trenitalia.com.

The Turin airport, Aeroporto di Torino, provides flights to other European destinations. If you are flying in from outside of Europe, then Milan has the nearest airport.

To get to the city center from the airport, you can either take the airport bus, the train to Turin Porta Susa station, or a taxi.

Milan to Turin

  • Train: The train journey from Milan to Turin takes 1 hour by high-speed train and 2 hours via regional train.
  • Driving: Turin is 143km (89 miles) west of Milan and the drive takes 1 hour and 45 minutes on the A4 with tolls.

Bologna to Turin

  • Train: From Bologna, the train to Turin takes 2.5 hours on the direct route. Otherwise, the other option takes between 5-6.5 hours with connections.
  • Driving: Follow the A1 & A22 north until you get on the A4 to reach Turin from Bologna. The total driving distance is 423km (263 miles) and takes 4.5 hours without traffic.

Florence to Turin

  • Train: The high-speed train from Florence to Turin takes 3 hours and 10 minutes. The slower, regional train takes almost 7 hours.
  • Driving: The drive from Florence takes you north along the Ligurian coast until you reach Turin. In total, the drive takes 4.5 hours and is 403km (250 miles).

Best Time to Visit Turin

Turin is a wonderful city to visit anytime of the year. During the fall and winter, the city feels cozy and warm thanks to its plethora of charming cafes.

There are also many festivals and events this time of year, such as the chocolate festival and Christmas markets that keep the city alive and exciting.

Spring and summer bring flowers, longer days, and beautiful weather, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and enjoying the parks and mountains in the Piedmont region.

Where to Stay in Turin

From luxury to budget-friendly hotels, there are plenty of options to choose from in Turin. Here are our top picks:

  • Luxury hotel: Grand Hotel Sitea | A historic 5-star hotel located in the heart of Turin with a garden and beautiful decorations.
  • Boutique hotel: Opera35 Boutique Hotel | Located just a couple blocks from the Po River, this 4-star hotel features simplistic rooms in a central area of Turin.
  • Mid-Range hotel: Hotel Victoria & Iside Spa | This charming and centrally located hotel features classic Italian decor with breakfast included.
  • Budget hotel: Casa della Contessa B&B | A wonderful bed & breakfast located in the historic center of Turin with modern amenities, such as air conditioning.

Turin Frequently Asked Questions

Is one day enough for Turin?

Yes, one day in Turin is enough time to see the main sights. We recommend spending at least 2 days in Turin to get the most out of your trip without feeling rushed.

Is Turin a walkable city?

Yes! Most of the main attractions in Turin are within walking distance. This makes it easy and convenient to get around.

What food is Turin known for?

Turin is famous for its chocolate, wines, truffles, and local pastas, such as Agnolotti and Tajarin.

ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE

Italy Travel Insurance – Should you get travel insurance for Italy? YES! We always get travel insurance before all of our trips for peace of mind. Check out Safety Wing to find the best plan for you.

Italy Rental Cars – Is it safe to rent a car in Italy? Yes! We’ve rented a car in Italy too many times to count, and it’s definitely the most convenient way to get around the countryside. We rented our car through Discover Cars (our go-to rental agency), which helps you find the best rates no matter where you are traveling.

Italy Phone Plans – If your phone plan does not offer free coverage in Italy, then we suggest getting an eSIM. We used Airalo during our trip to Italy, and we had fantastic coverage the entire time. It’s easy to download and you can even top up via the app if needed.

Italy Hotels – Wondering where to book your accommodations for Italy? We’ve been reserving all of our hotels through Booking for years. Their messaging tool makes it easy to communicate with the hotels, and there are endless options to choose from.

2 COMMENTS:

  1. Great tips on Turin. If you have time and are a petrolhead I would definitely also visit the stunning MAuto (National Automobile Museum) and the Pinoteca Agnelli on the roof if the old Fiat Factory (both can be easily reached bij Metro)

    1. Hi Arno,

      Thank you for these suggestions! We’ll have to check out these museums when we are in Turin next time.

      Best,
      Jenoa

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