The best things to do in Turin reveal a city that is consistently one of the great Italian surprises. Turin — Torino in Italian — is a sophisticated, elegant city in the foothills of the Alps that most international tourists overlook completely, yet it was the first capital of unified Italy and remains one of the country’s most cultured, beautiful and rewarding destinations.
The best things to do in Turin include one of the world’s finest Egyptian museums, a magnificent baroque city centre, the finest chocolate and coffee culture in Italy, extraordinary panoramic views of the Alps, day trips to outstanding wine country and the home of one of Italy’s most celebrated football clubs. Turin rewards visitors who take the time to discover it.
1. Visit the Egyptian Museum
The Egyptian Museum of Turin is one of the best things to do in Turin and one of the finest museums in the world. The second most important collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts anywhere — second only to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo — the Turin Egyptian Museum houses over 30,000 objects including complete tombs, royal mummies, papyrus scrolls and extraordinary sculptures.
The museum’s collection was assembled over centuries by the House of Savoy and dramatically expanded by Napoleon. The presentation is outstanding — atmospheric lighting, excellent English explanations and a genuinely awe-inspiring collection that takes 2-3 hours to explore properly.
Tickets from €15. Book in advance during peak season. ✅
2. Climb the Mole Antonelliana
Climbing the Mole Antonelliana — Turin’s iconic domed tower — is one of the best things to do in Turin for views. The most distinctive building in Turin, the Mole Antonelliana was originally built as a synagogue before becoming the National Cinema Museum — one of the finest film museums in the world. The panoramic lift inside rises through the cinema museum displays to the top of the dome, where a narrow external walkway offers extraordinary 360-degree views of Turin and the Alps.
On clear days the Alps stretch along the entire northern and western horizon — one of the most spectacular mountain panoramas visible from any Italian city.
Lift to top: €7. Museum entry: €15. ✅
3. Explore the Palazzo Reale
The Palazzo Reale — the Royal Palace of the House of Savoy — is one of the best things to do in Turin for history and art lovers. The official residence of the Kings of Sardinia and later the Kings of Italy, this magnificent baroque palace contains extraordinary state rooms, art collections, the Royal Armoury and the beautifully restored Royal Gardens.
The Savoy royal apartments — decorated with extraordinary frescoes, tapestries and furniture — give a remarkable insight into the life of the dynasty that unified Italy.
Entry from €12. ✅
4. Visit the Shroud of Turin
The Shroud of Turin — kept in the Turin Cathedral — is one of the most famous and debated religious relics in the world. The linen cloth bearing the image of a crucified man has been venerated as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ for centuries, though its authenticity remains disputed. Whether a genuine relic or an extraordinary medieval artwork, the Shroud draws pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
The Shroud is only displayed publicly on special occasions — check the Turin Cathedral website for exhibition dates. The Cathedral itself is free to enter at all times.
Cathedral free. ✅
5. Walk the Portici Along Via Po
Walking the magnificent arcaded Via Po — one of Turin’s finest porticoed streets — is one of the free best things to do in Turin. Turin, like Bologna, has an extensive network of covered porticoes, and Via Po — running from Piazza Castello down to the Po River — is lined with elegant cafés, bookshops and shops under one of the finest baroque arcades in Italy.
The porticoed streets of Turin are perfect for the city’s famously cold winters and elegant at any time of year.
Free — no ticket needed. ✅
6. Drink Turin’s Famous Coffee and Chocolate
Experiencing Turin’s extraordinary coffee and chocolate culture is one of the best things to do in Turin — and one of the great food pleasures of northern Italy. Turin is the birthplace of Italian chocolate — the Bicerin (a layered drink of espresso, chocolate and cream) was invented here in the 18th century and remains the city’s signature drink. Turin is also credited with inventing gianduja — the hazelnut chocolate that became Nutella.
The historic cafés of Turin’s city centre — Caffè Al Bicerin, Caffè Fiorio, Caffè Baratti & Milano — are extraordinary places to drink coffee and eat chocolate in magnificent 19th-century interiors.
Budget: €3-5 for coffee and chocolate. ✅
7. Day Trip to the Langhe Wine Country
Taking a day trip to the Langhe hills — home of Barolo and Barbaresco wines — is one of the best things to do in Turin for wine lovers. Just 60 kilometres south of Turin, the rolling Langhe hills covered in Nebbiolo vineyards produce two of Italy’s greatest red wines. The medieval town of Alba — truffle capital of Italy — is the perfect base for exploring.
Rent a car on ourcar rental Turin pagefor maximum flexibility in the Langhe wine country.
Train from Turin to Alba: 1 hour, from €5. Book on ourcheap train tickets page.
8. Visit Piazza Castello
Piazza Castello — the magnificent baroque heart of Turin — is one of the free best things to do in Turin. This extraordinary square is surrounded by the Palazzo Reale, the Palazzo Madama, the Royal Theatre and the Church of San Lorenzo — a concentration of baroque magnificence that makes it one of the finest city squares in Italy.
The Palazzo Madama — in the centre of the square — houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art and offers free entry to the courtyard and ground floor.
Free to visit the square. ✅
9. See the Views from Superga Basilica
Taking the rack railway to the Superga Basilica — perched on a hill above Turin — is one of the best things to do in Turin for panoramic views and history. The magnificent baroque basilica is the burial place of the House of Savoy and offers extraordinary views of Turin, the Po Valley and the Alps from its terrace.
The Superga rack railway (€6 return) climbs from the Turin tram network to the basilica — a delightful journey in itself.
Rack railway: €6 return. Basilica free. ✅
10. Explore the Quadrilatero Romano
The Quadrilatero Romano — Turin’s ancient Roman and medieval neighbourhood — is one of the best free things to do in Turin for atmosphere and authentic city life. This network of narrow streets behind Piazza della Repubblica has been transformed into Turin’s most vibrant neighbourhood — lined with independent restaurants, bars, vintage shops and artisan studios.
The neighbourhood is at its most lively on Saturday morning when the enormous Porta Palazzo market — the largest open-air market in Europe — fills the surrounding piazze.
Free to explore. ✅
Practical Tips for Turin
- Visit the Egyptian Museum early.The museum gets busy — arrive at opening time for the best experience and to avoid queues.
- Try a Bicerin.The original Bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin — the café that invented the drink in 1763 — is a genuine Turin experience and costs around €4.
- Go to the Porta Palazzo market on Saturday.The largest open-air market in Europe is an extraordinary free experience.
- Book Barolo wine tours.Wine estate visits in the Langhe require advance booking — contact estates directly or book through a tour operator.
For official travel information visit theItalian Tourism Board.
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