Turin, commonly known as Torino to the natives, is the capital of the Piedmont region located in northwestern Italy. The city lies at the foot of the Alps and extends along Po River, just a few hours from the coast of Genoa. It is also close to the French and Swiss borders. The city is famous for its extravagant palaces and imposing public squares, and there’s no doubt that the place is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. It is home to some truly remarkable restaurants and picturesque monuments, which means you will definitely have a great time here. But if you don’t have a lot of time to visit Turin, go through our all-you-need-to-know about Turin list and complete your one-day Turin itinerary.
Plan your trip to Turin
1. What’s The Best Time To Visit Turin?
2. A few Facts About Turin
3. One Day In Turin Itinerary
3.1. Visit Museo Egezio (Egyptian Museum Turin)
3.2. Catch A Glimpse Of The Shroud Of Turin In Duomo Di Torino
3.3. Visit Palazzo Reale
3.4. Eat Pizza With The Locals
3.5. Go Up Monte dei Cappuccini
4. Where To Stay In Turin?
5. Day Trips From Turin
6. Extra Tips For Visiting Turin
What’s The Best Time To Visit Turin?
The best time to visit is early in the summer or during spring. May and August are the rainiest months, so if you wouldn’t like to take a Turin tour when it’s wet, you should opt for June or September instead. The weather in September is just perfect since it’s one of the driest months, with temperatures ranging between comfortable 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
When you’re keen on doing some Turin sightseeing, you want to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible, so September is the best month for you to walk around Turin without the weight of a jacket tying you down.
Additionally, most people who visit during this time will only stay for a day or two, so it won’t feel touristy or crowded. Nevertheless, not many cities are as welcoming as Turin all year round. For instance, winters in Turin are chilly, averaging around 3 degrees Celsius, but they are reasonably dry. Summers can get warm but are at most times quite lovely, with average highs of about 27 degrees.
A few Facts About Turin
Turin has always been a massive part of Italy’s history. In 1563, the city served as the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Duchy of Savoy. Due to the popularity of Turin museums, architecture, and galleries, the city held the illustrious role of being Italy’s capital between 1861 and 1865.
After WWII, Turin became an essential part of the industrial triangle along with Genoa and Milano, and Italy and moved from politically valuable to economically crucial. FIAT is the most popular Turin-based brand, and the best spot to get a view of the entire city of Turin is by heading up Monte dei Cappuccini.
One Day In Turin Itinerary
Visit Museo Egezio (Egyptian Museum Turin)
You can start your trip to Turin by reserving at least two hours of your day to visit Museo Egezio. It is one of the most popular and most prominent tourist attractions in the city. Museo Egezio showcases the most extensive collection of artifacts from Egypt, second only to Cairo.
It holds a statue of Ramses II, 24 mummies, and the untouched tomb of Kha and Merit. Egyptian Museum Turin is one of the best places to find out more about what ancient civilizations were about.
Due to its popularity, there are often endless queues at Museo Egezio, so try to book tickets online to be able to keep up with your itinerary.
Catch A Glimpse Of The Shroud Of Turin In Duomo Di Torino
Situated about 9 minutes away from Museo Egezio, your next stop for the day should be the Shroud of Turin. It is an almost ancient sheet of linen cloth that bears the vague imprint of a crucified man. Many people believe that it was Jesus Christ. Consequently, since 1578, the Shroud of Turin has been well-kept and preserved at Duomo di Torino (Cathedral of Turin). While the original Shroud isn’t usually on display, you will get to see a massive replica of the cloth.
The cathedral (Duomo) is a sight to behold and has been kept well since it was built late in the 1400s according to Guarino Guarini’s design. Besides, it will only take you about 30 minutes to take in the entire site.
Visit Palazzo Reale
After the Shroud of Turin, cruise through the streets and enjoy two hours of beautiful archways, boutiques, restaurants, and historic buildings. You will then find the main entrance of Palazzo Reale on Piazza Castello – the most striking historical building.
The palace was built in 1646 and served as the royal residence till 1865. You can visit different palace sections, including the luxurious King’s apartments, the Royal Armory, the Royal Library, the Royal Gardens, and Galleria Sabauda. The palace is absolutely magnificent, and you cannot afford not to see it. The guided tour is a good way to check the palace and learn everything there is to it!
Eat Pizza With The Locals
Before heading to your next location, go for lunch at one of the best Turin restaurants, Crudo Fa La Pizza. Your Italian holiday is not complete without some pizza. So when you’re in Turin, satisfy all your pizza cravings at this place. Overall, the pizza is excellent, and you will come back for more, for sure!
Go Up Monte dei Cappuccini
For your last stop of the day, take a road trip to Monte dei Cappuccini. Even if your tourist guide suggests you go up Mole Antonelliana by lift, opt to go up Monte dei Cappuccini instead. Why?
Before you visit the city, you’re likely to come across some stunning photos of Turin with the dazzling snowy Alps in the background. Turin Mountains is the spot that offers you an astonishing view of the Turin, including Mole Antonelliana with picturesque backdrops. It is on the opposite side of the Po.
Where To Stay In Turin?
DoubleTree by Hilton Turin
Via Giacomo Matté Trucco 1, Lingotto, 10126 Turin
Looking for a place to stay? Then check out DoubleTree by Hilton Turin Lingotto. It is a designer hotel built from an old car factory, so you can bet the experience will be unique. Huge windows that span from floor to ceiling will provide you with a spectacular view, and the bar and the restaurant boast excellent contemporary dishes and drinks.
Principi di Piemonte
Via Piero Gobetti 15, Turin Historic Centre, 10123 Turin
If you want the most luxurious stay in Turin, Principi di Piemonte is the hotel you need to book. The place was built in the 1930s and offers a spectacular view of the city, plus it’s close to the Egyptian Museum. The hotel also has a wellness centre with a Turkish bath and absolutely fantastic rooms. Luxury at its very finest!
Hotel Roma e Rocca Cavour
2600 W Harmon Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89158
This amazing hotel has quite a story behind it because Hotel Roma e Rocca Cavour has been operating since 1854, all under the leadership of one and the same family. Amazing right? The place has loads of old-school charm and lush gardens, with some antique furniture in the rooms, too. It is a very stylish hotel, and if you like a blast from the past, you will love staying here.
Bamboo Eco Hostel
Corso Palermo 90D, 10154 Turin
You can also choose to stay at the Bamboo Eco Hostel, about one mile from the historical centre. The hostel features colourful rooms, each with a private balcony and free Wi-Fi if you need to catch up with work after exploring.
Day Trips From Turin
Turin offers a lot of tours of the town where you can enjoy and learn a whole lot about its culture, architecture and history. However, if you want to set up a day trip from Turin, there are plenty of interesting options. This is Italy, after all! Here are a few examples.
Lake Orta
If you need a break from city life, this is a great place to visit. Lake Orta is about 90 minutes from Turing by car and the nearby town is incredibly picturesque. There are loads of great cafes and restaurants, but it’s not too crowded, so you can easily relax. Enjoy the lake and everything it has to offer!
The Alps
Yes, the Alps are quite close, and visiting them can be a great idea, no matter the time of year. You may want to get an early start for this one, but there are plenty of places worth exploring. Pian del Colle, for example, is a wonderful place to visit, and you can even hop on a train to Bardonecchia.
Alassio
Alassio is a wonderfully charming town on the Ligurian coast that takes things nice and easy. It’s another great place if you’re looking for a slow-paced day trip from Turin. The beach is excellent, plus there are many great clubs you can enjoy. All in all, a great way to recharge your batteries.
Le Langhe
Home of the famous Barolo wine, Le Langhe is a region that looks like it’s come out of a fairy tale. Green hills, lovely castles on them and very charming villages all around the region will make this day trip very much worth your while. And if you can organize wine tasting, this will be your best day in a very long time.
Extra Tips For Visiting Turin
We’ve mentioned day tours in Turin, but if you’re in for a culinary adventure to taste local delicacies, you can try out the Patisserie Tour, where you learn more about Cremino, Marron Glace, and Gianduiotti from a local food expert.
There’s also the Private Aperitivo Tour and Tasting, which is a 2 ½ hour tour where you get to visit three different locations as you learn more about the tradition.
And, there you have it; a day in Turin, one of Italy’s best secrets. So what about it makes you want to visit the city in a heartbeat?
Rebecca Shinn
I'm Rebecca Shinn. For many years I have been writing articles on a wide variety of topics (one if which is dating sites), from psychology and medicine to business and investment. I am fond of sports and self-development.
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