Torino should absolutely be on your Italy bucket list. This often overlooked city is in fact the original capital of the Kingdom of Italy, the birthplace of espresso, aperitivo, and gianduja chocolate, plus home to timeless companies like FIAT and Lavazza. Located in the northwest of Italy, just below the Alps, the city just doesn’t seem to get the attention it deserves.
Follow our self-guided tour to experience 24 hours in Turin and make the most of the city. Surrounded by lush green hills and snow-capped Alps in the distance, Turin will greet you with the smell of fresh coffee roasting and decadent chocolate, while the streets are filled with elegant boutiques, antique bookshops, and intriguing art galleries. It may be a fairly small city, but there is so much to see in Turin. Here’s how to make the most of 24 hours in Turin.
One of the main city squares in Turin, Piazza San Carlo is always bustling. Photo credit: David Salamanca
If you took a train to Turin from a nearby city such as Milan, you’ll hop off at the historic Porta Nuova station. Turin has two main train stations, but if given a choice, we recommend getting off at Porta Nuova to find yourself right in the heart of the city.
Porta Nuova was built in 1861, while inside there is not much of the original design, as you leave, turn around, and take in the unique façade of glass and vibrant red details.
Cutting through the city, Via Roma is a great place for window shopping. Photo credit: Gilbert Sopakuwa
From here you can head straight down Via Roma enjoying the elegant storefronts under the porticoes. But of course, before you get too far, welcome yourself to Torino with a bite of the famous gianduiotto chocolates. These are a type of chocolate mixed with hazelnuts for a unique flavor, and shaped into a little mountain-like form.
To the right of Piazza Carlo Felice, right in front of Porta Nuova, you’ll find Cioccolateria A. Giordano, an artisanal chocolate maker that has been handmaking these sweets since 1897. Grab a few of their gianduiotti and giacomette (made with chunks of hazelnuts) to go.
We always add a stop for gianduiotto chocolates while exploring Turin. Photo credit: Juergen Jeibmann
After a short walk, the stone portico streets will open up to the impressive Piazza San Carlo, the salotto of Torino. It got this name, as a welcome hall to the city, because it is nestled between the train station and Piazza Castello, where the royal palaces are located. It also is where Turin opens its arms and offers you a welcome caffè at one of its beautiful historic cafes.
Within Piazza San Carlo you’ll find some of the oldest cafes in the city – Caffe San Carlo, Caffe Torino, and Stratta. We recommend you head straight to Stratta for a local specialty coffee.
Here you’ll get a sip of delicious coffee from San Domenico roastery, local roasters from the nearby Val di Susa mountains. San Domenico chooses Slow Food Presidia beans and slow roasts them over an open birch-wood fire to obtain a rich flavor of the individual coffees. Enjoy a caffè al banco, while admiring Stratta’s delicious sweets display, you might even be inspired to take some home.
Don’t miss grabbing a coffee at one of Turin’s many cafes. Photo credit: Channone Arif
Stratta was the official candy maker to the royal Savoy family, and has been here in Turin since the mid-1800s. Originally famous for those colorful sugar candies you’ll see on display, more recently they also have become famous for their pasticceria, especially their panettone around Christmas time.
Once you’ve got your caffeine fix, time to keep exploring the city, head to the back left corner of Piazza San Carlo to enter the Galleria San Federico.
This beautiful covered walkway was built in the 1930s and commissioned by a local noble family to provide covered shopping areas and a caffè-concerto – what is now the Cinema Lux. A fun curiosity: this cinema has changed names with the changing political scene of Turin and Italy. It was inaugurated with the name Rex (king), changed to Dux (duke, the official title of Mussolini) under Mussolini, then finally given the name Lux (light) in the post-war period.
Galleria San Federico is a wonderful place to stroll leisurely. Photo credit: David Salamanca
After you’ve taken in this beautiful galleria, sneak a little side street over to the cobblestone alley of Via San Tommaso. A hidden street that is historically home to many of Turin’s artisans. Today you’ll still find a few artisan workshops, but you’ll also find the original Lavazza shop.
But rather than grab another coffee, let’s grab a little pre-lunch bite and enjoy some of Piedmont’s finest cheeses. Right across the street from Lavazza you’ll find the delicious Latteria Bera, a historic cheese shop in Turin.
Run by a fantastic all-female team, they are enthusiastic about all cheeses – local and beyond. You’ll find the owner Chiara often behind the counter smiling and ready to tell you her favorite cheeses of the day. Let them know what style of cheese you like and ask for a little degustazione, and they will make you a small charcuterie “board” (actually a little cone) to go.
If you have the time, a visit through the interior of the Palazzo Reale is definitely worth it. Photo credit: Zairon
You can enjoy this as you make your way to the main center of Turin – Piazza Castello. You can’t miss it, it is one of the largest open piazzas and is home to not one but two large palaces. Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama are both open to visitors as museums, however, they do require some time to visit. If you are short on time, it’s better to admire them from the outside.
That being said, if you need a little break before lunch, head through the Palazzo Reale courtyard to explore the Giardini Reali, the royal gardens, you can take a relaxing stroll or grab a seat and pause for a minute.
Just around the corner from Palazzo Reale in Largo IV Marzo, you’ll find a favorite of visitors and locals alike – Piola Cianci. A traditional home-cooking eatery, known in Piedmont as a Piola, they serve classic Piedmontese bites at a very affordable price. Make sure to get there early however as they can fill up fast.
Made with boiled down anchovies, bagna cauda is a very unique element in Piemonte cuisine. Photo credit:WordRidden
Once you’ve filled your belly with true Piedmontese delights, it’s time to get back on your feet and see more of Italy’s original capital.
Head back past Piazza Castello towards Via Po, the main porticoed street that leads you from the center to the Po river. This street at one point connected all of the city’s academic institutions: the theater school in Piazza Castello, the fine arts college, the University (open since 1404), and the military school.
Vio Po connects Piazza Castello with Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Photo credit: Jorge Franganillo
Today it is a popular shopping street that is well known for its used book market. Take a walk down the left side if you’d like to stop in some of the libreria (bookshop) stalls.
If you skipped a sweet at Cianci (or could always use another) head to Fiorio for an excellent gelato – traditionally considered one of the best in the city. Personally, we recommend grabbing a scoop of torrone (nougat) and bunet (a Piedmontese desert of chocolate and amaretti).
Then it’s time to see the building that defines Torino’s skyline: The Mole Antonelliana. The Mole was commissioned as a synagogue but when the Jewish community of Turin was unable to keep up with expenses, the city bought the project. Since its completion, it has always housed the Cinema Museum.
The 500-foot Mole Antonelliana holds court over the city skyline. Photo credit: Gabriel Castles
While this is another excellent Turin museum, it can take some time to visit. If you are in Turin for a few days, head on in and definitely opt for the ticket to take the elevator to the top of the spire. However, if you’ve got a train to catch, let’s continue this self-guided tour and keep discovering what Turin has to offer.
Insider’s tip: Have more than 24 hours to spend in the city? Don’t miss our guide to museums in Turin!
The end of Via Po opens up to Turin’s largest Piazza: Piazza Vittorio Veneto. A large open space that looks over the river to the city’s very own pantheon-style church: Gran Madre di Dio. More commonly known as just Gran Madre, it was built in 1814 to celebrate the return of Savoy King after Napolean had exiled him.
The church is open to visitors as long as there is not a mass in session. Go ahead and peek your head to catch a glimpse inside.
The church of the Gran Madre di Dio sits on the banks of the Po River. Photo credit:Gianni Careddu
Now, ready for a great view of the whole city?
To the right of Gran Madre, you’ll take a little hike up Monte dei Cappuccini. We promise it is only about a five-minute climb, don’t let the name fool you, it is still just a hill and it will be worth it. Plus aperitivo is coming.
Here from the terrace of Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini, you’ll be able to see all of Turin below, and on a clear day, you’ll even see an incredible panorama of the Alps.
But now, we know that walk has worked up an appetite, it’s time to partake in a beloved Italian tradition: aperitivo.
The views from Monte dei Cappuccini really are spectacular. If you only have 24 hours in Turin, you can’t miss it! Photo credit: Hpnx9420
There are so many great places for an aperitivo in Turin, of course, it was where this tradition originated. Not our colorful spritz of course, but rather the act of sitting down for a little drink and snack in the late afternoon. This was once known as Vermuttino Hour. In Turin, it was traditional to enjoy a little vermuttino – vermouth with ice and a orange slice.
Today you can still enjoy this drink, a fantastic local wine, or your cocktail of choice. For the best aperitivo spots in Turin, check out our picks below.
Of course, the highlight of any Italian day is the beloved aperitivo. Photo credit:WordRidden
Located right next to Gran Madre, you’ll just head down the hill and to the pedestrian street of Via Monferrato. This is an easygoing wine bar, typical of Piedmont. They serve glasses of local wine for just a few euros and provide just a few quick snacks with them.
Heading back down to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, you can go to the bar where vermouth became so popular. Caffe Elena was the original location of Carpano’s bar, where he made Vermouth di Torino a popular aperitif rather than a medicinal drink. You can request a vermuttino with the brand of your choice, or opt for one of their excellent craft cocktails. Drinks come with a few snacks like chips and wasabi peas, but if you’d like something more filling they can prepare small plates.
If instead, you need to start working your way back to the train station, you might want to try Il Barotto, located in the San Salvario quarter next to Porta Nuova. Il Barotto is famous for its incredible tagliere – charcuterie boards. They aim to promote the wines and products of nearby Val d’Aosta as well as Piedmont. You can choose from a selection of wines by the glass and then choose your tagliere. By the way, unless you really have worked up an appetite, one will be plenty for two people.
Even with just 24 hours in Turin, you can experience much that the city has to offer. Photo credit: Fabio Fistarol
We hope that you have enjoyed your self-guided tour of Turin. Although it may not be as popular as other cities such as Rome, Milan, or Florence, Turin really shines when it comes to charming and historic sites that you can enjoy without the hustle and bustle of large crowds. Less than two hours from Milan, it’s an easy daytrip and of course, when you get back to Milan, make sure to check out some of our best walking tours, such as Skip-the-Line Sforza Castle Tour with Last Supper Tickets or the Best of Milan: The Last Supper Tickets, Duomo and City Tour.
The post 24 Hours in Turin: Morning Cappuccinos to Late Aperitivos appeared first on Walks of Italy.
