What to do in Turin and surroundings? Eleven tips for 1 or 2-day itineraries

Luciana Soares March, 2021

Charm, sophistication, incredible natural landscapes and an undeniable cultural environment. Whoever finds out what to do in Turin and surroundings during a trip, returns home with heart and mind full of each of these differentials for sure.

The fourth largest city in Italy (behind only Rome, Milan and Naples), Turin is known as the “royal city”. That is because the Italian royal family, Casa di Savoia, lived in the city in the 1800s.

If you are thinking of including Turin in your travel itinerary in Italy, you have found the right place. In this post, we will give you 11 golden tips to enjoy this destination full of riches as much as you can in 1 and 2-day itineraries.

Good reading!

The charm of Turin

Wide avenues, imposing buildings and a vast historical legacy are some characteristics of the charming Turin.

The city is the capital of Piedmont and it has more than 880,000 inhabitants. It is famous for its refinement so connected to royalty.

Turin does not have only sumptuous constructions, though. In the destination, you will also find paradisiacal and perfect landscapes for a romantic itinerary full of unpretentious walks and beautiful sunsets.

The beautiful Giardino Roccioso (the Rock Garden) is inside the Parco del Valentino, in Turin.

Turin’s sunset is amazing!

You may say: our brief introduction about the city already made you want to know in detail what to do in Turin and the surrounding, right?

The wait is over. On our next topic, we will give tips for 1 and 2-day tours in the city and in nearby destinations.

What to do in Turin and surroundings? 

Known by the intimate ones as “little Paris”, the charm of the city of Turin precedes it: the wide streets full of cafes, small restaurants and historic buildings transport tourists directly to a movie scene.

Have you decided to travel to the region? Then, it’s time to find out what to do in Turin and the surroundings on 1 and 2-day tours!

What to see in Turin in 1 day?

If your trip to Turin is short, the ideal is to have a dynamic itinerary, bringing together near and must-see sights. See our selection below.

1. Bike ride through the city center;

Cycling is a fun way to discover Turin’s elegant historic center..

2. Visit the Piazza Castello (Castel Square);

Piazza Castello is the religious and political center of Turin and it was built as part of the urban reorganization carried out in the 16th century. The city’s main streets leave the square, which also houses the Palazzo Reale (the Royal Palace) and Palazzo Madama.

3. Explore Plazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama;

The Palazzo Madama in Piazza Castello is one of the places to see in Turin.

The spectacular Palazzo Reale in Turin, the center of power of Casa Reale di Savoia for more than 3 centuries and a UNESCO heritage site.

4. Admire the Cathedral of Turin;

The beautiful Cathedral of Turin from 1498 is where the Holy Shroud is kept, one of the largest Catholic religious relics.

5. Stroll around Piazza San Carlo;

Piazza San Carlo, considered the living room of Turin. Its arcades house shops, famous brand stores and historic cafes.

6. Visit the Museo del Cinema (and go up to Mole Antonelliana)

Built in the Mole Antonelliana, symbol of Turin, the Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Museum of Cinema) is a must visit for lovers of the seventh art. Image: Il Torinese e

Image: Inexhibit

Image: Inexhibit

7. Explore the Museo dell’ Automobile and the Museo Egizio

The Egyptian Museum of Turin is the second largest Egyptian museum in the world with a collection of more than 33,000 pieces.

The Museo dell ‘Automobile (the Automobile Museum) in Turin houses a large collection of the history and the evolution of car design. A must visit for lovers of beautiful vehicles.

8. Walking along Po River;

What to do in Turin in 2 days? 

If your stay in Turin is a little longer, we recommend the itinerary above and a few more visits. You will be able to explore some of the cities around Turin and their touristic differentials.

9. Visit the Basilica di Superga, built on top of a hill with a privileged breathtaking view; 

Basilica di Superga, opened in Turin in 1731.

10. Drive to Ivrea, located on the road that leads to Aosta Valley (in Ivrea, be sure to visit the castle built 1357!);

The imposing Castello di Ivrea (Castle of Ivrea) built in the 14th century is one of the main attractions of Ivrea near Turin.

11. Explore the Palazzina di Stupinigi, one of UNESCO world heritage sites. It is in Nichelino, 5 miles away from Turin.

Palazzina Stupinigi was a hunting palace and one of Casa di Savoia’s residences. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Gastronomy of Turin: and attraction in itself 

It is impossible not to mention on this article the gastronomy of Turin. The city is home to a number of delicacies (sweet and savory). A tour to taste each of these delicacies should not be left out of the itinerary

Gianduia

Because of the restriction on the entry of ingredients into Italy by Napoleon, the taste of chocolate gianduia (made with roasted hazelnuts) was created and it is everywhere in Turin. When visiting the city, be sure to buy some “gianduiotto” to taste and give it as a gift.

Bicerin

Traditional drink in Turin, Bicerin is made up of a perfect combination of three ingredients: coffee, chocolate and sour cream. Enjoy a stroll through the center of Turin to sit in a cafe and enjoy a drink – especially if you are visiting the city in the winter!

Eataly

The last gastronomic tip is actually a space that brings together different types of dishes. That is Eataly, one of the most famous gastronomic spaces, with headquarters all over the world.

You may be wondering – if there are Eataly spaces all over the world, why do I need to visit the one in Turin?

We answer: because the headquarters in Turin is the first in its history and therefore, it is full of history and tradition.

Besides, the place is a must for those who like to taste local dishes. Once at Eataly in Turin, be sure to order the agnoloti del plin, a typical pasta from the region.

Plan your trip to Turin and surroundings now

Now that you know what to do in Turin and the surroundings, you can start taking your dream-trip off the ground.

Remember that to ensure choices that fit your travel profile, it is recommended the help of those who know the destination well, such as Cieli di Toscana.

Our team of specialists in Italy can prepare a tailor-made trip, including all the services you desire.

The itineraries will be entirely customized based on your preferences. You will have access to useful information and suggestions of the best of each city in it: places to visit, the most beautiful roads to reach the destination, the most convenient parking lots, the best restaurants, stores, experiences and much more.

We only recommend places that we have already traveled and visited, so you don’t have bad surprises during your trip.

There’s more! Arriving at your destination, you and your family will not be “alone” in Italy. Our local English-speaking team will help you make your experience even more complete and peaceful.

Do you want to see what Cieli’s customers say about their experiences in Italy? Then check out the testimonials below:

Finding Cieli di Toscana was like finding the Genie of the Magical Lamp and having all our wishes fulfilled. The impeccable dedication and guidance from our lovely travel consultant, we were able to define a super-exclusive itinerary. Thank you for the unforgettable moments, full of love and union as a family! Grazie mille! See you soon!”

‐ Constantin & Trajano families

“The entire service provided by Cieli di Toscana from the first moment until the end of the trip was unique! We are just grateful for all the attention, time, help and affection you cared our days in Italy.”

‐ Camila & Alberto

How about planning your dream-trip now? Contact us and we will be happy to create the best travel itinerary for you!

Luciana Soares is a journalist passionate about traveling. She works at Cieli di Toscana and has lived in Florence. She knows and loves the beauties of the region.