Turin

​Visit Turin in Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, with our expertly guided tours that reveal the rich history and culture of this elegant yet underrated city.

Serving as Italy’s first capital in 1861 and home to the House of Savoy, Turin is distinguished by its unique, austere architectural style, designed to convey royal power. Unlike any other Italian city, Turin experienced three significant urban expansions, transforming from a small Roman outpost into a vibrant city along the Po River, characterized by wide avenues, long vistas, spacious squares, and stunning Baroque domes that aligned its appearance with other European capitals.

For over a century, the Fiat car factory greatly influenced Turin’s economy and social landscape, attracting numerous immigrants to work on the assembly lines and prompting the development of new neighborhoods.

What to see in Turin? Moving beyond the ornate covered galleries and wealthy aristocratic palaces, we can visit Turin’s former Fiat plants, which stand as fascinating examples of industrial architecture recently adapted for new purposes.

Embark on one of our tours of Turin in Italy’s Piedmont region and discover a vibrant and cosmopolitan student city with important universities and leading in technological design. If you previously viewed Turin as industrial and polluted, the next visit its expansive pedestrian city center, state-of-the-art subway system, diverse museums, and one of Italy’s most acclaimed culinary scenes.

From the opulent Royal Palace and the chapel of Turin Holy Shroud, to the second-largest Egyptian Museum worldwide, visit Turin an unexpectedly remarkable city to consider for your next Italy tour vacation package.

What to see in Turin in Italy’s Piedmont

A visit to Turin in Italy’s Piedmont region begins at the central Piazza Castello, an open-air museum showcasing some of the most iconic buildings in the capital of Piedmont.

The opening perspective features two distinct domes, each a masterpiece by Baroque artist Guarino Guarini, who redefined the traditional concept of self-sustaining structures, creating domes like no other in Italy.

The first dome belongs to the Royal Church of St. Lawrence, where the Holy Shroud of Turin was first housed in the late 1500s. Completely concealed behind the long and uniform facades of the square, the church entrance might go unnoticed, as the size of the adjacent Royal Palace draws most attention, but it surprises visitors with its highly ornate interiors.

The peak of the second dome rises in the distance like the point of a spiral. It’s the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, built between the Royal Palace and the Cathedral. Recently reopened after the devastating fire in 1997, this chapel is an architectural marvel.

Visit Palazzo Madama and Roman Remnants

In the center of Piazza Castello stands an imposing medieval fortress, which incorporates one of the original Roman city gates, visible on the ground floor.

Originally, Turin was established as a Roman military outpost known as Augusta Taurinorum. More Roman remnants are next to the Cathedral, steps away from Piazza Castello. The Palatine Gate remains standing and lies adjacent to the archaeological site of the Roman theater. The shape and look of this Roman city gate remind one of the Torre Rossa, still standing in Asti.

Back to Piazza Castello, one side of the former castle, which served as the first residence of the Savoy family before the Royal Palace was constructed, was remodeled in 1716 by architect Filippo Juvarra, who added the grand Baroque façade facing Piazza Castello.

The palace was named “Madama” after two royal women, Christina of France and Maria Giovanna Battista of Savoy-Nemours, who played significant roles in its history. The latter commissioned the modernization of the old fortress, taking inspiration from French residences, hoping to create a private retreat away from the crowded and gossip-prone Royal Palace.

The square continues with long, uniform facades meant to convey royal power. The presence of monarchy needed to be felt by diplomats and visitors alike. Concealed behind these facades are the Royal Library and the completely rebuilt Opera House –Teatro Regio– with its original seashell shape designed to enhance acoustics.

Visit Turin’s Mole Antonelliana

From Piazza Castello, the peaks of the famous Mole Antonelliana can be seen in the distance, a symbol of the city and featured on the 2-cent euro coin. Designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli—hence the name “Antonelliana”—construction commenced in 1863 as a Jewish synagogue, intended to commemorate the opening of the Jewish Ghetto by King Charles Albert. Eventually, the synagogue was constructed near the Porta Nuova train station, while the Mole Antonelliana now serves as the National Cinema Museum, a reminder that Turin was the first city in Italy where the early production of movies began.

Standing at 167.5 meters (550 feet), it was once the tallest building in Italy. A separate ticket to ride the glass elevator inside the museum’s dome takes visitors to the top of the structure, from where our local guide can present the 360° view.

What to See in Turin from Piazza Carignano to Piazza San Carlo

The tour continues to Piazza Carignano, the site of the first Italian Parliament and now home to the Museum of Italy’s Unification. This palace, yet another masterpiece by Guarino Guarini, deserves admiration from both sides; the back, added about two centuries later, faces Piazza Carlo Alberto and showcases a Neoclassical style that contrasts sharply with the original, waived 1600s façade of Piazza Carignano.

Along the way, explore the elegant Galleria Subalpina (one of Turin’s covered passageways), the long arcades of Via Po with its bookshops, and some of the most historically significant coffee shops where the Fathers of the Unification of Italy used to gather.

The Egyptian Museum of Turin in Italy, is the second largest in the world and it is an absolutely astonishing and evocative journey in a different culture. The reason why such a unique collection is in Piedmont has to do with the interest that the Savoy family has in the past and invested in bringing to Turin original pieces from Egypt.

Turin’s Historic Doorways, Shops and the Jewish Ghetto

The next area of interest are the streets of the former Jewish ghetto down to Piazza Carlina. This part of the city, on the way to the 17th-century Piazza San Carlo boasts private and public former aristocratic palaces whose doorways, knockers, door handles represent a hidden treasure cove in the heart of Turin.

The tour of Turin’s Jewish Ghetto, historic doorways, and shops brings back to life these hidden works of art, original urban decor, symbolic masks, cherubs, animal figures, and precious shop windows, scattered around the city center. Join our guide for a tour that combines some of the high streets of Turin with secondary alleys, where most tourists don’t get to go.

Other favorite things to do in Turin in Italy’s Piedmont capital city are the Car Museum, the Modern Art Museum, and food market of Porta Palazzo.

The Tour of Venaria Reale and Stupinigi Palace

From the opulent Palazzo Reale to the grandeur of the Venaria Reale, our tours will take you on a journey through Turin’s royal history. Learn about the lives of the kings and queens who once called these palaces home, and marvel at the exquisite architecture and art that adorn their walls. Don’t miss this chance to experience the grandeur of Turin’s royal past.

Outside the city of Turin, within a 45-minute drive, we recommend visiting the Venaria Reale and the Stupinigi Hunting Lodge.

These palaces are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boast Baroque architecture highly ornate and surrounded by lavish gardens. The Savoy Residences were used for hunting sessions which were an occasion to host social gatherings and parties.

Things to do in Turin: St. Michael Abbey

​St. Michael Abbey lies​ at the foot of the Alps,​ about 45 minutes by car from central Turin​​.

The tour guide can either meet you there or ​in the city center at your hotel, together with a private driver. ​In this case, allow four hours for the tour and the driving time back to Turin​.

Immerse yourself in a medieval atmosphere as you step inside this iconic Abbey that has inspired movies and books.