10 Reasons Why you Should visit Turin, Italy

Turin, Italy or Turino as it is called by the locals, is to date one of my favorite destinations. I spent just a few days in Turin but it didn’t take me long to fall in love with this Italian city. Located in the Piedmont region of Italy, Turin is a vibrant and safe city with a rich history, delicious cuisine, and plenty of attractions. This hidden gem in the northern part of the country offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Here are ten compelling reasons why you should visit Turin:

Turin is known for its impressive historical architecture. There are several UNESCO world heritage sites here. You’ll want to explore the Royal Palace of Turin, the magnificent Mole Antonelliana and the Museo Egizio.

Turin Egyptian Museum, also known as the Museo Egizio, is one of the world’s most renowned museums dedicated to Egyptian antiquities. This museum has the most Egyptian artifacts of any museum outside of Egypt. It boasts an extensive and impressive collection of artifacts from ancient Egypt. I visited in 2021, it was my first time in an Egyptian museum and I was absolutely mind blown but what I saw! From a real copy of the Book of the dead printed on papyrus paper to the real mummies, mummified animals and sarcophaguses–there is so much to experience. I visited Egypt in 2022 (this was the time where the new museum had not yet opened and the previous one was being slowy emptied out) — and I truly feel the Egyptian museum in Turin was much better.

The Mole Antonelliana is an iconic architectural landmark in Turin, Italy. This towering structure is known for its distinctive design and has become one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. It stands at a height of 167.5 meters (548 feet), making it one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. The structure features a central spire with numerous decorative elements, creating a visually stunning appearance.
Today, the Mole Antonelliana houses the National Museum of Cinema (Museo Nazionale del Cinema). It is one of the most important film museums in the world, with a vast collection of film-related artifacts, including historic equipment, posters, and memorabilia. A glass-walled elevator known as the “Temple Hall” takes visitors up to an observation deck, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Turin and the surrounding Piedmont region. The ascent is a unique experience, with the elevator climbing within the Mole’s central spire. I recommend making a reservation for the panoramic lift as it tends to get sold out.

Chocolate is the love language of Turin. The city is actually famous for its chocolate, it’s very likely that the first version of the chocolate bar originated in Turin.

Don’t miss the chance to taste Gianduiotti chocolate ingot, a local Biciren, or indulge in a classic hot chocolate. Biciren is a mix of espresso, chocolate and milk– head over to Caffe Al Bicerin for a world famous cup and reach coffee and chocolate lovers heaven at the same time.

To make matters even better I visited in the winter so it was prefect hot cocoa season and the cocoa was really uplifting (physically, mentally and honestly–spiritually).

Another local classic is Tris Di Nocciole, a cluster of 3 hazelnuts coated with chocolate. Baci di Dama cookies and chocolate truffles are some other great unique chocolate items you will to try while in Turin. If you are able to find Venchi chocolate I’d recommend trying nougatine – a chocolate filled with gooey caramel and chopped hazelnuts.

If you are interested in learning and tasting chocolates while in Turin you can actually book a 2-3 hour chocolate tour.

Piedmont, the region where Turin is located, is renowned for its wines, particularly Barolo and Barbaresco. Pair these with delicious local dishes like agnolotti and bagna cauda.

—Barolo: Often referred to as the “King of Wines,” Barolo is a full-bodied, robust red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape variety.
dark fruits, earthy tones, and strong tannins
—Barbaresco: another highly esteemed red wine from the Piedmont region, made from the Nebbiolo grape – similar to Barolo in many ways but is generally considered to be a bit lighter
—Nebbiolo d’Alba: This wine is made from the Nebbiolo grape, like Barolo and Barbaresco, but it tends to be more approachable and ready to drink at a younger age. It offers a balance of fruity and floral notes.
—Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba: Barbera is a red wine grape variety widely cultivated in Piedmont, it’s made in different styles, with Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba being two of the most popular. Known for their bright acidity, making them great choices for pairing with a wide range of foods
—Dolcetto: another red wine grape variety grown in the Piedmont region. More of a fruity character compared to Barolo and Barbaresco. Dolcetto wines are typically enjoyed in their youth and are known for their easy-drinking qualities.
—Gavi: Gavi is a white wine produced in the Gavi region of Piedmont. It is made from the Cortese grape variety and is known for its crisp, refreshing, and floral characteristics. Gavi wines are excellent choices for seafood and lighter dishes.
—Moscato d’Asti: Moscato d’Asti is a delightful sweet and sparkling white wine made from the Moscato Bianco grape. It’s known for its floral and fruity aromas and is often enjoyed as a dessert wine or paired with fruit-based desserts.

Additionally, you may want to consider taking a wine tour through the beautiful vineyard-covered hills of the Langhe and Roero regions, which are not far from Turin, to get a more in-depth experience of Piedmont’s wine culture.

Turin’s Aperitivo: happy hour.. Italian style. Turin is the birthplace of Vermouth and the best way to taste it during an aperitivo. From 6 pm to almost 10 pm bars all over the city will offer incredible drinks (cocktails, beers, wine…) for a fixed price that ranges from 6 to 15 EUR and you get to eat some Italian delicacies included in the price. It’s the happiest of happy hours! As long as you are ordering drinks, the food will keep coming. The first drink has a fixed price that is a bit more expensive than the menu, the second, third and so on will cost according to the house menu. The Italian aperitivo is not only about drinking and eating, but an experience where you can meet locals, relax and even find out where to go for dinner, for more drinks or parties.  Every neighborhood in Turin has its bars and cafes serving aperitivo. You will find many options around the San Salvario area, Via Roma and the Royal Palace. There are many bars at Via Po and by the river as well. My suggestion is to try a different one every day.

The city is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens, including the stunning Parco del Valentino along the Po River. It’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic. I spent hours of my trip walking up and down the Po river, on your venture you will find different monuments and arches that are worth exploring.

I think the most breathtaking park I visited in Turin was in Superga, it was the area surrounding the Basilica di Superga.
Getting there: It was a bit difficult to get to the Basilica di Superga, but I knew it’d be worth it. I took a public bus to the mountain train station, Stazione Sassi. Thankfully you can purchase your tickets at the station–I ended up catching a seat on the last train of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the vintage 1930s style funicular tram ride. It takes you 3.1km up the hillside in less than 20 minutes. My legs were grateful, and as the train climbs on the Turin hills I was rewarded with unforgettable views of the city and the majestic Alps. Simply, superb!
Getting down from Superga was a whole different story, there were limited buses and it was getting cold, quickly. I’m anything but patient so I ended up walking a large part of the way downhill until I found a taxi cab to take me back to a public bus stop.

Culinary Capital: Turin is a gastronomic paradise. The city is a pioneer of the “slow food” movement, and you can savor the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients in its many restaurants.

I had one of the best raviolis in my life here, and I got it from a bakery at like 4pm. I was starving, per usual and Italians don’t really do “late lunch” so ordering food between 2pm-5pm can be sus. I was just grateful I found a place offering more than coffee and bread outside of dinner time hours. Now, I’m 90% sure they microwaved this magic ravioli, and it was still 99% better than whatever I have eaten in America.

Be sure to check out Eat-aly, a modern spin on a public food market where you can try out local dishes in one of the open-restaurant style food stalls while shopping high-quality Italian food and wine. I had dinner here on my last night and ugh, what an amazing date night! Just me sipping on fine wine tasting out tasting out a variety of pesto styles while I shopped for gifts for my foodie friends. I’ve been to 3 different Eat-aly’s throughout Italy and it’s always a good time, even if I don’t eat here, I’m always guaranteed to find a good snack.

While not always on display, the Shroud of Turin is a significant religious artifact and a point of intrigue for many visitors. The Shroud of Turin, also known as the Holy Shroud, is long linen cloth that was found to be the burial cloth of Christ. This 14′ x 4′ linen cloth bears the image of a man who appears to have suffered physical trauma consistent with crucifixion. It is a highly debated and controversial relic, believed by some to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ–others argue that it is a medieval forgery created between the 13th and 14th centuries. The debate continues till this day, and no consensus has been reached.

For many Christians, the Shroud of Turin holds deep religious significance. They view it as a powerful relic associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The actual shroud is not frequently displayed to the public due to its delicate condition, but there are excellent photos so you can really see what it looks like. It has been exhibited only on special occasions, the last public exhibition was in 2015. But, it is expected to be on display to the public come 2025.

Turin is famous for its coffee, and you’ll find an abundance of charming cafes serving espresso, macchiato, and more. They’ve mastered cacao, so naturally, the coffee is fantastic. Try out places like Caffè San Carlo, Mulassano, and Al Bicerin which have all preserved the traditional atmosphere and serve exceptional coffee.

Coffee in Turin often goes hand in hand with delightful pastries like the local specialty, “bunet,” or “gianduiotti” chocolate. Enjoy these treats alongside your coffee for a complete experience.

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Turin’s proximity to the Alps makes it an excellent base for exploring the mountains, skiing in the winter, or hiking in the summer. There are several ski resorts within 1-2 hours of Turin, most are easily accessible by train.

If you just want to see the Alps and enjoy the views you can venture out towards the ski town of Bardonecchia. It takes about 1 hour on the train, and you will be rewarded with majestic views of the Alps along your journey. I chose to take the train all the way down to Bardonecchia where I enjoyed lunch and I returned back on the train making a stop in Sant’Ambrogio so I could hike up to the Sacra di San Michele.

Turin is considered one of the safest cities in Italy. The locals are known for their warm hospitality, making it a welcoming destination for solo travelers and families alike. As a a solo-female travelers I felt safer walking around Turin at night than I did in any other Italian city.