Itineraries for Your Trip to Turin
3 Days in Turin for First Timers
Compared to Italy’s best-known tourist hot spots—Rome and Venice, Florence and the Amalfi Coast—Turin is positively underrated. The capital of the northerly Piedmont region, Turin mingles a historic manufacturing identity (the automotive company Fiat is headquartered here) with grand boulevards and regal architecture dating to the days of the House of Savoy.
I’ve been lucky enough to discover the city’s many charms during repeat visits—first on family vacations, and later on getaways with friends. Throughout my various trips, I’ve discovered many of the city’s highlight attractions—and now, I’m sharing my recommendations for how to spend three days in town.
Turin sees cold temperatures in winter—though summer heatwaves can still scorch.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Turin’s Egyptian Museum.
One of Italy’s most-visited museums, Turin’s Egyptian Museum is home to one of the world’s largest and most important collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. This major museum is a must, and a small-group tour takes you straight to the highlights.
With its grand architecture, sprawling public squares, and covered passages, Turin’s looks are magical—and that’s even more true after dark. On an evening sightseeing tour, you’ll admire its lit-up sights and will learn about the city’s historic associations with magic and the occult.
No Turin trip is complete without exploring the 16th-century, UNESCO-listed Royal Palace, once a residence for House of Savoy royalty. The palace complex also comprises the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, where the Shroud of Turin is housed. Book a skip-the-line tour to save time.
Don't miss a walking tour of underground Turin, which takes you below street level to discover what most visitors miss. It’s a 20-minute stroll from the Royal Palace to the meeting point, after which you’ll get to explore secret tunnels, World War II-era air raid shelters, and other subterranean haunts.
On your last day, explore like the locals do—on two wheels. Bike-friendly Turin is crisscrossed by numerous cycle paths, and a biking tour lets you see more of the city and experience its rhythms. In addition to the Mole Antonelliana (with its soaring spire) and Valentine Park(abutting the River Po), you’ll also wend past backroads destinations.
Finally, end your trip on a high note—that is, with a local cocktail class. It’s a 30-minute taxi trip to nearby Pessione, home of the legendary vermouth producer Martini & Rossi where, led by a mixologist, you’ll learn the art of the Italian aperitivo.
