A weekend in Turin
Day 1
Arrival
By Plane
Turin has its own airport: Turin Caselle Airport (TRN).
Legacy and low cost airlines ensures that Turin is connected to the major European hubs along with small airport in Italy and Europe.
During winter time it gets really busy as there a lot of charters that bring skiers from all Europe. As a matter of fact, Turin is a getaway for winter sports fan as it is really close to Western Alps.
You can easily reach the centre by taking the direct train (which is the cheaper, faster and eco-friendly choice):
And by bus:
By train
Turin has two main station where high-speed and international trains stop:
As you can see, both station are centrally located.
Evening stroll and dinner
After checking-in at your hotel (some suggestion below) it is time to start exploring the city.
You can take a walk and do some shopping along Via Roma.
Until you reach Piazza San Carlo.
If it is not too late, you can also visit San Carlo Borromeo Church.
If you are an art enthusiast you can also check Gallerie d'Italia.
Dinner time
It's time to have your first taste of Piedmontese cuisine.
Here are two suggestions to where to eat:
After-dinner
If you have still some energies, you can go for a drink to:
Day 2
Morning
Breakfast
What a better day than to start your day with a bicerin, Turin’s signature coffee drink made with espresso, chocolate, and milk.
You can start your day at these two historic bar;
A morning with history
After having had breakfast, Begin your exploration at Piazza Castello, the heart of the city.
Located in the same square, Palazzo Madama is home to the Museum of Ancient Art. The building itself is a mix of medieval and baroque architecture.
After Palazzo Madama, proceed to visit Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), which was the residence of the House of Savoy.
A short walk from Piazza Castello, visit the Turin Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista), which houses the Shroud of Turin. Though the shroud itself is rarely on display, the cathedral is a beautiful and historic site.
If you are more interested in a private tour of the Royal Palace and the Cathedral, here a suggestion:
Lunch and afternoon
Lunch time
Enjoy a traditional lunch at Ristorante del Cambio, a historic venue that dates back to the 18th century.
If you are not looking for something fancy and you want to grab a quick bite, I can recommend Master Sandwich.
Afternoon per museums
After having had lunch, head to the Museo Egizio, the second-largest Egyptian museum in the world. It’s an impressive collection of artifacts, and you can easily spend a few hours here.
I can also recommend this two tours to visit the Egyptian Museum:
After having felt like a Pharaoh, it's time to visit the most iconic building of Turin: Mole Antonelliana.
The first floors of Mole Antonelliana host the Cinema Museum, if you have time, you can also take a look.
It's Aperitivo time!
After a day of full discovery it is time to have a drink.
My first recommendation is Principi di Piemonte hotel. The bar is open also to non-guests.
The hotel has also a restaurant.
Alternatively you can opt for a more ethnic option: Eria - Cinque Petali.
If you still want to have a Piedmontese food experience, here another restaurant suggestion: Ristorante La Badessa.
Day 3
Morning
Breakfast at Porta Palazzo
Start your day at Porta Palazzo, Europe’s largest open-air market. Explore the various stalls offering everything from fresh produce to local cheeses and cured meats. It’s a great place to buy some artisanal souvenirs or have your lunch to go prepared.
Walk in the park
From Porta Palazzo, take the tram (or the bus) and get of near Parco del Valentino, a beautiful park alongside the Po river.
Inside the park there is also a replica of a medieval village.
Lunch time
If you want to have a light lunch, I suggest you to eat near the river at Imbarchino.
Or if you want to have a list bite of Piedmontese delicacies you can head to Trattoria AlleVolte.
Or if you want to kill two birds with a stone, you can go to Eataly so you can have lunch and grocery shopping Italian products.
Additional activities
If you have still time in the afternoon, you can go to Torino Lingotto shopping centre.
Inside the Centro Commerciale there is Pinacoteca Agnelli, an art gallery that hosts small but exquisite collection of masterpieces.
Accomodations
Here are some lodging proposals for your Turin's holiday.
If you are looking for a luxurious and relaxing hotel, take a look at Principi di Piemonte which has also a wonderful SPA.
Other solutions:
Traveling through Italy?
If you are planning a trip to Italy or you are looking for an inspiration check my guides about other Italian places.
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Thank you for your support
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