Torino (Turin) sits at the foot of the Alps, a former royal capital where grand piazzas meet inventive industry. The House of Savoy shaped its stately streets, yet the city hums with students, artisans, and inventive chefs. Chocolate, vermouth, and Fiat were all perfected here—expect heritage with a modern pulse.

From Baroque palaces to the avant-garde National Museum of Cinema, Torino is a feast for curious minds. The Museo Egizio is second only to Cairo in its Egyptian collections, while the Mole Antonelliana pierces the skyline with a glass elevator to a 360° panorama. River paths, rooftop tracks, and hillside viewpoints add outdoorsy thrills within city limits.

Practical tips: book timed tickets for major museums and the Mole lift, and carry a light jacket for breezy viewpoints like Monte dei Cappuccini or Superga. Torino’s cafés are temples to ritual—try a bicerin (layers of coffee, chocolate, and cream). Transit is straightforward; walking and trams cover most sights, and the airport bus or taxi makes arrivals easy.

Torino

Torino charms with arcaded boulevards, cinematic vistas, and a culinary scene rooted in Piedmont’s Slow Food heartland. It’s compact enough to conquer in two days and layered enough to reward repeat visits.

• Top sights: Mole Antonelliana & National Museum of Cinema, Museo Egizio, Piazza Castello, Palazzo Reale, Piazza San Carlo, Porta Palazzo Market, Monte dei Cappuccini viewpoint, Lingotto’s rooftop track (La Pista 500).
• Adventurous twists: Underground tunnel tour (Torino Sotterranea), e-biking riverside paths, rooftop art walk at Lingotto, tram (or bus) up to Superga and hike the Collina trails.
• Flavors to chase: agnolotti del plin, vitello tonnato, bagna cauda, grissini, gianduiotti chocolate, vermouth and negroni “Torinese.”

Where to stay: For easy walking, base near Piazza Castello or Via Lagrange. San Salvario is lively and great for nightlife; Quadrilatero Romano is atmospheric and central. Browse midrange-to-upscale stays on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO. Expect ~$120–220 per night for quality central options, higher for design-forward boutiques.

Getting there: Fly into Torino Caselle (TRN) or come by train. From Milan, high-speed trains take ~50–65 minutes (~€19–35); from Rome, ~4.5–5 hours (~€45–90). Compare European trains and buses on Omio, and flights within Europe on Omio Flights. Coming from outside Europe? Search international flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Airport to city: The airport bus runs ~40–50 minutes to Porta Susa/Porta Nuova (~€7–8). Taxis/ride-hail are ~25–35 minutes, ~€30–40 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Historic Heart, Cinema Heights, and Vermouth Nights

Morning: Travel to Torino. If arriving early, grab specialty coffee at Orso Laboratorio Caffè (San Salvario; top-notch espresso and single-origin filters) or classic pastries at Pasticceria Stratta 1836 on Piazza San Carlo (candied fruit, baci di dama). Stroll Piazza San Carlo’s arcades and peek into Caffè Torino—rub the bronze bull mosaic for luck.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to the Museo Egizio (allow 2 hours). Don’t miss the Gallery of the Kings and the intact Tomb of Kha and Merit. Timed tickets recommended; standard adult is around €18. Walk 10 minutes to Piazza Castello to see Palazzo Madama’s layered Roman-to-Baroque façade and the Royal Palace courtyard.

For lunch, choose: Pastificio Defilippis (handmade pastas; try agnolotti del plin with roast-dripping sauce), Consorzio (Slow Food stalwart with offal specials and robust Piedmont wines), or Mercato Centrale Torino at Porta Palazzo (multiple counters—order farinata chickpea flatbread, vitello tonnato, and fresh agnolotti at the pasta stall).

Evening: Aim for golden hour at the Mole Antonelliana. Ride the panoramic glass elevator for sweeping city-and-Alps views (elevator ~€8; Cinema Museum ~€12; combo ~€20). The National Museum of Cinema itself is playful and immersive—walk the spiral ramps past vintage posters and optical toys.

For dinner, book Scannabue (San Salvario; refined trattoria—tajarin with ragù, brasato al Barolo) or Tre Galli (historic enoteca vibe, deep wine list, game dishes in season). Nightcap choices: Bar Cavour (vermouth-led cocktails, wood-paneled elegance), The Mad Dog speakeasy (password at the door, Prohibition-style sips), or Open Baladin Torino for Italian craft beer. If you want a sweet finish, swing by Gelateria Pepino (home of the chocolate-dipped “Pinguino” on a stick) or savor gianduiotti and hot chocolate at Guido Gobino.

Day 2: River Paths, Street Art, and Rooftop Tracks (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning: Start with a classic bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin near the Consolata sanctuary—layers of espresso, chocolate, and cream served since the 18th century. Then browse Porta Palazzo Market, Europe’s largest open-air market; pick up seasonal cheese, hazelnuts, and grissini. If you lean outdoorsy, rent an e-bike (app-based services like Ridemovi are common) and follow the Po River south to Parco del Valentino for flat, scenic riding beneath castle gardens.

Adventurous alternative: take the historic Sassi–Superga rack tram up to the basilica for panoramic trails along the Collina di Superga (if under maintenance, a replacement bus usually runs; ascent ~20 minutes; round-trip ~€6–10). You can do a short ridge walk and be back in time for lunch.

Afternoon: Quick lunch near Via Lagrange: Latteria Bera (light Piedmontese plates and cheeses), or a slice of focaccia di Recco and seasonal salads at a contemporary bakery-café. If you have a later departure, head to Lingotto (Metro stop): visit Pinacoteca Agnelli and walk the Pista 500, the former Fiat rooftop test track reborn as a 1-km open-air art park with skyline views—fun, photogenic, and distinctly Torinese. Another option is the Lavazza Museum for an interactive dive into Italy’s coffee culture.

Transfer to the airport or station. If time allows, toast the trip with an aperitivo in Vanchiglia: Smile Tree (creative garnishes and well-balanced cocktails) or Affini (vermouth-forward classics with small plates). Expect aperitivo spreads with your drink—olives, salumi, and little tramezzini sandwiches.

Insider Tips and Add-Ons

• Underground Torino: The Torino Sotterranea tour explores WWII shelters and ancient tunnels (3 hours, evenings; ~€30–35). Book ahead; English tours are available on select dates.
• Mountain Culture: The Monte dei Cappuccini viewpoint pairs well with the National Mountain Museum—great sunset photos over the Po and the city grid.
• Street Art Safari: Explore MAU (Museo di Arte Urbana) in Borgo Campidoglio—an open-air art district where murals cloak façades—then coffee at specialty bars nearby.
• Chocolate season: November brings CioccolaTÒ, but year-round tastings at Guido Gobino or Guido Castagna introduce you to gianduja’s hazelnut silkiness.
• Transit: Single urban tickets cover 100 minutes on trams/buses/metro; buy at tabacchi or stations. The city center is very walkable—bring comfy shoes for arcades and cobblestones.

Bookings and Logistics

• Accommodation: Compare central stays on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO.
• Trains and buses in Europe: Check times and fares on Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses)—Milan to Torino is about 1 hour on high-speed services.
• Flights: For Europe, compare options on Omio Flights. From overseas, search long-haul deals on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In just two days, this Torino itinerary delivers grand piazzas, blockbuster museums, and a dash of adventure—panoramas from the Mole, river rides, and rooftop walks. Add honest Piedmont cooking and a civilized aperitivo culture, and you’ve got a city that’s both regal and restless in the best way.