Torino—Italy’s first capital—pairs Savoy splendor with a quietly cool, creative energy. Grand piazzas, arcaded boulevards, and stately palaces speak to centuries of royal power, while tramlines and riverbank paths knit together neighborhoods full of cafes and ateliers. The Alps frame the skyline on clear days, culminating in the city’s unmistakable symbol: the Mole Antonelliana.

Beyond the Baroque façades lies a deeply delicious story. Torino invented vermouth, perfected the hazelnut-chocolate marriage (gianduia), and still sets the standard for aperitivo. From tajarin egg pasta to vitello tonnato and elegantly poured Barolo, Piedmont’s kitchen is confident but never flashy.

Practical notes: Most major sights cluster around Piazza Castello and Via Roma, walkable from Porta Nuova and Porta Susa stations. Many museums close on Mondays; check hours. For savings, consider the local city museum card, and use the efficient Metro Line 1 and historic trams for longer hops.

Torino

Classic yet contemporary, Torino rewards curiosity. Spend your 2 days balancing headline museums—Museo Egizio and the National Cinema Museum—with street-level pleasures like markets, historic cafes, and riverside views from Monte dei Cappuccini.

• Top sights: Mole Antonelliana, Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum), Royal Museums (Palazzo Reale, Armory, Chapel of the Holy Shroud), Piazza San Carlo, Galleria Subalpina, Parco del Valentino.
• For food lovers: Sample bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin, gianduiotti at Guido Gobino, and classic trattorie like Consorzio or Scannabue. Don’t miss aperitivo in Quadrilatero Romano or Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
• Local gems: Porta Palazzo market (Europe’s largest open-air market), Mercato Centrale Torino for an easy-lunch food hall, Lingotto’s rooftop “Pista 500” garden and art space, chocolate stops like Pepino 1884 and Mara dei Boschi.

Where to stay: Browse handpicked stays near Piazza Castello and Via Roma (great for walking to sights) or San Salvario (buzzing dining scene) on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Getting to Torino: Fly into Torino (TRN) or nearby Milan (MXP/LIN). For intra‑Europe flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains); high‑speed trains from Milan take ~1h (from ~€15–25), Bologna ~2.5h (from ~€25–40), Rome ~4–5h (from ~€40–70). If you’re coming from outside Europe, search global fares on Kiwi.com. Buses can be great value, too—check Omio (buses).

Airport to center: The Arriva airport bus to Porta Susa/Porta Nuova runs ~30–45 minutes (about €7–8). Taxis take ~30 minutes.

Day 1: Royal Torino, Historic Cafes, and Aperitivo Culture

Morning: Travel to Torino. If you arrive early, stretch your legs under the arcades of Via Roma and Piazza San Carlo, often called the “salotto” (drawing room) of the city. Espresso stop options: Orso Laboratorio Caffè (specialty roasts and precise pours), or Caffè Platti for a Belle Époque vibe and buttery pastries.

Afternoon: Check in and head to Piazza Castello, the city’s royal hub. Tour the Royal Museums—start with the Palazzo Reale for gilt salons, the Royal Armory’s dazzling parade of armor, and the restored Chapel of the Holy Shroud (the Shroud itself is rarely displayed, but the Baroque architecture is sublime). Expect ~2 hours; combined tickets run in the mid‑teens (€).

Stroll to the serene Duomo, then slip into the glass-roofed Galleria Subalpina—a 19th‑century arcade perfect for photos. For a sweet pause, choose between the city’s icons: Caffè Al Bicerin (the namesake layered drink of chocolate, espresso, and cream) or Baratti & Milano for gianduiotti and regal wood-paneled interiors.

Evening: Turin invented vermouth—honor tradition with aperitivo. In Quadrilatero Romano, try Affini (house vermouths, smart cocktails) or Farmacia Del Cambio (chic counter attached to historic Del Cambio) for a refined nibble-and-sip. Dinner picks:

• Consorzio (Slow Food stalwart): tajarin with ragù, vitello tonnato, nose-to-tail specials; superb Piedmont wines by the glass.
• Scannabue (San Salvario): agnolotti del plin, finanziera (if you’re adventurous), and seasonal contorni; warm, lively room.
• Porto di Savona (Piazza Vittorio Veneto): traditional classics in a historic setting, great for people‑watching.

Cap the night with Gelati Pepino 1884—order the “Pinguino,” the world’s first chocolate‑dipped gelato on a stick. If skies are clear, take a gentle walk across the Po to Monte dei Cappuccini for a postcard view of the Mole and, on lucky evenings, the Alps silhouetted behind it.

Day 2: Museo Egizio, Mole Antonelliana, Markets, and Lingotto (Departure Day)

Morning: Coffee and cornetti at Vergnano 1882 near Via Po, then dive into the Museo Egizio, one of the world’s finest Egyptian collections. Highlights include the intact tomb assemblages and the Galleria dei Re; budget ~2 hours (tickets ~€18). On the way out, duck into Piazza San Carlo and find the bronze bull under the arcades—locals say stepping on it brings luck.

Late morning snack: pick up gianduiotti or creamy hot chocolate at Guido Gobino (Via Lagrange). Chocolate here is an art form—hazelnuts from the Langhe lend depth and silkiness.

Afternoon: Choose your finale based on mood and timing before your afternoon departure:

• Mole Antonelliana + National Cinema Museum: Immersive film exhibits in a soaring space; ride the glass elevator to the panoramic terrace for a 360° city view. Allow 1.5–2 hours; combo tickets sit around the high‑teens/low‑20s (€).
• Market lunch near Porta Palazzo: Explore Europe’s largest open‑air market and the adjacent Mercato Centrale Torino food hall—grab farinata, vitello tonnato panini, or truffle tajarin. Great for quick, delicious bites if you’re tight on time.
• Design detour to Lingotto: If you have a bit longer, head to Lingotto for the Pinacoteca Agnelli and the rooftop Pista 500 garden on the old Fiat track—industrial heritage meets contemporary art and skyline views (~25 minutes from center by Metro/bus).

If you’re departing from Porta Nuova or Porta Susa, allow 20–30 minutes to retrieve bags and reach your platform. Trains to Milan run roughly every 20–30 minutes; compare times and prices on Omio (trains). For airport connections, the Arriva bus is frequent; taxis are the fastest with luggage.

Evening (optional if you have a late train/extra night): Enjoy a modern Piedmont dinner at Tre Galli (excellent wine list and seasonal dishes) or splurge on contemporary creativity at Condividere (Nuvola Lavazza) with Mediterranean‑Piedmont flair. Nightcap at Bar Cavour (above Del Cambio) for classic cocktails in a velvet‑lit room, or in lively San Salvario where bars spill onto tree‑lined streets.

Practical add‑ons and tips:

• Transit: GTT daily tickets cover Metro, tram, and bus; trams are scenic and frequent along the center.
• Football fans: Consider a morning tour of Allianz Stadium and the Juventus Museum (book ahead; allow 1.5–2 hours).
• Day-trip idea (for a return visit): La Venaria Reale (royal palace complex) or Langhe wine villages (Barolo/Barbaresco) are easy additions with one more day.

Where to book: Compare central stays on VRBO Torino or hotels on Hotels.com. For getting in and out, check Omio flights, Omio trains, and global fares on Kiwi.com.

Trip Summary: In two days, you’ll trace Torino’s evolution from Savoy court to creative capital: palaces and piazzas, cinema in the clouds, markets and modern design. Along the way, you’ll taste the city’s soul—vermouth, bicerin, and Piedmont’s deep cellar—leaving with a camera roll of domes and a pocket of gianduiotti for the journey home.