Turin (Torino) wears its history with quiet confidence. Once the first capital of unified Italy (1861–1865) and home to the House of Savoy, the city unfurls elegant Baroque boulevards, arcades that stretch for miles, and piazzas lined with grand cafés that have fueled statesmen and writers for centuries.

Beyond the palaces, Turin is the beating heart of Piedmont’s culinary scene. This is the birthplace of gianduja chocolate and the layered hot drink called bicerin, a capital of aperitivo, and the gateway to the Langhe hills—home of truffles and powerhouse reds like Barolo and Barbaresco. The National Museum of Cinema inside the Mole Antonelliana adds a creative flair few cities can match.

Practical notes: Turin is walkable and tram-friendly; single tickets cost about 2€ and 24-hour passes are available under 10€. Many museums close on Mondays, and dinner reservations are wise on weekends. Consider the Torino + Piemonte Card for multi-museum savings if you plan a culture-heavy trip.

Turin

Turin rewards the curious. Start in Piazza San Carlo, the “drawing room” of the city, then drift to the Mole Antonelliana’s spire—a beacon over rooftops and the Alps beyond. The Egyptian Museum is second only to Cairo’s, while the Royal Palace complex displays Savoy splendor with armories, gardens, and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud.

Food and drink are a way of life. Sip a velvety bicerin where it was born, graze at Porta Palazzo—Europe’s largest open-air market—and book a table for agnolotti del plin, vitello tonnato, and hazelnut desserts. Evenings mean aperitivo: a well-made vermouth cocktail and generous snacks in San Salvario or the Quadrilatero.

• Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Turin or Hotels.com Turin. Top picks: Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze (elegant Art Deco icon by Via Roma), Tomato Backpackers Hotel (friendly, budget-minded San Salvario base), NH Torino Lingotto Congress (sleek rooms inside the former FIAT factory), and Hotel Bologna (solid mid-range steps from Porta Nuova).
• Getting to Turin: Fly into TRN (Turin Caselle) with easy intra-Europe routes; search fares on Omio Flights. High-speed trains arrive at Porta Nuova or Porta Susa—Milan to Turin in about 1 hour (from ~15–35€), Rome to Turin in ~4.5 hours (from ~35–90€). Check times and prices on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.
• Getting around: Walk, hop on trams 4/13/15 for scenic routes, or take Metro Line 1. Single tickets are about 2€; 24-hour passes cost under 10€.

Day 1: Grand Piazzas, Historic Cafés, and Chocolate Rituals

Morning: Arrival day—assume you land midday. Drop bags at your hotel and stroll Via Roma’s arcades to Piazza San Carlo. Order a first espresso at Caffè Torino or Baratti & Milano and notice the polished wood, chandeliers, and suits reading newspapers—this is café culture at its finest.

Afternoon: Walk to Piazza Castello for a primer on the city: Palazzo Madama’s layered history (Roman gate to Baroque palace) and the Royal Palace complex just beyond. For a snack, try a slice of farinata (chickpea flatbread) at a local bakery or a wedge of toma cheese from a deli near the Quadrilatero Romano. If the weather’s clear, pop into the Mole Antonelliana courtyard and admire its soaring dome before a future visit to the National Museum of Cinema.

Evening: Ease into Turin’s sweet side with a guided tasting that weaves cocoa and wine together.

Recommended experience: The Turin Chocolate & Wine Tasting Experience

Afterward, dine at one of these favorites: Tre Galline (historic Piemontese; agnolotti del plin in rich roast juices), Scannabue (San Salvario bistro—seasonal meat mains, excellent risotti), or Porto di Savona (Piazza Vittorio, traditional vitello tonnato and tajarin). For a nightcap and snacks, try aperitivo at Affini (vermouth-forward cocktails) or a creamy bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin near the Santuario della Consolata.

Day 2: Egyptology, Savoy Splendor, and Aperitivo Along the Po

Morning: Start with pastry and cappuccino at Caffè Platti or Pasticceria Ghigo (look for their seasonal “marron glacé” treats). Then dive into one of Europe’s great museums with a focused guided visit.

Recommended experience: Turin: Egyptian Museum 2-hour monolingual guided experience

Afternoon: Lunch near Via Lagrange at Pastificio Defilippis (handmade pastas; try tajarin with butter and sage) or head to the original Eataly Lingotto food hall for casual counters and Piedmont cheeses. Post-lunch, cross Piazza Castello for a deep dive into royal Turin with skip-the-line access.

Recommended experience: Small-group Royal Palace Skip-the-line Tour

Cap the afternoon with a gelato at Gelateria Pepino (try the chocolate-dipped “Pinguino,” said to be the world’s first gelato on a stick). If you crave fresh air, wander along the Po River into Parco del Valentino to see the Borgo Medievale, a 19th-century fairytale “village” evocative of Piedmont’s castles.

Evening: Aperitivo under the arcades of Via Po or among the lively bars of San Salvario. For dinner: Consorzio (devout Slow Food ethos; snout-to-tail specialties and an outstanding Piedmont wine list), Sestogusto (modern pizza, long-fermented doughs and regional toppings), or Ristorante del Cambio’s more casual annex if you can snag a spot. Night owls can take in city lights from the Intesa Sanpaolo skyscraper’s lounge (Piano35) or linger in Piazza Vittorio’s bars.

Day 3: Full-Day Langhe Wine Country (Barolo & Barbaresco)

Venture into the UNESCO-listed hills of the Langhe for vineyards, hilltowns, and cellar doors. You’ll meet winemakers, learn how Nebbiolo expresses itself across crus, and pair local cheeses and salumi with structured reds. Expect vine-covered slopes, medieval towers, and generous tastings—plus time for a lunch of tajarin or brasato al Barolo.

Recommended full-day tour: Full day Barolo&Barbaresco Wine Tour from Torino with a local winemaker

Not into wine? Stay in town for a scenic ride up to the Basilica di Superga for Alpine panoramas, tour the Juventus Museum and Allianz Stadium, or join a food-focused walk through Porta Palazzo. Wrap your final evening back in Turin with a leisurely dinner at Osteria Antiche Sere (home-style Piemontese dishes) or Magorabin for a creative tasting menu near the Mole.

Where to Stay (repeat links for easy booking)

• Principi di Piemonte | UNA Esperienze — refined rooms, spa, prime center location.
• NH Torino Lingotto Congress — architecture lovers’ pick in the reimagined FIAT complex.
• Hotel Bologna — dependable mid-range near Porta Nuova station.
• Tomato Backpackers Hotel — budget-friendly, social, and green.
• Browse more on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Optional Add-ons

• Guided orientation: Turin Highlights Small-group Walking Tour — ideal if you like a brisk, story-rich overview.
• Hands-on cooking: Cesarine: Small group Pasta and Tiramisu class for fresh pasta skills to take home.
• Museum lovers: If your Day 2 runs long, swap in the Royal Palace for the next morning; most museums close Monday.

Breakfast, Coffee, and Aperitivo Cheat Sheet

• Cafés: Caffè Al Bicerin (the signature drink), Baratti & Milano (historic pastries and chocolates), Caffè Mulassano (tiny, ornate, and a tramezzino legend).
• Casual lunches: Pastificio Defilippis (pasta), Eataly Lingotto counters (cheese, salumi, pasta), Mercato Centrale Torino (multiple stalls; fresh agnolotti and fried seafood cones).
• Aperitivo bars: Affini (vermouth craft), quirky spots in San Salvario, and arcaded bars along Via Po and Piazza Vittorio.
• Sweet stops: Gelateria Pepino (“Pinguino”), Farmacia Del Cambio (fine pastries), Guido Gobino (gianduja bonbons).

Logistics and Booking Tips

• Arrivals: Compare flight and rail options on Omio Flights and Omio Trains. Milan–Turin ~1h; Rome–Turin ~4.5h; buses can be cheaper but slower.
• Local transport: Buy 100-minute tickets from newsstands or metro machines; a 24-hour pass suits museum days and tram-hopping.
• Reservations: Book the Egyptian Museum and Royal Palace skip-the-line tours ahead to avoid queues, and reserve weekend dinners.

Bonus evening option (if you swap out another activity): Turin’s esoteric side glimmers after dark—consider the famed magic-themed night tour for legends and secret symbols across the city center.

Before you go, one last essential: taste a classic bicerin and a square of gianduja. Simple, storied, and unmistakably Torinese.

Alternate/extra activity you can slot into Day 1 or 2: Egyptian Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Mystery Tour (small group)

In three days, you’ll have sipped historic chocolate, walked royal halls, and breathed the vineyard air of the Langhe. Turin reveals itself patiently—through its cafés, its palaces, and that twilight glow over the Po that makes you plot your return.