Elegant and quietly grand, Torino (Turin) was the first capital of unified Italy and the house city of the Savoy dynasty. Baroque palaces, arcaded boulevards, and café salons evoke centuries of power and style, framed by snowy Alpine peaks on clear days. This is also Italy’s chocolate capital, home of gianduiotto and the bicerin—an indulgent blend of espresso, chocolate, and cream.

Culturally, Torino punches above its weight: the Museo Egizio is second only to Cairo for Egyptian antiquities, while the Mole Antonelliana hosts the playful National Cinema Museum with a glass elevator to panoramic views. The Royal Museums, Venaria Reale palace, and a thriving contemporary scene (GAM, MAO, Lavazza Museum) make it a perfect city break.

Practically, the historic center is compact and walkable, with trams and Metro Line 1 for longer hops. Cuisine leans Piedmontese: tajarin egg pasta, agnolotti del plin, vitello tonnato, and slow-braised Barolo beef—best paired with Nebbiolo wines. Reserve popular restaurants, buy timed-entry tickets for top museums, and note many shops/museums have Monday or midweek closures.

Torino

A city of porticoes and piazzas, Torino rewards flâneurs. Start in Piazza San Carlo (the city’s “living room”), stroll to Piazza Castello and the Galleria Subalpina, and pause in storied cafés where vermouth once defined European aperitif culture. Look up: the Mole’s spire pins the skyline, while the Alps hover like a painted backdrop.

Top sights include the Museo Egizio, the Mole Antonelliana & National Cinema Museum, the Royal Museums (Palazzo Reale, Armory, Chapel of the Holy Shroud), and the riverside Parco del Valentino with its mock-medieval village. Football fans can add the Juventus Museum; design lovers, the Pinacoteca Agnelli and rooftop La Pista 500 at Lingotto.

• Café culture: Sip a classic bicerin at Caffè Al Bicerin; try tramezzini at Caffè Mulassano (a Turin invention); and sample gianduiotti at Guido Gobino or Peyrano.
• Food highlights: Tajarin and agnolotti del plin, carne cruda all’albese, bagna cauda, brasato al Barolo; dessert lovers, don’t miss Pepino’s chocolate-dipped “Pinguino”.
• Fun fact: Modern vermouth took off here; Martini & Rossi and Carpano were born in Turin’s salons and distilleries.

Where to stay (neighborhoods): Centro (walk to most sights); Quadrilatero Romano (markets, nightlife); San Salvario (bars by the park); Crocetta (quiet, elegant); Lingotto (for design buffs). Notable picks include Turin Palace Hotel (near Porta Nuova), NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina, Principi di Piemonte, Grand Hotel Sitea, Combo Torino (stylish hostel by Porta Palazzo), and AC Hotel Torino (Lingotto).

Book accommodations: Browse apartments on VRBO Torino or hotels on Hotels.com Torino.

Getting to Torino: Fly into Turin Airport (TRN) or Milan (MXP/LIN) with connections by train. Typical times: Milan–Turin high-speed trains ~1h; Rome–Turin ~4–5h; Paris–Turin ~5–6h by TGV/Frecciarossa. Buses from Milan can take ~1.5–2h.

• Search flights on Omio (compare routes to TRN/MXP).
• Book trains on Omio (Frecciarossa, Italo, regional).
• Find buses on Omio (budget connections across Italy/France).

Day 1: Arrival, Royal Torino, and Aperitivo Under the Porticoes

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, drop bags and stretch your legs beneath Via Roma’s porticoes.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel, then orient yourself from Piazza San Carlo to Piazza Castello. Duck into Galleria Subalpina—an ornate 19th-century arcade—for a coffee at Baratti & Milano, famed for pralines and a silky hot chocolate. If energy allows, step into Palazzo Madama for a quick survey of decorative arts, or simply window-shop Via Lagrange’s boutiques and chocolate houses (try gianduiotti at Guido Gobino).

Evening: Turin shines at aperitivo. Start at Caffè Mulassano, credited with popularizing the tramezzino (order a couple with a vermouth spritz). For dinner, choose one of these gems:

• Consorzio – Nose-to-tail Piedmont with market-driven plates; try agnolotti del plin and finanziera. Natural-wine leaning list.
• Scannabue (San Salvario) – Comfort classics done right (vitello tonnato, brasato). Warm, lively room.
• Tre Galline – Historic osteria in the Quadrilatero serving tajarin and robust secondi.

Finish with gelato at Alberto Marchetti (creamy nocciola is a must). Nightcap at Bar Cavour (beneath Ristorante Del Cambio; refined cocktails) or Smile Tree (inventive mixology in the Quadrilatero).

Day 2: Markets, Egyptian Treasures, and the Mole Antonelliana

Morning: Begin at Porta Palazzo Market, Europe’s largest open-air market, to watch vendors pile high seasonal produce, cheeses, and salumi. Slip into Caffè Al Bicerin by the Consolata sanctuary for the namesake drink—layered espresso, chocolate, and cream—served since the 18th century. If you prefer specialty coffee, detour to Orso Laboratorio Caffè for single-origin pours.

Afternoon: Spend 2–3 hours at the Museo Egizio, a beautifully curated journey through mummies, papyri, and statuary; book a timed ticket to avoid queues. Lunch nearby at:

• Pastificio Defilippis – House-made tajarin and plin since 1872; order a pasta duo and a glass of Barbera.
• Cianci Piola Caffè – Tiny, affordable spot for anchovies in green sauce and beef tartare Alba-style.

Then ride the glass elevator up the Mole Antonelliana for a city-and-Alps panorama and explore the National Cinema Museum’s interactive exhibits.

Evening: Join aperitivo on Piazza Vittorio Veneto at La Drogheria (classic spritz and snacks) or Porto di Savona (historic vibe). For dinner:

• Ristorante Del Cambio – Iconic 18th-century dining room with contemporary finesse; book ahead for a special night.
• Ristorante Solferino – Old-school elegance; excellent veal, risotti, and a deep Piedmontese cellar.

Stroll the Po riverfront and climb to Monte dei Cappuccini for a postcard night view if you fancy a short uphill walk. Dessert at Mara dei Boschi (seasonal gelato flavors).

Day 3: Barolo & Langhe Hills Day Trip

Morning: Take an early train from Torino Porta Susa to Alba (~1h10; from ~€8–10 each way). Check train times on Omio. Meet a pre-booked driver/guide or taxi to reach nearby wineries (appointments are essential). Favorites include Marchesi di Barolo (historic cellars in Barolo town), G.D. Vajra (expressive Nebbiolos), and Ceretto (design-forward tastings). Typical tastings range from ~€15–30; guided day tours ~€90–150 per person.

Afternoon: Pause for lunch in Alba or Barolo:

• La Piola (Alba) – Enrico Crippa’s casual spot for perfect tajarin, raw veal, and seasonal contorni.
• Osteria La Cantinella (Barolo) – Hearty regional plates; great with a glass of Barolo or Langhe Nebbiolo.

Walk the cobbled lanes of La Morra or Barolo and visit the WiMu Wine Museum for context on the region’s history. Return to Torino by evening.

Evening: Back in town, keep it relaxed: aperitivo at Affini (vermouth-forward cocktails, great charcuterie) in San Salvario. Dinner options:

• Sestogusto – Contemporary pizza (canotto-style) with creative toppings and excellent dough.
• Cianci Piola Caffè (if you missed it) – Cozy and budget-friendly, perfect after a wine day.

Finish with a Pinguino (chocolate-dipped gelato bar) from Gelateria Pepino, a Turin classic since 1884.

Day 4: Parco del Valentino, Lingotto Design, and Departure

Morning: Stroll the Parco del Valentino along the Po and wander the quaint Borgo Medievale. Coffee at Orso Laboratorio Caffè or try a flaky pastry at Farmacia Del Cambio by Piazza Carignano. If cars are your passion, the MAUTO – National Automobile Museum traces Italy’s motoring heritage from early FIATs to concept designs.

Afternoon: If time allows before your flight/train, head to Lingotto: visit the Pinacoteca Agnelli and walk the art-filled rooftop path La Pista 500 on the former FIAT test track. For lunch, graze at the original Eataly Lingotto (pasta stations, salumi, cheeses—quick, quality bites). Collect bags and transfer to the airport (~30–45 minutes by taxi/shuttle). Check flights on Omio or trains on Omio for onward travel.

Practical tips: Book museum time slots in advance for the Egyptian Museum and Mole, especially on weekends. The Sassi–Superga heritage rack tram offers scenic rides to the hilltop basilica (weather permitting); schedules vary by season. Aperitivo typically runs 6–8 pm; reservations recommended for popular restaurants.

Alternative or add-on ideas (swap as needed): The palace complex of Reggia di Venaria Reale (half-day), contemporary art at GAM or MAO, or the Lavazza Museum inside the “Nuvola” HQ to trace Italy’s espresso history.

Where to book/compare again (handy links): VRBO Torino stays | Hotels.com Torino hotels | Omio trains | Omio flights | Omio buses.

In four days, Torino reveals its quiet confidence: royal piazzas, world-class museums, and a food scene rooted in tradition yet open to new ideas. With a glass of Nebbiolo in hand and the Alps on the horizon, you’ll leave plotting a return—perhaps in truffle season, when the Langhe’s hills perfume the entire city.