Top 14 Best Things To Do in Turin

Savor the charm of a city steeped in sweetness as you explore the top 14 best things to do in Turin. This guide features must-see attractions, local favorites, and notable highlights across Italy’s northern city. Dive in to explore the most recommended experiences in the country’s chocolate capital. 

Turin stands out for its unique atmosphere, Baroque architecture, and rich cultural heritage. With Turin's widest variety of tours and activities, you can explore elegant palaces, take in the views from the iconic Mole Antonelliana, and uncover ancient wonders at the renowned Egyptian Museum.

Explore at your own pace with the largest collection of vacation packages in Turin, designed to suit every travel style. Join a walking tour through the old town, take a day trip to the nearby Alps, or taste your way through the flavors of Piedmontese cuisine.

A plane ride is all it takes to begin your adventure, and with the biggest selection of flights to Turin from major European hubs, getting here is easier than ever. Once you arrive, the city becomes your gateway to scenic wine regions, alpine foothills, and charming nearby villages.

This guide will help you plan an experience that’s as rich and layered as the city itself. Read on for the 14 best things to do in Turin and start crafting your perfect Italian getaway.

14. Admire the Views From the Basilica of Superga

Visit one of the city’s scenic landmarks on a 12-day self-driving road trip from Turin to Milan and take in the views of the Basilica of Superga. Located on top of a hill, the Baroque building overlooks the city and offers views of the Alps.

Designed by Filippo Juvarra, it features twin bell towers, an entrance framed by Corinthian columns, and a large dome seen from the city below. Inside, the Royal Crypt holds the Savoy family tombs. Just behind the basilica, a memorial honors the 1949 Superga air disaster that claimed the lives of the Torino football team.

Take the vintage Sassi–Superga tramway to reach the site, then climb to the balcony for one of the most beautiful views. A trip to this attraction is a must-try escape packed with history and architectural charm.

13. Explore Hidden Tunnels on a Turin Underground Tour

Go below the surface and explore a hidden side of the city with a guided underground tour in Turin. This unique experience leads you through wartime shelters and archaeological sites beneath the streets.

As your guide shares stories of heroes like Pietro Micca, you'll uncover a lesser-known aspect of the area's history. Go about 15 meters (49 feet) deep to explore tunnels, royal ice depots, and air raid bunkers that offer a glimpse into the city's unseen infrastructure.

This underground tour is one of the top things to do in Turin for anyone looking for an adventure filled with history beneath the surface. It offers one of the city’s most atmospheric experiences.

12. Taste Local Flavors With a Turin Aperitivo Experience

Join a Turin aperitivo and street food tour to experience the city through its flavors. Enjoy vermouth and Piedmont wines paired with must-try snacks. Expect to try everything from breadsticks to stuffed potatoes.

As you stroll through the streets, your guide will provide insights into spots where residents gather to unwind. This activity is one of the best things to do in Turin if you enjoy food, drinks, and local knowledge.

11. Try Turin’s Authentic Vermouth

If you’re curious about the city’s alcoholic drinks, a vermouth tasting in Turin is a great way to start. You’ll learn how this concoction, made from white wine, herbs, and spices, became a part of tradition.

Taste three styles of vermouth paired with local bites as producers share the story behind the beverage. This experience is one of the best things to do in Turin for visitors who enjoy tasting, learning, and connecting with the region's roots.

10. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With Chocolate Tasting in Turin

Discover some of the destination’s sweetest offerings on this one-and-a-half-hour fine chocolate tasting in Turin. Sample local and international treats, including the city's Gianduja.

You’ll also try the other primary types of chocolate: dark, milk, and white, all crafted with organic ingredients and no emulsifiers. Along the way, learn about the bean-to-bar process and the different flavor notes. This activity is one of the best things to do in Turin for anyone who enjoys a little indulgence. 

9. Learn to Create Italian Dishes in a Turin Cooking Class

A small group pasta and tiramisu class in Turin lets you explore the flavors and techniques behind two Italian classics. The experience takes place in a home kitchen, with a local host guiding you through each step.

As you roll, cut, and prepare your dishes, you’ll discover the secrets behind making perfect pasta and the art of assembling tiramisu. The session ends with a meal, where you enjoy everything you’ve made. This activity is one of the best things to do in Turin if you like hands-on learning and simple, traditional recipes.

8. Browse Designer Shops Near Piazza Castello

Take a break from your audio-guided tours in Turin and explore the streets near Piazza Castello. The area includes fashion and design stores and is a convenient place for visitors to shop in the city.

Luxury labels appear along Via Roma, while Via Garibaldi offers a mix of expensive and affordable options. Galleria Subalpina arcade adds character, blending 19th-century style, glass ceilings, and a variety of boutiques. This experience is one of the best things to do in Turin if you enjoy shopping in historic surroundings.

7. Take in Panoramic Views of Turin

See 360-degree views of Italy’s first capital on sightseeing tours in Turin. Go to an elevated location and see rooftops, domes, and trees extending into the Alps.

One of the easiest spots to reach is the Monte dei Cappuccini, just across the river from the center. It offers an open view that becomes especially striking in the late afternoon.

For a higher vantage point, the Mole Antonelliana provides a panoramic platform above. A glass elevator takes you to the top, where the streets and the river come into sight.

The Basilica of Superga sits farther out on the hillside and shows the city from a wider angle. On clear days, you’ll see Turin framed by slopes and mountains.

Each location offers a break from ground level. Together, they give you a clearer sense of the area’s layout and its place in the surrounding landscape.

6. Spend a Day Museum-Hopping in Turin

Explore some of the city's top collections through art tours in Turin, which take you through a range of museums known for their architecture, history, and exhibitions. Highlights include the following:

• Palazzo Madama: The palace features a royal staircase and galleries filled with portraits and sculptures. Each floor highlights various types of art, from medieval artifacts to 19th-century pieces.

• Museo Nazionale del Cinema: Get a behind-the-scenes look at the country's films. Within the Mole Antonelliana, original costumes, sets, and props are curated in vertical space.

• Galleria d'Arte Moderna: This attraction focuses on 19th- and 20th-century Italian art, with collections that feature modern paintings, sculptures, and installations.

• Egyptian Museum: The spot is known for its floor-to-ceiling displays of statues, sarcophagi, and preserved mummies. Navigate the rooms on a Turin Egyptian Museum guided tour through different themes and periods.

• Museo dell'Automobile: This automobile haven features vintage Fiats, concept cars, and exhibits that show how Italian craftsmanship influenced modern vehicles.

Visiting these cultural landmarks is one of the top things to do in Turin if you love history, culture, and design. The variety keeps the day interesting, with each stop offering its own atmosphere and story.

5. Stroll Through the Heart of Piazza Castello

Exploring Piazza Castello ranks among the top things to do in Turin, especially when taking a self-guided audio tour of Italy's first capital. The square sits at the city's center, surrounded by historic buildings, museums, and arcades. 

This landmark also serves as a starting point for other must-see attractions in the area. Among them, the Royal Palace of Turin and Palazzo Madama are examples of Baroque structures that you can find on the plaza.

Strolling around with an audio guide provides insights into the tales and design of Piazza Castello. It’s a convenient way to experience one of the city’s historic spaces.

4. Visit the Royal Palace of Turin

Take part in the Turin Royal Palace guided tour to explore the former residence of the Savoy family. Lavish halls, ornate ceilings, and an extensive art selection reflect the power and prestige of one of Europe’s oldest dynasties.

The visit also includes access to the Royal Armory, home to one of the finest collections of battle gear in Europe. Suits of armor, weapons, and artifacts line the galleries in curated displays.

For those interested in the city's past, a visit to these attractions stands out as one of the best things to do in Turin. The experience brings centuries of the area's legacy into focus.

3. Discover the Gems of Turin Cathedral

Learn more about the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist during archaeological tours in Turin. This religious landmark is known for housing the Holy Shroud, a linen cloth believed by many to bear the image of Christ. 

Although the relic is rarely on display, visitors can still admire the cathedral’s elegant Renaissance architecture, ornate chapels, and historical artworks. The site draws thousands each year for its spiritual significance and rich cultural heritage.

Adjacent to the building are traces of ancient Roman Turin, offering more to uncover below the surface. Archaeological tours help explain the layers of stories beneath the church and nearby sites.

For those interested in history, spirituality, and architecture, visiting the cathedral is one of the best things to do in Turin. The experience connects modern-day visitors to centuries of tradition and faith.

2. Experience the Grace of Piazza San Carlo

Piazza San Carlo is one of the standout stops on the two-hour Turin guided walking tour. Often called the drawing room of the city, this square is notable for its atmosphere, symmetry, and Baroque structures.

The plaza is also home to historic cafes, where writers and intellectuals once gathered. It's also a space where locals and visitors can mingle, people-watch, or relax with a coffee.

Visiting Piazza San Carlo is a must-try experience. It’s certainly one of the top things to do in Turin if you want to observe local culture and architecture.

1. Bike Through Turin’s Must-See Spots

A half-day guided bike tour of Turin provides an active way to discover the city’s top attractions and lesser-known spots. Cycle through the center to Piazza San Carlo and the Mole Antonelliana, which houses the National Cinema Museum.

The route also takes you through Valentino Park (Parco del Valentino), where you ride along a path. Pedal past Carignano Palace (Palazzo Carignano), then continue to the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio), which holds a collection of artifacts from Egypt.

A bike tour is one of the top things to do in Turin. It's an eco-friendly option to explore the city and its hidden corners.