Turin, a city in Northern Italy which in my opion is a bit underrated. Flying from most cities in Europe it is most of the time in the top 10 of cheapest flight destinations, and it has everything you expect for the perfect Italy weekend trip, but then without big crowds and long waiting lines!
So let’s share my 7 practical tips you need to know before booking a city trip to Turin!
1. The best time to visit Turin
Turin experiences a range of climates throughout the year, from hot summers to chilly winters. If you prefer mild weather and smaller crowds, consider visiting during the spring (April to June) or the autumn (September to October) months. We visited Turin in the end of April and in our weekend the weather was perfect, about 20 degrees and mostly sunny. But checking out the weather apps, it told us that we were quite lucky. Keep in mind, that in April the weather in Italy can still be a bit unsure.
2. How many days do you need in Turin
Depending on your interests, I think 3-4 days would be enough to explore the city and have some time to relax. If you are interested in history, you can eat your heart out at the many museums in the city, but there are also enough other activities, like a wine-tasting that could be fun.
We stayed 2 nights / 2.5 days, and for us this was enough. Since it was a ”girlstrip” we didn’t visited a lot of sights from the inside. But if you plan to do this, I recommend at least 3 full days.
3. Airport transfers
Turin Airport (Aeroporto di Torino-Caselle), is located about 16 kilometers northwest of the city center.
From here it’s really easy to get to the city centre. The quickest way is by taxi, which takes around 30 minutes and costs approximately €30-40.
If you prefer a more budget-friendly option you can take the ”Arrivia Italia” bus to the city centre, which is only €7 for a one-way or €11 for a round-trip. It will bring you to the city centre in 45 minutes.
4. Everything is on walking distance
I guess this might be a point of discussion for some people, but in my experience in about 30 minutes walking you can reach MOST highlights of the city. Enjoy the sun, the beautiful buildings and grab a coffee in one of the local coffee shops.
5. Food & drinks are very affordable
We spend way less money on food and drinks than I thought in advance. The first day we arrived, we were hungry and a bit tired, so we headed to the Piazza’s in the city centre. And to be honest, the food wasn’t amazing and prices were pretty touristy.
So my biggest tip is: avoid places like Piazza San Carlo or Piazza Castello. Instead go to San Salvario Quarter or check out the area in city centre behind the Royal Palace. You can find some typical ”Piemonte” restaurants here.
Our favourite places:
- Ristorante Urbani: This local trattoria was so cute and fairytale-like! The food was delicious and the staff was really helpfull. A reservation is necessary, since it’s quite popluar but it’s an aboslute must-do!
- La Locanda Clandestina: We had lunch here, and it was delicious. For only €15, you can enjoy toast and a buffet with local dishes and desserts.
- Mercato Centrale Torino: Ok, not really a restaurant but still we had some really good food here. This food hall, is the place to be for any Italian dish you can think of, there is plenty of choice and it’s also affordable. It’s quite busy, but we didn’t really mind!
6. Spend a few hours in Parco del Valentino
Valentino park is a big and peaceful area where we spend quite some hours to enjoy our free time. And I advise you to make some time free in your schedule – if the weather is helpful – to enjoy and relax here!
It’s a pleasure to see the locals hanging around with friends, making music, or going for a run.
There are also some bars next to the river, and we ended up at bar Imbarchino, where there is a cool vibe and a perfect view on the river.
7. Explore the city by bike
Turin might not have the Duomo as Milan does, or the Colosseum as Rome does. But believe me, there are plenty of landmarks and museums you can visit!
From the museums we visited The Egyptian Museum, which we found really fascinating! It tells so much about the history and seeing the mummies made it absolute a cool activity. The entrance fee was €14, but you can also buy tickets beforehand so you can skip the line.
Also we decided to book this E-bike tour, to see all the highlights in just three hours. The guided tour was €39 and a really fun activity!
- Historic centre (such as Piazza San Carlo, Piazza Carignano, Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama)
- Climb the Monte dei Cappucini for the best view of the city
- Valentino Park
