How to Spend the PERFECT One Day in Torino, Italy

If you’re reading this right now, just know you’re making this Torinese’s day!🥹 I was born and raised in Torino – or Turin, in English – and I’m head-over-heels for my hometown. I’m constantly encouraging people to visit, and whether you’re already sold on the idea or still deciding, you’re in the right place.

Let me quickly tell you a bit about why Turin is so special.

Back in the 16th century, Duke Emmanuel Philibert made Turin the capital of the Duchy of Savoy. At that time, the Italy we know today didn’t exist — the peninsula was divided into duchies, kingdoms, and independent states.

The House of Savoy later led the unification of Italy, making Turin the very first capital of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Even if you’re not a history buff, this context matters as the Savoy family shaped so much of what you’ll see and experience in Turin: the royal palaces, grand Baroque squares, elegant streets, and rich cultural heritage.

But Turin isn’t just about the past. It’s also one of Italy’s most innovative cities and was recently named the 2024-25 European Capital of Innovation! It gave us hazelnut chocolate (ciao, gianduja 🫶 ), Fiat, Lavazza coffee, the first espresso machine, and so much more. It’s also home to the second most important Egyptian museum in the world, and the world’s tallest museum (yes, really 👀).

Now that you know a little more about what makes Torino so unique – let’s dive into the perfect one day itinerary. With just 24 hours, I recommend focusing on the historic center, where Turin’s beauty, elegance, and personality shine brightest. Let’s go!😍👇

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How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Torino, Italy

Breakfast

What better way to start the day than with a delicious pastry and cappuccino?

When it comes to breakfast in Northern Italy, locals tend to grab a coffee and a pastry – keeping this meal fairly light and quick.

While I saved you a historic cafe for the afternoon, you could start the day in one or opt for any cafe bars that inspire you. I personally always go to Costadoro Coffee Lab Diamond where they have delicious coffee and gluten free croissants. This is a cozy cafe where locals often go with friends to catch up or even study.

Another great option, one that’s on my bucket list, is Freedom Lounge Bakery, which is 100% gluten free. This cafe has incredible reviews and is just a few steps from Costadoro Coffee Lab Diamond.

These cafés are perfectly located for the itinerary I’ve planned for you, helping you navigate Turin seamlessly and make the most of your 24 hours.

Walk around the Center’s Most Beautiful Squares

Now that you’ve enjoyed your breakfast, or not — totally your call (#freewill). it’s time to walk around the most beautiful squares, or “piazze”, of Turin.

The first square is Piazza San Carlo, arguably the most beautiful and beloved square amongst the locals. In this square you’ll find some historic cafes, luxurious stores, and you might catch a local street artist performing pieces by Ludovico Einaudi. Did you know that Ludovico Einaudi is from Turin?😍

Once you walk through this square, you’ll be on Via Roma – a breathtaking street lined with Turin’s iconic porticoes and all the shops you could dream of. If you’re visiting in the winter time, you will see some fun and decorative street lights hanging right above.

After Via del Po, you will arrive directly to Piazza Castello, the Royal Palace’s square. In this square there’s also Palazzo Madama, which has 2 incredible façades – a baroque and a medieval one.

Note. Turin is an overall safe city, but being in Italy, you always need to be aware of your surroundings and careful with pickpockets. For them it’s an artistry. Keep your bag in front of you, avoid putting valuables in your pockets or on surfaces (ex. table), and stay aware of your surroundings.

Visit the Palazzo Reale (2 hours)

What’s a visit to Turin if you don’t visit at least one royal palace or residence?😍

With just one day in Torino, visiting Palazzo Reale, “Royal Palace” is a must. Built in the 16th century, this Baroque-style palace served as the official residence of the House of Savoy until 1865. This palace is nothing short of a masterpiece, one of which was designed and built by some of the most important architects from those times – including Filippo Juvarra.

There are over 200 rooms, including royal bedrooms, dining rooms, state rooms, the Royal Armory room, a church, and even an art gallery.

Lunch in the Quadrilatero Romano

The Quadrilatero Romano is a square full of incredible restaurants and bars that locals always gather at.

As a celiac, my personal favorite is Pan Per Focaccia. This is a restaurant that has food for both regular dieted people and celiac’s. Here you will get to enjoy all sorts of Italian and local dishes – including pizzas, different pasta dishes, meats, and beyond.

If you go to Pan Per Focaccia, I highly recommend their Sbracciatella Pizza, the Panata Torinese, and the Dolce Piemonte.😍

Another incredible restaurant, right next to Pan Per Focaccia is Mannarino – but as a steak restaurant, I’d recommend this more for dinner!

Museo Egizio OR Mole Antonelliana (2 Hours)

Time for the hard decision – to visit the world’s 2nd most important Egyptian museum or the world’s tallest museum (and Turin’s iconic landmark)?

Both museums are must-visits and each take about 2 hours to visit. If you feel strongly about visiting both, go ahead – but I personally think it’s best to visit one so you can dive deeper into the city center and its endless beauties.

About the Egyptian Museum of Turin

The Egyptian Museum of Turin is the perfect place for those who love, or are curious about, Ancient Egypt but also those who appreciate history and culture in general.

Following the Cairo Egyptian Museum, the Egyptian Museum of Turin is the second-most important Egyptian museum in the world. Founded in 1824, it is also the oldest museum in the world to be fully dedicated to Ancient Egypt (Museo Egizio).

With over 35,000 artifacts, here you will see everything from thousands-year-old clothes, sarcophagi, scripts on stone tables and papyrus, and even mummies.

Being the immense and mesmerizing museum it is, 2 hours is a good average visit but one can easily spend over 2 hours here.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, make sure to book your tickets well in advance!

Important Tip. Should you buy the 24-Hour Piedmont Card, it’s strongly recommended to reserve your hour slot online to ensure availability.

About the Mole Antonelliana / Museo Nazionale del Cinema

The Mole Antonelliana is Turin’s iconic landmark and it hosts the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, “National Museum of Cinema” – making it the tallest museum in the world. This landmark dates back to 1863 and was the tallest building in Turin until the 2011. This museum tends to have some REALLY cool exhibitions and is a fun and interactive place to learn all about cinema and classics.

In the recent years they hosted Tim Burton’s exhibition and Movie Icons, and I could write a whole post just on how incredible both exhibitions were. At Tim Burton’s they all sorts of Tim Burton’s belongings, including personal drawings and letters throughout his life, and movie set pieces. At the Movie Icons exhibition, they had over 100 original set pieces, including V for Vendetta’s mask and Spiderman’s suit.😍

If you visit the Mole Antonelliana, and aren’t afraid of heights, make sure to book the tickets with the Panoramic Lift! This will bring you to the top of the landmark, from where you’ll get some of the best views of Turin.

In other words, the Mole Antonelliana (can you see I’m obsessed?) is perfect if you love movies, panoramic lifts, and are looking for a more interactive experience.

Let me know in the comments which one you’ll pick!👀

Merenda at a Historic Cafe

Before your next adventure, it’s time to get an iconic pick-me-up in one of Turin’s most historic cafes or gelatos – depending on the season.

If you’re visiting in a colder season, or it’s a colder day, then you need to try one of the following drinks at Caffé Baratti & Milano. Located in a the local favorite, Galleria Subalpina, this is one of the most historic cafes in Turin, dating back to the year 1873. Baratti & Milano created Turin’s iconic chocolate, the Gianduiotto and you will see this brand and chocolate every where.

As a fun fact, this historic cafe was also the official supplier of the Royal family, the House of Savoy!

Besides getting a Gianduiotto, you must-try Turin’s “signature” drink. Bicerin dates back to 18th century and is made with Coffee, Gianduja (hazelnut) Chocolate, and milk cream at the top. Another must-try, my favorite winter drink, is Zabaglione – Turin’s version of “eggnog”, made with egg yolks, sugar, and marsala wine or champagne.

Should you opt for a different historic cafe, make sure to visit Galleria Subalpina – a historic gem and local favorite. It’s right in the city center next to all the places mentioned in this itinerary.

If you’re visiting in the Spring/Summertime, and are in the mood for a gelato, then you simply MUST head to Biraghi in Piazza Castello. Biraghi is one of the most famous dairy companies in Italy, and a Piedmontese company that sources the region’s finest milk. They are mainly known for their phenomenal cheeses, but every spring they bring back a special surprise. Here they make the most incredible “Milk” gelato, made with only three ingredients: milk, cream, and sugar. This is a hidden gem amongst locals and there’s nothing more delicious than this.

Monte dei Cappuccini

If you’re wondering, no – Cappuccini, in this situation, is not referring to multiple “Cappuccinos”.😂

Monte dei Cappuccini is a beloved viewpoint that hosts a monastery in which the Capuchin Friars once lived – hence the name “Cappuccini”. From here you will see over the city center of Turin, with the most spectacular views of the Mole Antonelliana, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and the Alps in the background.🥹

This is a short, 16 minute walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto and is slightly uphill. If you have difficulties walking uphill, you could take a taxi.

Aperitivo

Did you know that Aperitivo originates from Turin? Aperitivo to Italy is what Tapas are to Spain, it’s a time pre-dinner where you gather with family or friends to enjoy a drink with a couple of small bites or snacks.

Not only is Turin the birthplace of aperitivo, but also Vermouth! So if you’re a fan of Vermouth and drinks like Negroni, this is the city to order some.🍸

Given you’re coming back from Monte dei Cappuccini, you can easily head back to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. This is an incredible square full of restaurants and bars, offering loads of, more casual, options for aperitivo. You could also go back to the Quadrilatero Romano for either aperitivo or dinner.

How to Get to Turin

Turin has an international airport, Caselle, which is a 30-minute car ride from the city center and one hour bus ride.

If you’re arriving via train, Turin has two different train stations: Porta Nuova and Porta Susa. You don’t always get to pick which train station you stop at, but if you have the choice – here’s what to know. Porta Nuova is right in the city center, making it the most convenient train station but also the most popular one. Porta Susa is slightly less central but also less crowded – making it a bit better in terms of possible pickpockets.

The train system in Italy is really good and in my experience, reliable. I personally love using Omio to check out all the different train and bus options there are, and I tend to opt for Frecciarossa (Trenitalia) and Italo. If you’re on a budget, Flixbus is another great method of transportation – commute is slower, being a bus, but it is more affordable.

Insider Tip. If you want to travel by train, make sure to book your train ASAP because the closer you get to your travel date, the higher the prices get.🥲 By booking early in advance, you can get the best deals!👇

One Day in Torino FAQs

What food is Turin famous?

As an umbrella-like answer, Turin is particularly famous for its Slow Food Movement, which started in the late 1800s in Rome. Despite the movement coming to life in Rome, Torino is a city that lives and breathes this movement – which aims to preserve local flavors, culture, support local businesses.

Because of this movement, in Turin you will always eat the freshest and most local flavors, as well as seasonal flavors. For example, one of my favorite parts of visiting Turin in the winter is the “artichoke season”.😍

Outside of this movement, Turin is a culinary heaven, and a true foodie’s dream. For starters, it is the home of Gianduja chocolate, hazelnut chocolate. The Turin annd Piedmontese cuisine is second-to-none, with endless culinary inventions and specialties. Some must-try dishes that Turin created, or is known for, are Agnolotti del Plin, Albese, and Risotto.

Is Turin a walkable city?

Yes, Turin is a fully-walkable city. For this one day in Torino, you’ll be right in the city center and able to reach each place with a short walk.

Is the 24-Hour Torino+Piemonte Card Worth it?

The 24-Hour Torino+Piemonte Card allows 3 “free” visits to 3 museums. Based on this specific itinerary, which includes the Palazzo Reale (15 euros) and a choice between the Museo Egizio (18 euros) and Mole Antonelliana (12 euros), you save just a few euros amount.

However, should you want to visit both the Museo Egizio and Mole Antonelliana, or add a 3rd different attraction, then this card is worth it as you would essentially enter one museum for free. Grab your City Card here!👇🤩

Which is nicer Milan or Turin?

I’ll be writing a post that breaks down the differences between Milan and Turin, with honest pros and cons to help you choose the best city for your Italian adventure.

But if you’re asking me? Turin all the way. I’ll admit I’m biased – I was born and raised there – but even looking at it objectively, Turin offers the most beautiful architecture, rich history, vibrant culture, mouthwatering food, better prices, and a much safer atmosphere.

To me, it’s like asking New York vs. Boston – and I’m choosing Boston every time.😂

That said, if you’re after an international vibe and world-class luxury shopping, Milan might be the better fit. I’ll cover both cities in depth soon, but for now… #TeamTurin forever.😍

Want more help with your travels? Check out my other Posts!

Here are additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Turin and Italian travels!👇

• 18 Best Things to do in Turin, Italy | Local’s Insights
• The Must-Visit Royal Residences of Turin, Italy
• Gluten Free Torino: 13 Best Gluten Free Restaurants
• Is Turin Worth Visiting? 9 Reasons Why it Is! (+ Important Tip)
• Piedmont Food: 20 Traditional Foods, Drinks, & All to Know!
• The Ultimate Guide to Turin Food
• The Most Historic Cafes of Turin
• Turin’s Most Famous and Beautiful Squares

📌 Pin it for your Future Italy Travels!

I have to ask…

What are you most excited to see or do during your one day in Torino? Did this itinerary make you feel more at ease? Let me know in the comments!😊

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