Is Turin Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons Why it Is!
If there’s one question that instantly gets me talking for hours, it’s this: Is Turin worth visiting?
As someone born and raised in this underrated gem of Northern Italy, I can confidently say — abso-freaking-lutely!
It’s hard to put into words how phenomenal Turin is — and how much I wish more travelers would give it the spotlight it truly deserves.
In this post, I’m sharing all the specific reasons why Turin is 100% worth visiting. Or better yet, why it absolutely belongs on your travel bucket list. 😉👇
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7 Reasons Why Turin Belongs on Your Italy Travels
1. Turin’s History: The First Capital of Italy
Home to the Royal House of Savoy, a royal dynasty that unified and ruled Italy until 1946, Turin is the very first capital of Italy.
The Royal Family helped shape Turin into the phenomenal, and may I say breathtaking, city that it is today. Having ruled for so long, Turin is home to over 20 royal residences and buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site collectively known as the “Residences of the Royal House of Savoy”.
The different architectural styles of these palaces and residences include Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassical, and Art Nouveau. Each residence has its own unique design and features – reflecting the different historical periods and artistic influences of the time.
The Royal Family’s influence extended far beyond politics and the city’s architecture. They are also responsible for founding Turin’s incredible Museo Egizio, preserving the Holy Shroud, and even major industrial innovations.
In other words, their legacy is everywhere, and Turin couldn’t have a more rich cultural heritage.
2. Turin’s Architecture: “Paris of Italy”
Nicknamed the “Paris of Italy”, Turin is known to have some of the most beautiful architecture in the country.
Turin’s architecture mainly features elegant Baroque, along with some Neoclassic and Art Nouveau. Wherever you walk in the city, you will be surrounded by endless beauty.
You’ll find architectural beauty everywhere you go, whether you’re walking through Turin’s breathtaking squares, or you’re visiting the Royal Residences, and so forth.
3. The Capital of Innovation
If I told you that Turin is the capital of innovation, especially in Italy, you’d probably wonder if I’m exaggerating or biased. Thankfully, I have some solid proof for you – besides simply listing all the wonders that have come out of this city.
Between 2024 and 2025, Torino received two awards: 2025 European Capital of Smart Tourism and the European Capital of Innovation Award. How cool is that? 😍
Turin has a rich history of innovation and has been a strong contributor to various fields.
From its incredible industrial heritage to culinary inventions, just some of Turin’s world-renowned innovations include Fiat, Lavazza coffee, Gianduja chocolate, and Vermouth.
4. Turin’s World-Class Museums
Turin is home to the world’s 2nd most important Egyptian Museum, the Museo Egizio, and the world’s tallest museum, Museo Nazionale del Cinema.
The Egyptian Museum, home to over 36,000 artifacts, is dedicated to the Nilotic Civilization and displays over 4,000 years of history.
Carlo Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy, was fascinated with Egypt and assembled a collection of Egyptian antiques (starting in the mid-1600s). This collection kept expanding through the years through archeological expeditions and acquisitions.
Want to dive deeper into the history of this museum and its artifacts? This guided tour of the Museo Egizio might be perfect for you! Book your tickets before they sell out. 👇
Home to the National Museum of Cinema, the Mole Antonelliana is the tallest museum in the world.
Cool fact: Turin is the birthplace of the Italian film industry, with the first Italian film originating in 1905. This explains why it hosts the National Museum of Cinema.
The Mole Antonelliana is 167.5 m / 543 feet tall, and thanks to its height and panoramic lift – you can enjoy some of the most beautiful views of Turin (if you get the Panoramic ticket).
These are just some of the best things to do in Turin, of which, there are many!ket).
5. Turin’s Food: Chocolate, Food, & Wine … Oh My!
Turin is the capital of the beautiful Piedmont region of Italy – a region that is famous for its incredible Piedmont cuisine and high-quality products.
Piedmont is home to the Slow Food movement, a food philosophy that emphasizes the use of traditional, locally sourced, and sustainable food products – while also promoting regional culinary traditions and supporting local farmers.
Discover all the Must-Try Turin Foods and Drinks 😍🍽️
With that being said, in Turin (and in Piedmont in general) you’ll find the freshest foods and drink amazing wines.
Don’t leave without trying Gianduja (hazelnut chocolate), sipping a Bicerin at one of Turin’s historic cafes, or tasting the regional favorites like Agnolotti del Plin and Albese.
6. The City Hugged by the Alps
Wherever you stand in Turin, you will be able to admire the endless beauty of the Alps that surround it! 🥹
In addition to the beautiful views, you can also reach some of the best ski resorts in just about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
As you can see in this shot, these are the Alps hugging Turin – this view is from the stunning Basilica of Superga, another hidden gem of Turin to visit.
If you pay attention during your flight, Monviso and the Basilica of Superga will welcome you.
7. Turin’s Culture: Authentic Northern Italian Experience
One of the best parts about Turin is that it’s still an overlooked city and a hidden gem. The city continues to stay true to its rich culture. Here, you won’t find tourist traps like you would in Rome, Florence, and Venice.
In Turin, you will be able to experience a true and authentic Italian city that is proud of its culture, history, and heritage.
Due to this, Torino is the perfect destination for anyone craving an authentic experience and wanting to dive deeper into Northern Italian culture.
One cultural experience you can’t miss out on, which originated in Torino, is Aperitivo! 🍸
Aperitivo is to Italy as Tapas are to Spain — a pre-dinner “tradition”, where people gather for drinks and enjoy small plates together.
Spend a Day in Torino with Me and See for Yourself!
Still debating whether Turin is worth visiting? Come spend one day in Torino with a local (meee!) showing you around the best of the city in 24 hours! ❤️
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The Torino + Piemonte Card!
The Torino + Piemonte card gives you free entrance to all the royal residences, museums, and discounts on transportation, services (ex. Panoramic lift in Mole Antonelliana), and more.
Depending on the length of your stay, select which card you want and enjoy all the free, or discounted, activities and sites of your choosing in Turin!👇
A Local’s Quick Turin Guide for First Time Visitors
As a quick breakdown, Turin is a very walkable city with a decent public transportation system. For first time visitors, the best area to stay in Turin is the city center, as you’ll be closer to all of the city’s main attractions and even the best gluten-free restaurants.
Torino has a small airport, Caselle, which is roughly a 30 minute taxi ride from the city center. This is a great airport to fly into, but if you can’t find a proper flight, your best bet will be to fly into Milan Malpensa (MXP) and then commute to Turin with a high speed train or bus.
FAQs on Should I Visit Turin
Is it better to visit turin or milan?
I feel the need to leave the disclaimer that Torinesi and Milanesi are both very proud of their cities, and there’s an innate competition between the two.
Without being too biased as a Turin native, there are many reasons why Turin is a much better city to visit than Milan. Starting off with the strongest point, Milan currently holds the title as the most dangerous city in Italy.
Beyond safety, Turin has a deeper and richer history, and it’s also home to more culturally important sites to visit and activities to do. It also is less international than Milan, allowing you to enjoy a true Italian destination, and it’s a more affordable city to visit overall.
How many days do you need in Turin?
How many days you spend in Turin depends on how much time you have, but 3 days is the sweet spot for first time visitors.
With 3 days in Turin, you have enough time to enjoy the main attractions of the city, the local favorite spots, and do so at a pace that allows you to take the city in.
Is it worth visiting Turin on your first trip to Italy?
The first trip to Italy for many tourists tends to include the same three destinations: Rome, Venice, and Florence.
Turin is definitely worth visiting on your first trip to Italy, but it’s important to note that the city is roughly 4.5 hours away from Rome via high-speed train, and 6 hours by car. With this long of a commute, it’s important you consider your budget, how much time you have, and what your destination priorities are.
For example, if your priorities are Rome and Florence, it might be best to travel to places like Bologna or Naples and stay in Central Italy.
But if your priorities are experiencing historically and culturally important cities that offer a more local experience, then Turin is worth the commute!
📌 Pin it for your Future Italy Travels!
Will you be adding Turin to your future Italy travels? If so, what convinced you? I hope this guide inspires you to visit my hometown. 😍
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