Wondering ‘is Turin worth visiting?’ If one of Italy’s most elegant cities, grandiose palaces, regal piazzas, and a noticeable lack of tourists sounds appealing, then you should definitely take a trip to spectacular Turin in 2024. Keep reading to find out just why Turin is worth visiting now!

7 Best Reasons to visit Turin in 2024

Whilst Rome, Venice and Florence are firmly on the ‘must-visit’ list when it comes to a first-time trip to Italy, there are so many other incredible cities to explore. One such city is elegant Torino in Piedmont. It might surprise you to know that this was the very first capital of united Italy, but is still largely undiscovered by western tourists.

If you’re considering a trip, these are my top favorite things to help convince you to visit Turin and Piedmont in 2024.

1. Discover an authentic lesser traversed Italian city

If you’re someone who dislikes crowds, and prefers to get ‘off-the-beaten-track’, then Turin is for you! In fact, there are often so few tourists here, that locals will turn in surprise wondering where that English voice is coming from. Of course, this can make it hard if you don’t speak any Italian, which is why I would recommend you speak Italian (some basics) before your trip, going with a guide, or joining our Untold Italy tour.

The lack of tourists and English is also part of Turin’s charm of course, and means you get to experience a modern Northern Italian city and locals going about their everyday lives in a very authentic way.

2. Explore beautiful Royal Palaces

Do you adore palaces? Turin is full of them! In fact, one of the main squares is aptly named ‘Piazza Castello’ or the Castle Piazza and is where you’ll find both the Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama. If you’re looking for free things to do in Turin, go for a stroll through the free gardens in the Palazzo Reale – this was where Andrea and I had one of our first dates and it’s very beautiful and romantic.

If your budget allows, I definitely recommend paying to visit the Palace – it’s stunning! Meanwhile, Palazzo Madama often hosts cultural events like the World Press Photo which makes for an extra fascinating visit.

3. Discover incredible Torinese food and wine

Turin was the birthplace of the Slow Food movement and is an incredibly important gastronomic city! There is no shortage of delicious morsels to try here. My picks are vitello tonnato, agnolotti, anything white truffle related, fritto misto and bonet.

When it comes to wine, Piedmont is one of the best wine producing regions in the entire country (hello Barolo!) They excel with their red wines including Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera. For white wine drinkers, try an Arneis. Read more in my article on the best Turin food now.

4. Marvel at the Baroque Architecture

There is no doubt that Turin is quite possibly the most elegant, beautiful city in Italy. Grandiose palazzi and stunning courtyards fill the inner city, impressive covered galleries filled with historical shops and antique bookstores (my favorite is Galleria Subalpina), impossibly perfect porticoes that allow you to walk through the city even in rain or extreme heat, and imposing Baroque style churches (my favorite is perhaps Gran Madre which sits suggestively over the River Po looking out at Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

5. Try an authentic Torinese aperitivo

Aperitivo might be my favorite Italian pastime ever. It’s so civilized and it’s entirely different to ‘happy hour’ that you might have back home. Italians are obsessed with digestion and in fact aperitivo came about because of this – it was designed as a way to open up the stomach and get you hungry to eat with a bitter drink and a salty snack.

Aperitivo in Torino is a truly must-do activity. Order a glass of Italian fortified wine, vermouth (you can choose between white and red) and a tramezzino (delicious sandwich on white bread with the crusts cut off) and sit back in blissful enjoyment before you wander out for a Torinese dinner.

Looking for a non-alcoholic option? Why not go for an afternoon bicerin – the famous chocolate-coffee-cream drink!

6. Enjoy the best chocolate in Italy

There are many towns across Italy known for making wonderful chocolate (like Modica in Sicily and Perugia in Umbria). However, in my opinion, no one makes chocolate as good as Torino! The classic chocolate is known as ‘gianduja’ or ‘gianduiotto’ and a delicious blend of dark chocolate and hazelnuts (another famous Piemontese product – the best hazelnuts in the world truly!)

Every October, the city holds a big chocolate festival down Via Roma which is fantastic and well worth visiting. In case you’re not there in October, there are many excellent historical chocolate shops in town so you can find the very best chocolate of your life!

7. Visit incredible landmark sites

Last but not least, there are some truly fabulous museums and landmarks to visit that make Turin well worth visiting. From the Mole Antonelliana (the symbol of Torino), and the Cinema Museum to the Egyptian museum (which houses the largest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts outside of Cairo) and of course, the chance to view the Shroud of Turin (this is only offered every 10 years or so!) There are wonderful parks in town too if you need to step away from the hustle and bustle – try Parco San Valentino for a romantic long walk or a picnic.

Where to stay in Turin

Ready to visit beautiful Torino? My favorite hotel in Turin is definitely the NH Hotel in Piazza Carlina for both the location and the luxurious rooms (plus the amazing view of the Mole Antonelliana).

However, the Quadrilatero is another area worth considering if you’re looking for somewhere atmospheric and closer to the market. Just be mindful that it can be a little noisy at night.

• NH Hotel Piazza Carlina
• Grand Hotel Sitea
• Turin Palace Hotel

Still wondering if Turin is worth visiting? Have a read of how to visit Turin Piedmont in 48 hours and my guide on things to do in Turin in 2024. Looking for accommodation? Have a read of my ultimate guide to Turin hotels.