Turin City Guide

Turin is a city of grace and charm with superb Baroque architecture, excellent museums and art galleries, all set against dramatic Alpine scenery.

The Savoy dynasty made Turin the capital of their court in 1574 and created a state capital whose grandeur rivalled that of Paris and Vienna.  In the 20th century the city, home to Fiat, became one of Italy’s leading industrial cities.  Much of the in industry has now gone and Turin, world capital of design in 2008, has reinvented itself as a vibrant city with many cultural, artistic and gastronomic attractions.

The Piedmont region is famous within Italy for its high standards of food and wine, and Turin is at the heart of the region.
The famous Italian Aperitivo is also very much in evidence with many bars serving a fabulous spread of delicious nibbles and snacks with your pre –dinner drink.

The hotels, personally selected for our Turin City Break Programme, offer distinct Italian character, excellent standards of accommodation and service, and are conveniently located in the heart of the city.

Your Turin City Break will be tailor made to your own personal requirements and we offer the option to add a few days at the seaside, in the mountains or the delightful wine producing areas of Piedmont – all within easy reach of Turin.

Guide to the City of Turin

Piazza San Carlo is Turin’s most beautiful square, with shops, churches, cafes and arcades blending harmoniously together.   Piazza Castello is the city’s main square and is a huge space centred on the Palazzo Madama, and fringed by the Palazzo Reale, the majestic former royal palace.  Nearby are two of Turin’s porticoed arcades which house some of its most charming historic coffee shops.

Turin’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Giovanni, is the city’s only surviving Renaissance building.  It takes its name from the Patron Saint of Turin, San Giovanni Battista and contains the Holy Shroud.

The cities old Roman and medieval core, the Quadrilatero Romano has been revitalized, and offers impressive facades by day and lively night life in the evening and beyond.

Close to the River Po, the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, laid out in 1825 is one of the largest squares in Italy, and features several historic cafes and restaurants.  The nearby Murazzi, or promenades of the Po, host numerous bars, restaurants and clubs making the area a popular evening destination.

The Castello di Venaria, to the north of the city is one of the grandest of the many royal palaces and has been recently restored.  Building began in 1660 but it was rebuilt on a grander scale in 1714, having been badly damaged by the French in 1693.

Museums

Turin has an interesting and unusual collection of museums and art galleries which include the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, considered to be one of Italy’s most enjoyable museums, and the Museo dell’Automobile, which is a treat for anyone who is interested in classic cars and their history.

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema is situated within the Mole Antonelliana, which was originally built as a synagogue.  It has a glass lift which transports the visitor up into the spire, where the views of the city and mountains beyond on a clear day, are quite spectacular.

Turin’s finest traditional museum and art gallery – the Galleria Sabauda and the magnificent Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) are found under one roof in the Palazzo della Accademia delle Scienze, on Piazza San Carlo.

Historic Coffee Shops

Turin is famous both for its chocolate and its numerous historical coffee shops. It is said that the Swiss chocolatiers learned their trade in Turin in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the coffee shops with their intoxicating perfumes and ornate interiors of mirrors and chandeliers, wood and velvet, should not be missed.

We will supply you with our comprehensive guide to the city of Turin and surrounding area which will give you all the guidance and information that you need to make the most of your time in Italy.

We include maps, local information and well researched sightseeing itineraries, as well as indications as to the best places to eat and drink.