Cosied up to the Alps, Turin is described as a sweet-tooth’s dream with master gianduja chocolatiers. It’s the home of the Fiat with numerous royal estates – all wrapped up in 17th century Baroque architecture.
The capital of Italy’s northern Piedmont region, the city boasts a lot of the same elegance and wealth of heritage as the likes of Milan, Vienna, or Paris, with some of the most prestigious museums in Europe.
With several Hertz pick-up locations across the region, including Turin Airport, it’s so easy to get out and discover every attraction Turin as to offer.
While it may not currently be at the top of your list of Italian city breaks to tick off, here’s why it should be with our list of things to do in Turin.
Egyptian Museum
(Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6, 10123 Torino TO, Italy)
Possibly one of the more surprising Turin must see attractions – theMuseo Egizio is home to the second largest exhibition of Egyptian artifacts in the world after Cairo.
Step inside to be fully immersed into an ancient world, away from European history. Preserved tombs will transport you to the past, statues and precious jewels will enchant you – not to mention, the grand building is a spectacle in itself.
This museum really packs a punch in terms of scale and value. The vast collection was attained in the 1800s when there grew a fascination with Egyptian relics within Europe. It’s become one of Italy’s most popular museums – its great halls visited by hundreds of thousands of curious guests year on year.
Mole Antonelliana
(Via Montebello, 20, 10124 Torino TO, Italy)
Visible for miles around, the Mole Antonelliana is one of Turin’s signature landmarks. Well located in the centre of the city, this monumental spire can be found just a ten-minute walk from the Royal Palace of Turin.
The building is a glacial structure with a round dome and recognisable spire – so significant, it was featured on the Italian two euro-cent coin.
For one of the best views of Turin with Mole Antonelliana foregrounding the mighty Alps, head to Mont dei Cappucini. Monte dei Cappuccini is a hilltop church just a ten-minute drive across the River Po. It’s an eight-minute walk up the hill to access this vantage point. Once you’re up there, you can admire the entire Turin skyline with every landmark in sight.
National Cinema Museum
(Via Montebello, 20, 10124 Torino TO, Italy)
This motion-picture-lover’s paradise can be found inside the iconic structure of the Mole Antonelliana tower. A self-proclaimed ‘temple of cinema’, the museum utilises the unique shape of the building to enhance displays of their varied exhibitions.
Celebrating the heritage of Italy’s national cinema, the museum is an educational homage to cinematic history. Exhibitions include memorabilia, film archives and the evolution of filmmaking, to name a few. Meanwhile, warm lighting and red velvet fittings evoke the cosy feeling of your local cinema.
Beyond affectionate displays of all things film related, the museum organises Italy’s second largest film festival after Venice – Torino Film Festival – and has done since 2006.
La Veneria Reale
(Piazza della Repubblica, 4, 10078 Venaria Reale TO, Italy)
Once one of many homes to the Royal House of Savoy, the Palace of Venaria is now open to the public, hosting a variety of cultural exhibitions. Just a 20-minute drive outside central Turin, visitors can wander the echoing halls and explore the 60 hectares of pristine gardens on the estate.
The World Heritage Site became one of Europe’s largest restoration projects, taking eight years to breathe life back into the grounds. Inside, the palace holds over 200 works of art for visitors to admire.
Beyond the palace, visit the local community of Venaria. The 17th century village offers restaurants and an opportunity to shop for souvenirs.
Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile
(Corso Unità d'Italia, 40, 10126 Torino TO, Italy)
Not just for car enthusiasts, this museum is bound to impress anyone who steps inside. Documenting automotive history, the Automobile Museum offers one of the largest and most exclusive exhibitions of its kind.
A ten-minute drive away from the charms of central Turin, there’s really no other museum like it. After all, Turin is the birthplace of Italy’s most iconic vehicle, the Fiat.
Check out the classics, rare models, and all new temporary exhibitions spread over three floors of mechanical majesty. Explore a whole vault of preserved cars from all ages or watch the masters at work in their very own workshop.
Basilica of Superga
(Strada Basilica di Superga, 73, 10132 Torino TO, Italy)
Whether you’re looking up at the landmark from below or feeling on top of the word at its peak, the hill of Superga on the south bank of the River Po is an exquisite sight.
The Basilica of Superga at the top of the hill is one of Turin’s major icons. A stunning structure of yellow and white, it was built in the 18th century after the Siege of Turin (1706) as an affectionate offering to the Virgin Mary.
An unmissable excursion out of Turin, the Basilica is just a 20-minute drive out of the centre.
Juventus Stadium
(Corso Gaetano Scirea, 50, 10151 Torino TO, Italy)
Also known as the Allianz Stadium of Turin, the Juventus Stadium has become a major tourist attraction in Turin since it opened in 2011. It’s the home stadium of Juventus F.C., competing in the upper tier of Italy’s football league.
The stadium offers guided tours from the players’ tunnel to exclusive media areas, along with a fascinating museum to chronicle the history of Juventus F.C. The entire stadium is well accommodated for those with limited access, so anyone can enjoy their visit with no restrictions.
Just a twenty-minute drive out of Turin, visitors can also find options to dine out, grab a coffee or shop at the local shopping centre, Area 12.
Medieval Village
(Viale Virgilio, 107, 10126 Torino TO, Italy)
Ever wondered what it was like to live in the Middle Ages? Thankfully, it would only be a temporary visit, but you might be surprised at just how immersive this open-air museum is. On cobbled streets, travel back to the 15th century with this Turin time capsule.
Looking like a fairy-tale fortress from the outside, the inside replicates an ornate Piedmontese village, authentic to the period. The exhibition began in the 1884, proving we were just as curious then as we are now.
Head to Valentino Park, one of Turin’s largest and most popular green spaces, just off Corso Massimo d'Azeglio on the bank of the River Po. Through the park you can find the Medieval Village, along with the Castle of Valentino and Botanic Gardens.
Royal Palace of Turin
(Piazzetta Reale, 1, 10122 Torino TO, Italy)
Right around the corner from the University of Turin and a stone’s throw from the Egyptian Museum, the central Piazza Castello of Turin is the true epicentre of the city. Here you can find the Royal Palace of Turin in the middle of the city, along with Madama Palace and the Royal Armoury of Turin.
If this historic square says anything, its how decadent Turin is as a city. Turin boasts an abundance of elegant architecture, dripping with heritage wherever you go.
Like the Palace of Venaria, the Royal Palace of Turin was the former home of the House of Savoy, holding great significance to the country. Visitors can now admire the exuberance of palace living – from the stunning ceiling fresco to the Staircase of Honour.
Palatine Towers
(Piazza Cesare Augusto, 10122 Torino TO, Italy)
Just a short walk around the corner from the Royal Palace of Turin, visit one of the most well-preserved Roman gates in Italy. Walk through the archway below its two red brick turrets and discover the ruins left behind.
The Palatine Towers (Porta Palatina) stand in a popular park, frequently used by locals for relaxing and enjoying picnics – a peaceful respite among the busy inner city. You might stumble across the ancient monument by accident, but you’ll be glad you did.
Hire a car with Hertz to get started on your Turin adventure today – explore every fascinating attraction in the capital of Piedmont, Italy.
