From the typical food you should absolutely not miss to the best panoramic views of the city, from the most fascinating museums to the best park in which locals hang out. Learn where to take the best “aperitivo”, the most beautiful UNESCO sites to visit and where to take the real “Bicerin”. Below you will find a summary of the top 10 things to do, see and eat that made Turin so famous.

Quick summary

1. Take a coffee in the historic cafés of Piazza San Carlo
2. Go to the top of the Mole Antonelliana
3. Enjoy the typical food: you’re in the World’s Capital of Slowfood
4. Visit Venaria Reale: the Versailles of Italy
5. Try the “Bicerin” in the authentic café from 1700
6. Museo dell’ Automobile: discover the history of Italy’s automotive Capital
7. Enjoy the UNESCO vineyards & the fine wine in the Langhe hills
8. Take a break & relax in Parco del Valentino
9. Try the real Italian Aperitivo: where Vermouth was created
10. Enjoy the best panoramic view at Monte dei Cappuccini

1. Historic cafés of Piazza San Carlo & the golden bull

During your stay in Turin you absolutely cannot miss having a good coffee in one of the historic café’s in Piazza San Carlo. You will be impressed by the quality of their Espresso coffee and you will be captured by their luxurious interiors and elegant atmosphere. In the 18^th and 19^th century coffee houses represented the place where politicians, intellectuals and artists would spend their time debating over political agenda or creating some works of art. Some of the cafés in Piazza San Carlo have been kept intact over the years, you will see big glass chandeliers, round marble tables and the velvet chairs.

I recommend to just sit down, order an espresso and enjoy their historical charm. Nowadays we are too often used to taking coffees “to go”, taking the time to enjoy the your coffee in a place like these ones is simply priceless.

I don’t recommend having a meal there as you will find much better places for that in Turin.

Turin the birthplace of Espresso Coffee

Many people don’t know that the Espresso Coffee machine was invented in Turin by Angelo Moriondo (in 1884) and that also the Moka coffee machine was created in Turin by Alfonso Bialetti (in 1933). In addition to that, the major coffee company Lavazza was founded & is still operating from Turin since 1895. Don’t underestimate the quality of coffee in Turin! Click here to learn more about about Turin coffee history.

Locals Secret: find the lucky golden bull!

If you pay attention, under the Piazza San Carlo arches there is a gold artwork illustrating a bull on the floor (just in front of Torino Caffe). It is believed to be good luck to step on his “privates”. If you look carefully you will see locals passing by and stepping or pirouetting on it! 

2. Top of the Mole Antonelliana: the symbol of Turin!

I recommend to visit the Mole as with its Cinema Museum and the stunning 360-degree panoramic views you can kill two birds with one stone!

The most iconic landmark of Turin is the Mole Antonelliana, this is a tower which was built in 1889 and thanks to its unique shape it distinctly defines the skyline of the city. The tower is such an important symbol for Italy that it is illustrated on the back of the 2 cent Euro coin.

The Mole was named after its architect Alessandro Antonelli, it was originally meant to be a synagogue but the project changed during its construction. Today, it hosts the famous National Museum of Cinema which is a must see for all cinema fans.

The Mole has a glass panoramic elevator which provides access to its top and allows one to admire a 360-degree view of the city with the marvelous Alps in the background

Locals Secret: students, don’t climb the Mole!

One of the most popular superstitions among the locals is that if you are a University student you should not go to the top of the Mole before graduation or else you will fail your exams and not be able to finish your studies. Watch-out!

3. Enjoy typical food: Piedmont, SloowFood World capital

Turin is becoming a popular destination for foodies thanks to its prestigious White Truffle , its 46 Michelin Star restaurants and its well know fine-wine. Furthermore, it hosts the Terra Madre “Salone del Gusto” food festival, which is the most important SlowFood international gastronomy exhibition.

What food one must absolutely try when visiting Turin?

There are many specialties to try, below I will summarize the ones that I recommend not only for their exceptional taste but also as they very are hard to find outside Piedmont.

See below the list of the dishes that you should definitely try if you see them on the menu during your week-end in Turin. For more details, you can click and learn about the Top 15 delicious dishes from Turin.

Starters

• Vitello Tonnato: slices of veal served in a rich sauce of tuna, anchovies and cappers
• Salsiccia di Bra: is a high-quality raw beef tartare stuffed into a sausage
• Battuta di Fassona: premium quality beef tartare finely hand-chopped seasoned with salt, pepper and lemon
• Peperoni al forno con bagna cauda: oven baked peppers covered in “bagna cauda” sauce (this is a sauce typical of Turin made of garlic and anchovies)

First course

• Agnolotti del Plin al sugo d’arrosto: traditional stuffed fresh pasta covered in a sauce prepared with the juices released from roasted meat. Famous for their tiny size which requires a high skillset to put together.
• Tajarin al ragu di salsiccia di Bra: this is a home-made egg-pasta, a thinner version of tagliatelle hard to find outside of Piedmont. Here, the Salsiccia di Bra described in the starters is softened in a fresh tomato sauce (truly delicious).
•  Gnocchi al Castelmagno: gnocchi covered in a sauce made of Castelmagno Cheese (typical from the area)

Second course:

• Brasato al Barolo: Beef cooked until meltingly tender in prestigious Barolo wine

Dessert:

• Bonet: caramel and chocolate pudding enriched with Amaretto cookie and rhum
• Zabaione: thick & tasteful cream made of egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine
• Baci di dama: two hazelnut cookies held together by a layer of dark chocolate
• Panna cotta: pudding made of sweetened cream and vanilla

Wine:

Red wine

• Barolo: Known as the “king of wine” is one of Italy’s wine legends. Award-winning, made of Nebbiolo grapes. High in tannins with a very long finish
• Barbaresco: Is another great example of Italy’s finest wines. It is made of the same grapes (Nebbiolo) and it also has a very long finish. Very rich in flavour but Barolo is probably the most tannic and rich of the two.
• Nebbiolo: this is a really good mid-tier red wine to keep in your radar. It comes from the same grapes as Barolo and Barbaresco but less rich in flavor as unlike the other two it doesn’t require a minimum of four years of aging in oak barrels. Great value for money.

White wine

• Roero Arneis: this wine comes from the DOCG area of Roero, it comes in pale gold color, floreal fragrances and has a medium to full body. If you want to go for a white wine during your stay in Italy I definitely recommend to try this one. It is a good wine and it is reasonably priced.  

4. Venaria Reale UNESCO site: The Versailles of Italy

The Venaria Reale is probably the most impressive architectural masterpiece present in Turin. In short, it is the closest that Italy gets to Versailles.

It is part the of the UNESCO Heritage Sites since 1997 and it includes: the Reggia di Venaria (a Baroque Palace of 80,000 square feet), the elegant Royal Gardens and the Park of La Mandria (which with its 3,000 hectares is one of the largest in Europe).

This complex represents one of the most extraordinary examples of 17^th century architecture and art. It was initially designed in 1658 for hunting purposes for the House of Savoy and it was then turned into a Baroque masterpiece thanks to the talent of Filippo Juvarra.

As this is not located in the city-centre, I would recommend to visit it only if you are opting to stay in Turin for the whole weekend.

Locals Secret: summer nights at La Reggia!

Not many people know that the stunning royal palace called “Reggia di Venaria” and its magnificent “Royal Gardens” offers night-time openings during the summer from 7:00-midnight.

This will allow you to admire the beauty of its architecture and its exhibitions at night which makes the atmosphere even more magical. In addition to that, you can have a nice “aperitivo” while admiring theatrical performances and listening to relaxing music in its elegant gardens. Last but not least if you book in advance you can also enjoy a royal dinner for a true unforgettable experience.

5. Try the real “Bicerin” in a 1700 café

What is Bicerin?

Bicerin is a traditional hot drink typical of Turin (and very difficult to find elsewhere in Italy) made of espresso coffee, hot chocolate and milk. The three ingredients can be easily spotted from the glass as they are carefully disposed one on top of the other and have different color, temperature and texture. If you want to drink it the “right” way you should not stir the beverage as the whole idea is to experience the three different layers at every sip.

Fun Fact: “bicerin” means “small glass” in the dialect Piedmont language!

What’s the best place to try the real Bicerin?

You can taste a Bicerin in most of the cafés in Turin’s city-centre. Having said that, the best place to try it is by far the historic coffee house called “Al Bicerin” in the Quadrilatero Romano area (specifically in Piazza della Consolata 5).

This café is present since 1763 in Piazza della Consolata, many famous intellectuals like Alexadre Dumas, Nietzsche and Puccini used to take this beverage exactly in this café during their stays in Turin. What I love about this place is that its interiors stayed exactly how they were.

Be ready to queue up as the place has gotten quite famous lately and the inside has only a handful of small tables.

Locals secret: Nietzsche lived in Turin!

Not everyone knows that the famous German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche lived in Turin in 1888. You can see the inscription dedicated to him in the the same street in which he lived: Via Carlo Alberto.

See below few words on how Niezsche described Turin.

To Learn more visit the following website: https://www.npr.org/2006/02/11/5201822/nietzsches-love-affair-with-turin

In addition to him, Turin hosted many other popular intellectuals during that time from Alexandre Dumas (the author of “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo”) to Erasmus of Rotterdam who discussed his theology theses in Turin and the philosopher Jean-Jacque Rousseau to

6. The Car Museum: Turin, Italy automotive capital

Turin has a long tradition of automobile design thanks to the genius of worldly renowned designers such as Pininfarina, Giugiaro, Bertone and large manufacturing companies like Fiat, Lancia and Iveco.

The Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile of Turin with its over 200 iconic cars displayed dating from 1854 is one of the largest museums dedicated to automobile in the whole world and by far the most significant one in Italy.

The museum is very entertaining with state-of-the-art multimedia installations, large graphic panels, audios and videos. It offers a great historical insight and a futuristic look at the same time.

It is definitely worth a visit for both car lovers and general public!

You may read the post on on the TOP 4 museums in Turin to learn more.

Locals Secret: the Dolce Vita of Gianni Agnelli

Gianni Agnelli, also know as “l’avvocato”, was the most influential and richest man of modern Italy. He was born in Turin in 1921, he was the president of Fiat and Juventus and a true expression of the Italian Dolce Vita.

See below a couple of fun facts & secrets related to his life which most people outside Italy (or Turin) don’t really know.

Fashion: He was considered a true style icon and trend setter. The most interesting example is the fact that he was wearing his watch always over his cuff.  In an interview, the Italian designer Valentino confessed to have copied that iconic way of wearing a watch

Women: He was the quintessential Italian playboy. Among his long list of woman he seduced a couple of important names that struck my attention were Pamela Churchill and Jackie Kennedy, who were immortalized together (and without JFK) by paparazzi during a summer holiday in the  Amalfi Coast.

7. Enjoy UNESCO vineyards of Langhe & its Fine wine

What is the “Langhe” area?

The Langhe area is famous for its gentle hills with beautiful Medieval towns at their top and breath-taking vineyards which stretch as far as the eyes can see. Key villages of Langhe are: Alba, Barolo, Castiglion Felletto & many more.

The panorama is truly phenomenal but what really attracts visitors are the multi-awarded fine wines Barolo and Barbaresco as well as its premium-quality food of which the White Truffle is the emblem.

When to visit Langhe area?

May, June, September, are ideal to enjoy the weather and do outdoor activities while October and November are perfect if you want to experience the White Truffle season.

What to do there and what is worth seeing?

A no miss is to enjoy a good meal, it is probably gonna be one of the best one of your life. It is virtually impossible to choose the wrong restaurant here. In addition to that you should make sure to book a wine tasting experience in one of the famous “cantina” of the area. Last but not least, you could visit some of the charming Medieval little villages on the top of the hills such as La Morra, Barolo or Neive. For the most active people you can find some nice hikes in the area to enjoy the nature and the vineyard panorama to the fullest.

This area is located approximately a one-hour drive South of Turin and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014.

For more details on how to spend your day in the Langhe area you may read the specific post.

8. Take a break and relax in Parco del Valentino

The Parco del Valentino is the perfect place to take a short break from your city sight-seeing, you could easily spend a good 2-3 hours here.

It is conveniently located in the city-center, it offers a huge green area to stop for a picnic and a beautiful promenade by the Po river. There is also a gorgeous castle to visit (Castello del Valentino), a little Medieval village to stroll by (Borgo Medievale) and a really interesting botanical garden to admire. For the ones that will make it until the end of this immense park there is a graceful fountain called “Fountain of the Twelve months” that will certainly surprise you.

The Castello Del Valentino

The castle is a UNESCO site and it is worth a visit for its architecture, the wonderful frescoes and paintings as well as for its fancy interiors. The castle hosts the Faculty of Architecture as it is the perfect place to spur students’ creativity.

Fun fact: the Castle looks differently on the two sides (see picture below)!

Locals Secret: Look for the Botanical Garden

The “botanical garden” within the Valentino Park. It is located just outside the castle and it was built in the 18^th century, it is very elegant and its well-preserved flower gardens makes it one of the most romantic spot of the city .

The Borgo Medievale

This is a perfect replica of a little Medieval village. Even though it is not really from Middle Ages (as it was built in 1884) if you pass by the Valentino Park you should definitely swing by, I am sure you will find this very fascinating.

The Fountain of Twelve months

The ones who will make it until the end of the park will be re-warded with a spectacular 19^th century fountain. It is designed with a blend of Art Noveau and Rococo style, with water sprouting from different waterfalls and 12 statues representing the 12 months of the year. Above the dominant water cascade you can see four sculptures representing the four rivers of Turin (Po, Dora, Stura and Sangone)

Enjoy cocktails with river view!

if you want to take a cocktail or try a local beer in cosy little place over-looking the beautiful Po river I would advise you to go to the Fluido. Make sure you go down the stairs to the terrace!

9. Have a real Aperitivo: Turin the city of Vermouth

The Italian Aperitivo: a little bit of history

Not everyone knows that Vermouth, which is the key ingredient of several world-wide popular cocktails, was invented in Turin in 1776.

This aromatized wine played a key role in in shaping today’s contemporary cocktails such as Negroni, Martini, Americano and Manhattan.

The concept of the “Aperitivo hour” took off in Turin and Milan in the early 1900, when workers would end their day with a drink and a small appetizer before heading home for dinner. This fantastic tradition has remained intact over the years!

Best places for an Aperitivo in Turin

In general, if you order a cocktail in Turin from 18:00 – 20:30 they normally serve you food with it. This can go from a dish of savory little starters in the fanciest places to other who will offer you access to their buffet table. In the latter case we refer to “apericena” rather than “aperitivo” meaning that this would basically replace your dinner. In both cases prices are approximately between 8-12€ for cocktail & food.

My preference is to go for the small & fancy appetizers version in order to be able to enjoy a good dinner afterwards.

If you are up for the fancy lighter version of Aperitivo, I would recommend you to go to one of the nice cafés in Piazza San Carlo or Via Po (Caffe Torino, Caffe San Carlo, Caffe Platti). If you want to go for the “Apericena” type I would go to Piazza Vittorio (Drogheria or Blanco) or to Quadrilatero Romano (Lobelix cafe, KM5 Torino, Arancia di Mezzanotte). Another good option would be the rooftop bar of “Turet Bar” or virtually any bar in Piazza IV Marzo (I love the atmosphere in this charming little square).

Locals secrets: try the hidden cocktail bar!

You should try out the “hidden” cocktail bar in Via Maria Vittoria 35A called “The Mad Dog Social Club”. It is a perfect example of speakeasy : there is no sign outside, it is located in an underground and you need to say the specific password code to be let in. Hence, it won’t be super-easy to find but it is totally worth it!

Cocktails are excellent and the atmosphere is perfect with suggestive lighting and just the perfect underground music.

The passcode changes constantly but you can retrieve it by doing a bit of re-search online.

10. Enjoy the best view: from Monte dei Cappuccini

You will be surprised to find out that the best panorama view can be admired from a place which is walking distance from the city-centre: Monte dei Cappuccini

This Monte is more of a hill than a mountain and it is 1.3 km away from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, this means it will take you 5 mins by car or 15-20 mins by foot. Watch-out the walk is a bit steep but very easy to reach and totally worth it.

Locals secrets: Eat a classy breakfast!

A local jewel in which to take a high quality breakfast is the “Pasticceria Bar Maggiora” in Corso Fiume, not too far from Monte dei Cappuccini. It is a very classy place where locals go enjoy their breakfast Sunday morning.

Unlike the famous Historic Cafe’s this one charges very affordable prices: Espresso 1.5€, freshly made croissants 1.5€.

I suggest to take the “empty” croissant which is called “vipera”. As it is freshly made, it will be warm and crispy it really doesn’t need to have any special cream or Nutella inside, it is perfect as it is.