Turin, the first capital of Italy in the 1800s and the current capital of Piedmont, Italy, is one of the most impressive metropolitan areas in the country. Turin, Italy is a mecca of world-class cuisine, architecture, and history. Most people know the landmark city as being the home of the mysterious Shroud of Turin; a Christian artifact debated to be the burial cloth of Christ. But did you know that Turin is also one of the most important cities to the history of chocolate? How about its dozens of UNESCO World Heritage sites? Check out these travel tips for the best sights in Turin, Italy!
National Cinema Museum
Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra, Flickr
There are plenty of grand cathedrals and palaces to see in Turin, but one of the more modern sights worth seeing is the National Cinema Museum, which houses pieces of cinema history from its beginnings to the present day. The National Cinema Museum is actually located inside another one of the best sights in Turin, the Mole Antonelliana. The tallest museum in the world, this building boasts several floors of exciting exhibitions.
Piazza Castello
Photo Credit: Chensiyuan, Wikimedia
The Piazza Castello is the most famous and culturally significant plaza in Turin. Not only is it a bustling spot filled with cafes, museums, and theaters, but it is also surrounded by the extreme beauty and historical significance of some of the most famous Palaces of Savoy.
Residences of the Savoy
Photo Credit: Fulvio Spada, Flickr
The history of Turin is inextricably linked to the history of the Savoys, a powerful family that originally ruled the city. The Italian city was essentially built around the 22 Savoy palaces and villas, and today these UNESCO World Heritage sites remain the architectural and historical focal points of the city. Castello del Valentino, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Reale are just a few of the stunning buildings
CioccolaTò Annual Chocolate Festival
The region of Piedmont, Italy is known for its wine, but its capital city of Turin is known as the chocolate capital of Italy—some say even the whole of Europe. This is because the Savoys began importing cacao from Spain in the 16th century, and have become master chocolate-makers ever since! To celebrate their love of chocolate, the city hosts a chocolate festival every year known as CioccolaTò. Italy’s best chocolatiers set up booths here, making it a chocolate-lover’s paradise.
Historic Coffee Houses
Photo Credit: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar, Flickr
It’s no secret that Italians love their coffee, but in Turin, the love of coffee is equally matched by the love of chocolate. This is why there are many historic cafes to be found in the Italian city which are known for making the best chocolate-infused coffees. The Culture Trip says Caffè San Carlo, Baratti & Milano and the Art Nouveau Caffè Torino are three of the must-visit coffee houses in Turin. Want to know where else to eat in Italy? Check out the 10 best pizzerias in Naples!
Quadrilatero Romano
Photo Credit: Luca Galli, Flickr
Not too far from Piazza Castello is the Quadrilatero Romano. Like the Piazza Castello, the Quadrilatero Romano is a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike, featuring many fabulous restaurants and museums. Spending an afternoon here is one of the best things to do in Turin. The ancient Roman Porta Palatina is visible from here, providing a picturesque, rustic backdrop.
Superga Basilica
The towering Superga Basilica watches over the city of Turin from a height of 672 meters, or 2,204 feet. One can take in the most breathtaking view of the city from here, just as the Duke Vittoria Amedeo II did when he wished to observe his troops battling the French army in 1706. The Superga Basilica was built to commemorate the victory over the French, and it now also houses the tombs of the royal Savoys.
Hills of Turin
The hill of Superga is one of the many hills of Turin worth checking out. Hike along the natural landscape of the renowned Italian city to develop a greater perspective on what makes this place so enchanting. This is one of the best travel tips we can give you. Read up on more travel tips with 10 Travel Tips for Summer in Italy!
Parco del Valentino
Photo Credit: Ferdinando Marfella, Flickr
Parco del Valentino is to Turin what Central Park is to New York City. It is a sprawling green space on the Po River, featuring a botanical garden, a detailed recreation of a medieval village, and the Castello del Valentino, one of the Savoy’s most grand residences.
Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista
Photo Credit: Livio Andronico, Wikimedia
Known to English-speakers as the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, this Italian landmark isn’t just one of the best sights in Turin, but one of the most valued buildings in all of Italy. This is because the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist houses the Shroud of Turin, which is believed by some to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. While this is a hotly contested and highly debatable subject, it is still a pilgrimage site for many Christians the world over.