Turin Italy 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring the Royal City

Morning:

  • Start your day with a hearty Italian breakfast at Caffè Torino, located near Piazza San Carlo.
  • Visit the iconic Piazza San Carlo, one of the main squares in Turin, known for its beautiful baroque architecture.

Mid-Morning:

  • Explore the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) and its adjacent gardens. The palace houses numerous art collections and is a great example of Baroque architecture.

Lunch:

  • Head to Bistrot dell’Orto for a lunch filled with local Piedmontese dishes. Don’t miss the braised beef dish!

Afternoon:

  • Visit the Mole Antonelliana, an iconic 19th-century tower housing the National Museum of Cinema. Take the elevator to the top for a panoramic view of Turin.
  • Stroll through the elegant streets of Via Po and take in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Evening:

  • Dine at Enoteca del Bosco, where you can enjoy traditional Piedmontese wines paired with delicious regional dishes.
  • End your day with a walk along the River Po, taking in the illuminated bridges and the city’s nightlife.

Day 2: Art, Culture, and Chocolate

Morning:

  • Begin your day at the Egyptian Museum, one of the world’s oldest and most significant museums dedicated to ancient Egyptian civilization.
  • Visit the Reggia di Venaria Reale, a massive Baroque palace located about 10km from Turin city center. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers guided tours that are highly recommended.

Lunch:

  • Head back to Turin and dine at La Nota Bene, offering creative interpretations of traditional Italian dishes.

Afternoon:

  • Visit the Palazzo Madama, a 17th-century palace housing the city’s civic museum, with collections ranging from archaeology to contemporary art.
  • Spend the late afternoon at the Shroud Chapel (Capella della Sacra Sindone), where you can see the Shroud of Turin, a cloth that some believe is the burial cloth of Jesus Christ.

Evening:

  • Indulge in chocolate at GIanduiotto Bero, one of Turin’s many chocolatiers, and try the local specialty, Giandujot.
  • End your day with a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Porta Palazzo or relax at a local café.

Things to Know:

  • Turin’s public transport system is efficient and easy to navigate. The GTT bus network, Metro, and Funicular are all integrated into one ticket system (Ticket Genova).
  • Italians typically eat dinner late, around 8 pm or later. Many restaurants offer a lunch menu called “prima pausa” with reduced prices, available until about 2:30 pm.
  • The city is relatively flat, making it easy to walk around, but comfortable shoes are recommended.

Stay:

  • For luxury, consider the Grand Hotel Sitea or NH Collection Torino Lingotto. For budget travelers, there are plenty of affordable options like Generator Turin and HostelBnB.

Tips:

  • Take a stroll along Via Garibaldi, one of the longest and most elegant boulevards in Italy.
  • Don’t forget to try some local Piedmontese wines like Barolo and Barbaresco.
  • Enjoy the city’s vibrant coffee culture and stop at historic cafés like Caffè Mulassano or Caffè Fiorio.