More about: Turin Tours
Turin is a city where you will never get bored, as it offers entertaining plans for all ages. Among the best things to do in the city are the tours through its wonderful streets, monuments, vineyards and chocolate shops. Generally, these are fun experiences that are usually accompanied by challenges and riddles, so that you can actively participate. Most of them are done on foot, as they are strategically interconnected by the Piazza San Carlo that links the most outstanding sites.
These types of experiences also offer gastronomic tastings, so that you can get to know the most charming facets of Turin. If you are one of those who prefer a quiet tour or plan to stay just 1 day in the city, perhaps you should consider a ride on the tourist bus. Here are all the guided activities you can take advantage of in Turin!
1. Delight yourself with a tour of the city
Turin is a vast city and it is difficult to set a complete itinerary, without overlooking any important places. If you plan to stay at least 2 days in Turin, you can't miss a tour of its lush little streets. This way, you can discover baroque buildings, explore picturesque squares and get to know the traditional cafes.
There are free tours, where you only have to leave a tip at your discretion. However, the best options to enjoy a personalized experience are to purchase an audio guide for the most outstanding sites, or book a local guide. I recommend you to take note of certain monuments, squares and buildings that cannot be missed:
- Piazza San Carlo: one of the most important squares in Italy, considered to be Turin's entrance hall, as tourists and locals alike tend to gather here.
- Teatro Regio: it is a building that belonged to the Savoy royal family, whose construction dates back to the XVII century. Over the years it has been remodeled, leaving only remnants of the original structure.
- Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista: an opulent building, where one of the best museums in Turin is hidden, which houses the Shroud of Jesus Christ.
- Caffè Al Bicerin: a place founded in 1763, which stands out for being one of the oldest coffee shops in Turin and the first one managed mostly by women.
Interesting details
- Price: from 25 euros per person.
- Duration: about two hours.
- Means of transport: your guide will probably set a meeting point, if you decide to do it on your own you can rent a bike or take advantage of the public transport that offers metro, bus, streetcar and electric skateboards for rent.
- Advantages of this option: it is ideal if you plan to spend 1 day in Turin and you have little time to explore its wonderful streets.
- Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include entrance fees to museums and monuments. In addition, guided tours tend to have many participants, which makes it difficult to enjoy a personalized experience.
2. Enjoy a private experience in Turin
Turin is a city that deserves to be appreciated unhurried and uncrowded, so a personalized tour is an option to consider. This route can be adjusted to your liking, according to the monuments that catch your attention. Therefore, I recommend you to plan ahead, so you do not go blindly. Anyway, being a private experience where only your group will participate, you can enjoy the exclusive attention of your guide.
Among the best things to do in Turin is a visit to the Mole Antonelliana, whose panoramic views will leave you in awe. Other recommended places include:
- Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio: the church of the Mother of God is a religious icon, standing on an imposing hill. The area in general is very pleasant and a local legend claims that the Holy Grail is hidden here.
- Piazza Castello: is an iconic square as it surrounds Turin's Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama and Teatro Regio, where you can soak up art, history and culture.
- Palazzo Madama: is an architectural complex that is among the royal residences of the Savoy family, where the renowned Museum of Ancient Art is hidden.
Interesting details
- Price: from 51 euros per person.
- Duration: between two and six hours.
- Means of transport: it is usually done on foot, but the city is very well connected by public transport and the best tourist buses in Turin.
- Advantages of this option: it is usually available in English and only your group will participate.
- Disadvantages of this option: if you want to visit an attraction or monument, you will have to cover the entrance fee for you and the guide.
3. Discover Turin's nightlife
Turin transforms at night and brings out its most mysterious side, featuring local legends that you can't miss. The night tours are famous and allow you to explore the yin and yang of the Piedmontese capital, where the past of black magic and white magic coexist. You will follow clues that will lead you to monuments, museums, alchemist caves and ancient churches.
At night the city is more impressive and the calm resumes in every corner, allowing you to contemplate the monuments from another perspective. In addition, some spaces will be open only for your group, which makes it a daring and somewhat scary adventure. It is preferable to opt for a guided itinerary, as you will not be able to enter museums and other buildings that require authorization on your own. These types of experiences dive into some of the best things to do in Turin, including:
- Piazza Statuto: considered the gateway to hell, here you will be shown the haunting details of its structure and learn about the statue believed to belong to Lucifer.
- Alchemical caves: they are located in the subway part of Turin, where apparently magic rituals were performed.
- Piazza Castello: it is believed that in this area there are statues of secret angels, which hide very disturbing messages.
Details of interest
- Price: from 39 euros per person.
- Duration: almost three hours.
- Means of transport: the tour is usually done on foot, I recommend booking the experience on weekends as on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays the night bus runs from midnight.
- Advantages of this option: Turin is a fairly safe city that lends itself to the activity, you will never be alone as you will usually be joined by an experienced guide.
- Disadvantages of this option: at night you will find more tourists, also after a long day it can be an activity to consider.
4. Venture into the secret passages of Turin
Arriving in Turin you will probably think it is a pretty city, where what you see on the surface is all it has to offer. However, this tour will change the way you see the Piedmontese capital. Beneath the ancient streets are tunnels in the form of labyrinths, which were used strategically in World War II. It was also used as the royal family's icehouse, so it's no wonder it has a variety of sights.
It's ideal if you're looking for things to do in Turin with kids, as here you'll be able to check out:
- Infernotti: ancient wine cellars, which were also used as airborne hideouts during wars and clashes. It is even believed that secret societies who used black and white magic used to meet here.
- Museo Pietro Micca: one of the best local museums, it was built in honor of a soldier who in 1706 defended the city from French troops.
- Cimitero di San Pietro in Vincoli: probably the most spooky section, as it is an old cemetery, without activity since the 19th century. They will probably tell you about the ghost that some people believe they have seen.
Interesting details
- Price: from 39 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately three hours.
- Means of transport: generally on foot,
- Advantages of this option: it takes you to know another perspective of the city, knowing mysteries and legends of ghosts.
- Disadvantages of this option: you must be in good physical condition and it is not recommended for people who suffer from claustrophobia.
5. Explore the architecture and art of Turin
Turin has some of the most beautiful and elegant buildings in northern Italy, so it's worth seeing for yourself. Its structures are living proof of Art Nouveau, an artistic current adopted during modernism that was influenced by Belgian and French masters. With a local guide it is easier to find the highlights and understand their history.
In this way, you will be able to get to:
- The Fenoglio-Lafleur House, considered the perfect example of Art Nouveau in Turin for its beautiful windows.
- A café ba with Art Nouveau decoration, where you can relax and recharge your batteries.
- The Casa dei Draghi, a neo-Gothic building that resembles the royal residences during medieval times.
Interesting details
- Price: from 52 euros per person.
- Duration: about two hours.
- Means of transportation: generally, a meeting point is fixed. You can take advantage of the different public transportation options to get around.
- Advantages of this option:
- Disadvantages of this option: it is not wheelchair accessible.
6. Tour the city by bus
Turin' s best sightseeing buses offer a complete experience, which will save you time and save you from endless walking around the city. It is perfect for those who have tight itineraries or want to get a first glimpse of the city. It has four routes that can be booked for 24 or 48 hours to get to know the old town, the best local museums, the innovative buildings and the surroundings of Torino.
It is a self-guided tour through pre-recorded commentary, available in several languages, and allows you to get off and on as many times as you want during the contracted time period. I consider it ideal for free souls who do not want to be tied to a group, or depend on a guide. During this experience you will witness the beauty of the Egicipcio Museum, the Royal Palace of Venaria, the Pinacoteca Agnelli and different stops focused on the best local choices.
Details of interest
- Price: from 21 euros per person.
- Duration: you can take the full tour without stops which lasts about an hour, but if you decide to go up and down at your own pace, you may need to dedicate a whole day at least.
- Advantages of this option: you will not depend on a guide, all the information you need is in the free mobile app.
- Disadvantages of this option: it does not usually include tickets for attractions and museums.
7. Immerse yourself in a ghost hunt through Turin
Turin is a city that will undoubtedly make you fall in love through its unpredictable activities, be warned that this tour will create an indestructible connection with the Piedmontese capital. It is a route of exploration, where you can learn while having fun. Dare to travel back in time and learn what this Italian city was like centuries ago, as well as discover interesting stories about magic and the occult.
Among the best things to do in Turin is this original quest that takes you through numerous challenges and obstacles, such as looking for the devil hidden throughout the city. You can do it at your own pace, take rest stops when you need to and you won't need a map, GPS or guide, just a mobile app with directions that will take you from one place to another.
Details of interest
- Price: from 8 euros per person.
- Duration: about an hour and a half, but you can do it at your own pace.
- Means of transport: generally, an application will guide you and the ideal is to make the tour on foot.
- Advantages of this option: it is a game available offline that allows you to get to know Turin from another perspective.
- Disadvantages of this option: this experience is not adapted for wheelchair users.
8. Don't miss out on a street food tour of Turin
Turin's gastronomy is the main attraction of the Piedmontese capital, where the food is so good that you won't want to leave. For this reason, I recommend you to go out on the streets to taste the authentic flavors, through a guided tour of street stalls and traditional restaurants. This way, you can enjoy Piedmontese beer, delicious vermouth wine, savory sandwiches, the Turinese Gofri (which is their unbeatable version of the waffle) and the expected artisanal ice cream.
You may also be offered cheese boards and while walking through its iconic streets, you may have the opportunity to stop at a local family's home. Of course, you can't miss a stop to check out the pizza options in Piedmont, which offer a local version cooked in an iron skillet.
Details of interest
- Price: from 95 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately three hours.
- Means of transport: does not usually include transfers, as the tour is generally done on foot. You can take advantage of the Turin tourist bus route to get around some points.
- Advantages of this option: you may have about 4 gastronomic stops, in the best street stalls of Turin.
- Disadvantages of this option: it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
9. Discover the historic cafes of Turin
You'd better still have an appetite and a stomach, because the local gastronomy is so vast that it's worth reserving a good space in your itinerary. At the time of unification and during the Savoy dynasty, snack time was sacred. In fact, the traditional cafeterias were the meeting place for secret societies, artists, politicians and noblemen.
Hence, its variety of caf és that emerge an attractive smell when breakfast or afternoon snack is approaching. Note that the Turinese are accustomed to snacking under the parameters of the Royal Snack. It is a ritual that is accompanied by different dishes of the local gastronomy, such as chocolates, hot chocolate and savory pastries. This tour takes you to the historic cafes of Turin, among which the following stand out:
- Caffè Mulassano: an open-air coffee bar, where you can sample local delicacies and taste the tramezzino, a sandwich that was created in this peculiar cafe.
- Caffè Baratti: a vintage coffee shop founded in 1858, where I recommend you to taste its delicacies and delight yourself with its enveloping beauty.
Interesting details
- Price: from 75 euros per person.
- Duration: about two hours.
- Means of transport: generally, a meeting point is set to start the walk.
- Advantages of this option: at the end of the tour you will know all the ideal places for breakfast and snacks. In addition, it is generally available in Spanish.
- Disadvantages of this option: it is a very coveted activity, so you have to book in advance.
10. Taste the best wines of Turin
Piedmont produces delicious wines that you have to try, especially if you are in the city where vermouth originated. It is a flavored wine flavored with herbs in different presentations, which was the favorite drink of the nobles. In the streets of Turin it is easy to participate in a wine tasting, through a sensory experience that will test your palate.
You can also visit the Carpano Museum, where the history of local wine production is revealed. It all started when Antonio Benedetto Carpano, opened a small store where he marketed the drink made in an artisanal way. It was such a success that he had to open a bar available around the clock. Today, the family legacy is preserved in this historic building, where you can visit the family home and the factory.
Details of interest
- Price: from 47 euros per person.
- Duration: almost two hours.
- Means of transport: usually a meeting point is fixed, but there is public transport nearby.
- Advantages of this option: visit family wineries and see firsthand how Piedmontese wine is made.
- Disadvantages of this option: you must be of legal age.