Description:
Turin has a unique feel, with the Alps as a backdrop, tiny scooters zipping in and out of the traffic and 18 kilometres of porticoes, its an incredible fusion of baroque and modern. A city almost created for walking, and with a stay in Town House 70 in the heart of Italy's first capital, it's possible to explore many of the major landmarks on foot.
View Iternary mapDay Note:
With only a weekend to see the city, stay close to the city's heart at the Town House 70 hotel, within walking distance of many of Turin's most interesting sights. Town House 70 is one of Turin's chicest hotels, where outstanding service along with an elegant mix of traditional and minimal boutique design is combined with style, elegance and sophistication. Begin with a stroll to Piazza Castello, one of Turin's iconic landmarks, and find an espresso or cappuccino...read more
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Palazzo Madama
Contact:
- +39 011 443 3501
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza Castello
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Map
Description:
The Palazzo Madama is situated in the centre of Piazza Castello, with its facade facing Via Garibaldi. It takes its name from the two Royal Dames who lived here, Maria Cristina and Giovanna Battista. During past centuries, it was the home of the Savoy family, as well as the site of the signing of important treaties, and the seat of the Italian Senate when Turin was the country's capital. Today it houses the Antica Museum of Art. Its historical date is somewhat difficult to determine because it has been continually reconstructed throughout its history. The oldest part is the Roman Porta Pretoria. The back of the building dates to a thirteenth century castle which can still be seen in the two towers situated at each corners. The typically baroque facade was built in the seventeenth century by the architect Filippo Juvarra. The internal staircase is also attributed to him and is one of the best examples of the Piedmontese baroque style.
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Palazzo Reale e Giardini Reali
Contact:
- 0039 (0) 11 43 61 455
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza Castello
- Turin,Piedmont10121
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Map
Description:
On the north-eastern side of Piazza Castello, a little square can be seen. It is called the Piazzetta Reale, and is closed by a cast-iron gate topped by statues of the Dioscuri, twin brothers of Helen of Troy. On the far side of Piazza Reale is a view of the Royal Palace, residence of the Savoy family since 1865. It is possible to go on a guided tour through the various rooms where the rulers of the Savoy household once lived. The Royal Gardens are of particular interest, as they are situated behind the palace, and play host to various open-air bars and evening entertainment during the summer months.
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Caffè di Palazzo Madama
Contact:
- +39 011 443 3501
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza Castello
- Palazzo Madama
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Map
Description:
The café is located on first floor of Palazzo Madama, in the very heart of Turin. Juvarra's architecture and the frescoes on the walls make it one of the most interesting cafés in town. There is also a large quiet room which wide windows overlooking the square. After a visit to the museum it is a nice spot to have cappuccino, coffee or hot chocolate and taste the Acaia cake made of almonds flour, cacao, vanilla and peaches. If you don't have a sweet tooth there are plenty of tramezzini and small panini sandwiches. The cheese and breasaola tastes great. A lot of events and functions are also held in this space, check website for details.
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Arcadia
Contact:
- +39 (0) 11 56 13 898
- visit website
Location:
- Galleria Subalpina, Piazza Castello
- Turin,Piedmont10123
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Map
Description:
Arcadia, located in Galleria dell'Industria Subalpina one of the picturesque galleries of last century urbanization in the heart of the city has set up an interesting formula offering a double choice. You can eat Japanese or taste a revised new Piedmontese cuisine which uses classic ingredients from the area prepared in a lighter and creative way. How would you like to try Sformato di Castelmagno; (a Langhe cheese) with lettuce cream? The result is appealing.
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Teatro Regio Torino
Contact:
- +39 011 881 5557
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza Castello 215
- Giardino Reale
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Map
Description:
The idea of building the Teatro Regio Torino started in 1713 when the Duke of Savoy became the King of Piedmont, but they had to wait until 1738 before any work began. Designed by Filippo Juvarra, it was built by Benedetto Alfieri and opened to the public in 1749. A fire in 1936 and bombins during World War II destroyed the Regio, which was then rebuilt with a plan by the architect Carlo Molino and the engineer Marcello Zavelani-Rossi in 1966, and reopened in 1973. There is a large plaque on the ground at the entrance to the theater which has the dates 1740-1973 engraved in Roman numerals. The Baroque style is luxurious and perfectly suited to a theater which offers the most famous operas in the world.
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Town House 70
Contact:
- +39 011 1970 0003
- visit website
Location:
- Via Xx Settembre 70
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Map
Description:
The Turin branch of the Town House chain seeks to please its guests by providing a wide range of amenities. The hotel Town House 70 has a multilingual staff, special luggage rooms and Internet access. Car hire, sports, theatre, sightseeing, room service, an in-house bar, meeting facilities and comfortable rooms are other features of Town House 70.
Day Note:
Start the morning, by visiting Italy's National Cinema Museum, housed inside the Mole Antonelliana, Turin's iconic building designed by Alessandro Antonelli in 1863. Once Europe's highest masonary building at some 500 feet, today it's image appears on the Italian 2 Euro coin. If it is a clear day, don't miss the opportunity to take the panoramic lift to the viewing platform for great views of the Alps and across the city. If not, skip the ride up, and enjoy...read more
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Mole Antonelliana
Contact:
- +39 ( 0) 11 53 51 81
- visit website
Location:
- Via Montebello 20
- Turin,Piedmont10124
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Map
- user rating
Description:
This iconic building is in many ways Turin's Eiffel Tower, the symbol of Turin. A 167.5 metre landmark, originally planned as a synagogue by Alessandro Antonelli, it was the highest brick building in the world at the time of its completion and remains the tallest building in Turin. Damaged by a storm in 1953, the spire was rebuilt, following its collapse, in metal with a stone overlay. Today it is home to Italy's National Cinema Museum.
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Museo del Cinema
Contact:
- +39 011 813 8560
- visit website
Location:
- Via Montebello 20
- Turin,Piedmont10124
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Map
Description:
Founded in 1941 by Maria Adriana Prolo, the Museo Nazionale del Cinema is a delight to behold. Of course, the most appealing sight is the building that houses the museum: the Mole Antonelliana. An unusual structure, this architectural marvel is definitely a sight to see for its architectural details. Inside the museum, a whole new world of treasure awaits you. This museum boasts collections that would pique the interests of the most avid cinema-lover. Among the collections are photographs, archives, posters, films and a lot more, pertaining to the history of Italian as well as World Cinema. Do visit this museum and find out for yourself why it is one of the most preferred museums for visitors. See the website for more information.
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Caffè Fiorio
Contact:
- +39 (0)11 81 70 612
- visit website
Location:
- Via Pò, 8
- Turin,Piedmont10123
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Map
- user rating
Description:
Established in 1780 and known as 'the ponytail café' for its patronage by aristocrats, officials and politicians of the time. Some say it was here that Italy's political future was plotted by Cavour and Garibaldi, this may be so, for it certainly was a place where people met to discuss their thoughts and air their opinions. Today the interior still maintains an elegance from a byegone era with its sumptuous interior and Caffè Fiorio serves a varety of rich fare including traditional coffees, a delicious lunch buffet and some of Turin's best homemade gelato made to a secret recipe. Don't miss the 'Gianduiotto con crema e panna', their classic gelato.
Day Note:
Its your last today, so head for the Turin's Egyptian Museum, second only to Cairo, it is full of amazing ancient artefacts. Its very easy to spend many hours here but don't miss the Galleria Sabauda, which is in the same building, housing the Royal art collections.
After all this culture head for one of Italy's most stunning and beautiful squares, known locally as Turin's drawing room. Piazza San Carlo is perfectly laid out, porticoed and elegantly proportioned....read more
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Museo Egizio
Contact:
- +39 011 561 7776
- visit website
Location:
- Via Accademia delle Scienze 6
- Palazzo dell'Accademia delle Scienze
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Map
Description:
Second only to the museum in Cairo, the Museo Egizio was founded in 1924. From then, the museum has expanded and now holds over 30,000 pieces, many of which are discoveries from the Italian Archeological Mission in the last century. 5000 years of art, religion, and daily life in the time of the Pharaohs are illustrated here through real treasures including the black statue of Ramses II, the book of death, the tomb of Kha and Merit, and the rocky temple of Ellesiya. Various cultural events happen here from time to time. Check website for more details.
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Galleria Sabauda
Contact:
- +39 011 440 6903
- visit website
Location:
- Via Accademia delle Scienze 6
- Palazzo dell'Accademia delle Scienze
- Turin,Piedmont10123
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Map
Description:
Located within the Palazzo dell'Accademia delle Scienze, the Galleria Sabauda was established by 1832 King Carlo Alberto in 1832. Some 28 years later the Galleria was handed over to the State by Victor Emmanuel II and now contains a fine collection of paintings including the royal art collections amassed by the House of Savoy. There is work by local Piemontese artists and from other Italian schools such as Lombard, Venetian, and Emilian as well as the prestigious paintings from the Flemish, Dutch, and Northern Schools.
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Caffè Torino
Contact:
- +39 (0) 11 54 51 18
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza San Carlo, 204
- Turin,Piemonte10121
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Map
- user rating
Description:
One of the city's grandest cafés and most elegant meeting places, located in the beautiful Piazza San Carlo, known locally as 'Turin's drawing room'. Caffé Torino opened in 1903 and moved to its present location in the 1930's during the rebuiding of Via Roma. A favourite haunt of actors, poets and politicians, Cesare Pavese and Alcide De Gasperi were regulars, as were Brigitte Bardot and Ava Gardener. Caffé Torino is decorated with a heady mixture of cream and pistachio, glinting mirrors and sparkling chandeliers plus a belle epoque winding staircase. Famous quotations from international literary history adorn the walls and one above the bar pays homage to coffee: "dolce come l'amore, puro come un angelo, caldo come l'inferno". The atmosphere is definitely elegant but relaxed. In fair weather sitting at one of the outdoor tables, covered by 17th century porticoes, is a must. Between 18:00 and 21:00 you can snack off a fabulous selection of dishes and platters laid out along the bar for around 7 €. Don't forget to look out for the bull embedded in the pavement just outside, standing on his balls could bring you luck!
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Caffè San Carlo
Contact:
- +39 (0)11 53 25 86
- visit website
Location:
- Piazza San Carlo, 156
- Turin,Piedmont10121
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Map
- user rating
Description:
Caffè San Carlo is one of Turin's oldest and most famous, in many ways, it is the essence of Turin's café culture, a place where you can have an espresso or prosecco in real style. Early chroniclers called it "a palace", hardly surprising as the lavish mixture of gilded mirrors, rich plasterwork and classical art is topped with a very large helping of Murano chandelier. In 1832 it became the first café in all of Italy to use gas lighting, which enhanced the interior, a favourite of Cavour and a place where the Risorgimento patriots met. Today its the perfect place to pause, reflect and people watch, whether in the morning to see the locals 'take' their heart starting espresso and enjoy a chocolate or cream pastry, or in the evenings when they return for free stuzzichini (almost all the cafés feature these evening snacks, if you pay for a drink you can help yourself to an aladdin's cave of pizzette, frittata, roated vegetables, salads, cheese, salami, olives, bread and more!) and an aperitivo. A Torinese 'must do' since 1822.
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The Bull in Piazza San Carlo
Contact:
- +39 011 535 181
Location:
- Piazza San Carlo
- Turin,Piedmont10121
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Map
- user rating
Description:
Although the reasons why are obscure, the city has always been symbolized by a bull, but whatever the origin of the association, it must have had a positive value. This is the case with the bull in Piazza San Carlo. It is said that to tread on its horns, or even better its genitals, will bring great fortune. The only thing is that it must be done accidentally. And for this reason, you will not be told in what part of the square the bull is to be found, hoping that you will tread on him by accident!
- Destination(s): Turin
- Type: Best of...,First time visit,Romantic
- 3 DAYS
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