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10 Reasons to Add Turin to Your Italy List

There’s more to Italy than just the big cities. Don’t me wrong, I love the modern side of Milan and the bohemian picturesque streets of Rome but I think if travelers are missing on a lot if they are not visiting Turin. So here’s 10 reasons why you should travel to Turin and add it to your Italy list! There are so many reasons on why you should travel to Turin, but I’d go with these 10!

10 Reasons to add Turin to your Italy List:

1. NOT AS CROWDED AS THE BIG 3:

Would you like a holiday away from the crowds and for a change not be pushed and shoved at?? Turin is your choice then! It is less crowded and quieter compared to the big 3 (Rome, Venice and Florence). I was in Turin in the peak season and could eat, drink and walk around without being shoved at. Exactly how a vacation should be! So visit Turin before the city gets run down by mass tourism and consider this post as one of the many posts on “what to do in Turin”.

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Piazza San Carlo

2. BICERIN BICERIN BICERIN:

I cannot stress this fact enough….Turin=Bicerin and Bicerin=Turin. I refuse to have it anywhere else even if I am offered money! Until you haven’t had this heavenly drink, you won’t know what I’m saying… So go to Turin to try Bicerin -a sinful combination of chocolate, espresso and milk with a touch of magic! This should be added to your things to do in Turin.

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Bicerin is sinful!

3. CITY OF MUSEUMS- CINEMA MUSEUM, EYGPTIAN MUSEUM & FIAT MUSEUM:

Museum and history lovers rejoice! Turin is a haven for all of you. There is so much to see and do in Turin, that you might find time to be short. Apart from the amazing Cinema, Egyptian and Fiat museums, there are also stunning palaces of the Savoy Kings and Queens to be visited.

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City of Museums- this is Palazzo Madama

4. EATALY:

If you ever curious about an Italian food museum, Turin helps you. In my humble opinion, it’s called Eataly! You will find everything “Italian” under one roof. Yes, it does promote consumerism but on a holiday I don’t mind splurging a little!

Imagine those tasty holiday treats that your Italian friends share or those vintage looking candy bars that you always wanted. Hunt no more… Consider going to Eataly with an empty stomach and a full credit limit! Don’t say I didn’t tell you 😉

Read Next: 5 Things to do in Turin for Free!

5. MAGICAL RIVER PO:

Before visiting Turin, I thought the only thing missing in the city was the water…. I was wrong. The river Po flows through the city and makes everything look scenic and magestic as it divides the city in two. 

In the evening when the city lights are up, the river gives a misty element and makes Turin seem like a lovely painting. Now wouldn’t you add Turin to your Italy list??

 
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River Po

6. HISTORIC SHOPS AND APERITIVO:

Vienna and Rome have been my top choices for cities with historic coffee shops. But now there’s one more to the list! Turin not only has excellent historic shops but also has the old fashioned vibe that you see in movies. Imagine furniture from the retro era and waiters serving your coffee in old bow ties.

In Turin time really stands still. The city is also the birthplace of Aperitivo which is the Italian tradition of having evening drinks and snacks. I’m not complaining. Are you??! 

7. GETAWAY TO THE COUNTRYSIDE:

In about 30 minutes you can cross Turin’s elegant city life and head to the nearest vineyard or the prettiest side of the country! In about an hour’s drive you can reach the lakes of Maggiore and Orta that make for two stunning day trips. There’s a long list of historic towns such as Alba and Bra famous for truffles, wine and cheese. Mamma mia, traveling to Turin is such an advantage.

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Lake Orta- a great day trip from Turin

8. PIAZZE AND PORTICOES:

The piazze (public squares) in Turin don’t call for attention. They are elegant, chic and effortless. The art nouveau and baroque style makes Turin what it is today. The city happens to be very spacious and you can possibly be the only one at a piazza even at 8-9 in the morning!! Turin is also popular because of its porticoes which makes it easier to shop in even during a rainy day!

9. LITERARY LOVE:

There is literature surrounding the whole city of Turin. You know why?? Writers such as Umberto Eco, Mark Twain, Primo Levi, Italo Calvino, Natalia Ginzburg, Friedrich Nietzsche have admired the city. Turin is a celebration of Italian literature and it was my pleasure to walk the same streets as the writers of the bygone eras.

Turin also has amazing bookshops so if you are an avid reader, visit the second hand book stalls on Via Po. There’s also an annual book fair called the Salone del Libro that happens in May every year!

10. OLD WORLD TRAMS:

If historic stores and old world cafés aren’t enough, Turin is a city of vintage trams. There is a healthy mix of old and new in Turin. So while a metro line connects the newer parts of the city, I, born an old soul, avoided the metro and loved hopping in trams. Sometimes even without a reason!!

So are you sold to visit Turin??

Further Reading:

Pin this Post:

“Senza l’Italia, Torino sarebbe più o meno la stessa. Ma senza Torino, l’Italia sarebbe molto diversa”- Umberto Eco

“Without Italy, Torino would be more or less the same, but without Torino, Italy would be very different”- Umberto Eco

78 Comments

  • […] is an underrated and under-visited city. If you haven’t heard of it, check more about the city in this post here and here. Turin (Torino) is a heaven for all the food enthusiasts and coffee lovers, after all it […]

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  • […] Read next: Why you should visit Turin in Italy […]

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  • […] 10 Reasons why you should visit Turin […]

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  • Caffè al Bicerin dal 1763 – Italophilia
    June 11, 2020 at 11:37 am

    […] 10 Reasons to Add Turin to Your Italy List […]

    Reply
  • Abir
    September 24, 2019 at 12:23 pm

    A big reason to visit Torino was the lack of unmanageable crowds for which Venice and a few other place like Rome are infamous for.
    However, I got more than I bargained in Torino..
    It is a complete package – Food, Scenes, River, Alps (!!), Ice and Snow and of course, Piedmont Wine (Though I was at a loss for the lack of knowledge of the same)
    Would love to visit Torino again.. Thank you Madam for sharing..

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      September 25, 2019 at 9:23 pm

      I understand what you mean!! It really is a complete package 🙂 Thank you for reading my posts.

      Reply
  • fritzgemini
    August 12, 2019 at 10:25 pm

    I had been living in Turin from 1996 to 2010. In these years the city changed a lot, transforming herself from an industrial metropol to a touristic nice place. Now Turin is one of the most important attractions of Italy (in terms of cities) like: Florence, Venice, Rome and Naples, but iy has been lost a lot of the creative soul it had. Turin was the city of Italy where italian cinema was born, as well as the italian Radio/TV, many important newpapers, where two of the most important football clubs of the world have written important pages of this sport: Torino AC (legendary team in the 1st half of XX century), Juventus FC (more important after II World War). Turin is the city where Nietzsche found his final shelter, for writing Hecce Homo, where union of Italy was defined as well. There are hundreds of traces of this. Last but not least, the design of the most important car found here their designer and machine shop: Bertone, Pininfarina. I would like to remember 3 things related to that: the movie “Italian Job” entirely made in Turin in the ’60s, the car Fiat 500, the designer Tom Tjaara (father of Pantera De Tomaso, who spent in Turin some of his most important working days).

    Reply
  • Barbara Skinner
    June 9, 2019 at 6:31 pm

    Don’t forget the Borgo Medievale! One of my favorites!

    Reply
  • Usman
    August 19, 2018 at 12:03 am

    I’m originally from Pakistan. I did my BS and MS from turin and start working in turin. It is almost 7 years i’m living In turin never get bored . I traveled a lot. Visitled so many places. I would say there is no city like turin for living.

    Reply
    • Italophilia
      August 19, 2018 at 10:47 am

      How cool, Usman!! I can imagine. Turin has everything and is even close to the sea.

      Reply
  • Alice | Girl with a saddle bag
    August 18, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    I’ve travelled through Turin airport countless times but I’ve never made it to the city centre to explore. It looks incredible! And I adore aperitivo, I can’t think of anything better than sipping and Aperol spritz in Turin. If you fancy an alternative day out from the city centre, try taking a train up to the nearby Susa valley – it’s closer than the lakes and the mountain towns and resorts here are just beautiful.

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    • Italophilia
      August 18, 2018 at 7:53 pm

      I hope you can visit next time!! The Susa Valley was missed both times because I traveled to other parts around Turin. That being said, its on my mind. And you will love the Bicerin in Turin!

      Reply
  • […] Italophilia: 10 Reasons to Add Turin to your Italy List […]

    Reply
    • Ishita
      June 15, 2018 at 6:43 pm

      Grazie cara!! I just shared this on my Facebook page. Can’t wait for you to have Bicerin 😉

      Reply
  • Arianna Bongioanni
    March 31, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    Ps: nice blog! 😊

    Reply
  • Arianna Bongioanni
    March 31, 2018 at 11:17 pm

    I am so happy to see someone writing about Turin! It is not a popular choice among travelers, but should be. It is an elegant and amazing city indeed!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      April 1, 2018 at 10:12 am

      Thanks so much 🙂 happy you found it so. Buona Pasqua!

      Reply
  • aesha thakur
    December 27, 2017 at 12:48 pm

    Great post,Ishita 🙂 now wishing to visit it soon 😜

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 27, 2017 at 12:52 pm

      thanks darling :*

      Reply
  • ruggeropellegrin
    December 21, 2017 at 1:16 am

    What a fantastic review of my hometown! I am really glad to see how much you’ve enjoyed it. There are many reasons behind the fascinating appeal of this city one of them is indeed the fact that Torino has been the very first Capital city of Italy (the Italian kingdom at that time). Thanks for this great post!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 21, 2017 at 1:40 am

      I’m so happy you liked it! It’s the best compliment from a local. I’d love to return to your fascinating city 🇮🇹

      Reply
  • pamelaallegretto
    December 15, 2017 at 1:47 am

    Lovely post. Grazie mille!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 15, 2017 at 7:18 pm

      Thank you for reading 🙂

      Reply
  • stellalucentellc
    December 14, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Reblogged this on Conversational Italian!.

    Reply
  • stellalucentellc
    December 14, 2017 at 1:44 pm

    You are so right. For some reason, Turin has not been able to capture the world’s imagination, but it represents some of the best Italy has to offer. Look for a reblog of this post next year!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 15, 2017 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you for the reblog! It really does represent the best x

      Reply
  • IngridMadisonAve
    December 14, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Gorgeous pics and description.

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    • Ishita
      December 15, 2017 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks Ingrid

      Reply
  • DreamDiscoverItalia.com
    December 14, 2017 at 2:16 am

    Turin is so underrated and little known but its an absolute gem. I loved it and love your post Ishita, grazie!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 14, 2017 at 8:30 am

      Thanks Liz! It’s really a gem

      Reply
  • DireFareMole
    December 13, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    My beautiful hometown 🙂 Grazie!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 14, 2017 at 8:29 am

      🙂 Prego!

      Reply
  • Image Earth Travel
    December 13, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    Looks amazing!
    I’ve only passed through Turino on a bus and will have to return as I also have a cousin that lives there. 😉

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    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 4:49 pm

      Many more reasons to go then 🙂

      Reply
  • Tanja
    December 13, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    and chocolate Gianduia!

    Reply
  • karenincalabria
    December 13, 2017 at 11:06 am

    You make a compelling argument. It’s on my list.

    Reply
  • amindfultravellerblog
    December 13, 2017 at 7:11 am

    Ahhh, Turin. A city I am still yet to discover. I have heard lots of great things about it and your list confirms. I must check out that Bicerin, and if you love trams, you must visit Melbourne one day! Xx

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    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 10:18 am

      I’m coming …😍🤣 I love trams!

      Reply
      • amindfultravellerblog
        December 13, 2017 at 10:35 am

        There is even a restaurant tram! It is an older tram tram that circles the city while you dine! I am yet to try it out so when you get here we’ll make it a date 👍🏼😉😂

        Reply
  • The Wayfarer
    December 13, 2017 at 4:42 am

    I just booked a trip to Turin in March! I will definitely check these places out.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 10:18 am

      Yay! It will be so fun 🙂

      Reply
  • Francesca
    December 13, 2017 at 3:27 am

    I’m keen to get to Torino one day- missed out this year. And I love cities with trams.

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    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 10:19 am

      Next time I hope. I feel I didn’t even scratch the surface!

      Reply
      • Francesca
        December 13, 2017 at 12:25 pm

        Italy is always like that.

        Reply
  • timelessitaly
    December 13, 2017 at 12:29 am

    Yes! Turin is an amazing city and your list is fabulous, Ishita. Well done….and totally convincing as it should be:)

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    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 10:19 am

      Thank you dear

      Reply
  • Darlene
    December 12, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    OK, now Turin is on my list.

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    • Ishita
      December 13, 2017 at 10:19 am

      My job is done! How far are from you from North Italy?

      Reply
      • Darlene
        December 13, 2017 at 12:42 pm

        About a 2 day drive. <3

        Reply
  • Theodora Evans
    December 12, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    Well, looks like I need to go back to Italy. 😉 Looks great!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Haha we all do! I think we need a reason 😉

      Reply
  • Calysta Hannah
    December 12, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Fantastic post. I have added Turin to my list!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks dear

      Reply
  • Francis
    December 12, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    You have chosen your reasons very well. I quite agree torino is dpecial.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 10:13 pm

      Thank you 🙂 it is

      Reply
  • marilyneb
    December 12, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    What a great reminder of everything that’s wonderful about Turin. I’ve been once and would love to go back. I’d definitely agree with you on the Bicerin even though I’m not normally a coffee drinker. I’d add a few things to your list including the fabulous Roman era ruins (the Porta Palatina city gate is stunning) and the Archaeology Museum (accessed via a ticket to the Musei Reale) which has some wonderful Roman era finds including the Marengo Treasure. Fans of the Italian Job film should visit the Agnelli Gallery situated on top of the Lingotto shopping centre on the site of the old Fiat Factory. Handily that’s also near Eataly.
    I’m not a car fan as I don’t drive, but the National Auto Museum had some amazing exhibits. And further afield, we had a great tour (in Italian) of the Savoy royal tombs in the stunning hilltop Basilica of Superga. And Stupinigi’s royal hunting lodge (palazzina di caccia) is well worth a little trip out of town.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 10:14 pm

      Thanks dear! Your tour of the tombs sounds very interesting I’ll check it out next time. Thanks for all the points ..

      Reply
      • marilyneb
        December 12, 2017 at 10:24 pm

        It was a choice between that or a tour of the basilica’s royal apartments. As this was starting sooner we went for it, but really interesting to understand more.

        Reply
  • thefunnyoneblog
    December 12, 2017 at 8:47 pm

    I loved visiting Turin! It simply has it all: culture, lots of tourist attraction, amazing landscape, and as you said, not as crowded as other cities from Italy. One of my favorite places in Turin was Basilica Superga, from where you can have a gorgeous view of the whole city.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 8:59 pm

      I missed it when I visited this time..kinda waiting to see the view from there one day 😍

      Reply
  • pblevitt
    December 12, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    One of my favorite cities and you have captured it beautifully!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 8:59 pm

      Grazie Paula 😍

      Reply
  • Sheree
    December 12, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    I don’t live too far from Turin though it took me a while to getting around to visiting it. It’s a delightful spot, wholly underated.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:52 pm

      Oh i never knew! Where do you stay?? Totally agree

      Reply
  • krisbrazil
    December 12, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    Wonderful post! Can’t wait to go now!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:49 pm

      So happy that you want to!

      Reply
  • Amber Bourke
    December 12, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    Love, love, love this post! I’ve lived in Italy for nearly 4 years now and still advent got to Torino yet but reading your post makes me want to get there ASAP!

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      Aw thank you Amber! I’m happy you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  • mytimetotravel
    December 12, 2017 at 7:45 pm

    I loved Turin too, even in not so good weather. The arcades came in handy! See: https://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/enjoying-turin/

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:48 pm

      I’ll check it out after dinner. Thank you!

      Reply
  • baumanolly
    December 12, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    I’ve been in Turin and I agree with your thoughts 😉 Moreover, shopping there is definitely more pleasant than in Milan. Especially during the sales season – all sizes available, the shops are not crowded. Amazing! The city is very beautiful 😍

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:21 pm

      I’ve never shopped in Milan. I’ve seen the city for only a few hours, must remedy that..Turin is a gem x

      Reply
  • Cigarafterten
    December 12, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Reblogged this on CIGARAFTERTEN.

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:17 pm

      Thank you;)

      Reply
  • bellacibo72
    December 12, 2017 at 7:03 pm

    Bellissima Torino! Grazie per i tuoi utili consigli

    Reply
    • Ishita
      December 12, 2017 at 7:06 pm

      Prego cara! 🤗

      Reply

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