Things to Do in Turin

“The road to Memphis and Thebes passes through Turin,” wroteJean-FrançoisChampollion, quite the pro at deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, famously wrote.He wasn’t exaggerating – the Egyptian Museum of Turin is the only museum besides the Cairo museum that is dedicated solely to showcasing a collection of Egyptian art and culture. The museum’s archaeological excavations carried out between 1900-1920 yieldedartefacts which were divided between the excavators and Egypt, and these artefacts which have been enlarged and are displayed at the Museum today. The nucleus of the collection includes 300 pieces retrieved by botanist Vitaliano Donati from Egypt, as commissioned by King Charles Emmanuel III in 1753.

The collection is just priceless with a range of fascinating items inclusingAssemblea dei Re (Kings Assembly), a collection of statues representing all the kings of the New Kingdom, sacrogaphi, mummies and most startling of all – three copies of the ‘Egyptian Book of the Dead’, including the most ancient one. The illustrated version and the personal copy of the First Royal Architect Khaare on display for visitors but it so happens that the director of the Museum has been requested to remove the two copies of the book more than once and stock them away as the papyrus on which they inscribed is said to emanate "negative energy". The books remain on display till date.

Not particularly for the faint-hearted, is it?  This museum is steeped in ancient history, a haven of fascinating information for anthropologists, Egyptologists and the average intrigued tourist alike.

What could be more blissful than a temporary suspension of reality? Museo Nazionale Del Cinema or the Museum of National Cinema in Turin, Italy, is made of the stuff of dreams forescapists and film lovers all over the world. A former synagogue that is now an Italian motion picture museum, it isfitted out rather peculiarly inside the Mole Antonelliana tower, a fascinating structure that is an architectural symbol of the city.

At the core of its collection lies the invaluable contribution of the historian and collector Maria Adriana Prolo that gave the museum the impetus to flourish by creating a sacred place where documents related to film could be preserved.The Museum of National Cinema is today an incredibly important contribution to cinema at an international level and is guaranteed to take you on a trip down the memory lane of cinema.The museum plays host to several festivals, the most prestigious of which is the Torino Film Festival.

A panoramic elevator with transparent glass walls within the museumruns in 59 seconds in a single span in a free fall without any intermediate floors, giving the viewer a breath-taking view of the whole museum from the top with the 300,000 posters on display, and the animation taking place in the dome. Watch out for dizzy people in that 8-people lift!

Housing pre-cinematographic optical devices, the museum showcases quaint and long-forgotten techniques like peepshows and magic lanterns for lighting that will leave you awash in a nostalgia you can’t even explain. Thoughtfully curated technologies from bygone eras as well as current times, stage props from early Italian movies and other film paraphernalia populate the area of the museum over several display levels linked by an elegant wooden staircase.

At the end of the stairs,the main central hall - called Temple Hall – lies just under the dome, impressively dotted with genre-specific cinema theme movie sets and comfy chaise-longues where you can watch historic movie trailers. La Dolce Vita begins here, friends.

The Mole Antonelliana is a brainchild and a labour of love rolled into one, the architectural symbol of Turin named after its creator Alessandro Antonelli. A daring feat in design at the time of its construction, beginning in 1863 soon after the Italian reunification, the Mole has quite a romantic history in its wake.

Initially constructed to be a synagogue, the Mole witnessed several hiccups in the backdrop of Antonelliana’s unhappy relationship with the Jewish community. An exchange was proposed by way of the construction of a Moorish Revival synagogue on a piece of land and thus the ownership of the Mole was passed over to the city of Turin. Its construction saw fruition in 1938 but the drama continued and at the hands of a violent cloudburst and tornado in 1953, the uppermost pinnacle was completely destroyed. It was rebuilt in 1961, with a special feature called the panoramic lift to celebrate the centennial of the unification of Italy.

Since 2000, the Mole has been home to the National Museum of Cinema capturing the journey of film through the ages, leaving film fans in awe. Even if you’re running a little short on time to comb the museum, don’t miss the highlight: the panoramic lift with glass walls that takes you up the levels of the highest museum in the world. Right through the centre without any stops you go, to be regaled with over 300,000 movie posters and inconceivable film paraphernalia from bygone eras. One moment you’ll just be your regular old self probably clicking a couple of pictures and the next moment, you will find yourself at the apex of the dome, feeling like goddamn Charlie from Dahl’s Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, as the city and the Alps sprawl around you in the distance.

The ground floor or Temple Hall is also a great place to unwind and watch a couple of old movie trailers while admiring the genre-wise scattering of movie sets. Have no doubt, this one is quite the charmer and a feat of storytelling (of cinema) in itself. 

Try and get there half an hour before the panoramic lift begins for the day (around 10AM) to beat the crowd and make the trip up without getting too jostled.

Be sure to get a bundle ticket, to get access to both the panoramic lift as well as the museum – plus, you get a discount!

Evenings in the middle of the week are a great time to visit the museum.

The Mole Antonelliana is a distinctive symbol and one of the most popular attractions in the city of Turin. Reaching early is usually preferred as the line for tickets for Mole Antonelliana usually becomes quite long a couple of hours after opening. Mole Antonelliana ticket prices seem to be high, but if you go in for combo tickets then the tickets are absolutely worth the experience and view. Buy tickets for Mole Antonelliana from our ticketing portal for exclusive discounts and deals. Mole Antonelliana tickets are best bought in advance because of its high popularity.

Juventus Stadium is said to sparkle with electricity during a game. This is generally put down to football history accumulated over the years as it is built on the site of Juventus's and Torino's former home, the Stadio delle Alpi.

Juventus’ one-up on its predecessor is the structure of the stands which gives priority to the fans; 41,000 people can now be seated for a match with markedly boosted sightlines. The sound and acoustics create an atmosphere of escalating euphoria, breathing new life and doing great service to Italian football, which has been working to improve stadium attendances for a while now.

With stands just 7.5 m from the pitch, the audience has been able to watch the game that has become religion from closer proximity than ever since the stadium’s opening in the 2011-2012 season. Located in a quiet residential area in the outskirts of Turin, this UFO-like structure has won hearts over the world.Hosting the 2014 UEFA Europa League Finals,fans witnessed Spanish side Sevilla secure their third title in eight years, playing against Portuguese side Benfica.

A guided tour of the stadium includes access to the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel and media areas and is complemented nicely by the Juventus museum (near Mecca for Juventus fans) and a shopping mall that leaves fans coming back for more. Even vaguely resentful relatives of football fanatics have been known to become converts upon visiting the stadium with its polite staff and awe-inspiring atmosphere.Get your beers ready and enjoy the Alps in the distance before the kick-off: here’s where you need to be to warm up to game, relieve old glories and witness new ones unfold.

The National Automobile Museum, or Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile, is a roaring celebration of the most revered status symbols since the advent of the Italian economic boom: the car. It boasts of a collection including vintage Italian cars such as a Fiat from 1899 and a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost from 1914, in addition to racing cars from Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, it is located in one of the prettiest areas in ‘motor city’ Turin, Northern Italy.

Breaking new ground with its post-makeover amenities, the National Automobile Museum houses three floors with themes, sauntering down which you will be taken on a journey. The first recounts the evolution of cars, the second portrays the different social implications of how humans use cars (for example, as a sport in car racing) and the third gives you a glimpse into the future of cars.

Put your seat belts on for the ride because this museum is quickly carving its own niche amongst the most innovative cultural centres in Europe. Besides specialists, it’s also an absolute delight for those who consider themselves ‘non-car people’ with its concise and vivid descriptions and its classiest pieces displayed with aplomb.

Named after founder Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia, the museum underwent a radical renovation and extension to reopen in 2011.The intelligent redesign combines rich Italian architecture with cutting-edge innovation, to showcase 200 cars among 80 automobile brands representing eight countries (Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Spain, United States of America and Poland).

The Piazza, a large square constructed for large-scale events like awards ceremonies, fashion shows, theatrical performances, is the most charming place to step out for a breather or perhaps indulge yourself in discussion with like-minded people. With a bookshop loaded with a wealth of automobile trivia, a souvenir shop that is real value for money and a cafeteria to boot, here’s an automobile fanatic’s dream come true!

Bask in the quaint and the medieval street of Piazza San Carlo gazing endlessly at the timeless architecture of the buildings adorning the place. Exploring the square is free of cost and although there is no need for Piazza San Carlo tickets, getting tickets for Piazza San Carlo from our tickets section will help you experience the true essence of Piazza San Carlo as it comes with a knowledgeable tour guide, included as a part of the Piazza San Carlo ticket prices. Without further adieu buy tickets for Piazza San Carlo and travel back time, Italian style!

Piazza San Carlo has changed names several times over the course of historysince its establishment in 1638, known at different points as Piazza Reale, Piazza d'Armi and Place Napoléon.It has never, however, lost its esteemed place as one of the most important squares in Turin and evolved to be quite the people-watcher’s paradise. Today, it is affectionately referred to as the ‘salotto’ or the living room of Turin.

Gone are the days of honking vehicles and road rage! This is the place to be if your idea of a good time consists of sipping a nice aperitif surrounded by elegant Baroque buildings, and finding some peace in watching the world pass you by. If you are there at the right time, you might even be privy to some interesting local paradesand food festivals.

The piazza is lined with photogenic arched walkways and smack in the middle of the bustling piazza, in a position of pride, looms the equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto (known to all as “El Caval èd brons”), sculpted by Carlo Marocchetti in 1838. The South end of the Piazza has two churches with architecture that is breathtakingly striking and traditionally Italian.

The picturesque porticoed buildings surrounding the area populated by pedestrians house quaint bars, restaurants and shops that are sure to elicit joy (not to mention materialistic lust) in the hearts of travellers out for some indulgence. Cash in on that feeling with the delicious and varied local food available in some of the most beautiful antique cafes. The coffee and pastries are divine here, and they are dished up with signature Italian panache.

The square has an area of 12,768 square meters and cuts into the road axis of Via Roma, which connects Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Felice.

The Piazza San Carlo is a cultural hub that has witnessed several socially and historically significant events including elettoriali comedians, concerts, festivals, labour disputes and grand celebrations of Juventus football club’s achievements.

Try and drop by Caffe San Carlo, known historically for being the first restaurant to get gas lighting in the square, enhancing the grandeur of the adorning statues.

The Galleria d'Arte Moderna or the Gallery of Modern Art is nearby and it contains one of the premier collections of modern art in Italy. Works by artists such as Modigliani, De Chirico, Carrà, De Pisis and Guttuso, as well as paintings from Renoir, Paul Klee, Chagall and more lie in store for the art aficionado. 

If royal treatment has ever fascinated you, La Venaria Reale will beckon to you in its resplendent glory, a massive complex in Piedmont including the baroque Royal Palace and the 3000 hectare La Mandria Park. Both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, they were home to the largest restoration initiative in Europe, involving an investment of 200 million Euros. They threw open their doors to a new lease of life in 2007, merging into one extravagant monumental site.

The Reggia di Venaria Reale is the Royal Palace, formerly used as a Savoy residence, an epitome of baroque art and architecture.It is truly one of the most breathtaking beautiful royal residences in Europe and the many intricate frescoes, tapestries, armour and original paintings are a visual feast.Constructed at the behest of The Duke Carlo Emanuele II, the architect Amedeo di Castellamonte established it in the mid-17th century to make the base of hunting parties in the lush hill county north of Turin. Altessano thus became Venaria and the village and the palace were connected to form an entire new municipality within Turin. Over the centuries, it has faced the reorganization of gardens by new kings, the wrath of the French and severe damage during the siege of Turin. That entire village area, the hunting grounds and the many annexes have persevered and withstood the toil of time and remain a part of the Palace.

La Mandaria Park, a horse breeding and equestrian center in the 18th century for the Savoy kings, is one of the most significant examples of a European environmental preservation centre. Domestic and wild animals gallivant side-by-side in the forest environment, dotted with important historic buildings, a protected area since 1978.

La Venaria Reale beckons to you indeed; Turin’s vibrant culture, art and nature in all its glory.

The Piazza Vittorio Veneto is where the city meets the river Po, at one end of the square and the atmosphere it creates is quite the oxymoron.The Piazza is crisscrossed by streets and trams and bus lines while still retaining an inherent vibe of tranquillity, probably because of the covered promenade surrounding the area.

The characteristic Italian porticoed buildings add to the charm of the place and the cafes and restaurants are a dream come true for foodies. The Piazza is unwavering in its elegance and architectural grandeur throughout the day - but the night dining scene here really takes the cake (or the tiramisu as the case may be). The energy of the Piazza takes a definite upswing post-sunset with young folks, families, couples, tourists and locals alike stepping out enjoy some delicious food with excellent wine. Definitely your go-to place if you’re looking to spend some quality time in an upbeat place.

Located at the end of Via Po, the square closes the bridge Vittorio Emanuele I that connects to the Piazza della Gran Madre Church of God and was traditionally used as a parade ground in the 17th centurybecause of the unevenness of the ground that amplified the visual impact during the military parades.

Designed by the architect Giuseppe Frizzi and completed in 1825, the Piazza’s present name was granted to it post the First World War, in remembrance of the victorious battle of Vittorio Veneto. Since 1945, it has also been the meeting point for celebrations of May Day. 

Located in the Palazzo Madama, the Civic Museum of Ancient Art or the Museo civico d'arte antica will have you from the word go. The rooms themselves will leave you slack-jawed in their design and the art they house will leave your eyes hungering for more, making it a tour of both the centuries-old Palazzo itself as well as the art housed in the 35rooms across four floors, exhibiting pieces ranging from curios to fashion to china to art work on the walls and ceilings.

Founded in 1934, the museum is often regarded as the heir of the Pinacoteca Regia and the Galleria Reale, established in Palazzo Madama by King Charles Albert of Savoy in 1832. It was reopened in 2006 after several years of restoration.

The basement, down by the Roman foundations, is where the Lapidario Medievale (the medieval stonework collection) is with stone sculptures and jewellery, while the ground floor pays homage to the 15thcentury castle and to the art of the Middle Ages and of the Renaissance. The Baroque rooms on the first floor contain the art of the 17th and 18thcenturies with aplomb while the second floor gives you a glimpse into the decorative arts of all ages: ceramics, ivories, jewellery, fabrics, glasswork.The expert use of mirrors in the chandeliers of the Palazzo gives the impression of space, making it a heady experience.

The lift to the tower area leads you to the top floor, an open viewing room of the city that is truly stunning.

The cafe is the building dishes up some delicious food and is great to stop by at for a breather, because chances are – you’re going to be browsing through these halls for a couple of hours at least.

National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento or Museo nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano is often regarded as the king of the 23 museums in the country dedicated to the Risorgimento or the Italian Revolution, whereby the different states, republics and duchies of the Italian peninsula were unified to form the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century.It is the only one considered of major ‘national’ importance.

For fans of the Risorgimento, this museum is a dream come true because within these 30 chambers you will find not just an overview of the Unification of Italy, but a lot of context by way of the time before and after it, venturing into the histories of France, Austria and the UK as well. Since its restoration, the museum has employed cutting-edge innovations to make this rich collection very impressively organised and exhibited, with multilingual audio-guides as well as tours in Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, and Russian.

If time is limited in Turin, make sure this one features on your list!  Gear up for lots of mementos and an extraordinary collection of political propaganda (Napoleonic, Garibaldian and some French as well), ads, prints, paintings and cartographs, paintings, posters, prints, documents, uniforms topped off by gorgeous ceilings in the rooms themselves. And in the midst of it all is preserved the first Italian Chamber of Deputies. The museum also houses the original manuscript of the National Anthem (the second copy, the first of which is in Genoa).

Some of the hallseven screen short films on historical landmarks such as the Industrial Revolutionand while the films arein Italian, the English subtitles are very coherent.

Don’t forget to stroll around in the Palazzo Carignano, irrefutably one of the most beautiful buildings in Turin!

The Museo d’Arte Orientale or the Museum of Oriental Art is a little bit of a surprise package in Turin – but what an experience it is. The last thing one would expect to find in Turin is a world-class assortment of Buddhist art and artefacts from countries like Japan, China, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Tibet, but there it is, housed in Palazzo Mazzonis, an 18th century aristocratic residence located in one of the pedestrianareas of the old city centre. The collection has often been cited by visitors as being second only to the Guimet Museum in Paris, but there are quite a few of the opinion that it is actually better.

Chances are, it’s going to be deserted but that actually makes for a much more intimate and inspiring visit. The MAO offers quite the holistic experience as besides the treasures from the far Eastern, Himalayan and Ottoman regions, it also urges the visitor to open up to a culture totally at odds with the city that they are in – a push towards broadening your horizons. Truly a cultural anomaly from other museums in the city, it takes you away to a different world with breath-taking exhibits showcased in artful lighting (the Japanese armours on display are a hit with kids). It captures the all-encompassing range of human knowledge and spirituality, making it a humbling and awe-invoking journey.

The staff are attentive and collaborative without being intrusive, and will happily attend to all your intrigued questions and curiosities. Once you’re done with this journey, and are ready for the next one - there's an amusingly decorated music café diagonally opposite (on the corner) where you can sit on 78s while enjoying a light lunch.

The average visitor should never underestimate the effect that a church in Turin can have on them, both aesthetically as well as spiritually. The city is chock full of religious shrines such as these, and the pious and the atheist alike are guaranteed to be held rapt by this one in particular – the Royal Church of San Lorenzo, located in the north-western corner of the Piazza Castello.

The architect Guarino Guarini quite outdid himself with this structure(inaugurated in 1680), managing to strike devotion in the hearts of people with his designing prowess, a meeting point for fervent believers in architecture as well as religion. Duke Emanuele Filiberto built the church as a votive offering to St Lawrence (or San Lorenzo) after the victorious Battle of San Quintino. The cupola of the church is extraordinary and epitomises the architecture of the Baroque era, after the underwhelming façade of the church that was mandated in conformance with the other buildings in the Piazza Reale.

One of the intrigues of the Royal Church of San Lorenzo lies in the fact that it was the premier host of the Holy Shroud since its return from Chambery in 1578. The Holy Shroud is a length of linen cloth that holds immense value for millions, as it bears the imprint of a crucified man widely believed to be Jesus of Nazareth. Special exhibits relating to the Shroud remain in the premises for the rapture of the devout and the curious.

As you enter through the Oratory of Our Lady of Sorrows (restored in 1846), you will see the interior has eight convex sides opening onto the concave chapels of the marble polychrome altars and ornate plaster work. Eight oval windows grace the spaces between the pillars, letting the light pour in in riveting shafts (mornings spent here are thus gorgeous) and the intricately patterned ceiling is sure to leave you with a slack jaw and an aching neck.

Getting a guide to take you around in a great idea for this church, as there is much historical context to be had, besides the magnitude of the sheer architectural feat.

The Armeria Reale on the Royal Armoury of Turin might not seem like it’s up everyone’s alley at first, but cast those preconceived notions about violence for this one and come take a quick looksee. Chances are, you’ll probably be here for a while. Formed by the Savoy Family, the armoury is not a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site - the Polo Reale, consisting of the Royal Palace, the Sabauda Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, the Royal Library and the Armoury.

With weaponry from the 19th century exhibited in all its fierce glory, this museum takes a little longer to go through than you’d think for there is always something catching your eye. Ready-for-battle structures of horses, armours set off with characteristic Italian flair and an assortment of guns on display will fascinate you and also leave you very aware of the terrible and magnificent extent of human wrath and tolerance for violence.

There are arms, flags and other objects of the kingdom of Sardinia after the 18th century, the swordused by Napoleon during his Egypt campaign, and arms belongingand to the Savoy family, the kings of Italypost-unification in 1861. The sword of San Maurizio is one of the most significant relics owned by the Savoy family, made in the 13th century and still preserved with its 15th-century impressed, gilded and painted leather case.European and American swords, guns and rifles are exhibited next to oriental arms and armour acquired by or gifted to the kings, today all a part of a bloody and terribly impressive history.

Buckle up for a picturesque road-trip – with Basilica (church) as the destination at the top of the hill of Superga, here’s a view driving out for.On a sunny day, the Alps will beam at you from a distance, towering over the sprawled city below.

Built in the early 18th century for Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, designed by Filippo Juvarra, in fulfilment of a vow the Duke made to build a church in honour the Virgin upon his victory in the Battle of Turin. The Basilica houses tombsin the Royal Crypt of the Superga for several kings and prince of the Savoy family including the Monument to Carlo Emanuele III (1733) by Ignazio Collino and his brother Filippo. The architecture alludes to earlier styles while flirting seamlessly with a Baroque touches as well, guaranteed to leave the on-looker in awe.

There’s also a memorial at the back of Basilica for the whole Grande Torino football team that perished in an aviation tragedy in 1949 when a plane carrying nearly the team crashed into the hill, resulting in the death of everyone aboard.

In the eighteenth century rooms of the first floor of the Basilica, you can have an exquisite meal accompanied by excellent wines, as you overlook the stunningpanorama unfolding below. Coffee and the desserts in the cafeteria are divine as well.

The Basilica di Superga should definitely feature in your list if you value the journey as much as the destination, as it flawlessly combines art and history with spectacular elegance. 

The Santuario della Consolata or Sanctuary of the Virgin of the Consolation, a prominent Marian sanctuary in Turin, can come across as quite a mouthful and is affectionately referred to as La Conslo in the region.

Entering from the sunny square into the Sanctuary might leave you feeling a little disoriented for a bit, but as your eyes adjust you won’t be able to help but revel in the rich colours and texture offered up by this monument, with arch after arch of ornate side-chapelsand beautiful lighting.

Like most historical architecture in the area, this Sanctuary too spells rich, luxurious Baroque. The first church was built here as early as the 11th century, dedicated to St Andrew. Over the course of nine centuries, it was restored around the 18th century and also underwent a facelift by way of the addition of polychrome marble and stucco decorations.

In addition, the church also showcases a myriad other votive offerings; hundreds of military epaulettes, war crosses from the two World Wars, ornaments and a seemingly unending pattern of cupola frescoes.The altar itself is magnificent, with two marble angels in adoration and the Gallery of Paintings bears pious witness to the grace of la Madonna della Consolata.

Also check out the Crypt of the Grazie if you have some time, along with the the gorgeous chapel dedicated to the two Queens - Maria Teresa and Maria Adelaide.This is the sort of place that is massive and intimate at the same time, that doesn’t leave you feeling overwhelmed with information or its intricate details. Instead, it will grant you feelings of warmth and wonderment – the sanctuary just celebrated its millennial anniversary this year! Pop over to the ‘El Bicerin’ across the road after the visit to enjoy a cup of Italian coffee with liqueur and chocolate and cream, to bask in the goodness and the gravity.