48 Hours in Turin | A Short Itinerary

Turin is one of the most iconic cities in Italy. Famous for rich history and culture, Turin is perfect for a weekend getaway to a lesser-seen part of the country for tourists. You’ll be able to find fantastic food, incredible cultural scenes and, of course, plenty of Italian charm. If you have 48 hours in Turin lined up, then this post is for you. Enjoy.

48 Hours in Turin | A Short Itinerary

Getting to Turin

Starting your 48 hours in Turin is relatively straightforward. From London, alongside most European capitals, there are direct flights that run frequently. This flight typically takes less than 2 hours and, once you land, it is only a half an hour taxi journey. Alternatively, you can take the SFM, the Turin Metro.

Where to Stay in Turin

Being a major city, Turin has plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. We stayed at DoubleTree by Hilton Turin Lingotto, which was an incredibly impressive hotel. It also was formally the Fiat factory, with the test track used in the Italian Job. It was also great value for money, was beautifully designed and had a great breakfast selection.

Here are my personal recommendations depending on what you are after.

Getting Around Turin

Turin is really easy to get around. It happens to have one of the best European Metros that I have been on. Ticket are also relatively cheap; you can get a daily ticket for €4 or a weekly one for €17. The Metro is also open quite late, with it being open past midnight each day except Monday.

As well as the Metro, you have Trams and Buses like many other European cities. These run every day from 5am to midnight. If you stay later, then there is a Night Buster service that runs from midnight to 5am on Fridays and Saturdays only.

Eating in Turin

One thing that really stood out for me in Turin is the variety of different markets and food shops alongside the restaurants and cafes. Eataly in the Lingotto district is a good place to stock up on fresh food if you are on a budget and want to make your own food whilst in the city. Turin is also home to Europe’s largest open-air market, Porta Palazzo, where you’ll find local produce, cheeses, and regional delicacies.

Things that you need to try whilst in Turin:

Bicerin – A Turin classic hot drink made from layers of espresso, chocolate, and cream. For the best experience, make sure that you try this in Café Al Bicerin, where this was invented.

Carne Cruda – This is Piedmont’s version of steak tartare, with a bit of a twist. It is made with finely chopped raw beef from local Fassona cattle, which is then seasoned with local olive oil, lemon, and garlic.

Tajarin – A local speciality; this is a thin, hand-cut egg pasta. In Turin you will find it typically served with a butter and sage sauce, or a delicious ragu.

Fritto Misto alla Piemontese – An interesting and unique dish. This is a mixed fry featuring a variety of meats, vegetables, and even things like apple fritters! It is a different, but certainly worth trying.

Local Cheeses – As ever in Italy, make sure that you sample the regional cheeses. in Turin, you’ll find staples like Castelmagno, Robiola, and Toma. Have these as part of lunch, or even a cheese board after dinner.

Truffles – Turin and the Piedmont region are famous for the locally-sourced truffles. In particular, the white truffles that are harvested in autumn. Indulge yourself by having them shaved over pasta, risotto, or morning eggs.

Bonet – This is a traditional Piedmontese dessert, this creamy pudding is made with cocoa, amaretti biscuits, and rum.

I would (as ever) advise against eating/ drinking in the main squares. These are always overpriced and are complete tourist-traps. That being said, make sure you try Caffé Torino. This is one of the finest cafes in the city.

What to see with 48 hours in Turin

Turin has plenty of different things for you to see, some of which are quite touristy. I’ve compiled a list of the main sights below.

Piazza Castello and the Palazzo Reale

Piazza Castello is widely regarded as the heart of the city. Here you can find plenty of highly-important buildings, including the Palazzo Reale; the Royal Palace. You can also find the Palazzo Madama and the Royal Library of Turin. The former of these places was the historic Senate Building, whereas the other has an amazing collection of books and arts. It even includes a self-portrait of Leonardo Di Vinci.

Via Roma

This is the main shopping street in Turin and is famous for being the most architecturally stylish place in the city. It links the Piazza Castello with Piazza Carlo Felice (which is also worth a quick visit). On this street you can find all sorts of fashion brands and it is perfect for a bit of window (or actual) shopping.

Mole Antonelliana

Mole Antonelliana is a place you have to go to during your 48 hours in Turin. Not only is it home to the National Cinema Museum, but there is a glass panoramic lift that takes you up through the atrium. Whilst it is not for the faint-hearted, it is an incredible experience and gives you some beautiful views of the historic church.

Turin Cathedral

The cathedral of Turin is another church worth visiting. The building dates back to the Roman times and, as you would imagine, is full of history. The impressive dome, which is a more modern addition, is something that you need to see during your trip.

Palatine Towers

The Palatine Towers are what remains of an ancient Roman gate and wall that once let people into the city. These loom over the city and are certainly impressive. There is not loads to see here other than the towers.

Parco del Valentino

Parco del Valentino is found along the Po River. Here you’ll find plenty of charming walking paths, gardens, and the picturesque Borgo Medievale, a reconstructed medieval village. It is a great spot to relax if you want a break from sight-seeing.

Lingotto District

The Lingotto District is a lesser-seen part of the city. Here, you can explore Eataly, a foodie paradise offering Italian cuisine and local specialties. You can also visit the iconic rooftop Fiat test track at the DoubleTree by Hilton Turin Lingotto.

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Football fans should visit the Allianz Stadium, home to Juventus FC, and its accompanying museum showcasing the club’s rich history.

Museums of Turin

You’ll find incredible Modern Art at GAM (Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea). This is Turin’s contemporary art museum and features an impressive collection of modern works.

Turin’s Underground Tunnels – For this, I would recommend having a guided tour of Turin’s subterranean world, with fascinating tunnels, ancient cellars, and wartime shelters.

Egyptian Museum – Turin’s Egyptian Museum is one of the most important collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt. I would genuinely say that it is a must-visit for history buffs.

National Cinema Museum – Found inside the tower of Mole Antonelliana is an impressive collection of posters, movie reels and pictures dedicated to cinema. It is perfect for all film-lovers.

Day Trips from Turin

There are plenty of day trips that you can take from Turin if you have seen all that the city has to offer. Here are a few ideas:

La Venaria Reale

La Venaria Reale make up the previous royal residences of the House of Savoy and is easily accessible by bus. This usually takes about 40 minutes or so. The palace is often compared to Versailles, and currently represents one of the most important centres for art and culture in Italy. There are also lots of gardens to stroll around and enjoy, which are best enjoyed in the summer.

Milan

Milan and Turin are linked by high-speed trains. The trip from Torino Porta Nuova to Milano Centrale station can take as little as one hour. The high-speed tickets come at a cost of €36.

Once you arrive in Milan’s main station, take the #3 metro line directly to Piazza del Duomo to begin your time exploring Milan.

Asti

Regular trains connect Turin and Asti. Once more, the fast trains take about 35 minutes and leave Porta Nuova station once an hour.

After you arrive in Asti, start by exploring the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Once you have seen these breathtaking towers, head to the most iconic landmark of Asti; the Torre Troyana. This is a medieval bell tower that was constructed in the late 1200s.  It is also the only tower you can still climb in Asti. For more history, see the museums at Palazzo Mazzetti. This is a complex that evolved over time from several medieval houses into today’s grand palazzo

If you time it right, you can experience the many festivals that take place in the autumn. First is the Palio d’Asti, a traditional bareback horse race that dates back to the Middle Ages.  There is also the Festival Delle Sagre D’Asti, which is a weekend celebrating both pastoral and countryside traditions.  Finally, the Douja d’Or is an annual wine competition where the top vineyards from across Italy gather. On the topic of wine, make sure that you sample the region’s famed sparkling Asti Spumante wine.

Alba

There is hourly train service between Turin and Alba, which usually takes about 70 minutes.  These depart from Torino Lingotto station.

Once you arrive, I would start by strolling through Alba’s medieval streets. The architecture is again classically Italian. Check out the Piazza Duomo and the 11th-centry Cathedral of San Lorenzo.  This impressive landmark is known for the many medieval towers, some of which you can ascend to the top of. Another historical must-see is the Centro Culturale San Giuseppe, where you can descend into the basement to see ancient Roman archeological remains

There are also plenty of foodie options in Alba. Firstly, the region is famous for its white truffles and the annual Truffle Fair that takes place in the autumn. If you want to tuck in to some regional delicacies, then head over to the Mercato della Terra, a Slow Food market. Here you can sample delicious food and pair it with a glass of Barbera or Dolcetto wine. You can also sample the delicious gianduja, the typical Piemontese chocolate-hazelnut spread that inspired Nutella

Final Thoughts | 48 Hours in Turin

Two days gives you more than enough time to see the main sights of Turin, as well as giving you an opportunity to explore other places nearby. It is easily one of my favourite cities in Europe and is perfect for a sunny weekend away. As always, if you have any questions, please let me know. I would love to hear from you.