Turin in One Day: The Essential Tour for Those Short on Time
A mini-guide to discovering Turin in just one day: from the historic city center streets to Piazza Castello, all the way to a traditional Bicerin and the nightlife of the Murazzi.
If you are in Turin for the first time and want to take a quick tour of its highlights in a single day, we have put together a mini-guide to the Piedmontese capital. Here is how not to miss the very best things to do, see, and eat in Turin in just a few hours.
From the Hotel to Piazza San Carlo: Starting from our hotel, you can stroll along the central Via Lagrange—Turin’s most beautiful and elegant promenade—before passing through Via Roma to reach Piazza San Carlo. We highly recommend stopping for a coffee at one of the square’s many historic cafés, an absolute must for anyone visiting the city. Inside, amidst antique mirrors, rich tapestries, wood panelling, and elegant porcelain dishes, you can taste traditional local delicacies and take a short trip back to the 19th century.
Piazza San Carlo: Once in the square, you can visit the twin Baroque churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo.
Piazza Castello: From Piazza San Carlo, one of the city’s most important squares, you head down toward Piazza Castello. This is Turin’s second-largest square, surrounded by the city’s famous and characteristic arcades (portici), which are now a favorite spot for shopping. The square is overlooked by some of the city’s most significant landmarks, including the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), the Teatro Regio, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Carignano (the seat of the first Italian Parliament). You will also find the Royal Church of San Lorenzo (Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo), which originally housed the Holy Shroud when it first arrived in Turin and currently displays an exact copy.
The Roman Quadrilateral & The “Bicerin”: From Piazza Castello, move toward Turin’s Cathedral (Duomo) into the famous Roman Quadrilateral (Quadrilatero Romano). This area boasts one of the highest concentrations of bars and restaurants in Turin, making it the perfect spot to stop for an aperitif or a delicious lunch.
A Must-Try Stop: While here, a visit to the historic café Al Bicerin is mandatory. This is the birthplace of the famous traditional drink made of coffee, chocolate, and milk cream, served in the small glass (bicerin) that gives the café its name. Countless famous figures have passed through its doors, including Alexandre Dumas, who regularly ordered it while spending entire afternoons in this historic café facing Piazza della Consolata.
Via Garibaldi to Piazza Vittorio: After a stroll through the narrow streets of the Roman Quadrilateral, head back toward the bustling Via Garibaldi, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, and walk down toward the immense and spectacular Piazza Vittorio.
The Murazzi and Riverfront Life: The square sits right on the banks of the Po River. Walking down toward the water brings you to the Murazzi area, famous for its vibrant nightlife, where you can treat yourself to a rich evening aperitif at one of the many riverside venues.
Heading Back: We recommend returning to the hotel via Corso Vittorio Emanuele, one of the grand, main arteries of the Savoy city.
