YES. Yes, yes and yes.
I genuinely did not expect to like Turin this much.
Before visiting, I mostly thought of Turin as that Italian city near Milan. You know, somewhere you could maybe squeeze into an itinerary if you had some extra time.
Well… turns out I was very wrong.
I absolutely loved Turin.
Actually, my first thought while walking around was basically: this is Milan, but actually fun.
And before all the Milan lovers come for me, I don’t mean that Turin is literally Milan. They obviously have their own personalities. But Turin gave me that big-city feeling, beautiful architecture, galleries, restaurants, cafés and things to do, without feeling nearly as overwhelming or touristy.
So, is Turin worth visiting? In my opinion, absolutely.
And I’m honestly surprised more people aren’t talking about it.
So, Is Turin Worth Visiting?
If you ask me, Turin is one of those underrated Italian cities that deserves way more attention.
It’s beautiful, historic, walkable, full of things to do and, something I really appreciated, it still felt like a city where people actually live rather than a giant tourist attraction.
The historic centre is packed with beautiful palaces, elegant squares and those gorgeous covered galleries that I kept stopping to photograph. Turismo Torino describes the city centre as a collection of historic arcades and galleries, including Galleria Subalpina and Galleria San Federico, and honestly, they were some of my favourite parts of the city.
Then you have markets, little restaurants, bars, cafés and streets where you can just wander around without having to follow a strict sightseeing route.
And the prices?
So good.
I had an Aperol for around €5, cocktails for around €7, and I found eating out much more affordable than I expected from a major Italian city.
That alone made me very happy.
Turin Felt Like Milan, But Better for Me
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Turin reminded me of Milan, but I enjoyed it way more.
Milan is obviously famous for fashion, the Duomo, shopping and its huge-city energy. But personally, I found Turin much more enjoyable to explore.
It had that same feeling of being a proper city with lots happening, but I didn’t feel like I was constantly fighting through crowds or moving from one tourist attraction to the next.
Turin felt more relaxed.
More local.
And just… cosier?
I could walk around for hours, stop somewhere for an Aperol, wander into a gallery, find a little restaurant and keep going.
That’s much more my kind of city trip.
And if you’ve already visited Milan and loved it, Turin is definitely worth adding to your Italy itinerary. If you’re currently in Milan and feel like you’ve seen enough, even better: get on a train and go to Turin.
Turin’s official tourism board says high-speed trains can connect Milan and Turin in around 44 minutes, making it a very easy addition to a Northern Italy trip.
The Architecture Is SO Pretty
One of the things that surprised me most about Turin was just how beautiful the city is.
And I’m not talking about one famous monument.
It’s the whole city.
The historic centre is filled with grand buildings, huge squares, elegant arcades and these beautiful covered galleries.
The galleries especially… wow.
Galleria Subalpina and Galleria San Federico were two of my favourites. They feel so elegant and old-school, with cafés, shops and beautiful architectural details.
Turismo Torino actually describes Turin’s historic galleries as French-style passages where people historically walked between boutiques, cafés and cinemas.
And that is exactly the kind of detail that makes me enjoy a city.
You can literally just be walking somewhere to get lunch and suddenly you’re inside a ridiculously pretty gallery.
No entrance ticket.
No attraction queue.
Just Turin being pretty.
There Is Actually So Much to Do
Another reason I think Turin is worth visiting is that you won’t run out of things to do.
You have Palazzo Reale, the former royal residence of the Savoy family, the Duomo, Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Carignano, Porta Palatina and loads of museums.
Turin is also home to the Museo Egizio, one of the world’s major museums dedicated to ancient Egyptian culture, as well as the National Cinema Museum inside the Mole Antonelliana.
And you don’t even have to be a huge museum person.
Some of my favourite things were simply walking around the city.
If you have one day, you can see quite a lot of the historic centre because many of the main sights are close together. The official Turin tourism board even has a one-day walking route connecting places such as Palazzo Reale, the Duomo, Porta Palatina and the city’s galleries.
If you have two or three days, you can slow down and actually go inside some of the museums and palaces.
The Markets Make Turin Feel More Local
I also really liked the markets in Turin.
Porta Palazzo is the big one and is a great place to see a different side of the city.
Instead of just beautiful historic buildings and tourist attractions, you get markets, food, people and a much more everyday atmosphere.
Turin actually has markets throughout the city, including the historic Balôn market and other regular local markets.
And that’s something I always appreciate when travelling.
I don’t only want to see the pretty postcard version of a city.
I want to see where people go, where they eat, where they shop and what the city feels like when you’re not actively sightseeing.
Turin Is Perfect for Aperitivo
Okay, maybe this deserves its own section because I loved the aperitivo culture here.
The area I particularly liked was around Via Porta Palatina and Via IV Marzo.
There were lots of little restaurants, bars and terraces, and it was exactly the kind of place where you can sit down for a drink without needing a huge plan.
And as I mentioned earlier:
€5 Aperol.
I’m sorry, but that’s a very good reason to be happy.
I also found cocktails for around €7, and food wasn’t ridiculously expensive either.
Obviously prices change depending on where you go, and you can absolutely find more expensive places, but compared with what I expected from a major Italian city, I thought Turin offered really good value.
I Loved How Walkable It Was
Turin is also a really easy city to explore on foot.
The historic centre is compact enough that you can walk between many of the main sights, and the city has around 18 kilometres of arcaded streets, which make walking around especially pleasant.
And honestly, walking is how I’d recommend experiencing Turin.
Don’t make your itinerary so full that you’re constantly checking Google Maps.
Walk from one square to another.
Go through a gallery.
Stop for coffee.
Take a random street.
Find a bar.
That’s where Turin really started to click for me.
Is Turin Too Touristy?
No, and that’s part of why I liked it.
Turin obviously has tourists. You’re not going to have the city entirely to yourself.
But compared with Italy’s most famous destinations, I found it much less overwhelming.
It still felt like a real city.
There were people going to work, sitting at cafés, meeting friends and shopping at markets alongside visitors.
And because Turin isn’t always at the top of everyone’s Italy itinerary, I didn’t feel like every street had been designed solely around tourism.
That made the whole experience feel much more relaxed to me.
Is Turin Expensive?
This was another pleasant surprise.
I expected Turin to be more expensive because it’s a major Italian city, but I found it pretty affordable, especially compared with some of Italy’s more famous destinations.
During my time there, I paid around:
- €5 for an Aperol
- €7 for a cocktail
- Reasonable prices for meals
- Lots of options for cafés, drinks and food
Obviously, your budget will depend on where you eat and drink, and you can always find more expensive restaurants and hotels.
But if you’re travelling Italy on a budget, I wouldn’t automatically rule Turin out because you think it’s going to be expensive.
For me, it was actually one of the more pleasant surprises.
Is Turin Better Than Milan?
This is obviously completely personal, but I preferred Turin.
Not because Milan isn’t worth visiting. Milan has incredible architecture, fashion, museums, restaurants and one of Italy’s most famous landmarks.
But Turin suited me more.
I liked the atmosphere.
I liked the smaller feeling.
I liked being able to walk around without constantly feeling surrounded by tourists.
I liked the galleries, the markets and the little bars.
And most importantly, I actually wanted to keep wandering around.
So if you’re choosing between the two based purely on my personal experience, Turin was the city I enjoyed more.
But I’d also say: you don’t have to choose.
They’re close enough that you can easily combine them.
Should You Visit Turin as a Day Trip from Milan?
Yes, absolutely.
If you’re staying in Milan for several days and have already seen the main sights, Turin is one of the easiest cities to add to your itinerary.
High-speed trains can connect Milan and Turin in around 44 minutes, according to Turismo Torino.
That makes a Turin day trip very realistic.
Personally, though, if you have the time, I’d stay at least one night.
One day gives you enough time to see the historic centre and get a taste of the city, but staying overnight means you can actually enjoy the evening atmosphere, have dinner, go for an Aperol and explore without watching the clock.
And honestly, that’s when I think Turin is at its best.
How Many Days Do You Need in Turin?
I’d recommend 2–3 days in Turin if you have the time.
One day is enough for a first impression.
Two days gives you time for the main sights, some food and drinks and a more relaxed pace.
Three days gives you time to properly explore some of the museums and spend more time simply enjoying the city.
I personally wouldn’t rush through Turin just to tick everything off.
It’s much more fun when you leave some room for wandering.
Where to Stay in Turin
If you’re staying overnight, stay central.
I stayed at Combo Torino Hostel, which was actually a really good hostel, but I found the surrounding area a little sketchy.
If I went back to Turin, I’d stay closer to the historic centre.
I particularly liked the area between Via Porta Palatina and Via IV Marzo because there are loads of restaurants, bars and little places to sit outside.
For a hotel, Hotel Indigo Turin is one of the options I’d look at because it’s right in the historic centre.
I’ve written a full guide here:
Where to Stay in Turin: Best Areas + Hotels
What to Do in Turin
If you’re convinced and are now wondering what you’re actually supposed to do there, I’ve got you covered.
Some of the places I’d put on your list are:
Palazzo Reale: beautiful former royal residence.
Duomo di Torino: Turin’s main cathedral and home of the Shroud of Turin.
Galleria Subalpina: one of the beautiful historic covered galleries.
Galleria San Federico: another gorgeous gallery in the city centre.
Palazzo Carignano: one of Turin’s most impressive Baroque buildings.
Palazzo Madama: a fascinating building with layers of Roman, medieval and Baroque history.
Porta Palatina: ancient Roman city gate.
Porta Palazzo: Turin’s huge market.
Waves of Wanting: a random contemporary art stop I really liked.
Via Porta Palatina & Via IV Marzo: go here for restaurants, bars and an Aperol in the sun.
I’ve written the full guide here:
My Honest Verdict: Is Turin Worth Visiting?
YEEEES.
If you couldn’t tell already, I really liked Turin.
I went there without particularly high expectations and left thinking why isn’t everyone talking about this place?
It has beautiful architecture, gorgeous galleries, historic buildings, markets, museums, good food, lovely people and a really nice atmosphere.
But what I appreciated most was that it didn’t feel like I was constantly being pushed through a tourist machine.
It felt like a real Italian city that happens to be incredibly beautiful.
And then there are the prices.
€5 Aperols.
€7 cocktails.
Good food without completely destroying your budget.
I’m sold.
Would I choose Turin over Milan?
For me, yes.
And if you’re already in Milan and starting to feel like you’ve seen enough, I genuinely think taking the train to Turin is worth considering.
It’s close, it’s easy to reach and it feels different enough to make the trip worthwhile.
So yes, Turin is worth visiting.
And honestly?
I think I might have just found one of my favourite underrated cities in Italy.
Planning Your Trip to Italy?
Planning a trip to Italy can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between huge historic cities, beautiful coastlines, charming smaller towns, mountains, lakes and islands.
That’s why I’ve created my Italy Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Italy.
→ START HERE: Italy Travel Guides
FAQ: Is Turin Worth Visiting?
Is Turin worth visiting for tourists?
Yes. Turin has historic palaces, museums, beautiful galleries, Roman remains, markets, cafés, restaurants and a walkable city centre. It also works well for both short city breaks and longer Northern Italy itineraries.
Is Turin better than Milan?
That’s personal, but I personally preferred Turin. I found it more relaxed, less overwhelming and more enjoyable to explore on foot. Milan and Turin are different cities, though, and both can easily be included in the same Italy trip.
Is Turin expensive?
I found Turin relatively affordable for a major Italian city. During my visit, I paid around €5 for an Aperol and €7 for cocktails, while meals were also reasonably priced. Prices obviously vary depending on the restaurant or bar.
Is Turin touristy?
Turin receives tourists, but I found it considerably more relaxed than Italy’s most famous tourist destinations. Its city centre still feels like a functioning city with markets, cafés, restaurants and neighbourhood life alongside the historic sights.
How many days do you need in Turin?
I’d recommend 2–3 days for a relaxed Turin trip. One day is enough to see many of the main sights, while two or three days gives you more time for museums, food and exploring.
Can you visit Turin as a day trip from Milan?
Yes. High-speed trains can connect Milan and Turin in around 44 minutes, making a day trip possible. I’d personally stay overnight if you have the time, so you can experience Turin in the evening as well.
What is Turin famous for?
Turin is known for its royal history, Baroque architecture, museums, the Shroud of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana, historic cafés, markets and Piedmontese food. The city was also the first capital of unified Italy.
Is Turin good for a budget trip?
I think so. There are plenty of cafés, bars, markets and restaurants at different price points, and I found eating and drinking in Turin surprisingly affordable compared with what I expected.
What is the best area to stay in Turin?
For a first visit, I’d stay in the historic city centre, particularly around Via Porta Palatina and Via IV Marzo. This puts you close to restaurants, bars and many of Turin’s main sights.
