Milan vs Turin: Which City Should You Visit?

On By saar.decosterIn Europe, Italy

Milan vs Turin?

If you know me, you probably already know where this is going.

I have visited Milan three times. I kept giving the city another chance because I thought maybe I had just visited at the wrong time, stayed in the wrong area or simply hadn’t given it enough of a chance.

But after three visits?

Milan still isn’t really my thing.

Turin, on the other hand, completely surprised me.

Before visiting, I mostly thought of Turin as that city near Milan. Somewhere you could maybe add to your Northern Italy itinerary if you had some extra time.

Then I actually arrived and thought:

Wait. This is basically Milan, but I actually like it.

Obviously, the two cities aren’t the same. Milan has its own personality, and Turin has plenty of things that make it completely unique. But for the kind of city trip I personally enjoy, Turin won this comparison pretty easily.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Milan. I actually think Milan can be a good one-day stop, especially if you’re flying there or using it as a base for Northern Italy.

But if you’re asking me “Should I visit Milan or Turin?”, I’d choose Turin.

Here’s why.

Milan vs Turin at a Glance

MilanTurin
My personal choice❌🏆 Turin
SizeBiggerSmaller
AtmosphereBusy & overwhelmingRelaxed & local
TourismVery touristyMuch less overwhelming
ArchitectureBeautifulBeautiful
Things to doGood for 1–2 daysGood for 2–3 days
PricesMore expensiveMore affordable
FoodLots of choiceGreat choice & good value
NightlifeGoodGood
WalkabilityGoodExcellent
Best forFamous sights & shoppingLocal atmosphere & exploring
Day trip potentialGreat baseWorth staying overnight
My ideal stay1–2 nights2–3 days

My winner: Turin.

But let’s break down exactly why.

Milan vs Turin: Which Is More Beautiful?

This is actually closer than you might expect.

Milan has some genuinely beautiful architecture.

Obviously, there’s the Duomo, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco and the canals around Navigli, all of which I cover in my guide to the best things to do in Milan.

The problem for me is that the beauty sometimes gets lost in everything else happening around it.

There are so many people, so much traffic and so much going on that I don’t always enjoy simply walking around the city.

Turin felt different.

I was genuinely surprised by how beautiful the city centre is.

There are historic palaces, grand squares, covered galleries, elegant streets, churches and beautiful buildings basically everywhere.

And because there are fewer tourists constantly surrounding you, I found it much easier to actually appreciate what I was looking at.

My 10 Best Things to Do in Turin guide goes into the places I liked most, including Palazzo Reale, the Duomo, Galleria Subalpina and Porta Palatina.

My choice: Turin

Not necessarily because it has objectively better architecture, but because I enjoyed experiencing it more.

Galleria San Federico in Turin Italy

Milan vs Turin for Crowds & Tourism

This is probably the biggest difference for me.

Milan is busy.

Very busy.

I’ve visited in March, June and September, so I’ve tried different seasons.

And every time I had basically the same experience:

There were SO many people.

Especially around the main tourist sights, it often felt like I was fighting my way through crowds rather than actually enjoying the city.

And that’s a big reason why Milan doesn’t work for me.

I don’t mind a busy city.

But I want to be able to wander around, stop for a coffee, find a random street, sit down for an Aperol and actually enjoy being there.

Turin gave me much more of that feeling.

It obviously has tourists. It’s not some completely undiscovered Italian secret.

But compared with Milan, it felt much more relaxed and authentic to me.

It felt like a functioning Italian city rather than a place where every street was designed around tourism.

My choice: Turin

And this is probably the category where the difference matters most to me personally.

Milan vs Turin for Things to Do

This is one category where Milan has a clear advantage if you only care about the number of famous attractions.

Milan has:

  • The Duomo
  • Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
  • Castello Sforzesco
  • Navigli
  • Museums
  • Churches
  • Fashion and shopping
  • Restaurants and nightlife
Saar standing in front of Milan Cathedral in Italy

But here’s my problem:

I don’t think Milan has enough to make me want to stay for a long time.

I’ve visited three times, and every time I eventually reached the point where I thought:

Okay, I’ve seen what I wanted to see. Let’s go somewhere else.

For me, Milan is a one- or two-night city.

Turin surprised me because there was actually more to do than I expected.

You have:

  • Palazzo Reale
  • Mole Antonelliana
  • Museo Egizio
  • Palazzo Madama
  • Duomo di Torino
  • Porta Palatina
  • Galleria Subalpina
  • Galleria San Federico
  • Porta Palazzo market
  • Historic cafés
  • Restaurants and bars
  • Lots of beautiful streets to simply wander through

And because Turin is very walkable, exploring doesn’t feel like a mission.

You can spend the morning sightseeing, stop for lunch, wander around some galleries, have an Aperol and then walk somewhere else without constantly needing public transport.

My choice: Turin

Especially if you want a city where the whole experience, rather than just a few famous sights, is the reason to stay.

Milan vs Turin for Architecture

This is another surprisingly close one.

Milan has some spectacular architecture.

The Duomo alone is worth seeing.

But Turin has a different kind of beauty.

I loved the long covered arcades, historic palaces, elegant squares and colourful buildings.

The city feels grand without feeling overwhelming.

And this is where I think Turin is a bit underrated.

You don’t necessarily need to go looking for the beautiful places.

Just walk around the historic centre.

That’s one of the things I enjoyed most about Turin.

Milan

More iconic.

Turin

More consistently enjoyable to wander around.

My choice: Turin

Milan vs Turin for Food

Both cities have plenty of food options, so this isn’t a category where I’d say Milan is bad.

But Turin wins for me again.

One reason is simply price.

I found Turin surprisingly affordable for a major Italian city.

During my visit, I paid around €5 for an Aperol and around €7 for cocktails, and I found meals reasonably priced too. Obviously, prices depend on the specific restaurant or bar.

Milan, on the other hand, felt much more expensive to me.

And when you’re already not loving the city, paying more for basically everything doesn’t exactly help.

Turin also has a really nice café and aperitivo culture, so you can easily build an entire afternoon around food and drinks.

My choice: Turin

Milan vs Turin for Aperitivo & Drinks

This one is actually important because aperitivo is one of my favourite parts of travelling through Italy.

Milan obviously has a huge aperitivo culture, especially around Navigli.

And if you go to Milan, I would absolutely spend an evening around the canals.

But personally, I preferred drinking in Turin.

It felt more relaxed.

You could sit outside, order an Aperol, watch people walk past and actually enjoy the atmosphere without feeling like you were surrounded by thousands of tourists.

Turin also has plenty of little bars around the historic centre.

I particularly liked the area around Via Porta Palatina and Via IV Marzo, where you’ll find restaurants and bars and a much more local-feeling atmosphere.

I’ve also written a full Where to Stay in Turin guide if you want to base yourself somewhere central.

My choice: Turin

Friend holding an Aperol Spritz on Via IV Marzo in Turin

Milan vs Turin for Nightlife

This one is more difficult.

Milan obviously has more nightlife simply because it’s a much bigger city.

There are clubs, bars, cocktail places, nightlife around Navigli and plenty of options for going out.

I’ve stayed in Milan’s Navigli area and would definitely recommend it if nightlife is your priority.

But personally, I didn’t love the overall atmosphere of Milan’s nightlife.

Some of the clubs felt very commercial to me, and I never really connected with the scene.

Turin is smaller, but there are still plenty of bars, restaurants and places to go out.

For me, Turin wins because I prefer the atmosphere.

If you want:

Huge nightlife scene → Milan

More relaxed evening drinks and bars → Turin

So this one is more about what you want.

Milan vs Turin for Budget Travel

Turin. Easily.

This was one of the biggest surprises for me.

Milan is one of those cities where your budget can disappear surprisingly quickly.

Accommodation can be expensive, drinks can be expensive and eating around the most touristy areas can add up very quickly.

Turin felt much more affordable.

I found reasonably priced restaurants, cafés and bars, and you don’t constantly feel like you’re paying a premium simply because you’re in one of Italy’s most famous cities.

For backpacking Northern Italy, that makes a difference.

If you’re travelling on a budget, I’d much rather spend a few extra days in Turin than in Milan.

My Northern Italy Backpacking Guide also includes Turin as part of my route through Northern Italy.

My choice: Turin

Milan vs Turin for Backpackers

If you’re backpacking Northern Italy, this is an easy one for me.

Turin.

Milan is incredibly useful for backpackers because it’s so well connected.

You can fly there, stay for a night or two and then continue to places like Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Turin, Genoa or Florence.

That’s exactly how I used Milan during my own Northern Italy travels.

But as an actual destination?

I’d rather spend more time in Turin.

Turin has that city feeling without the same overwhelming tourist atmosphere, and it’s easy to explore without spending loads.

So my ideal Northern Italy route would actually be:

Milan → Turin → Genoa → Florence

rather than spending a huge amount of time in Milan.

Milan vs Turin for a City Break

This depends on what kind of city break you want.

Choose Milan for a quick city break if you want:

  • The Duomo
  • Fashion
  • Shopping
  • Navigli
  • Famous sights
  • A big-city atmosphere
  • A convenient airport

Choose Turin if you want:

  • Beautiful architecture
  • Historic streets
  • Museums
  • Markets
  • Good food
  • Aperitivo
  • Fewer crowds
  • A more relaxed atmosphere
  • Better value

For me, Turin is the better city break.

I’d happily spend 2–3 days there.

Milan?

I’d do 1–2 nights and then move on.

That lines up with how I’ve approached Milan in my own Northern Italy itinerary: I recommend around 1–2 nights in Milan, while I’d give Turin 2–3 days.

Milan vs Turin: Which Is More Authentic?

Obviously, “authentic” is subjective, and Turin isn’t some untouched Italian village.

But I know what I mean when I say it felt more authentic to me.

Turin felt like a city where people actually live their normal lives.

There are markets, cafés, university students, locals having aperitivo, people shopping and families going about their day.

And all of that exists alongside the historic sights.

Milan has that too, of course.

But because it is such a major international destination, I found the most central parts much more dominated by tourism.

My choice: Turin

Waves of Wanting art installation in Turin, Italy

Milan vs Turin for a Day Trip

Now Milan actually becomes useful here.

If you’re already staying in Milan, Turin is an incredibly easy day trip.

High-speed trains can connect Milan and Turin in around 36–44 minutes, and you can find more practical information about travelling around Italy by train, bus and car in my Italy transport guide.

So if you’re flying into Milan because flights are cheaper, don’t feel like you have to spend your entire trip there.

You could simply:

Fly into Milan → train to Turin → stay in Turin

Or:

Stay in Milan → day trip to Turin → return to Milan

Personally, I’d choose the first option if I had the time.

One day in Turin is enough to get a taste of the city, but I think 2–3 days is better because you can actually enjoy the evenings instead of rushing back to Milan.

Can You Fly to Milan and Then Go Straight to Turin?

Yes, and this is actually a really good option.

If flights to Milan are significantly cheaper than flights to Turin, I’d absolutely compare them.

Milan is one of the main gateways to Northern Italy, and from there you can continue by train.

The train from Milan to Turin can be very quick, with high-speed services taking around 36 minutes and fares advertised from €8.90 when booked through Italo.

So you could easily do:

Fly to Milan

↓

Train to Turin

↓

🇮🇹 Spend 2–3 days in Turin

And then continue your Northern Italy trip from there.

I’ve personally used Milan as a starting point for travelling onwards by train to destinations including Lake Maggiore and Turin.

This is also why I don’t think you need to completely write Milan off.

Milan can be a great gateway even if it’s not your favourite destination.

Milan vs Turin: How Many Days Do You Need?

Milan

I’d recommend 1–2 nights.

That’s enough to see the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco, Navigli and a few other highlights without feeling like you’re forcing yourself to stay longer than you want to.

Turin

I’d recommend 2–3 days.

One day is enough for a first impression.

Two days gives you time for the main sights, food and drinks.

Three days lets you slow down, visit museums and actually enjoy the city rather than ticking everything off.

That’s also what I recommend in my dedicated Is Turin Worth Visiting? article.

Milan vs Turin: Which Is Better for First-Time Visitors?

This depends on what you want to see.

If you’ve never been to Italy before and want the most iconic Italian city experience, Milan does have some famous sights that are worth seeing.

The Duomo is genuinely impressive.

But if you’ve already seen Rome, Florence or Venice and want somewhere that feels a little less obvious, I’d definitely pick Turin.

And honestly, even if Milan is your first stop because of your flights, you can easily combine both.

You don’t have to choose one forever.

Should You Visit Milan or Turin?

Okay, let’s make this simple.

Choose Milan if you want:

  • The Duomo
  • Fashion and shopping
  • Navigli nightlife
  • A major international city
  • Lots of transport connections
  • A convenient base for Northern Italy
  • A quick 1–2 night stop
  • A city you can easily combine with other destinations

Choose Turin if you want:

  • Beautiful architecture
  • A more relaxed atmosphere
  • Fewer overwhelming crowds
  • More affordable food and drinks
  • Historic streets and palaces
  • Markets and cafés
  • A walkable city
  • A more local-feeling experience
  • 2–3 days somewhere you actually enjoy wandering around

And if you’re asking me personally?

Turin.

Every time.

My Personal Winner: Turin

I think by now you know where I stand.

I’ve visited Milan three times.

March.

June.

September.

And every time I kept thinking maybe I’d finally change my mind.

I didn’t.

Milan has beautiful places. It has the Duomo, great transport connections, fashion, shopping, Navigli and plenty of restaurants and bars.

I absolutely understand why people love it.

It just isn’t my city.

For me, there simply isn’t enough to keep me interested for more than a day or two, and the crowds and prices make the experience less enjoyable.

Turin was the opposite.

I expected very little.

And then I walked around and thought:

Wait… why do I like this so much?

It has the beautiful architecture.

It has the cafés.

It has the restaurants.

It has the aperitivo culture.

It has museums, markets and historic sights.

But without the feeling that you are constantly surrounded by mass tourism.

And that’s exactly what I want from an Italian city.

So yes.

Turin wins this comparison for me.

But I also think Milan is worth seeing if you’re already flying there.

Spend a day.

See the Duomo.

Walk through the Galleria.

Have an aperitivo around Navigli.

And then?

Get the train to Turin.

Because if your flights to Milan are cheaper, you can basically use Milan as your gateway to Turin anyway.

And honestly, that might be my favourite way to do it.

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

OR

START BY AREA

→ Northern Italy Travel guide
→ Rome Travel guide
→ Sicily Travel guide

More Italy Travel Guides

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FAQ: Milan vs Turin

Is Milan or Turin better?

Personally, I prefer Turin. I found it more relaxed, less overwhelming, more affordable and more enjoyable to explore. Milan is still worth visiting for its famous sights, fashion, shopping and excellent transport connections.

Is Turin cheaper than Milan?

In my experience, yes. I found Turin noticeably more affordable for food, drinks and everyday travel. During my Turin trip, I paid around €5 for an Aperol and around €7 for cocktails, although prices vary by venue.

Is Turin worth visiting?

Absolutely. Turin surprised me much more than I expected. It has beautiful architecture, historic palaces, museums, markets, cafés, restaurants and a very walkable centre. I recommend around 2–3 days if you have the time.

Is Milan worth visiting?

Yes, but personally I’d keep it short. After visiting Milan three times, I’d recommend around 1–2 nights to see the main highlights before continuing elsewhere in Northern Italy.

Can you visit Turin as a day trip from Milan?

Yes. High-speed trains can get from Milan to Turin in roughly 36–44 minutes, making a day trip very realistic. If you have the time, though, I’d stay overnight so you can experience Turin in the evening too.

How far is Turin from Milan by train?

The fastest high-speed services take around 36 minutes. Italo currently lists Milan–Turin tickets from €8.90, although fares vary depending on the service and when you book.

Can you fly to Milan and travel to Turin?

Yes, and this can be a very practical way to start a Northern Italy trip. Milan has major air connections, and Turin is only a short high-speed train ride away. I’ve personally used Milan as a gateway before continuing by train through Northern Italy.

Is Turin good for backpackers?

Yes. Turin is walkable, has hostels, affordable food and drinks and plenty to do without needing a car. It’s also easy to connect to other Northern Italian destinations by train. My Northern Italy Backpacking Guide includes Turin as part of my route.

Is Milan or Turin better for nightlife?

Milan has the bigger nightlife scene, with more clubs and bars, while Turin has a more relaxed evening atmosphere. Personally, I preferred Turin’s atmosphere, but if nightlife variety is your main priority, Milan has more options.

Is Turin less touristy than Milan?

Turin still attracts tourists, but I personally found it much less overwhelming than Milan. The historic centre felt more relaxed and local to me, with markets, cafés, restaurants and everyday city life alongside the tourist sights.

How many days do you need in Turin?

I’d recommend 2–3 days. One day works if you’re visiting as a day trip from Milan, but two or three days lets you explore the main sights, visit museums, eat well and enjoy the evening atmosphere without rushing.

How many days do you need in Milan?

For my travel style, 1–2 nights is enough. You can see the Duomo, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco and Navigli before continuing to another destination.

Should you visit Milan or Turin first?

If you’re flying into Milan because flights are cheaper, I’d simply fly there and continue to Turin by train if Turin is the city you actually want to explore. If you have time, you can also spend one night in Milan first and then continue to Turin.

Can you visit Milan and Turin on the same trip?

Definitely. They’re one of the easiest city combinations in Northern Italy because of the fast train connection. You could spend 1–2 nights in Milan and 2–3 days in Turin before continuing towards Genoa, Lake Maggiore, Lake Como or other destinations.

What is Turin famous for?

Turin is known for its royal palaces, Baroque architecture, museums, the Mole Antonelliana, historic cafés, markets, Piedmontese food and the Shroud of Turin. It’s also famous for its role as the first capital of unified Italy.

What is Milan famous for?

Milan is best known for the Duomo, fashion, shopping, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, design, museums and its aperitivo and nightlife scene. It’s also one of Northern Italy’s major transport hubs.

Which is better for a short city break: Milan or Turin?

For me, Turin. I’d give Milan around 1–2 nights and Turin around 2–3 days. Turin feels more relaxed and compact, while Milan works particularly well as a quick stop or transport hub.

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