Turin in 2 Days: everything you need to know

In the heart of northern Italy, Turin is a cultural treasure trove that fuses historical majesty with surprising sights. With two days to discover, you can immerse yourself in its streets, exploring ancient squares, magnificent palaces and indulging in the delicious local cuisine. Whether you choose to organise your own or let yourself be guided by the experts who can accompany you on tours, here are some of the best things to do in Turin to make the most of your two-day visit to this unforgettable city.

Embark on an unforgettable day in Turin exploring its cultural and culinary treasures. Start with a visit to the impressive Palazzo Madama and the majestic Royal Palace. Then, immerse yourself in the authenticity of the local cuisine with a dining experience at a local's home. Continue your day by discovering the iconic Mole Antonelliana and exploring the fascinating Museo del Cinema, one of Turin's most interesting museums.

To top off the evening, choose between a thrilling game of ghost exploration around Turin or a tour of magic in the city, adding a mysterious and enchanting touch to your night-time adventure.

Feel like Italian royalty at Palazzo Madama

Starting your visit to Turin with the Palazzo Madama is a great option. Another option, which may also be of interest to you, is to choose the Royal Palace to start your day, but it is a monument that is a little better known than this other palace, and that is why I want to tell you about it. This magnificent building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you have the possibility of buying your tickets for the Palazzo Madama without queuing up.

This way, you can enter as soon as you arrive and begin to discover its impressive art collection, which covers different periods and exhibitions, from medieval to baroque. Among its rooms you'll find artistic treasures, including ceramics, glassware and period clothing (I love the pieces on display).

Don't miss the chance to explore the masterpieces housed in the Civic Museum of Ancient Art! And, to end on a serene note, relax in the botanical garden of medieval origin.

I recommend a stroll through it and recharge your batteries for your next stop. Come on!

Discover the Royal Palace of Turin and get on the tourist bus

And, as I mentioned in the previous point, you can start with the Palazzo Madama or the Royal Palace of Turin. Both are impressive, and if you start early (around 9 in the morning), you might be able to visit both in the same morning.

Visiting the Royal Palace will immerse you in the fascinating history of the Savoy family, Italy's founding dynasty. This magnificent building, symbol of the city along with the Mole Antonelliana, was home to the Savoy royal family, and you can now tour its galleries and rooms with a guide.

Two interesting points of visiting the palace with this ticket is that you will avoid queues and enjoy an activity designed for small groups. To give you a good estimate of the time of the visit, it lasts about an hour and a half, so if you have visited the Palazzo Madama before, you will already be close to lunchtime. And I have an amazing plan in store for you, let's go on!

Gastronomic experience at a local's house in Turin

If this is your first time in Italy, you will be eager to try authentic Italian cuisine. In that case, you will enjoy this gastronomic experience by participating in a show cooking at the home of a local. This exclusive encounter allows you to taste local specialities, such as tasty bagna càuda and exquisite vitello tonnato.

The activity, which lasts approximately 2.5 hours, invites you to enjoy lunch or dinner with a carefully prepared 4-course menu. To accompany this culinary experience, you will be able to taste the best wines of the Piedmont region, adding water to the table and a final touch with an authentic Italian coffee. Plus, that touch of privacy and authenticity that comes with eating with a local family makes this the perfect experience for those looking for a genuine connection to Piedmontese culture and flavours- a must-do experience for food lovers!

Guided tour of the National Museum of Cinema and Mole Antonelliana in Turin

If you find yourself exploring Turin, you can't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Mole Antonelliana. This architectural gem, inaugurated in 1889, is one of the key landmarks of the city's skyline with its distinctive square-shaped dome. A guided tour of the Mole Antonelliana will take you through its architectural highlights, giving you a deeper understanding of this iconic building.

Once inside, you will discover that the Mole Antonelliana houses the renowned National Museum of Cinema, which will make you fall in love with Italy's rich cinematic heritage. This approximately 2-hour tour will allow you to explore its collections, which include footage, costumes and posters, among other treasures. Don't worry about missing a single detail: for groups of 10 to 15 people, headphones are provided, ensuring that every explanation from the guide reaches you perfectly. Immerse yourself in the magic of cinema and enjoy this building that represents authentic Italian elegance.

Get enveloped in the mystery of Turin on a night tour

If you have any energy left at this point in the day, I have two tours to recommend. One of them is this intriguing night-time walking tour of Turin that will reveal its most mysterious side. Legend has it that two triangles intersect in Turin, one of black magic and the other of white magic, so there are details in its streets, monuments, squares and churches that give evidence of this magical air.

On this night tour, you will have a guide who will be your narrator for the approximately 2.5 hours that the tour lasts, revealing the secrets and stories behind the emblematic places such as the Chiesa della Grande Madre di Dio, the Fontana delle Quattro Stagioni and the Rondò della Forca.

This night tour is particularly interesting for those who have a certain curiosity for legends and supernatural phenomena, and gives you the unique opportunity to get a close look at the duality of the city, illuminated and enigmatic, with stories that will turn every corner into a chapter of a mysterious tale.

Dare to play with the ghosts of Turin

As an alternative to the night tour mentioned above, I can also recommend this mysterious exploration game Ghosts of Turin. This private activity, which lasts about an hour and a half, will immerse you in the charm of the old town of the Italian city with a singularity: this escape game means that you will be your own guide, relying only on an app that will lead you through different emblematic places, such as Piazza Statuto or the Sanctuary of the Consolata. Interesting, isn't it?

Explore the rich history of the places that have left their mark on Turin as you participate in the challenges and complete the game. It's a fun experience if you are travelling to Turin with children or friends, and is designed to be completed at your own pace. It's easy to play: just download the app on your mobile and dive into this fascinating adventure, where each challenge will reveal more about the history of the Italian city - you don't need anything more than your desire to have fun!

If you are planning a day of exploration in Turin, I suggest you start by discovering the abbey where "The Name of the Rose" was filmed. It is a place steeped in history and architectural beauty that will captivate you from the very first moment. Then, immerse yourself in the fascinating experience of exploring underground Turin, where you can discover historical passages and hidden secrets that will leave you in awe.

To conclude your day in spectacular fashion, don't miss a walk to appreciate the magnificent nouveau art that adorns the city, an experience that will fully immerse you in the cultural and historical richness of Turin.

Discover the setting of The Name of the Rose

We start the day immersed in tranquillity and nature with an exciting visit to Sacra di San Michele from Turin! Sacra di San Michele is an ancient Benedictine abbey located on Monte Pirchiriano in Piedmont, Italy. Its imposing Romanesque and Gothic architecture towers over the hill, offering panoramic views. With a history dating back to the 9th century, it has been a centre of spirituality and pilgrimage for centuries.

This abbey has inspired literary and cinematographic works, such as the film "The Name of the Rose", starring Sean Connery. Sacra di San Michele is truly a special place that exudes an immeasurable peace, and I am sure this experience will be unforgettable - I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Explore the depths of Turin on an underground tour

To end your trip to Turin and make the most of the afternoon, I propose two tours of the city. You can choose both or just one of them, depending on whether you want to leave some time to just wander around the city! If you choose the underground tour of Turin, you can explore, accompanied by a guide, the intriguing labyrinth of tunnels and passages that extends beneath the surface of the city. It's breathtaking! A few metres underground, you will discover ancient refrigerators, underground cemeteries and, amazingly, a museum dedicated to Pietro Micca, the brave Piedmontese who sacrificed his life to stop a siege.

This tour lasts about 3 hours that will go by super fast as you explore the tunnels, unearth secrets and listen to tales of ghosts that have endured in the depths of the city. Get ready to discover the bowels of Turin!

Discover the jewels of Art Nouveau in Turin

If you are planning a day of exploration in Turin, I suggest you start by discovering the abbey where "The Name of the Rose" was filmed. It is a place steeped in history and architectural beauty that will captivate you from the very first moment. Then, immerse yourself in the fascinating experience of exploring underground Turin, where you can discover historical passages and hidden secrets that will leave you in awe. To conclude your day in spectacular fashion, don't miss a walk to appreciate the magnificent art nouveau that adorns the city, an experience that will fully immerse you in the cultural and historical richness of Turin.

I know I've told you a lot of things and given you a lot of ideas on how to get the most out of your two-day visit to Turin. So to finish, I want to give you some tips to help you decide on the perfect tours for you, to make the most of your time and to make sure you don't run into any unforeseen problems.

Where to eat in Turin

On the first day of your trip I have suggested you to have lunch at a local's house, but what about dinner and lunch on the second day? I'll give you some recommendations that will surely help you decide where to eat in Turin during the days of your visit.

• Trattoria AlleVolte This traditional restaurant offers a menu of Piedmontese cuisine at affordable prices. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, and the service is very friendly. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from simple dishes such as bagna caudala, gricia or torta fritta.
• Ristorante Solferino This fine dining restaurant offers a reinterpretation of traditional Piedmontese dishes. The menu changes according to the season, but always includes dishes made with high quality products. If you want an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere with professional service, this is the restaurant for you.

Buy your Torino+Piamonte Card

The Torino+Piedmont Card gives you the freedom to discover Turin and its surroundings at your own pace and visit the main tourist attractions for free or with discounts. Plus, with the card you get discounts, so getting from one place to another is easy and economical. For example, you get a 10% discount on Hop On Hop Off bus tickets, which you can also take advantage of along with your tickets to the Royal Palace.

The discounted access provided by the card gives you access to outstanding tourist services, such as the panoramic lift at the Mole Antonelliana and the Sassi - Superga rack railway tram. In addition, with the card you will receive a digital brochure with the complete list of museums, activities and places included, so get ready to discover the cultural richness of Turin in complete comfort!