Turin, the Italian city of magic, the capital of Italian car industry and design, but also the city of occultism and arcane; rich in history and tradition, but also in food culture and lifestyle. So what are you waiting for? Get to Turin and follow our suggestions to enjoy this beautiful city in a weekend.
A visit to the Museum of Cinema
Start your trip with a visit to the Mole Antonelliana, a true symbol of Turin, and discover the Museum of Cinema (the only one in all of Italy). Between a look at the posters gallery and a visit to authentic movie locations, you can even enjoy an old movie sitting on real vintage cinema seats. Once you finish your visit, it’s time to enjoy a breathtaking look at the city panorama from the terrace of the Mole Antonelliana: one of the best Turin highlights.
pic: Augusto Mia Battaglia
A food break in a piola
You can’t miss a visit to a piola, a tiny and traditional restaurant where to eat and drink well (at reasonable prices). Take a break from your weekend tour and taste some local Turin delicacies: you can try bagna cauda, agnolotti or polenta ai ravioli, while you drink a glass of grey Pinot. End your meal with a bunet, a traditional dessert. Choose a traditional piola for the tastiest experience, like Cantine Vittoria or Antiche Sere.
A tour of underground Turin
Turin is well known as one of the world cities of supernatural: the tradition says that it forms the black magic triangle with London and San Francisco, and the white magic one with Prague and Lyon. If you are curious about angels, demons and alchemy, start this underground tour to discover Turin’s deep secrets. Get to piazza Statuto, established on an ancient Roman necropolys and old location of the city gallows; then visit the Moncalieri castle, ancient house of Templar Knights, and finally reach the Devil’s Door, in via XX Settembre.
pic: Luca Galli
A glass of Bicerin to warm up…
After the dark Turin’s thrills, it’s time for a sweet reward to finish your day. Coffee, chocolate and milk cream: these are the ingredients of “Bicerin” (that means “small glass” in Turin dialect). This hot and analchoolic drink warms up the locals’ winter nights since the end of ‘800. Try it at “Al Bicerin”, oldest home of this true delicatessen, loved by famous artists like Picasso and Hemingway.
pic: Rowena
A walk in the Valentino park
It’s Sunday morning, time to relax and rest. There’s no better way to start your second and last day in Turin than a nice walk in the green park of Valentino. Enjoy a full immersion in the most ancient and famous Turin garden, among benches, small ponds and even a real medieval village.
pic: Marco Segato
A jump in the ancient Egypt
Did you know that Turin was established by ancient Egyptians? Well, maybe then it is not strange that the city hosts the second biggest and important Egyptian museum of the world (the biggest one is in Cairo, of course): end your weekend in Turin with a descend nn a magic and mysterious atmosphere made of hieroglyphics, mummies and painted sarcophaguses… Unmissable rests are the Isis statue, the grave of Kha and the Golden mines papyrus.
pic: Alexander Schimmeck
One last suggestion to fully enjoy your weekend in Turin: two of the best times of the year to visit this wonderful city.
Enjoy the Christmas lights
Christmas is definitely the best time to visit Turin. The city lights up with a thousands lights and illuminations, acquiring a special charme thanks to “Luci d’Artista”, the art exibhition that has become one of its highlights since more than 15 years. Enjoy the wonderful and colourful light artworks hanged up everywhere in the center, and breath all the magic of Christmas.
Admire the Saint John fireworks
If you are in Turin on 24th June, you chose a great period to visit the city. The 24th is the day of Saint John, the city saint patron: in the night Turin’s sky is lighted up by wonderful fireworks. Find the best spot to enjoy them among Monte dei Cappuccini, Regina Margherita bridge or piazza Vittorio.
Now you know what to do and to see in this wonderful city, so book a flight or a train to reach the first capital of Italy (didn’t you know?) and be enraptured by its history and its magic!
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