Turin
Turin is perhaps one of the least known cities in Italy, while it is one of the most beautiful. In recent years, more and more tourists discover the city.
Turin is perhaps the most 'classy' city in Italy. It has a French 'twist'. The Italian unification was signed in Turin in 1861, making it the first capital of the united Italy. The House of Savoy was based in Turin and the family lived in the Palazzo Reale for centuries before the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuelle II, took up residence in 1865. Palazzo Reale is open to the public and definitely worth a visit. Palazzo Reale, Piazetta Reale 1 in Turin.
In addition to the palace, you can see the royal flair of Turin in the many galleries in the old town. You will find them if you walk from Piazza San Carlo on Via Roma (check google maps). For example, visit the Galleria San Federico and the Galleria Subalpina.
Galleria Subalpina in the center of Turin
Turin is known for its coffee culture and the many monumental coffee houses. So for coffee, treat yourself and go to one of the city's beautiful historic coffee houses, such as Caffe Baratti & Milano in the Galleria Subalpina (1875), Caffe Torino on Piazza San Carlo (since 1903) and Caffe San Carlo, a little further on Piazza San Carlo (since 1822). If you come by car, there is a large Q Park parking garage under Piazza San Carlo where you can park for reasonable rates. An perfect starting point for your day in Turin.
Caffe Torino on San Carlo Square in Turin
Where to lunch
We prefer to have lunch in Italy among the locals. In Turin, Gastronomia Ferrero is our number 1 lunch spot. You are literally sitting among the shop shelves and shelving units with Italian food, but we find that charming. In 1986, the Ferrero family started here as a butcher's shop and the business quickly grew into the caterer/restaurant that they are today. Usually open all year round, with the exception of August when the family is on holiday. Gastronomia Ferrero, Via Antonio Bertola 6 in Turin.
At Ferrero you simply sit among the store shelves
In 1986, the Ferrero family started here as a butcher's shop and the business quickly grew into the caterer/restaurant that they are today. Usually open all year round, with the exception of August when the family is on holiday. Gastronomia Ferrero, ViaAntonio Bertola 6 in Turin.
Eating among the locals at Gastronomia Ferrero
Alleys of Quadrilatero Romano
Turin has wide, stately avenues, which gives the city a truly royal character. The city also has an old district with narrow streets: Quadrilatero Romano. This is the historic center of Turin, with antique shops, restaurants and bars. Best to walk through it in a bit of a 'zigzag'. It's an authentic neighborhood where you can go out in the night.
Aperitivo
Advantage of Turin: all distances are easily walkable. For an aperitivo in the afternoon, stroll to Piazza Vittorio Veneto, a large and elongated square that is full of terraces in the summer. The young people like to gather here to drink an aperitivo. With your glass of wine or spritz you get all kinds of small snacks, according to Piedmontese custom. From Piazza Vittorio Veneto it is a few meters to the River Po. This is the longest river in Italy: the Po starts in the Alps and ends in the Adriatic Sea near Venice. It is wonderful to walk along the water: people stroll there, people row on the river and there are terraces.
Slow food
Turin and the Piedmont are the cradle of the slow food movement. Slow food was created in 1986 by the Italian Carlo Petrini as a counterpart to fast food and revolves around good quality food, locally produced and traditionally prepared. At Ristorante Consorzio you can experience slow food in its purest form. For example, try the ravioli with Tumin del Mel cheese, the steak tartare or the meat-filled agnolotti pasta. Distinguished wine list, with (also) natural and biodynamic wines. Reservations are a must. Ristorante Consorzio, via Monte di Pieta 23, Turin, +39 011 276 7661. Read here more about our favouriote restaunts in the Piedmont.
Slow food restaurant Consorzio scores highly in the New York Times, de Volkskrant and Michelin
Fiat Lingotto
For car enthusiasts and everyone else, end or start your day in Turin with a visit to Lingotto, this is the old Fiat factory in Turin. The building was opened in 1922 after seven years of construction and was the largest car factory in the world at the time, until Ford took over in 1927. Now Lingotto is getting a second life, with a shopping center, two hotels and a museum with the art collection of the Agnelli family (owners of Fiat). The museum is called Piacoteca Agnelli and you can see works by Matisse, Picasso and Renoir. On the roof you can view the old test track of the Fiat factory where the brand new cars were tested before they were delivered. Lingotto, on Via Nizza in Turin.
Antique market
You must see the 'Balon'! This is a famous antique and flea market, every Saturday in Turin. The flea market has been around since 1857 and you will find the stalls in the Borgo Dora, Cottolengo, Lanino, Mameli, and Cortile del Maglio. The Gran Balon, the big brother of the Balon, is held every second Sunday of the month. Furniture, tableware, glassware, old books, paintings, prints, you name it and you can find it here. For more information, visit https://www.balon.it/. Read more about the markets in the Piedmont.
