The capital of chocolate; the birthplace of Aperitivo; Home of Fiat and Nutella; and one of the must-go Italian destinations. This is Turin, an old factory city that has been transformed into one of the most progressive places in Italy. There are so many things to do and places to see in Turin that you never want to leave!

While Rome is associated with the Empire, and Florence with the Renaissance, Turin is the Royal city of Italy. The House of Savoy is responsible for this title and for some breathtaking sights and places in Turin. The House of Savoy was the longest-ruling dynasty in all of Europe, from 1003 to 1946. 

Organizing a what-to-see checklist can be a little tricky. After all, you don’t want to end up at the same exact locations listed across every online tour guide! To help you in this mission, we talked to a local who shared all his secrets about Torino (Turin’s original Italian name). Our contact, Andrea Gazzola, is the Infrastructure & Technology Manager at the European Innovation Academy. Born and raised in Turin, he created an awesome list of places to see in Turin that you won’t find in any other guide.

1. Bunker 

Andrea defines this place as Berlin’s own venue in Turin. There are a ton of activities going on in this place, and it was once part of the industrial city. 

Bunker gathers music, art, nature, and sports. A climbing wall, wakeboard park, paddle field, art installations, concerts, two bars, three dancefloors, and a lot of graffiti make up just a glimpse of what you’ll discover during your visit.

2. Parco Valentino

Summer days can be quite hot, so it’s crucial to have a spot where you can breathe some fresh air. The Parco Valentino is a great place to chill out and enjoy an easy afternoon.

Visit Parco Valentino - Turin

Opened in 1856, Parco Valentino is the second-largest park in Turin. Buildings within the park include:

  • The Botanical Gardens
  • Castello de Valentino
  • Medieval Castle and Village
  • The Torino Esposizioni and Underground Pavilion Complex
  • Società Promotrice Delle Belle Arti
  • Villa Glicini
  • Enzo Ferrari’s special bench

So save some time to visit!

3. Balon 

Second-hand and vintage clothes, paintings, bikes, electronics… You can find everything at the Balon. This massive flea market is another place to go while visiting Turin. 

The Balon Market happens on the second week of every month, right behind Piazza Della Repubblica, or Porta Palazzo as it’s mostly known. So if you love to seek treasure and hunt for bargains, you know where to go.

4. Piazza Emanuele Filiberto

You’ve probably heard about Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the largest square in Turin. This is where you’ll want to go if you’re looking for a place to hang with your friends.

Piazza Emanuele Filiberto is full of cool restaurants and bars in the Quadrilatero district. Get ready to taste the best Italian food and wine!

5. Fondazione Sandretto

Turin is home to many important museums. A great example is The Museo Egizo, where you can find more than 30,000 Egyptian artefacts or the Cinema Museum. However, if you feel like visiting a museum apart from the typical tourists’ path, try the Fondazione Sandretto.

Sandretto

Created in 1995, this Foundation supports young Italian and foreign artists. It also promotes contemporary art with the aim of attracting an ever-growing population to the art world. 

General admission costs 7€, but students pay only 5€. And if you manage to visit on a Thursday (they’re open until 11 p.m.), it’s free!

6. Monte dei Cappuccini

We like to call this place the balcony of Turin. A few minutes’ walk from the center, in Monte Dei Cappuccini, you’ll see the city from the top. 

This is a place where locals love to take their friends and share all their secrets about Turin. Enjoy a sunny afternoon and fall in love with this jewel of a city.

Bonus

If you want to taste proper Italian flavors, you need to ask the locals where to go. We’ve asked Andrea to list some amazing restaurants and other spots worth a visit:

  • La Drogheria–Fancy a cocktail? Head to Piazza Vittorio.
  • Da Cianci, where you can the typical Piedmontese cuisine.
  • Santa Giulia Square & Saluzzo Square, two places to have some drinks with your friends.
  • Astoria & DDR in San Salvario, two cool bars in which to enjoy your night.
  • Esperia & Kogin’s, two places that are a mix of restaurant and club just by the River Po.
  • Snodo at OGR, the coolest bar in town.
  • Lentini’s garden, a restaurant to celebrate something special like your amazing experiences during the EIA Summer Program.

Ready to live in Turin as a local? We’ll see each other soon!