Piazza San Carlo Tours and Activities
28 Reviews

Of Turin’s many baroque squares, Piazza San Carlo is a standout. Lined with porticoed palaces housing historic cafés, and the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo, this square on Via Roma between Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Felice is one of the liveliest in the city.
The Basics
Piazza San Carlo is often called “Turin’s parlor,” as it has been a popular gathering spot for locals since it was built in the 17th century. Its peripheral arcades are filled with busy restaurant and cafe tables, and the center of the square is full couples relaxing on the benches, children playing around the base of the statue of Duke Emmanuel Philibert, and tourists strolling through to reach the nearby Egyptian Museum. The square also hosts important public events, including New Year’s Eve celebrations and live streams of the city’s beloved Juventus soccer (football) matches.
Piazza San Carlo is a highlight of many private and small-group Turin walking tours or hop-on hop-off bus tours that visit the city’s top attractions. Other sights may include the Duomo, the Royal Palace, and Mole Antonelliana.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Most Turin tours of the city center and Piazza San Carlo are on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and a sun hat.
- The square is an excellent spot for a snack or coffee break at one of the sidewalk cafés that are tucked under the porticoes.
- With its wide, traffic-free spaces and street performers, Piazza San Carlo is a fun stop for kids.
- The open-air public square and its porticoed walkways are accessible to wheelchairs or strollers.
How to Get There
Piazza San Carlo is set along the main Via Roma thoroughfare in the heart of Turin, a short walk from the Porta Nuova train station and many of the city’s main attractions. Turin is a popular day trip destination from Milan; a direct train runs nonstop between these two cities.
When to Get There
The square is especially fun to visit during a Juventus championship game, when the space is crowded with local soccer (football) fans cheering on their home team.
Turin’s Café Culture
Turin has been famous for its literary cafés for centuries, and Piazza San Carlo has long been the center of the city’s café culture. The square is home to two of the most important and historic cafés in the city: Caffé San Carlo and Caffé Torino. Writers, intellectuals, and aristocrats gather here in the evenings to discuss politics, philosophy, and literature.
Address: Piazza San carlo, Turin, Piedmont, Italy
30 Tours and Activities to Experience Piazza San Carlo
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Best of Turin Full Day Guided Tour with Royal Palace, Duomo & Mole Antonelliana
2
Turin’s historic center is rich with lavish architecture and important museums, but fitting in the highlights in a single day can be complicated. See the Royal Palace, Duomo, and Piazza San Carlo in just hours with this guided walking tour, all while learning about this fascinating city that was the first capital of Italy. End your visit with a stop at the Cinema Museum and a jaunt to the top of the Mole Antonelliana.
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From
$277.10
Price varies by group size
From
$277.10
Price varies by group size

Small Group Highlights of Turin Bike Tour
13
Explore Turin by bike on a 3.5-hour tour with an informative guide. Discover the city of Italy's royal family, including famous attractions such as the castle, Valentino Park, and Mole Antonelliana, along with hidden gems that are favored by the locals. Choose between a morning or afternoon tour with a small group limited to 13 participants. Includes guide and use of bike equipment.
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From
$48.40
From
$48.40
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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Unusual tour of Turin for curious people
22
The Unusual tour is the most complete and informative walking tour (up to 4 hours) through the touristic and non-touristic spots of Turin: historical cafes, noble buildings, authentic places with traditions and intriguing stories, hidden gems, private residential courtyards also off the beaten track, "unexpected" churches with their treasures. The hours will fly by and you will certainly not get bored, I promise!
- Why is there a "devil" in the Royal Church?
- Where's "Mussolini's finger"?
- Why are there 18 km of underground tunnels and arcades?
- Have you ever heard about 2017 Turin's tragedy?
My style is ironical, informal, friendly and with an interactive point of view, for curious people who want to be amazed by the city...like you! Forget about the guides with an umbrella, their list of dates and big groups, because I want to give 100% of my attention to everyone.
Consider me like your LOCAL FRIEND, with whom you can also joke and have fun, more than a guide!
I recommend this tour for those want to understand the city with a local who knows many fascinating stories and unique places that you could not otherwise find. Moreover, also loving photography, I have designed an itinerary that will allow you to take very special and always interesting photos.
Do not just expect to walk and listen: get ready to chat, discuss the past, present and future of Turin, way beyond what's on the surface, in a journey backwards from 2021 to 15 BC!
✓✓✓ Please WRITE to me BEFORE booking (to +39 33 94 60 48 85 or here in the Q&A section) since, depending on your time availability and language, another day/hour would fit you better (the tour can be in 4 languages) and I could ask you to change day. I will answer as soon as I can!
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From
$81.07
From
$81.07
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Turin City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
52
Discover the charming Italian city of Turin on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour on a distinctive double-decker bus. From a panoramic top-deck vantage point, see all of Turin’s spectacular sights while listening to informative commentary. Cruise past landmarks like Parco del Valentino and Museo Scienze Natural and disembark whenever an attraction captures your attention. Enjoy a 24-hour or 48-hour validity period of your ticket and hop-on or hop-off the bus at numerous conveniently located stops.
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From
$15.73
From
$15.73

Turin Step by step
8
Turin has a world-famous charm: every monument hides magic and mystery.
A 2-hour walking tour of the city to get to know in a short time every curious, important and hidden corner. The most important and mysterious monuments, the history of the city, the most visited streets, the antique shops and nowadays shopping. And then we will talk about food, chocolate, wines and delicacies. Turin has been an important city for 2000 years: discover it with me!
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From
$18.15
From
$18.15
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Highlights of Turin Small-Group Walking Tour
31
Sightsee with a local guide in Turin, and discover the city’s charms on a 2-hour walking tour. With a small group of just 15 people, you’ll explore the Roman Quadrilateral and Piazza Castello on foot, and check out landmarks such as the food stalls of Porta Palazzo, the history-rich arcades of Via Po, and the Mole Antonelliana building.
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From
$22.99
Price varies by group size
From
$22.99
Price varies by group size

Turin Highlights Walking Guided Tour including La Consolata & Piazza San Carlo
25
This is the ideal tour for first-time visitors to Turin. Get your bearings of the city, and find out lots of local tips by going on a guided small-group walking tour. No need to worry about navigating, as a guide leads the way and provides interesting commentary about the city’s history. The tour covers many top Turin highlights such as Piazza San Carlo, Porto Palatina, Porta Palazzo food market, and Via Po.
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From
$20.57
From
$20.57
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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Turin,Explore the city in a Walking guided tour.
1
Enjoy max 12 people guided walking tour of this wonderful city. More than two thousand years of history have contributed to build up this incredible heritage: from the Roman Empire, through the Middle Ages and the Savoy court.
You will start in Piazza San Carlo, the aptly named "lounge" of Turin, is a miracle of elegance.
Be impressed by Porta Palatina , is considered one of the best preserved in the Roman world.
Discover The metropolitan cathedral of San Giovanni Battista is the main place of Catholic worship in Turin, it is the only religious building in Renaissance style in the city.
Reach Piazza Castello, this large rectangular esplanade is the true centre of Turin. At first, you may only have eyes for the dazzling Palazzo Madama, then your gaze will turn to the façade of the majestic Palazzo Reale.
Admire Piazza Carignano, one of the most important and historic squares of the Piedmontese capital.
You will end the tour at the Mole Antonelliana, major landmark of the city.
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From
$60.82
From
$60.82

Torino Quick Overview: City Center Walking Tour with Local Guide
If you would like a quick overview of the city of Turin, this tour is perfect for you. With a local guide you will get to see the main landmarks of the city and listen to the stories that your guide will tell you of the culture and traditions of Turin. In just two hours you will get to see the main monuments, streets and squares of Turin. Meet your guide in Piazza CLN, pass by Piazza San Carlo and Porta Palazzo, the main market of Turin. Next arrive in Piazza Castello where you can see the Royal Palace and the Duomo of Turin, two of the main landmarks of Turin. Finally walk along Via Po and look up to the Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of Turin. Take advantage of the knowledge of your guide and let them advise you of all the things to do in Turin next. Thanks to this outdoor tour you will want to see and learn more of this beautiful city!
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From
$23.58
Price varies by group size
From
$23.58
Price varies by group size

Turin Private City Tour, Bicerin or Gelato & Fast Access to Mole Panoramic Lift
This is the best way to visit Turin if you want to walk around and learn about its history.
The tour involves a private walking in the city center, starting from Piazza Castello, fulcrum from which the four most important streets of the city branch off home. Heart of the city in the past as in the present, Piazza Castello is home of the Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, the Teatro Regio and San Lorenzo Church. The best place to introduce you to the city!
Turin is famous for its squares, discover piazza san Carlo, Piazza Solferino and Piazza Carignano with your guide! Take a break and taste the warm Bicerin or the Pinguino, the local ice cream.
Walking along Via Po', you'll reach the most important monument of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana; here is hosted the Museum of Cinema and by fast access tickets, you will skip the line to reach the top of Mole Antonelliana and admire the breath-taking view of Turin landscape!
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From
$144.00
Price varies by group size
From
$144.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Turin Highlights Small-Group Walking Tour for Kids & Families with Local Guide
1
Experience Turin’s rich history and culture on this family-friendly excursion. Explore sites like Piazza San Carlo, Piazza Costello, Palazzo Reale, Palantine Gates, and the Turin Cathedral—home of Jesus’ supposed burial cloth. Learn about the city from an informative local guide in an atmosphere kids will love, with trivia, games, and scavenger hunts.
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From
$35.09
From
$35.09
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Gourmet holidays on Piedmont hills Self-Drive
Discover the tasty treats of Italy’s Piedmont region on a 6-day wine and food experience. Embark on delicious experiences such as truffle hunting, cheese making, wine tasting, and hazelnut harvesting as you visit Turin, Barolo, Alba, Barbaresco, and other towns. Explore the grandiose palaces of the Savoia Royal family and admire the beautiful scenery of the Italian countryside.
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From
$1,303.15
From
$1,303.15

Chocolate Tour in Turin for Kids and Families Including Gianduiotto and Bicerin
Chocolate is food for your heart and soul, which is why this tour is a must!
If you have never tried a chocolate tour in Torino, this is your chance to take a step into heaven...
Our kid-friendly guide will take you and your family on a mouth-watering walk through the most “chocolatey” areas of Turin, where you will taste the most delicious "food of the gods"!
It goes without saying that kids will love this tour and with our guide, an expert on entertaining children, they will learn many things about chocolate.
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From
$163.36
Price varies by group size
From
$163.36
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Turin by Night Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour & Vermouth Tasting in Vanchiglia
1
Many cities in Italy boast incredible architecture and culture, but Turin is especially sophisticated. Its Baroque buildings and grand squares give the city a refined atmosphere all its own. Explore the city by night with a local guide, when you can see its monuments lit up and free of the daytime crowds. The tour ends with a vermouth toast in the bustling Vanchiglia district.
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From
$29.04
From
$29.04
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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Turin Patisserie tour - Do Eat Better Experience
4
The city of Turin is known as the Italian capital of chocolate and this patisserie tour takes you to a few of the city’s best cafes and confectionaries. Learn how chocolate came to the Italian region hundreds of years ago and sample delicious confections such as gianduiotti, bicerin, marron glace, pinguino, and more. Become a chocolate expert after this tour and explore more of Turin’s confectionaries on your own.
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From
$63.23
$3.32 savings
From
$63.23
$3.32 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Breakfast in Turin Tour with Visit to Porta Palazzo Food Market & Gourmet Guide
1
Start exploring Turin at beakfast time with a local guide!
The tour begins in one of the most beautiful and fascinating places of the city, Piazza San Carlo, a beautiful seventeenth-century square which has been given the name of "Turin's salon".
Have breakfast in the most important café of this square, which opened in 1842 and where politics and writers, philosopher and main charachters of italian history used to meet.
The tour continues with a walk in the most elegant Street in town: via Cernaia that walks along the Roman Quadrilater. Along the way your local guide will show you hidden gems you will never see on your own! The last stop of your tour is the Porta Palazzo food market, the largest outdoor market in Europe, where you will taste local cheeses and cured meat.
On your tour, the guide gives you great tips on what are the best things to do in town. The best way to start your day in the wonderful city of Turin!
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From
$59.34
From
$59.34
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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Turin City Tour
1
Luisa, born and always lived in Turin, will lead you to visit with completely new eyes and experience the beauties and savor the sweetnesses of the city. Licensed Professional Tour Guide, graduated with insights in History and Archaeology, History of Art, Degree in Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Heritage; will guide you to the most secret mysteries of the city that pulsates under your feet.
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From
$74.47
Price varies by group size
From
$74.47
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Torino Mysteriosa ©
We will meet, at sunset, at the Great Mother of God and we will leave for a journey through initiatory and ineffable mysteri symbols ...
To make the tour within everyone's reach, we will make some sections by tram: public transport in Turin is excellent :-)
We will have fun getting on the legendary tram n.13 that starts right from the Gran Madre!
The mysterious path includes:
The Great Mother of God (the Holy Grail or not?)
Piazza Carignano (and its guardians)
Piazza San Carlo (what does the famous Nostradamus have to do with Turin?)
Palazzo Truchi (and its famous door !!!)
The Loggia Ausonia (unity of Italy ... this is an enigma!)
The Angelica fountain (masonry and christological symbols ... surprise friendships)
The Holy Martyrs (Jesuit Church)
The Cathedral (but are the aliens in Turin there or are they just 'hoaxes)?)
Corpus Christi (mysterious place indeed)
Piazza Castello (and its guardians)
More of course some surprises ...
I wait for you in Turin to discover the mystero of this unique city.
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From
$13.31
From
$13.31

Turin's historical doorways, shops and the Jewish ghetto
An itinerary that winds through the heart of the historic city centre of Turin, alternating secondary alleys with some of the most famous squares, proceeding towards the area of the Jewish ghetto: along the way, our guide will let you discover an interesting collection of historical workshops and access gates to the courtyards of palaces, most of them dating back to the 17th century, enriched by surprising symbolic masks, cherubs and animal figures.
We will stop at some cafes, groceries and trimming shops, most of which are still original, we will decipher the architectural and decorative elements present both outside and inside, on counters, shelves, chandeliers and in pottery for the preservation of ointments, spices and medicines as in the case of the ancient drugstores.
In the streets which were once part of the Jewish ghetto some wrought-iron gates can still be seen in buildings with one more floor than the neighboring houses although being of the same height.
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From
$199.66
per group
From
$199.66
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Dark Turin Exploration Game
Play a city exploration game where you search your surroundings for ways to solve fun challenges and puzzles that reveal amazing places and stories in the Old Town of Turin. There is no guide involved, you just follow an app and play at your own pace.
Each challenge will lead you to the next place by providing you with exact directions on screen. As you solve the challenge, the story of that place is unlocked. And the next location is revealed.
Highlights:
Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, an outdoor escape game, and a treasure hunt.
Travel from Piazza Statuto to the possible resting place of the Holy Grail in Piazza Vittorio
Discover queens, philosophers and scientists who have contributed to Turin's rich history and culture
If you are a group, one person can purchase access for everybody by selecting the total number of people. Everybody will be able to play the city game on their smartphones. Alternatively, each person can purchase their own ticket.
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From
$4.83
$1.21 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$4.83
$1.21 savings
Price varies by group size
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
Learn More

Pink Walking Tour of the Historic Center of Turin with Guide
Embark on a walking tour full of female anecdotes, gossip and curiosities that will make you discover the center of Turin in a new and captivating way.
In Turin, the presence of women in the history and politics of the city has been very well represented by great personalities. Join a close-knit group of travelers of all genders and ages, and embark on a walking tour full of unusual stories. At the center are the great women of Turin, we talk about their influence in society, enriched by some private history and some gossip, passing in front of the palaces and villas dedicated to the Madame of the capital.
In short, discover the best of the historic center of Turin, its emblematic monuments with fun and chat without neglecting the cultural and artistic aspect of this wonderful city.
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From
$60.82
From
$60.82
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Shopping Walking Tour of Turin with Local Guide and Aperitif
The best shop windows in the historic center of Turin await you in quality shopping with a local expert. Embark on an alternative walking tour that combines the visit of some traditional shops and luxury boutiques, with an aperitif to end the day.
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From
$58.08
From
$58.08
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Turin in Two Hours: Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Turin is an elegant city drenched in history, style and sophistication. The original capital of the Kingdom of Italy - and now commonly regarded as the Italian Capital of Baroque and Liberty - there’s so much to take in, it can at times feel overwhelming. With a guide to navigate you through however, in just two hours you’ll experience its most significant spaces, coming away with a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the city’s breathtaking history.
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From
$290.41
per group
From
$290.41
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

WELCOME TO TURIN - guided walking tour
Discover Turin with WE LOVE TORINO ❤
We are ready to welcome you and guide you to discover our wonderful city. Together we will visit the most characteristic neighborhoods and talk about the most interesting tourist and cultural attractions. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and will provide you with the keys to get to know our splendid Turin. If you wish, we can also stop for a coffee break to admire the historic places that are the centerpiece of the center and help to make the squares of Turin refined and elegant. We are waiting for you in Turin!
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From
$9.68
From
$9.68
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