How to Spend 1 Day in Turin

Renowned for its opulent palaces, grandiose public squares, and high-brow gastronomy, stately Turin is one of northern Italy's gems. Happily, even a single day is enough time to discover many of the city’s key highlights. From picturesque monuments and immersive museums to top-notch restaurants, here’s your perfect 1-day itinerary.

Morning: Introducing Turin

When you have just one day to discover Turin’s charms, make the most of your time and embark on a hop-on hop-off bus tour. In the space of just a couple hours, you can look forward to discovering everything from the elegant Piazza Castello and the Mole Antonelliana (a soaring monument that’s a symbol of the city) to the Turin Cathedral and the Villa della Regina palace, depending on the route that you select. Alternatively, a bike tour lets you discover the sights up close while also providing a speedy overview of the city.

Afternoon: A Turin Museum Tour

One of Turin’s most popular attractions is the Museo Egizio, or Egyptian Museum: Founded several centuries ago, the museum today hosts one of the world’s largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including sarcophagi, mummies, statues, and more. Book a skip-the-line tour to save time, or explore the galleries in the company of an egyptologist for a more in-depth experience. For a different kind of museum outing, spend an afternoon at the National Automobile Museum. See close to 200 cars on display, including vintage Fiats, Ferrari racing cars, and other prized vehicles.

Evening: Sample Turin’s World-Class Gastronomy

It isn’t a visit to Turin without a culinary adventure, especially considering that languorous meals, preprandial drinks, and indulgent dishes are the norm here. Enjoy a classic Turinese experience when you sign up for an aperitivo tour: In the early evening, venture to several traditional local bars and cafes for vermouth, cocktails, and generous platters of snacks. For a more varied experience, dinnertime walking tours broaden the gastronomic scope and include stops at multiple local eateries—a perfect way to sample widely when you only have one day to get acquainted with Turin’s delectable bounty.