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Turin
Turin[1] (Italian: Torino), a large city of about one million inhabitants, is set in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, a one-hour drive from the French border and slightly more than that from the Mediterranean sea.
Culture and History
Turin was the first capital of modern Italy, and was the host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. While it's not a famous cultural city like Florence or Rome, the setting is pleasant, with the Po River flowing through the city, and the Italian Alps off in the distance.
Turin is an important city of technology and industry, and the FIAT automobile company is based here. (The 'T' in the name stands for Torino).
Turin inhabitants are well known across Italy for their understatement and confidentiality and the city reflects this attitude.
Somebody says it's the European capital of Baroque: many palaces and churches were built in this style during the kingdom of the Savoia. It isn't the typical Italian city, with red and yellow buildings: is a bit more French; wide boulevards with white buildings make the city centre more similar to Paris.
Turin is trying to attract more tourists, and so there are many events that worth a visit.
Travel to Turin, visa requirements
Flights to Turin, airtickets
The airport of Turin is placed north of the city and is named Caselle. The main carrier is Alitalia, Italy's flagship airline, which operates flight from every major European and Italian city. Caselle is also a destination for some low fares airlines, for example Ryanair. The airport is connected to the city by bus and taxis.
Turin is also easily reached from Malpensa airport, which may be cheaper to fly to. There is a bus service running several times daily between the city and the airport [2]. The ride lasts 2 hours and costs 18 Euros (as of April 13th, 2007).
By train
Turin has two main railway station, Porta Nuova and Porta Susa. There also a smaller station near Lingotto area.
Generally speaking, Porta Nuova is a station dedicated to mid-range and long-range trains. Porta Susa serves some local trains, but the trains for Milan - leaving from Porta Nuova - also transit there. You'd better check in advance where you need to go. Many trains also stops in both stations.
Both stations are managed by Trenitalia, the Italian state railways.
By car
- A4. From Milan and Venice.
- A5. From Ivrea and Aosta.
- A6. From Fossano, Ceva, and Savona.
- A21. From Asti, Alessandria, Genoa, and Piacenza.
- A32. From Frejus and France.
Buses to Turin
Get around
By public transportation
Turin has an efficient system of city connections with busses and trams managed by GTT [3]. Currently, the first underground line was opened for the Olympics. Both urban and suburban areas are served by an efficient network. Busses and trams cross the city from morning to late at night.
- Torino Pass
By bicycle
The City of Turin has recently completed a network of bicycle paths throughout the city.
By car
Car Rentals If you would like to rent a car, you can find all the main car hire companies at Turin Airport. Car rentals companies are grouped together immediately in front of the Domestic Arrivals, Ground Floor-Level Zero.
By taxi
Taxis in Torino start the meter the moment your call is received. It is not customary to hail a taxi on the street.
- Pronto Taxi Tel: 011/5737
- Radio Taxi Tel: 011/5730
- Turin Airport Tel: (+39)11-991.44.19
- Main Railway station - Torino Porta Nuova Tel. (+39)11-54.73.31
- Via Sacchi ang. C.so Vittorio Emanuele II Tel: (+39)11-65.71.39
Turin attractions and sightseeing
Turin's main attractions include important baroque palaces and churches, a regular and attractive street grid, an extensive network of arcades, famous coffeeshops and a number of world-renowned museums.
- Mole Antonelliana. Turin's landmark building was completed in 1888 as a synagogue. The 167.5-meter tower is the highest work of masonry in Europe and it now contain one of the finest cinema museum of Europe.
- The National Cinema Museum, [4]. The museum was opened in July 2000 in the building that symbolizes Turin. The exhibition space covers 3,200 square meters and spans five floors. The themes of the floors are: the Archaeology of Cinema, the Film Camera, a Collection of Cinema Posters, Video Installations and the great Temple. In a spectacular setting the museum offers artifacts from the collection of the Maria Adrianna Prolo Foundation including: magic lanterns, optical illusions, photographs, drawings, models and other curious items.
- Museo dell'Automobile (Also Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia, Biscaretti for short.), Corso Unità d’Italia 40, [5]. Some may place this above the Uffizi as a showcase of Italian art. The collection houses over 170 vehicles, from 18th-century carriages to Formula 1 racers, and lots of gorgeous red sports cars.
- The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Duomo di San Giovanni. The Cathedral's Chapel of the Shroud houses the controversial Shroud of Turin, which is stored in a vault below the Duomo. It is only displayed by papal decree, and the last time it was shown was during the Jubilee Year of 2000. The next time it is slated to be shown is the next Jubilee Year of 2025.
- Egyptian Museum, [6]. The Egyptian Museum houses the most important collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts outside Cairo. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice after acquiring the collection of the archeologist Drovetti, the museum contains 30,000 exhibits. It documents the history and civilization of Egypt from the paleolithic to the Coptic era through unique exhibits and collections of objects d'art, articles of daily use and funeral furnishings (including the Altar of Isis, the canvas painted by Gebelein, the intact tombs of Kha and Merit, and the exceptional cliff temple to Ellesjia). It's the second biggest Egyptian museum of the world, second only to Cairo.
- Palazzo Madama, Piazza Castello. Recently re-opened after a long refurbishment, is attracting many tourists. It was home of the Queen, and is a mix of medieval and baroque rooms. There's a room with red sofas to take a rest after the visit, with a magnificient chandelier, and a cafeteria in one of the rooms.
- Palazzo Carignano, Via Accademia delle Scienze 5 (close to Piazza Castello).
- Quadrilatero Romano. Full of restaurants, it is the old roman town, north west from Piazza Castello.
- Via Garibaldi, pedestrian-only shopping zone nearby Piazza Castello.
- Galleria Subalpina, a pedestrian passage from Piazza Castello e Piazza Carlo Alberto. One of the most elegant place of the city.
- Valentino Park, the biggest park in Turin central area. This park is situated along the Po river and in its area you can find the Valentino Castle, and the Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale).
- Cathedral of Superga. On top of the hill near Turin, this cathedral was built in thanksgiving for a victorious battle against French and houses the tombs of the House of Savoy. In 1949 a plane carrying the entire Turin FC team fell near the cathedral, killing one of the greatest football teams ever. At the crash site a plate memorializes the dead. The top of the hill is the best view of Turin, with the magnificent Alps behind. You can reach the top by car but also by a little chain-train. Ask for the Trenino per Superga.
- Castello di Rivoli, [7]. In the small town of Rivoli, east of Turin. Houses one of Europe's most important Contemporary Art Museums. The Castle of Rivoli is a unfinished XVIII castle that stands on top of Rivoli hills. Corso Francia (France Road) is one of the world's longest streets and was built because of the desire of the House of Savoy to connect Royal Palace in the center of Turin with Rivoli Castle. You can reach it by bus or taxi.
City tours
- A trip to Superga and to see the beautiful view of Turin from there.
- A walk on Roma street from Porta Nuova Station to Piazza Castello through Piazza San Carlo to see how scenic this city can be.
- A walk on Po street from Piazza Castello to Piazza Vittorio and further to the Gran Madre Church. Stop on the bridge and enjoy the beautiful view of the Po river.
- Have a break in one of the historic cafes located around Piazza Castello, such as Mulassano or Baratti&Milano(est. 1873).
Learn
The "Università Degli Studi di Torino", a public university with all the main faculties, is located in Turin. The main campus is located just off Via Po. Also well known is the "Politecnico di Torino", a university of engineering and architecture. The Politecnico has multiple campuses, including one in Castello di Valentino (in Parco Valentino) and another outside the city center on Corso Francia; their main campus is on Corso Duca degli Abruzzi.
Work
Shopping, Turin souvenirs
Turin is mediocre city for shopping, although there are plenty of small and expensive brand shops.
- Via Roma, from Piazza Castello to the main railway station. Here you can find upscale brands like Hermes and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as cheap chains like H&M, United Colours of Benetton and Zara. In Piazza CLN, behind Piazza San Carlo, there's a good branch of La Feltrinelli, a bookstore chain with shops all over the country. On the Via Roma there is also a branch of FNAC, the French book and multimedia chain.
- Via Garibaldi- People in Turin say it's the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. There are clothes shops, bars, a Nike store and a new branch of the Japanese store Muji at the beginning of the street near Piazza Castello.
- Via Po is more alternative, with record shops and strange clothing stores under the arcades. This street goes from Piazza Castello to the Po River (Piazza Vittorio Veneto).
- Via Pietro Micca also houses upscale shops, but also one of the three shops of Frav. This 2-storey shop sells trendy clothes and is very popular in the city.
- Via Lagrange, near Via Roma, houses the Lagrange 15 shopping centre, with La Rinascente department store.
- Le Gru is a shopping center in Grugliasco, just outside Turin. It's noteable because you'll find Ikea here, so those moving to the city can easily stock up on home essentials. Easy access TO the center on the #17 bus, but it's a long walk back from Ikea to the bus stop when you've got a lot of housewares. Consider timing your return trip to one of the infrequent #66 busses, or take a taxi back.
- Bookstores are very popular in Turin, and there are many in the Via Po area. An innovative bookshop is in Via Cesare Battisti, near a lovely square, Piazza Carignano. Together with books you can also sit down and have a cup of coffee, or the famous aperitivo. The Luxembourg International Bookshop is at V. Accademia delle Scienze, 3 (just off Piazza Castello) and it's your best destination for English-language novels, EFL teaching materials and foreign magazines and newspapers.
- The Quadrilatero Romano is a trendy neighborhood north of Piazza Castello. It is the most ancient part of the city, and once was an unsafe area. But now there are many design shops (Marcopolo, via Sant' Agostino) and indepent shops like Autopsie Vestimentaire or Born In Berlin in its pedestrian cobbled streets.
- Porta Palazzo is a big market in Piazza della Republica (north of the Quadrilatero). It is mainly for inexpensive food, but a newly built building by the famous architect Massimiliano Fuksas hosts the clothing part of the market.
But for the best specialities of Piedmont you should go to the Farmers' Market in the lovely town hall square (Piazza Palazzo di Città) the first Sunday of the month
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Budget
- Obelix, Piazza Savoia. This bar served a nightly aperitivo- meaning with the purchase of a beverage you receive unlimited access to a food buffet. During the aperitivo, all drinks (from water to cocktails) cost the same price, which is about EUR 8. The aperitivo starts around 18:00 and ends when the food runs out, usually around 21:00.
- Gennaro Esposito, Via Passalacqua 1/g (near Piazza Statuto). 011 535 905. For about 15 euros, sit at one of the few tables and one of the best pizzas in Turin.
- Fratelli La Cozza, Corso Regio Parco 39. 011 859 900. Outside the city center, this large pizzeria is brightly decorated and popular with large groups. If you're a couple, ask for a balcony seat for the best view!
- Exki, Two locations in the center of Turin: Via XX Settembre 12 and Via Pietro Micca near Piazza Castello. 011 560 4108. The healthiest fast-food you'll find in Turin, Exki serves up fresh salads, soups, quiches and health-minded entrees at low prices. You'll also find a selection of fresh juices, organic beers and organic coffees.
- Tre Galli, Via Sant'Agostino 25. 0115216027. Nice "Vineria" in the quadrilatero perfect for the aperitivo. Service is good and the ambiance is young and relaxed, not too trendy. Here you can eat or just drink. Typical dishes of Torino reinvented.
- Sfashion Cafè, Via Cesare Battisti 13. 011 5160085. The owner and the decorations are the same of Fratelli La Cozza: kitsch an funny. Infact the owner is Piero Chiambretti, an Italian actor. Good pizza and southern italy dishes. Perfectly located on the lovely Piazza Carlo Alberto, pedestrianized.
Mid-range
- L Birichin, Via Vincenzo Monti 16/a, 011 65 74 57, [8]]. $35-$45.
- Arcadia, Galleria Subalpina (Piazza Castello), 011 56 13 898 beautiful place, sushi bar.
- Trattoria Ala, Via Santa Giulia 24, 011 81 74 778. For about 35$ you will get delicious food and wine. Definitely to try Cantucci con vinsanto dessert. Beware that they cook Tuscany-typical food, so if you are looking for Piedmon-typical food, you may not be in the very right place.
Splurge
Turin nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Vinicola Al Sorij Via Matteo Pescatore 10c (close to Piazza Vittorio), 011 835667, wine and entries.
- Zonk Via Bellezia 20. 011 521 7568. In the heart of the Quadrilatero Romano, Zonk features an expansive cocktail list (from Mojitos to Manhattans to cocktails with dried, powdered scorpions!), long wine list and nightly aperitivo buffet in a funky environment. When the food is cleared away a live DJ starts spinning.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
- Hotel Due Mondi Via Saluzzo, 3. (Savoyard City) Singles, doubles, and suites. Breakfast included.
- Bed & Breakfast Casa Romar
- Hotel Nizza-Turin
- Hotel Conte Biancamano
- Hotel San Carlo
- Hotel Bologna is right across the street from Porta Nuova station. Single rooms are EUR 50 per night and the staff are sweethearts.
- Doria, Via Academia Albertina, 42 (near to Porta Nuova Train Station, Center) +39 011 889300. Single rooms are EUR 30, doubles EUR 40. TVs and bathrooms in the room, with very friendly staff.
- Hosteling International Torino Via Alby 1 (across the river from the city center in the area called La Collina) +39 011 6602939. Just outside the city center and up a fairly steep hill, Torino's main youth hostel is services by Bus #52 (get off across the river, after the obelisk). It's clean, quiet and includes breakfast, but there is an afternoon lockout. EUR 14.50 for dorm-room accomodation.
- Serenella Via conte Luigi Tarino, 4 (Center) +39 011 837031 Double 31euro. Clean and nice, fantastic price for Torino (note: at the Youth Hostel in Torino you pay 14euro for sharing the room with other 9 people; here you can share your room with one person for 15.50euro, and it's much closer to the city center)
Mid-range
- Hotel Artua'&Solferino via Brofferio, 3. (Piazza Solferino). Rooms for 1-4 people. Internet access and parking available. $80-$200
- Hotel Interporto, Sesta Strada Interporto Sud Sito, 10040, Tel. +39 011.3981600 | Fax. +39 011.3981750, [9]. Easily accessible from the Caselle highways and the nearby Caselle international airport, the three star Hotel Interporto is located in the Turin area.
Splurge
- Grand Hotel Sitea Via Carlo Alberto 35.
- Le Petit Hotel Via San Francesco d'Assisi, 21.
- Le Meridien Lingotto Via Nizza 262. Four-star business hotel in a former Fiat factory located just outside city center. $200 and up.
- Hotel Diplomatic Via Cernaia 42.
- Hotel Victoria Via Nino Costa, 4. Three-star. Junior Suites feature two-person jacuzzi bathtubs. Free wireless Internet in most rooms and lobby.
Contact
Stay safe
Be aware that the Porta Nuova area (train station) can be pretty dangerous, not only at night. This especially applies to the San Salvario neighbourhoods, which lies between the station and Parco Valentino. Be very careful especially with your luggage and backpacks.
Also the areas near Porta Palazzo can be dangerous, especially in the smaller streets.
Cope
Get out
- House of Savoy residences and hunting reserves. The city of Turin is surrounded by magnificent XVI, XVII and XVIII residences, like Royal Palace and Carignano Palace (in the centre of the city), Valentino Castle (inside the city, near the Po river, within Valentino Park), Rivoli Castle (10 km west of the city), Stupinigi Hunting Pavillion (between the town of Orbassano and Nichelino, south of the city), the Racconigi Castle (near border with Cuneo province).The two main Savoy's hunting reserves, La Mandria Park and Stupinigi Park, are now natural reserves.
- The Alps. Turin is a city that feels its mountain legacy and their proximity is why so many inhabitants have second homes in the thousands of little valley villages. During Summer, if you have a day and want to relax, take a trip to Gran Paradiso National Park, or Orsiera Rocciavrè Park, or Val Varaita Park. During Winter, the Alps offer a wide range of ski resorts, from one of the world's greatest, Via Lattea, to a number of small ski areas which are less crowded and cheaper.
- Saint Michael’s Abbey (Sacra di San Michele) [10] a fascinating ancient abbey built on top of a rock at the beginning of Susa Valley.
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