2 Days in Turin: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Planning a weekend in Turin and wondering how to make the most of your time?

After spending 2 days in Turin, I came away wondering why more people aren’t talking about it. While visitors flock to Rome, Florence and Venice, Turin quietly gets on with being one of Italy’s most elegant city break destinations.

Over the course of a weekend, we explored royal palaces, climbed to panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Alps, wandered through bustling markets and squeezed in more espresso and aperitivo stops than I care to admit.

If you’re looking for the perfect Turin itinerary, this guide covers exactly how I would spend 2 days in Turin, including the attractions worth prioritising, where to slow down for coffee and how to see the city’s highlights without feeling rushed.

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2 Days in Turin: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Is 2 days in Turin enough?

For most people, yes.

If you’re wondering whether Turin in 2 days is realistic, the answer is yes.

Two full days gives you enough time to explore Turin’s historic centre, visit a few of the city’s most famous attractions, experience its café culture and enjoy some of the best viewpoints without feeling rushed.

If you love museums, day trips or slower travel, you could easily spend longer here. However, for a first visit, a weekend in Turin is the perfect introduction.

If you’re deciding which attractions to prioritise, have a look at my guide to the best things to do in Turin, where I’ve covered 30 attractions, viewpoints, cafés and museums in more detail.

Nishi seated at a small round table near a tall window holding a bright orange cocktail inside an elegant lounge with gold trim and velvet chairs. Plates of snacks and a second cocktail sit on the table as daylight shines through the window behind her.

Day 1: Historic Turin, Royal Palaces and Aperitivo

Morning: Piazza Castello and Turin’s historic centre

Start your weekend in Turin in Piazza Castello, the city’s historic heart.

Historic buildings and domed church tower overlooking a quiet square in Turin beneath an overcast sky. Pedestrians and a cyclist move through the open plaza between elegant façades.

Many of Turin’s most important attractions are located within a few minutes’ walk of the square, making it the ideal place to begin exploring. Much of the piazza was under construction when we visited, so it didn’t feel as impressive as it might have done without all the scaffolding.

Spend some time wandering through the piazza before heading inside the nearby Church of San Lorenzo and Turin Cathedral.

Side chapel inside a grand church featuring colorful marble columns, carved statues, and a detailed altar framed by an arched ceiling. A curved stone railing surrounds the richly decorated space. — Church of San Lorenzo

Massive domed church interior with painted frescoes, tall marble columns, and ornate arches rising above a crowded congregation. Sunlight streams through circular windows high in the ceiling illuminating the detailed architecture. — Church of San Lorenzo

The cathedral is best known for housing the Shroud of Turin, a linen cloth believed by many to be the burial shroud of Jesus and one of Christianity’s most famous religious relics.

Both are worth visiting, particularly if you enjoy historic architecture and religious art. For me, nothing quite feels like Italy without at least one church or cathedral visit.

Large historic church with a tall brick bell tower rises above a wide stone piazza under cloudy skies. Visitors gather on the church steps while cyclists and pedestrians cross the open square. — Turin Cathedral

If the Torre Campanaria is open during your visit, consider climbing to the top for panoramic views across the city for around €3. Located beside Turin Cathedral, their opening hours are limited to Friday to Monday, so check this in advance.

Late Morning: Palazzo Reale Torino

From Piazza Castello, continue to Palazzo Reale; the Royal Palace of Turin.

The former residence of the House of Savoy offers an insight into Turin’s royal past and is one of the city’s most important landmarks. Even if you don’t usually prioritise palaces when travelling, this one is worth making time for.

Check availability for tickets and a guided tour here.

Lunch and coffee break

Turin is famous for its historic cafés, so this is the perfect opportunity to slow down and experience one of the city’s traditions.

We stumbled upon an excellent vegan cafe nearby called Articiocc Gastronomia Inclusiva.

Exterior of Articiocc, a vegan and vegetarian deli on a stone lined city street. Large storefront windows display signs promoting vegan food and inclusive gastronomy, inviting visitors inside.

Nishi sits at a table inside a vegan deli holding a plate filled with assorted plant based dishes and smiling as she looks down at the meal. A slice of rustic bread rests beside the plate on the tray.

They have an extensive variety of hot and cold dishes to choose from, including 3 different types of lasagne. You can choose to pay for either 2, 3 or 4 items from the menu, and we loved it all.

Nishi smiles at the camera while holding a spoonful of layered vegan dessert and a cup of tiramisu style cake. She sits at a table inside the vegan deli enjoying a sweet treat after her meal.

Vegan deli counter with trays of prepared dishes labeled in Italian, including mushroom and bean stew and stuffed onions. Cookies and a layered dessert sit on a glass shelf above the hot food display, showcasing the variety of plant based options available.

I was very excited to spot a vegan tiramisu, but sadly this didn’t hit the spot for me.

I would then go to one of the historic cafés nearby for an espresso and a spot of people-watching.

Afternoon: Via Roma and Mole Antonelliana

After lunch, make your way to Via Roma for a stroll. Since you’ll already be near Piazza San Carlo, it makes sense to explore this part of the historic centre before continuing towards Mole Antonelliana.

Via Roma is one of Turin’s most elegant shopping streets.

Busy pedestrian avenue in Turin framed by grand arcaded buildings and large square planters filled with trimmed shrubs. Crowds walk beneath the covered porticos toward a church tower visible in the distance.

Evening view of Turin’s illuminated arcades with glowing yellow lights reflecting against long rows of stone columns. A man wearing a backpack stands in the center of the wide pedestrian walkway under a deep blue twilight sky.

If museums are your thing, the Egyptian Museum sits just off Via Roma and is considered one of the finest Egyptian collections outside Egypt.

You can purchase skip the line tickets here or skip the museum entirely.

Continue towards Mole Antonelliana while you’re already exploring this side of the historic centre. It saves crossing the city later in the trip.

The Mole Antonelliana photographed from street level beneath a cloudy sky, showing its towering spire and ornate historic architecture. Surrounding buildings frame the landmark from both sides.

Closer view of the Mole Antonelliana surrounded by elegant historic buildings and red tiled rooftops across Turin. Soft clouds and hazy mountains form the backdrop behind the city skyline.

This is the city’s most recognisable landmark, which was built in 1889. The building houses the National Cinema Museum, with exhibitions spiralling around the central atrium while the glass lift rises through the middle of the structure.

The Mole was fully booked when we visited which is surprising considering Turin isn’t a tourist hub and it was shoulder season. We had planned to take the panoramic lift for the views, but it didn’t work out.

Whether you plan to visit the museum or take the panoramic lift to the top, book your tickets in advance as availability can be limited.

You can either choose to purchase a ticket for the museum, the panoramic lift (€13) or for both together (€23).

Even if you don’t go inside, the building itself is impressive and worth seeing up close.

Evening: Piazza San Carlo

As the day starts to wind down, head to Piazza San Carlo.

Crowds walking across a sunny piazza in Turin beside an ornate Baroque church façade with tall columns and rooftop statues. Warm light highlights the pale historic buildings against a bright blue sky.

This is one of the best places in Turin to experience aperitivo, a tradition that originated in the city. Find a table outside, enjoy the sound of the talented musicians playing somewhere in the distance, order a spritz or cocktail and indulge in one of the most enjoyable parts of Italian culture.

They will bring you a light platter of small, savoury Italian bar snacks. This is usually a pre-dinner snack as Italians tend to dine late into the evening.

For dinner, continue into Quadrilatero Romano, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants, wine bars and lively streets filled with locals.

Day 2: Viewpoints, Markets and Local Neighbourhoods

Morning: Monte dei Cappuccini

Start your second day with a hike to one of the best views in Turin. I recommend visiting in the morning while temperatures are cooler, especially if you’re travelling during spring or summer.

Wide panoramic view across Turin with the Mole Antonelliana rising above rows of terracotta rooftops beneath layered grey clouds. Green trees in the foreground frame the historic city skyline and distant mountains.

Monte dei Cappuccini overlooks the city and offers a fantastic panorama of Turin’s rooftops with the Alps in the distance. Visiting in the morning usually means fewer crowds and softer light for photographs.

With only 2 days in Turin, you’ll likely only have time for one viewpoint – so I would make it this one.

Nishi leaning against a brick wall while overlooking Turin and the Mole Antonelliana under a dramatic cloudy sky. The elevated viewpoint stretches across the city’s rooftops and historic buildings.

Panoramic view across Turin with the Mole Antonelliana rising above rows of terracotta rooftops beneath a dramatic cloudy sky. Green trees in the foreground overlook the sprawling cityscape and distant mountains.

You will find the Church of Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini at the summit, but the real highlight is the panoramic skyline view with Mole Antonelliana framed against the Alps.

Mid-Morning: River Po and Parco del Valentino

From Monte dei Cappuccini, make your way down towards the River Po.

A walk along the river offers a different perspective of the city and provides a welcome break from museums and historic buildings. Continue towards Parco del Valentino, one of Turin’s most popular green spaces.

Nishi standing beside a stone bridge overlooking the calm river and green riverside promenade in Turin. Soft cloudy skies reflect across the water behind the historic balustrade.

This part of Turin is so tranquil to wander around.

Lunch: Local cafés and bicerin

Before continuing your sightseeing, make time to try a bicerin.

This traditional Turin drink combines layers of espresso, chocolate and milk and is one of the city’s most famous specialities. Caffè Al Bicerin is the original home of the drink, although you’ll find it on menus throughout the city.

Espresso and layered coffee drinks sit on a small round café table under an arched portico overlooking a busy Italian piazza. Sunlight pours into the open arcade while people relax at nearby outdoor tables.

I’m more of a straight-up coffee girl and very rarely order anything with syrups, chocolate or added flavours. Being lactose intolerant doesn’t exactly help either.

I did manage to find a vegan version at a café near the Mole, but unfortunately it wasn’t really for me. Jass, on the other hand, loved the traditional version he tried and would happily have ordered a second.

Afternoon: Porta Palazzo market

Spend the afternoon exploring Porta Palazzo, one of Europe’s largest open-air markets. It is huge and, if you visit on a Saturday, incredibly busy. Just bear in mind that the market is closed on Sundays, so you’ll need to adjust your Turin itinerary accordingly if you’re visiting for a weekend.

However, this is one of the best places to experience everyday life in Turin and browse everything from fresh produce to local food products.

There isn’t anywhere else in the city where you can watch Italian nonnas inspecting fruit and veg with military precision, alongside professional chefs. Aside from being entertaining, the stalls are spectacular and the market feels like a genuine glimpse into everyday life in Turin.

Late afternoon: Lavazza Museum

Museo Lavazza is only a 15-minute walk from Porta Palazzo, making it an easy addition to your 2-day Turin itinerary without needing to rely on public transport.

If, like me, you are a coffee aficionado, I highly recommend a visit.

Nishi seated in a white chair inside a modern exhibition space surrounded by colourful fashion photography and digital art displays. A black wall beside her reads “L'UNIVERSO” in large white letters at Lavazza Museo

Vintage cash register and old olive oil tin displayed on a marble counter inside a museum style exhibition space. Hanging prints and historic café themed illustrations decorate the background above the display at Lavazza Museo

This interactive museum gives you a real insight into Italy’s most iconic coffee brand, which was founded by Luigi Lavazza in Turin.

It’s an easy way to spend an hour and a half, ending on a high with your choice of espresso, cappuccino cream or a coffee cocktail.

Early evening: Galleria Subalpina and Galleria San Federico

You can’t spend a weekend in Turin without visiting some beautifully historic arcades.

Elegant indoor shopping arcade with vaulted glass ceilings, marble floors, and luxury storefronts stretching into the distance. Decorative lanterns hang above the quiet corridor while shoppers browse along the sides. — Galleria San Federico

Nishi stands in the center of a bright covered shopping gallery with black and white marble floors and curved glass ceilings overhead. Crowds walk through the elegant arcade lined with luxury storefronts and hanging lanterns. — Galleria San Federico

Galleria Subalpina and Galleria San Federico are both easy to visit, with only a 5 minute walk between them.

Neither attraction takes long to visit, but both showcase the elegant architecture Turin is famous for and make a pleasant stop before aperitivo.

Historic indoor courtyard with ornate balconies and a blue glass ceiling surrounding a central garden filled with lush green plants. Warm lights illuminate the elegant architecture and mosaic flooring at night. — Galleria Subalpina

Evening: One last aperitivo

No weekend in Turin feels complete without one final aperitivo.

Whether you return to Piazza San Carlo or find a quieter local bar, it’s the perfect way to end your trip before dinner.

Neon “MARTINI” sign glowing red and blue beneath vaulted archways in a historic arcade lined with café tables and chairs. The dimly lit walkway creates a moody evening atmosphere in central Turin.

Nishi, woman with long curly hair sits at an outdoor café table holding an orange cocktail beside small Italian appetizers and another drink. Historic arched buildings and boutique storefronts line the quiet plaza behind her.

Piazza San Carlo was my favourite place in the city and Caffè Torino is perfectly positioned for one last aperitivo before dinner.

Where to stay in Turin

For a first visit, I recommend staying near Porta Nuova, Piazza Castello or the historic centre.

These areas provide easy access to most of Turin’s main attractions and make it possible to explore much of the city on foot.

We stayed at Hotel NH Torino Centro, which worked well as a base thanks to its metro connections (2 stops to Porta Nuova) and a quieter location.

Minimalist hotel bedroom with a large white bed, soft lighting, and matching bedside lamps against a neutral grey wall. Dark wooden flooring and clean modern furnishings give the room a calm and contemporary feel.

Bright hotel room workspace with a long white desk, two blue chairs, and a small minibar beneath a wide window with sheer curtains. Soft lighting and neutral tones create a clean and modern atmosphere.

The hotel room itself is pretty bland and basic, but it was clean and comfortable. The area felt safe and it was quieter than staying directly in the busiest tourist areas.

Compact modern bathroom with a square white sink beneath a large illuminated mirror and mounted hairdryer on the wall. Toiletries and neatly folded towels are arranged beside the sink in the minimalist space.

Modern hotel bathroom with a glass walk in shower, white sink, bidet, and large illuminated mirror. Neutral stone tiles and chrome fixtures give the space a sleek contemporary design.

Is the Torino + Piemonte Card worth it?

If you’re planning to visit several museums, palaces or paid attractions during your 2 days in Turin, the Torino + Piemonte Card is well worth considering.

The card includes free or discounted entry to many of Turin’s top attractions, including several of the museums and royal residences featured in this itinerary. Since entrance fees can add up quickly, it can work out significantly cheaper than purchasing individual tickets.

Whether it’s worth the cost will depend on how much sightseeing you plan to do.

If you’re mainly interested in wandering the city, enjoying the cafés and soaking up the atmosphere, you may not get enough value from it.

However, if you’re planning to visit multiple museums, Palazzo Reale and other paid attractions, it’s definitely worth comparing the cost of the card against individual entrance fees before your trip.

You can check current prices and included attractions here.

Purchase the Torino + Piemonte Card here.

Top tips for spending a weekend in Turin

Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll cover a lot of ground on foot.
Consider purchasing the Torino + Piemonte Card if you plan to visit several museums or royal residences.
Book Mole Antonelliana tickets in advance if you want to take the panoramic lift.
Check attraction opening times carefully, especially churches.
Plan restaurant visits around Italian dining hours.

Cobblestone street in Turin lined with elegant apartment buildings, wrought iron balconies, and outdoor café seating beneath black umbrellas. Bicycles and pedestrians fill the lively street while green hills rise in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Frequently asked questions about Turin

How do you get to Turin?

Turin is easy to reach from elsewhere in Italy and across Europe.

We flew directly from London Stansted to Turin Airport and then took a bus into the city centre, which was straightforward and affordable.

If you’re already travelling around northern Italy, Turin is also well connected by train, with Milan only around an hour away.

How do you get around Turin?

One of the things I loved most about Turin was how walkable it felt. We explored the majority of the city on foot, although our step count was fairly eye-watering by the end of the weekend.

For attractions further from the centre, such as Basilica di Superga or the Juventus Museum, there are trams, buses and a metro system that are easy to use and reasonably priced.

Nishi in a pink jacket walking beneath elegant arched porticoes lined with ornate columns and historic wooden doors in Turin. Sunlight casts long shadows along the covered walkway.

What is the best time to visit Turin?

Spring and autumn are generally considered the best times to visit Turin, thanks to the mild temperatures and fewer crowds.

We visited in early May and had lovely weather for most of the trip, although my hay fever had other ideas. Autumn is also a great time to visit if you’re interested in food, wine and seasonal events across the Piedmont region.

How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Turin 🇮🇹 Is this Italy’s Most Underrated City?

Turin is one of Italy’s most underrated city break destinations. With its elegant architecture, excellent food, historic cafés and relaxed atmosphere, it’s a city that rewards slow exploration.

Two days is enough time to experience the highlights while still leaving plenty of reasons to return.

If you’re planning a weekend away, this Turin itinerary will help you make the most of your time while experiencing a mix of the city’s most famous sights and its local character. It leaves time for long lunches, coffee stops and aperitivo and is the perfect introduction to Italy’s Piedmont region.

If you’re still on the fence about visiting, I shared my full thoughts on whether Turin is worth visiting after spending a weekend in the city.

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