Where to Stay in Turin: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors

ByNishi V Updated on
Narrow residential street in Turin with rows of parked cars, pastel coloured buildings, and ornate balconies on both sides. The road leads toward green hills beneath a soft cloudy sky.

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Choosing where to stay in Turin can make a bigger difference than you might expect. While the city feels compact on a map, it’s surprisingly spread out once you start sightseeing. 

Turin feels far more relaxed than cities such as Rome or Venice, yet it’s actually Italy’s fourth-largest city.

Many of the main attractions are concentrated around the historic centre, but neighbourhoods such as Crocetta, Porta Nuova and Lingotto all offer very different experiences.

After spending a long weekend exploring the city, I found that choosing the right area to stay in Turin can save a huge amount of time and make it much easier to get around.

If you’re visiting Turin for the first time, these are the best areas to stay, along with some of the best hotels in Turin for every travel style.

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Where to Stay in Turin: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors

Best areas to stay in Turin

Centro Storico

Best for first-time visitors and sightseeing.

Quiet Turin street with tram tracks running between rows of ornate historic buildings beneath hanging street lamps. Soft sunlight and shadows stretch across the nearly empty roadway under a clear blue sky.
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.

If it’s your first visit to Turin, staying in the historic centre is one of the best options and a great base for sightseeing.

Many of Turin’s most famous attractions are located in the historic centre, including Piazza Castello, Palazzo Reale , Mole Antonelliana and Turin Cathedral. If you’re planning what you want to see and do, check out my guide to the best things to do in Turin.

The area is packed with beautiful architecture, historic cafés, elegant arcades and some of the best restaurants in the city.

The biggest advantage is convenience. You can spend most of your trip exploring on foot without relying on public transport.

The convenience comes at a price, though. Hotels here are among the most sought-after in Turin and typically cost more than those in neighbourhoods such as Crocetta or Lingotto.

Centro Storico is perfect for:

  • First-time visitors
  • Weekend city breaks
  • Sightseeing-focused trips

For most first-time visitors wondering where to stay in Turin, this is the area I would recommend.

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Entrance of the Principi di Piemonte hotel with Italian and European Union flags hanging above a stone façade. Large potted plants and outdoor seating frame the hotel entrance along a city sidewalk.

Porta Nuova

Best for transport connections.

Porta Nuova is one of the most practical places to stay in Turin.

The area surrounds Turin’s main railway station and offers excellent connections to the airport, other Italian cities and the metro network. It’s also only a short walk from Piazza San Carlo and many of Turin’s main attractions.

If you’re planning to combine Turin with destinations such as Rome, Milan or Florence, Porta Nuova makes an excellent base.

View through a dark stone archway towards an equestrian statue in a busy Turin square beneath a hanging lantern. Historic architecture and flags frame the crowded piazza in bright daylight.

Porta Nuova is perfect for:

  • Train travellers
  • Short city breaks
  • Multi-city Italy itineraries

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

San Salvario

Best for nightlife and food lovers.

Located just south of the historic centre, San Salvario is one of Turin’s liveliest neighbourhoods.

The area is known for its bars, restaurants, aperitivo spots and multicultural food scene. It’s within easy walking distance of the centre but feels younger and more energetic than some of Turin’s more elegant districts.

If you enjoy spending your evenings exploring local restaurants and wine bars, this is a great option.

San Salvario is perfect for:

  • Foodies
  • Nightlife
  • Couples and younger travellers

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Quadrilatero Romano

Best for atmosphere.

Quadrilatero Romano is one of Turin’s oldest neighbourhoods and one of the most atmospheric.

Its cobbled streets are lined with wine bars, independent shops, restaurants and historic buildings. In the evenings, the area comes alive with locals enjoying aperitivo and dinner. 

Hotels here are often more affordable than in the Centro Storico, so it is one of the best areas to stay in Turin if you want value without sacrificing location.

If you want to stay somewhere with plenty of character and nightlife on your doorstep, this is one of the best places to stay in Turin.

Quadrilatero Romano is perfect for:

  • Couples
  • Food and wine lovers
  • Travellers who want atmosphere

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Vanchiglia

Best for a local feel.

Two older men walk side by side beneath a long arcade lined with cream colored stone columns and vaulted ceilings. Sunlight filters into the covered walkway as café tables and people appear in the distance.

Located just east of the city centre, Vanchiglia feels more residential and less touristy than many of Turin’s central districts.

It’s known for its independent cafés, creative spaces, bookshops and relaxed atmosphere. You’ll still be within walking distance of Mole Antonelliana and many major attractions, but you’ll get a stronger sense of local life.

While we didn’t stay here ourselves, this is an area that repeatedly came up during my research when planning our trip.

Quiet residential street in Turin lined with pastel apartment buildings, balconies filled with plants, and parked cars on both sides. Diners sit at an outdoor restaurant terrace beneath black awnings under an overcast sky.

Vanchiglia is perfect for:

  • Returning visitors
  • Slow travellers
  • Anyone looking for a more local experience

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Borgo Po & Borgo Crimea

Best for views and tranquillity.

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.
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.

Situated across the River Po, Borgo Po and the elegant residential area of Borgo Crimea offer a completely different side of Turin.

These neighbourhoods are quieter, greener and closer to attractions such as Monte dei Cappuccini and Villa della Regina. The area feels more upscale and residential, making it ideal for travellers who prefer peaceful surroundings.

The trade-off is that you’ll be slightly further from the historic centre, although most attractions remain easily accessible.

Stone bridge crossing the Po River with ornate balustrades and statues overlooking calm green water. Trees and historic buildings line the riverbanks beneath dramatic grey clouds.
View across the Po River toward the hilltop Basilica of Superga rising above a dense canopy of green trees. Rowing docks and waterfront buildings line the riverbank beneath a cloudy sky.

Borgo Po & Borgo Crimea are perfect for:

  • Couples
  • Longer stays
  • Travellers seeking a quieter base

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Crocetta

Best for a quieter stay.

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.

If you prefer a quieter neighbourhood while still remaining close to the centre, Crocetta is a great option.

The area feels more residential and local, with elegant streets, cafés and fewer tourists. Despite being calmer, you’re still only a short metro, tram or taxi ride from Turin’s main attractions.

Accommodation here can offer better value than the historic centre, particularly if you don’t mind using the metro occasionally.

This is also where we stayed during our trip. Turin ended up exceeding all of my expectations and staying in a quieter area like Crocetta was part of what made the city feel so relaxed. 

If you’re still deciding whether to visit, I’ve shared my full thoughts on whether Turin is worth visiting.

Crocetta is perfect for:

  • Couples
  • Repeat visitors
  • Travellers looking for a quieter atmosphere

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

Lingotto

Best for longer stays.

Located south of the city centre, Lingotto is best known for its former Fiat factory, shopping centre and rooftop test track.

While it isn’t the most convenient location for sightseeing, it offers larger hotels, modern facilities and excellent transport links. It’s particularly useful for longer stays or business travellers.

Hotels in Lingotto are often more competitively priced than those in the historic centre, particularly if you’re planning a longer stay.

Lingotto is perfect for:

  • Longer trips
  • Business travel
  • Returning visitors

The top-rated hotels in this area are:

NH Torino Centro review

During our trip, we stayed at NH Torino Centro and found it to be a convenient base for exploring the city.

We chose it primarily because it offered noticeably better value than comparable hotels in the historic centre, while still providing easy metro access to the main sights.

The hotel is located near Porta Susa and sits between the city centre and the quieter Crocetta district. While it isn’t right in the heart of the tourist area, we actually appreciated being slightly removed from the busiest parts of Turin.

The metro station is only a short walk away and it takes just a couple of stops to reach Porta Nuova and Turin’s main attractions.

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 room itself was fairly simple and functional rather than luxurious, but it was clean, comfortable and had everything we needed for a weekend city break. The surrounding area felt safe and much quieter than staying directly in the historic centre.

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.
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.

Breakfast at the hotel was decent, although the selection was fairly limited, particularly if you are vegetarian or vegan.

Hotel breakfast buffet featuring fresh fruit including bananas, oranges, plums, pineapple, kiwi, watermelon, and mixed fruit salad arranged on white serving platters behind a glass sneeze guard. Clean white counters and bright lighting create a modern dining area.
Glass bottles and small jars of creamy desserts and milk drinks displayed on a white breakfast buffet counter beside pink orchids. Black labels read “bonet,” “latte di mandorla,” “bevanda di soia,” and “panna cotta.”

While it isn’t outstanding, it is a good option for when you have an early flight or need to eat before heading out for the day.

Breakfast plate with a croissant, cheeses, green beans, zucchini, carrots, pastries, espresso, cappuccino, and juice arranged on a white table. Fresh flowers and soft lighting give the café setting a calm morning atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a practical hotel with good transport links and don’t mind being slightly outside the main tourist hub, NH Torino Centro is a solid option.

Pros

  • Good metro connections
  • Quiet location
  • Comfortable rooms
  • Easy access to the city centre

Cons

  • Not within walking distance of every attraction
  • Rooms are functional rather than memorable
  • Less atmosphere than staying in the historic centre

Best hotels in Turin for first-time visitors

If convenience is your priority, I’d focus your search on hotels within the historic centre, around Piazza Castello or close to Porta Nuova station.

These locations make it easy to walk to many of Turin’s main attractions, historic cafés and restaurants, which is especially helpful if you’re only spending a weekend in Turin.

For travellers who prefer a quieter base, areas such as Crocetta offer a good balance between accessibility and a more local atmosphere.

For most first-time visitors, the historic centre is the best place to stay in Turin.

However, if you don’t mind using public transport occasionally, areas such as Crocetta and Porta Nuova can offer better value while still providing easy access to the city’s main attractions.

We stayed at NH Torino Centro and found it worked well for a weekend trip, particularly because of its metro connections and quieter location.

Ultimately, there isn’t a bad area to stay in Turin. The city is easy to navigate, relatively compact and far less overwhelming than many of Italy’s larger tourist destinations. 

Choosing the right neighbourhood simply depends on the type of trip you’re planning. 

Once you’ve decided where to stay, check out my guide to the best things to do in Turin for attractions, viewpoints and local experiences.

Visiting for a weekend? My 2-day Turin itinerary shows exactly how I’d spend two days in the city.

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Where to Stay in Turin: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors
Where to Stay in Turin: Best Areas for First-Time Visitors

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Nishi is an award-winning UK travel writer and content creator with a love for cultural travel, soft adventure and destinations beyond the obvious. After exploring 50+ countries across four continents, she has a particular soft spot for Asia. She shares thoughtfully curated travel guides and itineraries.

From boutique hotel stays and scuba diving adventures to vegetarian foodie finds and detailed itineraries, Nishi helps over 40,000 people per month plan meaningful trips that feel memorable.