A Walking Tour of Turin

The best way to experience Turin is on foot. After spending ten unforgettable years living in this beautiful city, I’ve designed a series of walks to showcase the very best of Turin. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, these tours will help you see Turin like a local. Discover its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture—all at your own pace. Let me guide you through the top attractions and give you a true taste of this enchanting city.

The tour begins by exploring Piazza Castello, which is really the area you should try to stay in. Whenever family and friends visited us in Turin, I always tried to book them into the Grand Hotel Sitea. It is a much-loved hotel and not always easy to get a booking, but if you can't, try the nearby Principi di Piemonte.

Our Walking Tour of Turin

First of all, if you need a map to orient yourself, you can scroll down to the bottom of the page. That said, let's begin exploring...

Piazza Reale: The Piazza of Palaces

Piazza Reale

The first stop in the piazza is Palazzo Madama—the royal widow’s place of residence in the 17th century. Other sections of the palace, though, are much older; some of the walls are the old Roman walls of Turin. The baroque facade is more modern, though; it's the 18th-century work of Turin's most famous architect, Juvarra. The palace is now an art gallery, and a very good one too.

Next up is one of the greatest of all Turin attractions Palazzo Reale—the home of the Italian King up until 1865—the royal apartments are splendidly opulent. The gardens are by Andre le Notre—apparently the same chap who did the Palace of Versailles gardens.

Heading toward the back of the piazza, you’ll come to the Church of San Lorenzo, built by Guarino Guarini between 1666 and 1680, and the Cappella della Santa Sindone (Shroud Chapel), built by the same Guarini and built to house that best-known of Turin attractions, the famous Turin shroud. Nowadays the shroud is kept in the St. John the Baptist Cathedral.

Time to Shop

via Garibaldi

From here take via Garibaldi, which is one of the great Turin shopping streets (view my wife Maria's shopping guide for more). Via Garibaldi is a pedestrian-only street and has a terrific atmosphere. Follow the street in the direction of Piazza Statuto. A number of the gems of Piedmont baroque await you along the way (and on nearby side streets). I love the old pharmacy on the right-hand side of the road as you head to Piazza Statuto. 

The evenings here are fabulous; Via Garibaldi is full of people, full of energy, and full of excitement, and the side streets are lined with bustling restaurants, bars, and cafés. The perfect spot for a passeggiata, an aperitivo and dinner.

The pharmacy in via Garibaldi

Piazza Statuto to Via Bonelli

Piazza Statuto has a fascinatingly dark past—once the Roman necropolis and, in later centuries, the final Italian piazza for those destined for Turin’s gallows.

Nearby, on Via Barbaroux, you’ll find the Chiesa della Misericordia (Church of Mercy), where prisoners sentenced to death received their last rites. Inside, visitors can view eerie relics like the list of condemned individuals and the infamous black hoods used during executions.

For an added chilling touch, stroll down Via Bonelli near Via Sant’Agostino—the former residence of Turin’s executioner. Executions took place just outside Porta Palazzo, about a 10-minute walk from Via Bonelli. It made for quite the short commute after a long day of "head-hunting."

Piazza Solferino

From there, in just a few minutes, you are in Piazza Solferino, one of the main piazzas of the city 

Continuing a little way in the same direction, you’ll come to the lovely little piazza Corpus Domini and the Corpus Domini church, built on the exact spot of the “Miracle of Turin.”.

In 1453 a thief was attempting to sell sacred goods stolen from a church in Val di Susa when a ghost rose up from the thief’s sack and hovered suspended in the air. Only the prayers of the faithful and the words of Bishop Ludovico di Romagnano brought it back to earth again.

The Old Town

Before returning to Piazza Castello, explore the atmosphere in the little alleys of the old historical center—the Quadrilatero Romano.

This "old town" has been extensively refurbished over the last few years and is now a very trendy part of the city. It's full of cafés, craft shops, and great restaurants and really gets busy in the evening. The Tre Galline is my favourite here.

Relax

Piazza Vittorio

From Piazza Castello, head down via Po towards the river. Follow the road down to Piazza Vittorio and then find a table at Caffè Elena.

This lovely café under the arcades offers marvellous views over the Po to the Church of the Gran Madre and the collina (hill) of Turin. This is a great place to end your walk. With the vast selection of wines that you can taste here, you won’t be much in the mood to go any further :-)

Enjoy the wine, have something to eat, and watch the passing parade.

For another of our walking tours of Turin, click here.

Tour Map