One of the most beautiful Italian cities is not as crowded as Rome or Venice, is cheaper to visit, and remains unnoticed by most tourists.
We are talking about Turin, the capital of Piedmont, bordering the French Alps. As Traveloffpath writes, this is the vibrant cosmopolitan center that you must visit. The city is known for its majestic boulevards from the late 19th century, luxurious palaces, and exquisite gastronomy. And what’s even better - it won’t break the bank.
What Makes Turin Remarkable
Turin, the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which preceded Rome, no longer claims this prestigious title, but it still possesses the attributes of an elegant First City.
The historic center, dominated by Baroque architecture, is a labyrinth of pedestrian alleys surrounded by richly decorated arcaded buildings and art galleries, and despite its vast size, it is impossible to truly get lost in it.
The soaring Mole Antonelliana, an iconic vaulted dome with a spire, is always visible wherever you look. Originally conceived as a synagogue in the 19th century, this landmark building now houses the National Museum of Cinema in Italy.
What to See in Turin
The splendor and grandeur of Turin do not end here, and to be convinced of this, it is enough to stroll through the halls of Palazzo Madama, built on the orders of the Savoy dynasty. This is one of many palaces of the Savoy dynasty, all of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Perhaps the most symbolic of all is the Royal Palace of Turin. It boasts a luxurious throne, rooms with heavenly frescoes, and a chapel built to house the Holy Shroud of Turin.
In addition to this, Turin is home to numerous world-class museums, the most famous of which is the Egyptian Museum, which has one of the largest Egyptian collections outside of Egypt itself.
It features over 30,000 exhibits, including the rock-hewn Temple of Ellesyia and a rare painted limestone figure of Prince Seferkhepsef, son of Ramses III.
Just a 7-minute walk from the Egyptian Museum is the University of Turin, one of the oldest centers of knowledge in Italy, founded in the 15th century, as well as one of the most prestigious. However, for tourists, the most interesting part is walking through the grounds of the Rectorate Palace.
Known for its arched corridors, massive columns in the Hellenistic style, and marble sculptures, this is yet another masterpiece of Turin's impressive architectural ensemble.
Turin is not known for its many medieval buildings, as much of the city was reconstructed in the imperial style of the 19th century, but if you are passionate about the Middle Ages, the medieval Borgo is a must-see.
An open-air museum simulating a medieval village, with a castle, stone buildings, and a lush garden inspired by the small borghi of Piedmont, is located right on the banks of the picturesque Po River. Entrance to this fairy-tale museum costs only 4 euros.
Turin Won’t Break the Bank
Overall, Turin is significantly more affordable than Rome, Milan, and Florence.
In this city, visiting museums costs on average 14–18 euros for major, well-known exhibitions like the Egyptian Museum, and only 3–5 euros for smaller galleries.
During the day, travelers also spend about 74 euros on food (approximately $86). Considering that you visit 3-4 establishments a day, that’s about 18.50 euros each time you go out to eat or drink.
The good news is that the average cost of a room in a budget private apartment in the city center is a reasonable $81.
Turin is also just a 1 hour and 40 minutes train ride from Milan, with one-way tickets costing only 13 euros.
