Sick of Rome and the clueless tourists queuing up at 5 am for Trevi Fountain? Overpriced gondola rides in the congested canals of Venice? Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds in Florence’s Renaissance-era Old Town?
What if we told you one of the most beautiful Italian cities is far less crowded, cheaper to visit than average, and it’s still flying under the radar of most?
The capital of Piedmont, a mountain-traversed region bordering the French Alps, Turin is that one vibrant cosmopolitan hub you’ve been sleeping on for far too long. Dubbed the ‘Italian Paris’, it’s known for its grand fin de siècle boulevards, stately palaces, and refined gastronomy.
Better even: it won’t break the bank.
The Capital That Never Was
The first capital of the Kingdom of Italy, even preceding Rome, Turin may no longer lay claim to that prestigious title, but it still has all the attributes of an elegant First City:
Dominated by Baroque architecture, the Historic Center is a maze of pedestrian-friendly lanes, lined with ornate arcaded buildings and art galleries, and regardless of how sprawling it is, you can never truly get lost in it:
The soaring Mole Antonelliana, the iconic vaulted dome with a sky-piercing spire is always visible, no matter where you look. Originally conceived as a synagogue in the 19th century, the landmark building now hosts Italy’s National Museum of Cinema.
Turin’s pomp and grandeur don’t stop there: all it takes is wandering the richly decorated chambers of Palazzo Madama, built under the orders of the House of Savoy, to understand why the city is apt to challenge the mighty Rome for capital status.
It is one of many Savoy palazzi scattered around the Historic Center, all of which have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list as the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy.
Perhaps the most emblematic of all, considered by some the ‘Italian Versailles’, the Royal Palace of Turin features an opulent King’s Throne, celestially frescoed rooms, and a chapel built to house the Holy Shroud:
A linen cloth bearing the faint image of a crucified man, the shroud is believed to have been imprinted with Jesus’ face. Whether you’re a believer or not, it’s an astounding ancient artifact worth seeing for yourself.
A World-Class Museum Hub
Much like Paris, its French counterpart, Turin boasts a plethora of world-class museums, most notably Museo Egizio, one of the largest Egyptian collections outside of Egypt.
With over 30,000 items on display, including the rock-cut Temple of Ellesyia and the rare, painted limestone figure of Prince Sethherkhepshef, the son of Ramses III, it is a feast for the eyes for Egyptophiles and casual observers alike.
Within a 7-minute walk of Museo Egizio, the University of Turin is one of Italy’s oldest centers of knowledge, founded in the 15th century, as well as one of its most prestigious. For tourists, however, the interesting part is wandering the grounds of the Rectorate Palace.
Known for its arcaded corridors, sturdy Hellenic-inspired columns, and marble sculptures, it is yet another offering of Turin’s impressive architectural ensemble.
Turin is not exactly known for its myriad of medieval structures, as much of the city has been reconstructed in the imperial style of the 1800s, but if you’re passionate about the Middle Ages, Borgo Medioevale is not to be skipped:
An open-air museum mimicking a medieval village, complete with a castle, stone buildings, and a lush garden, all inspired by the smaller borghi of Piedmont, it’s an open-air museum right on the riverbank of the scenic Po River. Not only is it storybook material, but it also costs a mere €4 to visit.
Turin Won’t Bleed Your Wallet Dry
In general, Turin is considerably more affordable than the likes of Rome, Milan, and Florence.
It’s no Sicily or Puglia, sure, but if we’re talking museums, which is a big part of the reason you’d be visiting Turin as a culture aficionado, they average €14–€18 for larger, more established showings, like Museo Egizio, and only €3–€5 for smaller galleries.
Elsewhere in Europe, you could be paying upwards of €30 only to enter some palace grounds.
Over the course of a day, travelers also spend approximately €74 on meals (around $86). Considering you’re hitting up 3–4 eateries in a day, that’s around €18.50 every time you sit down somewhere for a meal.
We must say, the fact that Turin is Italy’s chocolate capital, famous for its centuries-old tradition of chocolate-making, and delicious hand-pinched, meat-stuffed pasta (agnolotti del plin), prooooobably don’t help keep things ultra low-budget.
The good news is that the average nightly rate in an inexpensive private apartment in the center of town is an acceptable $81, as per Budget Your Trip.
Turin is also a short 1h40 train ride away from Milan, and one-way tickets cost only €13. Moderately-priced, convenient, less crowded, and just as beautiful as its world-famous counterparts.
Dai, che aspetti?
(Come on, what are you waiting for?)
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