Why Turin is unjustly the most underrated city trip in Italy
To be fair, Turin wasn't on my city trip list either. Although it doesn't sound bad, there were always Italian places I preferred to go to, from Rome to Sardinia. But the places you kind of stumble upon (like Levanto recently), are always the best. My partner was determined to go to the ATP tennis final in Turin and that's how I ended up going with him unsuspectingly. On the way to this city, I was on the edge of my car seat because when I saw Turin rise like a mirage from the mountains, I knew this would be an amazing city trip.
City trip Turin
Turin feels a bit like Paris, situated along the water (the Po), with very wide streets. It gives a very rich and powerful feeling as you walk around. Although I spent the whole day locked up in the stadium to watch the tennis match between Djokovic and Alcaraz, I also discovered the best of Turin over the weekend. Turin is truly the most underrated city in Italy and that's why I advocate giving this place a bit more credit. This is why.
Turin is the home of Lavazza
If you're a coffee drinker, you know Lavazza. Currently, it is the third largest coffee brand in the world and the flagship of the Italian coffee world. Lavazza originated in Turin when Luigi Lavazza opened a small grocery store in the center of Turin in 1895. He blended and roasted raw coffee beans there and made a blend to order for each customer. This little grocery store increasingly specialized in coffee and in 1910 Luigi began selling it to other stores. The family business Lavazza grew into a globally recognized coffee brand. If you're curious about the whole history, you can visit the Lavazza museum in Turin. Additionally, you can still have a coffee where Lavazza once started, although it has now been converted into a luxury hub. You can find it at Via San Tommaso 10.
Lavazzo Museum – Via Bologna 32, Turin
Turin has the largest Egyptian museum
So I have a thing for Egypt and although I've never been there, I always go to museums that give me a glimpse into ancient Egypt. In Turin, you will find the largest and oldest Egyptian museum, outside of Egypt that is. This museum, Egizio, has played an important role in deciphering hieroglyphs and you will also find the Ramses II statue there. This is one of the most important Egyptian pieces in the world. Just the entrance has something mysterious, with two enormous statues at the door. Once you step inside the museum, you momentarily forget that you are in Italy.
Egizio – Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6, Turin
Fiat was born in Turin
Did you know that the Fiat Panda is the most popular car in Italy? The old Fiat factory, which was founded in 1899, still exists. It has now been converted into the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile di Torino. You will find not only Fiat but also more than two hundred other special cars there. The collection is world-famous and takes you through the history of the automotive industry. Every year there is a new temporary exhibition featuring a different car brand in the spotlight. The museum is also fun for children because it is very interactive and full of car trivia.
Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile di Torino – Corso Unità d’Italia, 40
Turin has stunning architecture
Turin was the first capital of united Italy until 1865 and because it was such an important city, you can see that reflected everywhere in the architecture. You will find grand squares, monuments, and churches. My favorite is the Monte dei Cappuccini church. You can find it on the other side of the river and because it is on a hill, you have a beautiful view of the city, the Po, and the mystical Alps from here. If you don't feel like hiking up the hill, you can also take a taxi or drive there. You must also see Piazza Castello, but you can hardly miss it when you go to Turin. This square is almost three times the size of Dam Square and hard to miss. The gigantic square is surrounded by two palaces built when Turin was still the capital: Palazzo Madama and Palazzo Reale. On a rainy day, it's interesting to go inside here.
Turin is the city of Martini
Did you know that the “Shaken, not stirred” cocktail originated in Turin? Antonio Benedetto Carpano is said to be the inventor of this vermouth and in 1786 he sold it at Piazza Castello. The distillery Martini & Rossi eventually became the world's best-selling international brand of vermouth. How they gained popularity can be seen in the Casa Martini museum (something about knowing the mayor). End your museum visit with a martini tasting. Saluti!
Casa Martini – Piazza Luigi Rossi 2, Turin
In Turin, you can eat fantastically and enjoy aperitivo
It is the city of aperitivo, of bicerin, of grissini, and of gianduiotti. Turin is home to Eataly and GROM, but also to vermouth. The best places for a traditional aperitivo can be found here. And then the food. We have already tipped the city as one of the best food destinations and have a list of the best restaurants in Turin.
