Turin
From Muslim Bookings
Turin (Italian: Torino, Piedmontese: Turin), a large city of about one million inhabitants, is set in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, a one-hour drive from the French border and slightly more than that from the Mediterranean sea. It's famous for being the home of Italy's royal family. Today, Turin, with its fine, aristocratic atmosphere, old world sophisticated shops, grand boulevards and palaces, leafy parks, and several art galleries, is an increasingly popular tourist resort.
Contents
- 1 Halal Travel Guide
- 2 Travel to Turin
- 3 By Bus
- 4 By Rail
- 5 By car
- 6 Get Around
- 7 What to See
- 8 What to Do
- 9 Study in Turin
- 10 Muslim Friendly Shopping in Turin
- 11 Halal Restaurants in Turin
- 11.1 Hala Baghdad
- 11.2 Pizzeria MARHABA
- 11.3 Kirkuk Kaffe
- 11.4 Mr. Shawarma
- 11.5 Gill Grill Indian and Pakistani Cuisine
- 11.6 Al Jazira
- 11.7 Riso Zafferano
- 11.8 Horas Kebab
- 11.9 Al Andalus
- 11.10 Sharazad Ristorante Persiano
- 11.11 Dawat Ristorante Indiano Torino
- 11.12 Chicken N Chicken
- 11.13 Casa Del Kebab
- 12 Muslim Friendly Hotels
- 13 Stay Safe
- 14 News & References
- 15 Travel Next
Halal Travel Guide
Turin was the first capital of modern Italy, and was the host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. While it's not a famous tourist destination like Florence or Rome and the setting is pleasant, with the Po River flowing through the city and the genteel hills overlooking the city and scattered with pleasant villas and surrounded by the Italian Alps off in the distance. This is why the famous architect Le Corbusier defined Turin as "the city with the most beautiful natural location in the world".
In the 18th century Savoy, newly proclaimed a kingdom, embarked on an urban design project for its capital Turin. At this time many public squares, grand boulevards and royal palaces were built in order to make the city fit for a capital. After 1801 when Napoleon conquered the city, he created more large avenues in order to allow his troops easier movement, further altering the city's layout.
Turin is an important city of technology and industry, and the FIAT automobile company is based here. (The 'T' in the name stands for Torino; FIAT = Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, which translates as: Italian Automobile Factory Turin.) It was also the birthplace to many important cultural and political movements in Italy.
Turin inhabitants are well known across Italy for their understatement and composure the city reflects this attitude.
Many people consider Turin to be the European capital of Baroque: many palaces and churches were built in this style during the kingdom of the Savoia. It isn't the typical Italian city, with red and yellow buildings: is a bit more French, so much that is also called "the little Paris"; wide boulevards with white buildings make the downtown more similar to Paris. Around the city, a crown of churches and castles, some up on a hilltop, some lost in a park, provide plenty of interesting views. Turin also has an aristocratic atmosphere - the centre is filled with posh 19th century cafes, regal-like arcaded mansions, debonair glittering restaurants, and grand churches.
Turin is home to the famous Shroud of Turin. It has become the home of the Slow Food Movement.
Travel to Turin
- Turin Airport IATA Code: TRN - GPS: 45.201787, 7.649595 kilometers 15 north of the city - There are international Flights to Turin from Amsterdam, Bacau, Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels, Bucharest, Casablanca, Chisinau, Dublin, Edinburgh, Fez, Frankfurt, Leeds, London, Madrid, Malta, Manchester, Marrakesh, Moscow, Munich, Paris, Seville, Stockholm, Tirana, Valencia & Warsaw. Domestic destinations are Alghero, Bari, Brindisi, Cagliari, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Naples, Palermo and Rome. Some of these are seasonal, and the airport is especially busy in ski season with travellers to the resorts in Valle d'Aosta and the western Italian Alps. Most flights are with budget airlines such as Ryanair and Blue Air, even for domestic flights, or with ski package operators. There's just a single terminal, easy to navigate, with the usual range of shops airside after security: Heinemann run the duty-free franchise. Departure gates 1-13 are domestic / Schengen, gates 14-22 beyond passport control are non-Schengen. There's a back-up passport control point for gates 19-22, to give the airport flexibility in allocation of areas, but it's normally empty and you can stroll through to the toilets by gate 22. But there's otherwise no facilities in the non-Schengen area, so don't go through passport control until an hour before your flight.
By Bus
Torino – Torino Caselle Airport
Flibco offers the fastest connection to the city center. With buses running approximately every 30 minutes, the journey takes just about 25 minutes, which makes flibco the fastest connection (even faster than the train) as it doesn't include any stops along the way. The first shuttle from Torino departs at 4:40 AM, making it ideal for travelers with early flights. Tickets can be purchased at the bus stops or the ticket desk at Torino Caselle Airport, but booking online at flibco.com is both easier and more economical as the starting price is only 2.99€
Torino – Milano Malpensa Airport
The flibco.com shuttle bus is the fastest solution for traveling between Milano Malpensa Airport and Torino. With 12 departures every day the bus journey takes 2 hours. In Torino there are 3 different bus stops and In Malpensa there is a bus stop at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Tickets can be purchased at the bus stops or the ticket desk at Orio al Serio Airport, but booking online at flibco.com is both easier and more economical. If you miss your shuttle, you can use your ticket for the next departure without extra costs, which gives to traveler full flexibility.
By Rail
Turin's main train station is Porta Susa GPS 45.070096 ,7.664119 . All international and long-distance trains call here, with direct services to Paris Gare de Lyon (6 hours) via Lyon, to Milan (50 min), Aosta (90 min), Genoa (90 min), Bologna (2 hr), Florence (2 hours 45), Venice (3 hours 30), Rome (4 hr), Naples (6 hr), Bari (8 hr) and by sleeper to Reggio DC (18 hr) for Sicily. For Switzerland, Germany and Austria, change in Milan. The Frecciarossa trains rush between Turin and Milan in 50 mins for a fare of €35, reservations compulsory and they do sell out. If you're not in a hurry, standard Trenitalia trains via Chivasso and Novara take 1 hours 45 and the fare is only €13.
The old Porta Susa station at Piazza XVIII Dicembre is shut and empty, and horse-drawn buses ply there no more. The new station, adjacent south, opened in 2013: it's a long low steel hangar that looks like it wants to be a garden centre. There are ticket offices and machines, toilets, a cafe and a convenience store; there's no left luggage facility. As of early 2024, almost none of the retail units have been let, so the interior concourse is just a long bare corridor. There's limited seating and if you have an extended wait, you might be better in one of the nearby bistros and cafes. Find these by exiting west onto Corso Inghilterra or going a little north (past the old station) onto Corso San Martino. Porta Susa station is on the Metro line, with a bus terminus (including for the airport bus) outside east on Corso Bolzano. Porta Nuova GPS 45.061791 ,7.678235 station doesn't have international trains but has all the long-distance Italian services, travel durations as above. It's a terminus station so through-trains reverse direction. Lots of shops and cafes here, and a left-luggage office open daily 08:00-20:00, charge €6 per bag for five hours. There's even a piano. Porta Nuova is on the Metro line, with lots of buses (including the airport bus) stopping outside.
Turin's other stations include Stura north of the city, and Lingotto GPS 45.027102 ,7.657979 in the south near Eataly and the Automobile Museum. All stations are managed by Trenitalia and the Italian state railways.
By car
The principal routes, on toll motorways, are:
- A4 from Trieste, Venice, Padua, Verona, Milan and Novara.
- From Geneva and northern France via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and then A5 down past Courmayeur, Aosta and Ivrea.
- A7 from Genoa to Tortona and then A21 past Alessandria and Asti.
- From Lyon and Grenoble in France via the Frejus Tunnel then A32.
Get Around
Public transport
Turin has an efficient, integrated system of buses, trams and Metro all operated by GTT]. These run 06:00-00:30, and out of hours there are night buses fanning out from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. A comprehensive network map is available on the GTT website. On 5T website it's also feasible to check real-time running.
You must buy your ticket before you get on and validate it as soon as you board. All tabaccherie (tobacconists) sell transport tickets as do some cafes and kiosks at stations; machines however are often broken. The standard ticket is the "City + Suburban 100", valid for 100 mins for unlimited bus rides plus one journey on the Metro. Longer season tickets will need photo ID. The spot fine for travelling with an unvalidated ticket, or without one, is €25.
Bus and tram stops are clearly marked with yellow signs, and display maps of the city routes. There may be electronic indicators at the stop and on board.
The Metro, opened in 2006, is a single line with driverless trains. The southern terminus is Lingotto, near the mainline Lingotto station, Exhibition & Trade Centre, Eataly and the Automobile Museum. The line runs north under Via Nizza stopping at Spezia, Carducci, Dante, Fermata 8226 and Marconi to Porta Nuova train station. It there turns west beneath Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II stopping at Re Umberto and Vinzaglio and then north again to Porta Susa train station and Piazza XVIII Dicembre. It then runs west under Corso Francia into the suburbs, stopping at Principi d'Acaja, Bernini, Racconigi, Rivoli, Monte Grappa, Pozzo Strada, Massaua, Marche, and Paradiso to end at Fermi. Fares are the same as for buses, eg a 100-min single journey including bus transfers is €2.92, it's automatically validated by passing the platform entrance gates.
Out-of-town: the GTT network and ticket includes the suburbs, but further out it's mostly the blue buses run by Sadem (including to the airport, see "Get in"). Again, try to buy your ticket before boarding, eg at a tobacconist, cafe or news stand. Consider also buying the return if you're going to a quiet spot that may lack facilities. You can probably buy your ticket on the bus, but this will cost maybe an extra euro, and the driver will grind his gums if he has to give change.
How to travel around Turin on a bicycle ?
The city has a network of bicycle paths, though they're not all in good condition, and pedestrians will try to claim right of way. On the roads, cars and motor scooters will scythe across your path, and as for the trams . .
A bike-sharing service is operated by ToBike]. They have some 140 bike stations across the city, and their website shows real-time availability of bikes and docking stations. But first you have to register - easy if you're a resident, and your card is mailed to you within a couple of days. That doesn't work for short visits, so try presenting yourself at the Tobike shop in Via Santa Chiara 26/F, or at Turismo Torino in Piazza Castello. There are other outlets (eg Eataly in Lingotto) but they only sell annual cards. There's also an app you can use, Bicincittà and then access bikes by your mobile instead of by a card, it's not clear if this gets around the problem of not having a local mailing address.
Choose your Tobike card period: €5 for one day, €8 for one week or €25 for one year. Your first 30 mins on the bike is free, for unlimited trips providing you dock the bike between trips. Thereafter charges apply, up to the maximum permitted use of four hours.
Similar services are run by uk/ oBike and Mobike, use their Android / i☎ apps to register.
By car
You don't need a vehicle in town, and driving here is not for the faint-hearted. You need to beware the many restricted-entry streets, trams, and other motorists who may regard red lights and speed limits as merely advisory.
A good urban oasising garage is beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto is Parcheggio Vittorio Park* GPS 45.065004 ,7.695082
Car rentals: as well as the airport rental kiosks and there are down-town rental offices, eg Hertz just outside Porta Susa train station.
There are three vehicle sharing services in Turin, Car2Go, Enjoy and BlueTorino (which uses 100% electric cars). An electric scooter sharing service is run by MiMoto.
Best way to travel in Turin by a Taxi
Taxis in Torino start the meter the moment your call is received. It is not customary to hail a taxi on the street, but there are taxi ranks at the main train stations, at the junction of Via Sacchi and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and elsewhere. You can also book via the WeTaxi app.
Operators (as at 2024) include Torino Taxi (+39 011 5730 & 5737), Europtaxi (+39 328 757 8080), and Taxi Turin Airport (+39 011-991 4419).
What to See
Turin's main attractions include important baroque palaces and churches, a regular and attractive street grid, an extensive network of arcades, famous coffee shops and a number of world-renowned museums. Five palaces in Turin itself and nine more in the region served as residences for the Savoy royalty and are now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The Torino and Piemonte Card is worth its money if you plan to visit most places in the "See" section. The pass provides free access to all the museums and other attractions of the city listed below. You also can use free the Venaria Reale bus service, which is operated by GTT, to travel to Venaria and see the restored palace. The entry to the palace is also covered by the pass. Also don't miss the opportunity to use the Navebus service and take a boat tour in the river Po. This service is also operated by GGT and is included in your pass. The card entitles you with free travel from Dora Station to Torino International Airport, service operated by GTT. Trip with chain train to Superga is also included with the small fee to reach the top of the church and a guided visit to the tombs of the Savoy Royal family. 1-day card €23, 2 days €35, 3 days €42, 5 days €51 (Feb 2024). You can add free travel on the public transport for 1 day €3, 2 days, €4.50, or 3 days €6.
- Moncalieri Castle - Castello di Moncalieri | Piazza Baden Baden 4 Moncalieri TO GPS: 45.0017, 7.6864 ☎ +39 348 9023203 Moncalieri_Castle - One of the most ancient Savoy residences, built by Thomas I of Savoy in 1100 on a hill south of Turin, facing the Po River and the Alps. It was later enlarged and used by various members of the House of Savoy, especially by queen mothers and princesses. Today it houses the Italian Military National Police Force, though the castle and its apartments are visitable. Reservation required.
- Palazzina di caccia di Stupinigi - The hunting residence of Stupinigi | Piazza Principe Amedeo 7 Nichelino TO GPS: 44.9953161, 7.6045253 ☎ +39 011 6200634 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-17:30; Saturday Sunday 10:00-18:30 €12; EU university students, visitors with disabilities and 65+ €8
- Palazzo Barolo - Via delle Orfane 7 GPS: 45.0747, 7.6787 ☎ +39 011 263 6111, +39 011 20 71 427 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-12:30 and 15:00-17:30; Saturday 15:00-17:30; Sunday 15:00-18:30 Adults €5; reduced €3 Palazzo_Barolo
- La Venaria Reale - Piazza della Repubblica 4, Venaria Reale TO GPS: 45.1351, 7.6255 - Outside the town of Venaria, 10 kilometers north east of Turin. Restored to the baroque magnificence that inspired it when it was built in the mid 17th century for Duke Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia and the Reggia of Venaria Reale was inaugurated in October 2007, after two centuries of abandon and decay, and eight years of intense restoration. In the first year since it opened to the public, Venaria Reale has welcomed roughly 1,000,000 visitors becoming one of the most popular spot in Italy. The enormous palace, which has a surface area of over 80,000 m², contains some of the most outstanding examples of European baroque architecture: the enchanting Salone di Diana, designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte and the solemnity of the Galleria Grande and the chapel of Sant’Uberto, and the immense complex of the Scuderie, designed by the 17th-century genius, Filippo Juvarra. The Gardens now represent a close combination of ancient and modern. Venaria Reale, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is at the centre of the circuit of Royal Residences in Piedmont. To get there: Venaria Express shuttle bus operated by GTT (freephone number: +39 800 019152 Bus: routes 72, 11 (freephone number: +39 800 019152 - Train: Turin-Ceres line (freephone number: +39 800 019152 - Car: Torino North orbital road, Venaria or Savonera/Venaria exit. GTT bus ticket with return €5. Entrance to the Venaria €15. (July 2024)
- Villa della Regina - Strada Comunale Santa Margherita 79 GPS: 45.058037, 7.707994 ☎ +39 011 819 4484 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00-17:00; Sunday 10:00-18:00; last entry 16:00 (Su 17:00) Adults €5; 18-25 €2.50 - A royal palace and gardens on a hill just outside the city. Relatively small but nice with chinese and baroque style interior design. Next to the Villa there's the Royal vineyard ("Vigna della Regina", Queen's vineyard) that has been productive since the 1600s. Today it produces the "Freisa di Chieri DOC - Villa della Regina", a red soft drinks. It can be purchased directly at the Villa shop or online.
Museums
- Palazzo Reale - Piazza Castello GPS: 45.070927, 7.686841 ☎ +39 011 543889 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 08:30-19:00 Adult €12 Royal Armoury of Turin Galleria Beaumont - The Palace is a wacky hybrid of medieval castle, baroque, and bling. The ticket covers five attractions:
- Palace gardens: you enter this area free to reach the ticket office and palace entrance.
- Galleria Sabauda houses the vast art collection of the rulers of Savoy.
- Chapel of the Shroud is accessed this way, and from a gallery looks into the Gothic Church.
- The royal apartments: gilt, red flock, chandeliers, vast paintings, and everything else to impress.
- Royal Armoury: dating from 16th century and the 1833 collection of Sardinian king Carlo Alberto. - CAMERA – Italian Centre for Photography - Via delle Rosine 18 GPS: 45.0642, 7.6908 ☎ +39 011 0881150 | Opening Hours: Wednesday Friday-M 11:00-19:00; Thursday 11:00-21:00 Adults €10; 12-26 and 70+ €6.
- Castello di Rivoli - Piazzale Mafalda di Savoia GPS: 45.069664, 7.510441 ☎ +39 011 956 5222 In the small town of Rivoli, east of Turin. Houses one of Europe's most important Contemporary Art Museums. The Castle of Rivoli is an unfinished 18th-century castle that stands on top of Rivoli hills. Corso Francia (France Road) is one of the world's longest streets and was built because of the desire of the House of Savoy to connect Royal Palace in the center of Turin with Rivoli Castle. You can reach it by bus or taxi.
- Egyptian Museum - Egizio | Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6 GPS: 45.068333, 7.684444 ☎ +39 011 561 7776 | Opening Hours: Daily except Mondays and 25 December €13 (full price ticket) Museo Egizio Museo Egizio e Galleria sabauda, Torino Houses the most important collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts outside Cairo. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice after acquiring archaeologist Drovetti's collection and the museum contains 30,000 exhibits. It documents the history and civilization of Egypt from the palaeolithic to the Coptic perioid through unique exhibits and collections of objects d'art, articles of daily use and funeral furnishings (including the Altar of Isis and they canvas painted by Gebelein and the intact tombs of Kha and Merit, and the exceptional cliff temple to Ellesjia).
- Risorgimento Museum - Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano | Palazzo Carignano, Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5 next to Egyptian Museum ☎ +39 011 562 1147 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 09:00-18:00 Adult €10 . Fascinating exposition of the tumultuous birth of modern Italy, set in the very building where many events took place: Carlo Alberto and Vittorio Emanuele II were born here, and the first Italian parliament sat here. Garibaldi's campaign was in the context of revolutions and upheavals all over Europe and the greatest of all being the Industrial Revolution. It was a very literary and graphic age, so events are vividly shown in film, photos, political cartoons and other artefacts.
- Foundation Accorsi-Ometto – Decorative Arts Museum - Via Po 55 GPS: 45.0663, 7.6932 ☎ +39 011 837 688 5 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00; Saturday to Sunday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-19:00 €10 - €8 (museum + guided tour); €14 - € 12 (museum + exhibition + guided tour); €8 - € 16 (exhibition only)
- Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea - GAM Torino | Via Magenta 31 GPS: 45.0653, 7.6691 ☎ +39 011 442 9518 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 - 18:00 Adults €10; 65+ and 18-25 €8
- Mole Antonelliana / National Cinema Museum - Via Montebello, 20 GPS: 45.068889, 7.693056 W-M 09:00-20:00 Museum €11, lift €8, both €15 Mole Antonelliana Mole Antonelliana Torino The Mole, Turin's landmark building built in 1888, was intended as a synagogue but the size and cost got out of hand and the Yahudi community never used it. The 167.5-meter tower is the highest work of masonry in Europe and you can ride a lift to the cupola at the top. Within it and the National Cinema Museum is a vast exhibition space spiralling up five floors. The themes of the floors are the archaeology of cinema and the video camera, a collection of cinema posters, video installations (with side rooms screening clips), and The Great Temple where you recline in comfy red chairs and watch - Italian film classics projected on giant screens overhead. Artefacts include magic lanterns, optical illusions, photographs, drawings, models, props and costumes, eg the original cape worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman in 1978.
- Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile - Corso Unità d'Italia, 40 GPS: 45.031681, 7.674175 Metro Lingotto ☎ +39 011 677666 Opening Hours: Monday 10:00-14:00, Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-19:00 Adult €12 . Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile Museo Nazionale Dell'Automobile - Torino, Italy. (11203935635) The collection houses over 170 vehicles, from 18th-century carriages to Formula 1 racers, and lots of gorgeous red sports cars.
- Museum of Criminal Anthropology – Cesare Lombroso - Via Pietro Giuria 15 GPS: 45.0497, 7.6797 ☎ +39 011 6708195 - Opening from Monday to Saturday 10:00-18:00 Adults €5; 12-18 and 65+ €3
- Museo Nazionale della Montagna Duca degli Abruzzi - Piazzale Monte dei Capuccini, 7 GPS: 45.059616, 7.697425 - Monte dei Cappuccini a Torino
- The Museum of The New Prison - Le Nuove – Museo del Carcere | Via Paolo Borsellino 3 GPS: 45.068781, 7.659461 The museum is located near the downtown in Via Paolo Borsellino 3, opposite the Palace of Justice "Bruno Caccia" and skyscraper "San Paolo" 5 minutes from Porta Susa Railway Station. Bus lines 55, 68 - Tram Line 9 ☎ +39 011 760 4881, +39 011 30 90 115 | Opening Hours: Museum guided tours: Monday - Saturday 15:00; Sunday 15:00 and 17:00; Anti-aircraft shelter guided tours (reservations required) : Saturday to Sunday 17:15; €6; students and 65+ €4;
- Museum of Oriental Art - Museo d'Arte Orientale, MAO | via San Domenico 11 (Palazzo Mazzonis) GPS: 45.0747, 7.6802 ☎ +39 011 4436932, +39 011 4436918 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00-18:00; Saturday Sunday 11:00-19:00 Adult €10; 65+ and 18-25 €8; free of charge for visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person Museum of Oriental Art (Turin) - Houses collections from Gandhara, India, Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The third floor is devoted to Buddhist and Tibetan culture. The fourth floor contains the collections coming from Islamic countries and the Arabian Peninsula (mainly bronzes, ceramics, tiles). There are also temporary photography exhibitions and conferences.
- Museum of the Shroud - Museo della Sindone | Via San Domenico 28 GPS: 45.076129, 7.676574 ☎ +39 011 4365832 Opening Hours: Daily 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-19:00 Adults €8, concs €6, age 6-12 €3 - The original "Turin Shroud" is in safekeeping in the Gothic Church and only occasionally displayed and the last being in 2024. This small museum displays a copy and studies the Shroud. It's a remarkable object whatever it is, a 4.4 x 1.1 m winding sheet charred by fire and appearing to bear the likeness of a man, matching the Gospel description of the crucifixion of Jesus. Multiple tests have produced contradictory results, or at least contradictory interpretations. It's only reliably known to have existed since 1390 when it was denounced as a forgery, and radio-carbon dating matches that. But no deliberate attempt to reproduce it has managed to capture all its qualities, especially the 3D effect of its photo negative, and neither natural nor artificial processes convincingly explain it. So just look and wonder.
- Palazzo Madama - Piazza Castello GPS: 45.070944, 7.685778 €10 Palazzo Madama, Turin PalazzoMadamaNotte - This wonderful hybrid of a baroque palace and a medieval castle is attracting many visitors. It was home of the regent queens of Savoy, and is a mix of medieval and baroque rooms. It now houses the City Museum of Ancient Art, which has an eclectic collection of church art, paintings, ancient sculpture, porcelain, ceramics, archaeological artefacts and some fascinating scenes of life in Torino in times gone by. On the second floor there's a room with red sofas to take a rest after the visit, with a magnificent chandelier, and a cafeteria. The moat contains a medieval castle garden, and the tower offers a beautiful view over Turin.
- Pietro Micca Museum - Museo civico Pietro Micca e dell'assedio di Torino del 1706 | Via Guicciardini 7a GPS: 45.0719, 7.6681 5 minutes walk from Porta Susa station ☎ +39 011 546317 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-18:00; last entry 17:00 €3 Museo_Pietro_Micca - Learn about the days of the Spanish Succession War when Turin was besieged for four months by the French army in 1706. The town was saved by the so-called “war of mines” which was fought across a vast network of tunnels extending under and beyond the external defence works (fourteen kilometers on the whole). At least 9 kilometers of galleries have been entirely preserved throughout the centuries and can still be visited today.
- Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli - Via Nizza 230/103 GPS: 45.033056, 7.666111 ☎ +39 011 0062713 | Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-19:00 €10 and 65+ €8 (permanent collection + exhibition); €8 and 65+ €7 (permanent collection only); free for visitors with disabilities Ls Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli progettata da Renzo Piano
Archaeological sites
- Porta Palatina - Palatine Gate - GPS: 45.075, 7.68472 - Palatine Towers Porta Palatina Torino - Roman-Age city gate dating from the first century BC
Churches
- Gothic Church of Saint John the Baptist - Duomo; Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista | Piazza San Giovanni GPS: 45.07332, 7.685435 ☎ +39 011 436 1540 Opening Hours: Daily 09:00-13:00 & 15:00-19:00 Free Turin Gothic Church Duomo Torino - Large elegant cathedral dating from late 15th century, enlarged in the 17th to create the Chapel for the Shroud of Turin. The original shroud is kept safe in a vault and only rarely displayed - visit the nearby Sindone Museum to see a copy. The Chapel was destroyed in a fire in 1997; rebuilding is complete but other restoration continues, eg a new altar is still needed. This Chapel is nowadays accessed as part of a tour of Palazzo Reale and can't be seen from the Gothic Church.
- Gothic Church of Superga - Superga Basilica | Strada Basilica di Superga, 73 GPS: 45.080779, 7.767631 ☎ +39 011 899 7456 - One-way/return train tickets €4/€6 (€6/€9 on Saturday and holidays). - On top of the hill near Turin, this cathedral was built in thanksgiving for a victorious battle against French. Today, it houses the tombs of the House of Savoy. In 1949 a plane carrying the entire Turin FC team crashed near the cathedral, killing one of the greatest football teams ever. At the crash site a plate memorializes the dead. The top of the hill offers the best view of Turin, with the magnificent Alps in the background. You can reach the top by vehicle or city bus but also by a little chain-train. Ask for the Trenino per Superga. The train runs once an hour in winter with a return train every half hour. The last train back in winter apart from the christmas season is 15.30 so make sure you don't miss it. Walking up the road is also an option, though the road is very windy and often lacks footpaths so is quite dangerous. It will take about an hour 15 minutes from the Sassi tram stop (bring water in warm weather). Take the staircase inside the church to reach the top (there is a charge to enter).
- Chapel of Merchants Church - Cappella dei Mercanti, Negozianti e Banchieri | Via Giuseppe Garibaldi 25 GPS: 45.0733, 7.6793 ☎ +39 011 562 7226 | Opening Hours: Saturday 15:00-18:00; Sunday 10:00-12:00. Closed in July and August A Cappella_dei_Mercanti_di_Torino A jewel of architecture and sacred art of the Piedmontese Baroque. Here is located the "calendario perpetuo" (perpetual calendar) made by Giovanni Amedeo Plana, a famous astronomer and mathematician, in 1831. This calendar allows precise calculation over a period of 4000 years from the year zero (also moon phases, tides, days of the week and Christian holy days). It is considered to be the first example of a computer in history.
- Santa Maria di Monte dei Cappuccini - GPS: 45.059665, 7.697467 Opening Hours: 07:00-19:00 Monte dei Cappuccini, Turin - A late-Renaissance-style church on a hill overlooking the River Po near the bridge of Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Turin. It was built for the Capuchin Order; construction began in 1583, and was completed in 1656. The design was by Ascanio Vitozzi, but it was completed by the engineer Giacomo Soldati.
- Basilica di Maria Ausiliatrice - Via Maria Ausiliatrice 32 GPS: 45.0809, 7.6759 ☎ +39 011 522 4822 Basilica of Our Lady Help of Christians, Turin Santuario di Maria Ausiliatrice Torino
- Parrocchia Sacro Cuore di Maria - Via Oddino Morgari 11 GPS: 45.054834, 7.678428 - Free
- Madonna del Carmine - Via del Carmine GPS: 45.075278, 7.676111 ☎ +39 011 436 8228 - Free
Piazzas, parks and streets
There are many piazzas dotted around the city. Some of the more impressive ones are the Piazza Castello, Piazza Carignano, Piazza Carlo Felice, Piazza Carlo Alberto, Piazza Statuto and the Giardino Aiuola Balbo.
- Galleria Subalpina - Piazza Castello 27 GPS: 45.069492, 7.686492 - Galerie turin A pedestrian passage from Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Alberto. One of the most elegant places of the city.
- River Po Park - The Piedmontese part of the longest river of Italy is protected as a natural park. Its benches ar full of interesting and unexpected views onwards the town and the hill and are enriched by the Castle of Valentino, Medieval Burgh and Gran Madre church, which mirror on river Po.
- Piazza Castello - GPS: 45.0708, 7.6858 - Piazza Castello, Turin Painting depicting the arrival of Christine of France to Turin in 1619 by Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630) Large glamorous public square which has the Royal Palace to the north the city cathedral to the northwest and the Chiablese palace to the west and the main shopping street Via Roma to the south and the piazza Madama and a fountain display in the centre and the Via Po to the east, leading to the Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the impressive Gran Madre di Cappucino church.
- Porta Palazzo market - GPS: 45.076763, 7.683641 A 5-minutes walk from Piazza Castello, at the very beginning of the multi-cultural quarter, is one of the biggest, cheapest and most diverse markets in Europe. Turin has lots of street markets, all around the city, that serve thousands of people every day. Porta Palazzo is the best, especially for foodstuffs, affordable clothes, housewares, ethnic products, handicrafts, craftsmen, and second-hand stuff. The markets are open every weekday morning and all day long on Saturday. On Sunday Porta Palazzo houses a smaller flea market. Take a walk there, keep track of your wallet and pockets, and explore its multicultural, colored humanity.
- Via Garibaldi - - Torino-ViaGaribaldi Pedestrian-only shopping zone between Piazza Castello and Piazza Statuto.
- Quadrilatero Romano - GPS: Full of restaurants, it is the old Roman town, north-west of Piazza Castello.
- Valentino Park - Parco del Valentino - GPS: 45.054, 7.686 - Parco del Valentino Torino, parco del Valentino (02) the biggest park in Turin central area. This park is situated along the Po river and in its area you can find the Valentino Castle, and the Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale).
- Via Roma - - Via Roma 2 Torino - Very glamourous shopping street, well lit with very beautiful arcades and retail outlets stretching towards Piazza Carlo Felice.
- Ponto Umberto I - Ponto Umberto I GPS: 45.05811, 7.6918 - Ponte Umberto I° - The bridge has big statues on both sides of the river Po.
What to Do
- A trip to Superga by chain train from Sassi to see the magnificent view of Turin from there. Sassi is reached by tram 15.
- A walk on Via Roma from Porta Nuova Station to Piazza Castello through Piazza San Carlo to see how elegant this city can be.
- A walk on Via Po from Piazza Castello to Piazza Vittorio and further to the Gran Madre Church. Stop on the bridge and enjoy the beautiful view of the Po river.
- Have a break in one of the historic cafes located around Piazza Castello, such as Mulassano or Baratti & Milano (established in 1873).
- Play hit ball, a sport born in Turin in 1986 and today the very specialty of the city. Various associations provide free trials.
- Meet new friends in a sporty and funny way by joining Torino Night Run collective workouts troughout the nicest places of the city. Every Tuesday evening at 20:15, Monumental Arch, Parco del Valentino (lat. 45.0584, long. 7.6906)
- Watch football ie soccer. Turin has two teams playing in Serie A and the top tier of Italian football. Juventus FC play at the Allianz Stadium, capacity 41,000. There's also a football museum here (Monday, Wednesday and Sunday 10:30-19:00, adult €15 concs €12). It's at the junction of Via Druento and Strada Altessano 5 kilometers northwest of downtown, local trains (on the airport line) stop at Rigola Stadio. Torino FC play at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, capacity 28,000. It's on Corso IV Novembre 2 kilometers south of the centre, take bus or tram to Sebastapoli.
Study in Turin
The University of Turin GPS 45.069414,7.688872 (Università degli Studi di Torino) main campus is located just off Via Po. Founded in the 16th century and located in Turin, it is a public university with all the major faculties. Also well known is the Politecnico di Torino and the Polytechnic of Engineering and Architecture. This last has multiple campuses, including one in the 'Castello del Valentino' (in the Valentino Park) and two outside the downtown, one on Corso Francia while another, dedicated to Automotive Engineering and is located within the 'Lingotto' Complex which used to be the principal Fiat factory.
Muslim Friendly Shopping in Turin
Turin is not the best Italian city for shopping for fashion brands, although there are plenty of small and expensive shops selling brand-name items. It's a great spot for buying food and fruit cocktails.
- Bookstores are very popular in Turin, and there are many in the Via Po area. An innovative bookshop is in Via Cesare Battisti, near a lovely square, Piazza Carignano. Together with books you can also sit down and have a cup of Coffee, or the famous aperitivo. The Luxemburg International Bookshop is at V. Accademia delle Scienze, 3 (just off Piazza Castello) and it's your best destination for English-language novels, EFL teaching materials and foreign magazines and newspapers.
- Via Roma - GPS: from Piazza Castello to the main train station. Here you can find upscale brands like Hermes and Dolce & Gabbana, as well as affordable chains like H&M, United Colours of Benetton and Zara. In Piazza CLN, behind Piazza San Carlo there's a good branch of La Feltrinelli, a bookstore chain with shops all over the nation. On the Via Roma there is also a branch of FNAC and the French book and multimedia chain, and an Apple Store.
- Via Garibaldi - - People in Turin say it's the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. There are clothes shops, bars, a Nike store and a new branch of the Japanese store Muji at the beginning of the street near Piazza Castello.
- Via Po - GPS: is more alternative, with record shops and strange clothing stores under the arcades. This street goes from Piazza Castello to the Po River (Piazza Vittorio Veneto).
- Via Pietro Micca - Also houses upscale shops, but also one of the three shops of Frav. This 2-storey shop sells trendy clothes and is very popular in the city.
- Via Lagrange - GPS: near Via Roma A pedestrian street that houses the Lagrange 15 shopping centre, with La Rinascente department store.
- Le Gru - A shopping center in Grugliasco, just outside Turin. Easy access TO the center on the #17 bus. Consider timing your return trip to one of the infrequent #66 buses, or take a taxi back. An Ikea store was in this area but now it has moved to Collegno.
- The Quadrilatero Romano - A trendy neighborhood north of Piazza Castello. It is the most ancient part of the city, and once was an unsafe area. But now there are many design shops (Marcopolo, via Sant' Agostino) and independent shops like Autopsie Vestimentaire or Born In Berlin in its pedestrian cobbled streets. Lots of cosy restaurants and outdoor trendy cafes and bars. For dog-lovers there is a dog park inside the fenced area around the Roman ruins.
- Porta Palazzo - - In Piazza della Republica (north of the Quadrilatero), it is the largest open air market in Europe, and a spectacle that is well worth the visit (Monday to Friday 06:00-13:00, Saturday 06:00-19:00 Saturdays). A new building by the famous architect Massimiliano Fuksas remains unused.
- 8 Gallery and Eataly - GPS: 45.034992, 7.667644 - 8 Gallery is a long corridor with various shops, located in Lingotto area, sharing the same building with Politecnico di Torino Automotive department and Turin University. Renovated by the famous architect Renzo Piano, it can be visited by bus No.1, 35, 18, 17. Or if you are near the Lingotto FS station, you can pass a bridge which directly connect to the 8 Gallery. It is one of the few shopping centers which still open at Sunday. Next to 8 Gallery, Worth visiting for the architecture but the shops are nothing special. Are a few restaurants and fast food outlets too. Across the road, Eataly is the greatest gourmet grocery in Europe: here you can buy, or eat and the best Italian food (guaranteed by Slow movement).
Gianduiotti - Two gianduiotti
- Rich, smooth gianduja Chocolates is a local specialty and a popular gift item.
Halal Restaurants in Turin
Turin, a city rich in culture and history, also boasts a vibrant Halal food scene, offering diverse culinary delights from Middle Eastern, Indian, and Persian cuisines to traditional Moroccan and Turkish dishes. For those seeking Halal-certified dining options, here’s a guide to some of the best spots in the city.
Hala Baghdad
Nestled in Via Claudio Luigi Berthollet, Hala Baghdad is a favorite for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. With its warm ambiance and affordable pricing (€10–20), it’s perfect for a casual meal.
📍 Address: Via Claudio Luigi Berthollet, 4bis/i
Pizzeria MARHABA
If you’re craving Halal pizza, head to Pizzeria MARHABA. Located at Piazza Bengasi, it’s known for its delicious and budget-friendly offerings (€1–10).
📍 Address: Piazza Bengasi, 16/A
Kirkuk Kaffe
A vibrant locale, Kirkuk Kaffe serves delectable Middle Eastern dishes in the heart of Turin. It’s ideal for a night out with friends or family (€10–20).
📍 Address: Via Carlo Alberto, 16b/18
Mr. Shawarma
Known for the "best Shawarma in Turin," this restaurant is a must-visit for lovers of this classic Middle Eastern dish (€10–20).
📍 Address: Via Gambasca, 4b
Gill Grill Indian and Pakistani Cuisine
For authentic Indian and Pakistani dishes, Gill Grill is highly recommended. Its flavorful meals and cozy ambiance make it a top choice (€10–20).
📍 Address: Via Bernardino Galliari, 9E
Al Jazira
Experience the vibrant flavors of Morocco at Al Jazira. Located at Piazza Borgo Dora, it stays open until late, making it a perfect spot for night owls (€10–20).
📍 Address: Piazza Borgo Dora, 26
Riso Zafferano
This Persian restaurant offers a more upscale dining experience with a menu filled with exotic flavors. Perfect for special occasions (€20–30).
📍 Address: Via S. Francesco da Paola, 7
Horas Kebab
With two locations in Turin, Horas Kebab offers quick and satisfying meals, including delicious Halal pizza and kebabs.
📍 Addresses:
Via Claudio Luigi Berthollet, 24 Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 29
Al Andalus
Another Moroccan gem, Al Andalus serves a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes, offering both dine-in and delivery options (€20–30).
📍 Address: Via Gianfrancesco Fiochetto, 15
Sharazad Ristorante Persiano
Dive into the rich flavors of Persian cuisine at Sharazad. Its inviting atmosphere makes it a go-to spot for food enthusiasts (€20–30).
📍 Address: Via dei Mercanti, 3/A
Dawat Ristorante Indiano Torino
Dawat specializes in authentic Indian flavors with a modern twist. Known for its diverse menu and friendly service, it’s a must-try (€20–30).
📍 Address: Via Milano, 8H
Chicken N Chicken
For a quick and satisfying Halal fast-food experience, Chicken N Chicken offers tasty options at affordable prices (€1–10).
📍 Address: Corso Giulio Cesare, 162
Casa Del Kebab
Serving traditional Turkish cuisine, Casa Del Kebab is open late, making it a great choice for night-time cravings (€1–10).
📍 Address: Via Monginevro, 71
Muslim Friendly Hotels
- AC Torino Hotel By Marriott
- Amadeus Teatro Hotel Turin
- Art Hotel Boston Turin
- Art Hotel Guala Turin
- Astoria Hotel Turin
- ATA Hotel Concord Turin
- Atahotel Principi Di Piemonte Hotel Turin
- BEST WESTER Genio Hotel Turin
- Best Western Hotel Crimea Turin
- Best Western Hotel Genova Turin
- Best Western Hotel Gran Mogol Turin
- Best Western Luxor Hotel Turin
- Best Western Plus Executive Hotel & Suites Turin
- Cairo Hotel Turin
- Crystal Palace Hotel Turin
- Del Parco Hotel Candiolo
- Diplomatic Hotel Turin
- Grand Hotel Sitea Turin
- Holiday Inn Turin - Corso Francia
- Holiday Inn Turin City Centre
- Hotel Dock Milano Turin
- Hotel Interporto Turin
- Hotel President Turin
- Hotel Relais La Tour Torino
- Hotel Valentino Du Park Turin
- Hotel Villa Glicini
- La Darsena Hotel Turin
- Le Rondini Hotel San Francesco Al Campo
- Liberty Hotel Turin
- Mercure Torino Royal Hotel Turin
- NH Ambasciatori Hotel Turin
- NH Lingotto Hotel Turin
- NH Santo Stefano
- Olympic Art Hotel Turin
- Pacific Airport Hotel Turin
- Pacific Hotel Fortino
- Quality Hotel Atlantic Turin Airport
- Record Hotel Settimo Torinese
- Relais Bella Rosina Fiano
- Rivoli Hotel Turin
- Romantik Hotel Furno
- Starhotels Majestic Turin
- Tulip Inn Turin West Hotel
- Urbani Hotel Turin
Stay Safe
Turin is generally safe. But the top end of Via Nizza, flanking Porta Nuova train station, can be seedy or even dangerous in the small hours. The nearby San Salvario area (Via Nizza to Parco del Valentino) is lively, going on raucous, but attracts drug peddlers and similar low-life. The areas between Porta Palazzo and the Dora River can be dangerous at night. Beware pickpockets in any busy place, especially if you have luggage or backpacks.
Don't wear a football shirt or other club colours, unless you've come mob-handed with thousands of fellow supporters. Any Italian or major European club colours will be a red rag to the young bulls of either Juventus (black and white) or Torino (brownish red) or both.
News & References
Travel Next
- House of Savoy residences and hunting reserves. The city of Turin is surrounded by magnificent XVI, XVII and XVIII residences, like Royal Palace and Carignano Palace (in the centre of the city), Valentino Castle (inside the city, near the Po river, within Valentino Park), Rivoli Castle (10 kilometers west of the city), Stupinigi Hunting Pavilion (between the town of Orbassano and Nichelino, south of the city) and the Racconigi Castle (near border with Cuneo province). The two main Savoy's hunting reserves, La Mandria Park and Stupinigi Park, are now natural reserves.
- The Alps. Turin is a city that feels its mountain legacy and their proximity is why so many inhabitants have second homes in the thousands of little valley villages. During Summer, if you have a day and want to relax, take a trip to Gran Paradiso National Park, or Orsiera Rocciavrè Park, or Val Varaita Park. During Winter and the Alps offer a wide range of ski resorts, from one of the world's greatest, Via Lattea, to a number of small ski areas which are less crowded and affordableer.
- Aosta
- Saint Michael’s Abbey (Sacra di San Michele) a fascinating ancient abbey built on top of a rock at the beginning of Susa Valley.
- Ivrea
- Moncalieri
- Savigliano features the picturesque Piazza Santarosa and a railway museum for rail fans. It is an easy day trip by train from Turin.
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