The historic center, dominated by Baroque architecture, is a labyrinth of pedestrian alleys.
One of the most beautiful Italian cities is not as crowded as Rome or Venice, is cheaper to visit, and yet goes unnoticed by most tourists.
We are talking about Turin, the capital of Piedmont, which borders the French Alps. As Traveloffpath writes, this is the most vibrant cosmopolitan center that is definitely worth visiting. The city is known for its majestic late 19th-century boulevards, luxurious palaces, and exquisite gastronomy. And the best part is that it won’t break the bank.
What is remarkable about Turin
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 ornate arcades, buildings, and art galleries, and despite its vast size, it is impossible to get truly lost.
The soaring Mole Antonelliana, an iconic vaulted dome with a spire, is always visible no matter where you look. Originally conceived as a synagogue in the 19th century, this iconic building is now home to the National Cinema Museum of Italy.
What to see in Turin
The splendor and grandeur of Turin do not end there, and to see this, it is enough to walk through the halls of the Palazzo Madama, built by order of the House of Savoy. This is one of the many palaces of the House of Savoy. All of them are listed as World Heritage by UNESCO.
Perhaps the most symbolic of all is the Turin Royal Palace. It boasts a luxurious throne, rooms with heavenly frescoes, and a chapel built to house the Holy Shroud of Turin.
In addition, Turin boasts a number of world-class museums, the most famous of which is the Egyptian Museum, which houses one of the largest Egyptian collections outside of Egypt itself.
It features over 30,000 exhibits, including the rock-cut Temple of Ellesiya and a rare painted limestone statue of Prince Seferhepshef, the son of Ramses III.
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, and also one of the most prestigious. However, for tourists, the most interesting part is the walk through the Rectoral Palace.
Known for its arched corridors, massive Hellenistic columns, and marble sculptures, this is another impressive architectural masterpiece in Turin.
Turin is not famous for its many medieval buildings, as most of the city was reconstructed in the 19th-century imperial style, but if you’re interested in the Middle Ages, the medieval Borgo is a must-visit.
The open-air museum, which imitates a medieval village with a castle, stone buildings, and a lush garden inspired by the small borgo of Piedmont, is located right on the banks of the picturesque Po River. Admission to this fairy-tale museum costs only 4 euros.
Turin will not ruin your wallet
In general, Turin is significantly more affordable than Rome, Milan, and Florence.
In this city, museum visits cost an average of 14-18 euros for large, well-known exhibitions, such as the Egyptian Museum, and only 3-5 euros for smaller galleries.
Travelers also spend about 74 euros on food per day (approximately $86). Considering that you visit 3-4 establishments per day, this amounts to approximately 18.50 euros each time you stop for food or drinks.
The good news is that the average cost of a room in an affordable private apartment in the city center is an acceptable $81.
Turin is also only 1 hour and 40 minutes away by train from Milan, and one-way tickets cost only 13 euros.