DON’T EXPECT TURIN TO FIT your usual image of Italy. It’s thoroughly Italian — the evening passeggiata, appreciation of fine food and wine, and lively café culture are all here — but you won’t find medieval cobbled lanes, crumbling hilltop castles or works by Michelangelo (he never visited). Instead, Turin offers traces of Roman history, an evocative faux-medieval village, a world-class film museum and a café scene to rival Vienna’s. It’s an engaging city for families.
Families have plenty of options. For a glimpse of royal grandeur, visit the palace of the House of Savoy, the dynasty that shaped the city’s appearance over centuries. The Savoys envisioned Turin as the “Paris of the South,” and its broad avenues, elegant squares and long porticos reflect that ambition.
Children are likely to be fascinated by the palace’s Armeria Reale, one of Europe’s finest arms and armor collections, including full armor made for a princely horse — a fun detail to spot again on the Emanuele Filberto equestrian statue in Piazza San Carlo. Behind the palace stretch the Giardini Reali, landscaped by the same designer who worked on Versailles-style grounds, offering shady paths and quiet spots where kids can run while parents relax.
Palazzo Reale
PHOTO: © STILLMAN ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Piazza Castello, the wide square before the palace, is an excellent starting point for exploring Turin — most major sights are within easy walking distance. Step into Palazzo Madama for a compact but rich history lesson; the building combines a Roman-era tower from the Porta Pretoria with a 15th-century castle façade.
Nearby you can still see Roman remains, including a portion of an ancient arena adjacent to the cathedral — the palace was constructed atop the rest of it. Just beyond the arena rises the Porta Palatina, a first-century Roman gate made of brick and among the best-preserved Roman city gates in existence. The cathedral itself houses the Shroud of Turin, although it is not normally on public display.
Movie lovers should not miss the Museum of Cinema, which honors Turin’s role in the early Italian film industry. The museum occupies the Mole Antonelliana — the city’s unmistakable spire that dominates the skyline. The Mole’s dramatic interior is even more impressive than its exterior: concentric galleries open onto a soaring central atrium and a glass elevator carries visitors high to an observation point with sweeping views of the Alps and the city.
Along the ride you’ll glimpse neon-accented exhibits that line the galleries. The museum traces film history from the Lumière brothers onward with immersive, themed exhibits that explore technique, set design, cinematic personalities and star culture, complete with props, stage models and screenings in varied theater settings. It’s a visually rich experience, and convenient hours make it an evening option — open until 8 p.m., and until 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
Turin’s modern economic history is closely tied to automobiles. Fiat established a major assembly plant in 1923 at the Lingotto complex, which later fell into disuse. Rather than demolish the site, the city commissioned architect Renzo Piano to transform it into a multifunctional center. The repurposed Lingotto now hosts international trade shows and expositions and contains a multilevel shopping mall, cafés, performance spaces, an art museum and even the building’s famous rooftop test track.
For outdoor family time, stroll along the Po River and through the Borgo Medievale, a faithful reproduction of a medieval village created for the 1884 exposition. Built using period techniques and local decorative motifs, the Borgo houses craft workshops where artisans practice traditional trades. Children enjoy the armor repair shop and the Rocca Medievale, a convincing replica of the mountain castles that once guarded the Val d’Aosta, complete with frescoes and atmospheric sound effects.
The Borgo sits inside Parco del Valentino, the green ribbon beside the river. The traffic-free Viale Virgilio runs the park’s length past waterside cafés and the landing for excursion boats. An evening cruise on the glass-enclosed Valentina or Valentino provides a relaxing way to view the city from the river.
Traveling with children can make Turin’s late dining culture a challenge — many restaurants begin service around 7:30–8:00 p.m. If youngsters can’t stay up that late, pizzerias often offer more flexible hours and are a family-friendly fallback.
Caffe Baratti & Milano
PHOTO: © STILLMAN ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Turin is celebrated for its historic cafés. Caffè San Carlo, tucked under the arcades of Piazza San Carlo, delights with ornate décor and a lively atmosphere. On Piazza Castello, the chocolate shop at Caffè Baratti & Milano is hard to resist. These cafés serve meals and café specialties at various hours, giving visitors many chances to join locals in a relaxed, refined version of la dolce vita.
LODGING
HOTEL VICTORIA TORINO
A boutique property that blends grand-hotel elegance with the warmth of a country house. Rooms are individually styled, and guests can enjoy a spa and complimentary bicycles.
Via Nino Costa 4 — price range: mid to upper
LE MÉRIDIEN LINGOTTO ART+TECH
Situated in Renzo Piano’s refurbished Lingotto complex, this hotel pairs contemporary art with modern technology, reflecting the building’s industrial-to-cultural transformation.
Via Nizza 230 — price range: moderate
NH TORINO SANTO STEFANO
Located in the Quadrilatero near shops and restaurants, this modern hotel features convivial public spaces including a courtyard and a balcony with city views.
Via Porta Palatina 19 — price range: mid
DINING
LA GAIA SCIENZA
Near the Museum of Cinema, this cozy osteria serves Piedmont specialties alongside a few inventive dishes in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Candlelit corners make it a good option for a romantic dinner as well.
Via Guastalla 22 — price range: moderate
LA PERGOLA ROSA
A casual trattoria in the Quadrilatero offering regional dishes such as risotto. The White Truffle menu is a local specialty worth trying, and the desserts are crowd-pleasers for children.
Via XX Settembre 18A — price range: affordable
SPAZIO7
With recent renovations and a new cocktail bar, Spazio7 presents a contemporary take on traditional cuisine that earned it a Michelin star. The ground-floor bistro is a good lunch spot.
Via Modane 20 — price range: upper-moderate
INFO TO GO
Sandro Pertini Airport (commonly called Caselle) lies about 10 miles north of Turin and has a single terminal for departures and arrivals. Travel options to the city center include a 19-minute train service, the Dora Express bus (about 15 minutes) and taxis, which generally take 30–40 minutes. The airport railway station is located directly in front of the terminal.