Turin – Automobile and Chocolate Capital of Italy
Updated June 10, 2026 by europeexplored
Turin wears its elegance with understatement. Wide arcades line the boulevards, protecting pedestrians from rain and sun as they walk past baroque palaces and cafe terraces. This city was Italy first capital and its grand architecture reflects that regal past. The Mole Antonelliana rises above the rooftops, a towering museum of cinema that has become the symbol of the city. Beneath the porticoes, chocolatiers sell gianduiotto, the hazelnut chocolate invented here two centuries ago. The FIAT factory once dominated the economy, and the Lingotto building with its rooftop test track stands as a monument to automotive history.
Turin wears its elegance with understatement. Wide arcades line the boulevards, protecting pedestrians from rain and sun as they walk past baroque palaces and cafe terraces. This city was Italy first capital and its grand architecture reflects that regal past. The Mole Antonelliana rises above the rooftops, a towering museum of cinema that has become the symbol of the city. Beneath the porticoes, chocolatiers sell gianduiotto, the hazelnut chocolate invented here two centuries ago. The FIAT factory once dominated the economy, and the Lingotto building with its rooftop test track stands as a monument to automotive history.
Known as both the automobile and chocolate capital of Italy, the city of Turin is a flourishing state-of-the-art metropolis which is home to the nation’s automotive industry. While the metro area of Turin is home to more than two million people, it is also the tenth most visited area in the whole of Italy.
The city of Turin can be found along the banks of the Po River. It features a rich and colorful history. There are many fine art galleries, as well as castles plazas and gardens in Turin. The city is also home to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country; the biggest of which is the Polytechnic University of Turin.
Turin, Italy by Andrew and Annemarie
The headquarters of famous automobile manufacturers including Lancia, Fiat and Alfa Romeo are located in the city. Parts of the International Space Station were manufactured in Turin as well; the Columbus and Harmony Modules. Next to Milan and Rome, Turin is considered to be the third largest industrial centers in the nation.
Turin is home to the tallest museum in the entire world. The National Museum of Cinema stands at 167 meters in height and has been a very popular attraction over the years. Many people who visit the city check out the Museum of Oriental Art, and the Egyptian Museum of Turin. Then there is also the Palatine Towers, the Gran Madre di Dio Church and the Baroque basilica di Superga in the city.
Back in 1861, Turin was made the original capital of Italy as it was the home of the House of Savoys, the ruling monarchy of the country at the time. As such, there are many fine centuries old building in the oldest parts of the city. There is something unique about the mixture of old and new that can be found throughout the city of Turin.
Would you visit Turin for its chocolate, its cars, or its royal palaces? Pick one and tell us why.
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Royal Palaces and the Egyptian Museum
The Palazzo Reale, the royal palace of the House of Savoy, dominates the Piazza Castello with its elegant 17th-century facade and grand staircase. The royal apartments are lavishly decorated with tapestries, frescoes, and period furniture that reflect the power and taste of the dynasty that united Italy. The Palazzo Madama, which incorporates medieval towers and a baroque facade, houses the Museum of Ancient Art with works by Van Dyck, Mantegna, and local Piedmontese masters. The Chapel of the Holy Shroud, designed by Guarino Guarini, contains the famous Shroud of Turin, though the relic itself is rarely displayed and usually kept in a climate-controlled vault. Turin is also home to the Egyptian Museum, the second most important collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world after Cairo. The museum houses over 30,000 artefacts including the intact Tomb of Kha, the Turin Papyrus, and the colossal statue of Ramesses II. Entry costs 15 euros and the museum requires a minimum of three hours for a proper visit. The royal palaces and the museum are all within walking distance of each other in the city centre.
Turin Chocolate and Food Culture
Turin claim to chocolate fame rests on the invention of gianduiotto in 1865, when chocolatiers mixed hazelnut paste with cocoa to stretch their supplies during a trade blockade. The result was a creamy, nutty chocolate that became the city signature confection. The historic Caffè Al Bicerin, founded in 1763, serves the bicerin, a layered drink of espresso, hot chocolate, and cream served in a glass. Caffè Mulassano and Caffè Torino are other historic establishments where the coffee culture is taken seriously. The covered market at Porta Palazzo, the largest open-air market in Europe, offers fresh produce, cheeses, and truffles from the surrounding Piedmont region. Turin also claims the invention of the grissino, the breadstick, which was supposedly created in the 17th century to aid the digestion of the young Duke of Savoy. The slow food movement, founded in nearby Bra, has deep roots in Turin culinary culture, and the city hosts the biennial Salone del Gusto food fair that attracts artisanal producers from around the world. Chocolate walking tours are available and cost approximately 30 euros for a 2-hour guided tasting experience.
Would you visit Turin for its chocolate, its cars, or its royal palaces? Pick one and tell us why.
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Getting Around Turin
Turin city centre is compact and walkable, with most major attractions concentrated within a 2-kilometre radius of Piazza Castello. The Metro line connects the central railway station Porta Nuova to the Lingotto district and the Turin International Airport. A single metro ticket costs 1.70 euros and is valid for 90 minutes across all urban transport. The tram network is extensive and includes the historic tram number 7, which runs vintage carriages along a 7-kilometre route through the city centre. The hop-on-hop-off bus tour costs 20 euros and covers the main attractions in a 60-minute loop. Turin is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding Piedmont region, with the Langhe wine country, the Sacra di San Michele abbey, and the Reggia di Venaria palace all within an hour drive. Turin Airport Caselle is 16 kilometres north of the city centre and served by a direct train taking 19 minutes.
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