Turino
June 2023 - Trip 1
June 2024 - Trip 2
My first time was in June 2023. I came with my parents, sister, brother-in-law and their 3 kids (aged 8, 11 and 12). We stayed at Opera 35, this hotel was a perfect fit for us traveling with the kids because it has roomy apartments with kitchenettes. During our stay, we explored some of the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Mole Antonelliana, the Egyptian Museum and the Fiat Musuem. We used scooters to get around.
My second trip was in June 2024. I came for the WordCamp Europe Conference. It was up at Lingatto, which was the old Fiat Factory that has been transformed into a conference center. On my second visit I stayed at NH Collection Piazza Carolina, I fell in love with this hotel. It is in the center of the city and as a single traveller couldn't have been more perfect.
One of the highlights of my second visit was connecting with my friend Elisa, who I had met through mutual friends. Elisa, a Torino local, became my personal tour guide. Together, we wandered through the charming streets of Torino, stopping frequently for bicérins—the city’s famous chocolate and coffee drink, indulging in aperitivos at quaint local spots and enjoying lots of yummy meals.
EAT & Drink
Paltò
Located opposite Magazinno 52, great to go here before dinner. It is Natural wine bar and they have good cocktails and good small plates.
Via della Rocca 17, 10123 - Torinno
paltotorino.it
Magazzino 52
Best meal I have had in Torrino (so far). More contemporary vibe (menu and interior). It is a small menu, a choice between 2 anitpastas, 2 primi (pasta), 2 secondi (meat & fish), 2 desserts/ cheese. The menu is market based, so always changing. I picked 2 plates and cheese for dessert and it was perfect. Exceptional wine list. It is a tiny restaurant. You will need a reservation. I went again here on my first night in town and it was better then I remembered. I stick with what I said, this is the best restaurant in Torino.
Via Giolitti, 52/A 10123 - Torinno
Tel. +39 011.4271938
magazzino52.it
Casa Fiori
You can see this charming restaurant from our hotel balcony. The street side seating is covered in vines, flowers and beautiful twinkling lights making a very magical ambiabce. We are not the only ones who like this restaurant. Djokovich, Ronaldo Rublev all are big fans, it draws a very stylish crowd. I recommend the shrimp to start and the lobster pasta. The service was fabulous. You will want to make a reservation.
Via della Rocca 41/39 10123 - Torinno
Tel. +39 011 1858 4146
magazzino52.it
Del Cambio
Del Cambio is a beautiful, very historical restaurant established in 1757. It is located in the in a very pretty Piazza Carignano. It's one of the few restaurants in Italy that looks palatial and is in many ways more reminiscent of France than Italy. It is very formal, most men all had jackets, the service is incredible. They have one Michelin star, the room is gorgeous (you must sit in the classic "Risorgimento" room).
Piazza Carignano, 2, 10123 Torino TO
Tel. +39 011 546690
website
Pepe
Open at all hours this is one of our neighborhood hangouts. It is located in Piazza Teresa. They have a really charming outside area in the piazza (beware of the pigeons). They serve small sandwiches, pastries and apereitivo with wine which turino is famous for. Our last night we did aperitivos and it was perfect.
Via della Rocca, 19, 10123 Torino TO
Baratti & Milano
Opened in 1875 this chocolate shop and now cafe was a favorite of the Savoys. For us this was a go to lunch stop for a cappucino, orange juice and a small sandwich ( my favorite as the asparagus and egg) and of course a chocolate or two. This was one of our stops on the chocolate tour.
Piazza Castello 29 - Torino
www.caffe.barattiemilano.it
Vermoutheria Peliti's
This place is fabulous! Elisa and I came for an aperitivo before headed to a party next door for my conference. You are drawn here because of the location right on the Po river. The inside is equally as charming. It is in an old cave, the ceiling is all stone and super high and they have bottles stacked.
DO
LaVenaria Reale
This is a must, so beautiful, fun to get outside the city and we had the whole place to ourselves. It was one of the residences of the Royal House of Savoy. We brought picnic lunches, but there is a cute/ simple cafe in the Palace that has a terrace overlooking the gardens. The audio tour is good, and buy a ticket that allows you into all the exhibits. It is about a 35 minute taxi ride outside of Turino.
Piazza della Repubblica, 4, 10078 Venaria Reale TO
Turin Sweet & Chocolate Tour
Erica booked this through AIRBNB experiences and it was great. Our guide Christina was fun, knowledgable. Our first stop was at at A Giordano where the shop keeper gave us a very animated (all in Italian) history of the Gianduja (hazzlenut paste) and a lot of samples. To this day all the chocolate is made and wrapped by hand. After we headed to Stratta for the infamus Bicerin drink. A quick stop at Baratti & Milano (we returned here a number of times throughout our trip). Our final stop was in the beautiful Piazza Carigano at Gelateria Pepino. I reccomend all of these places and the tour was a lot of fun. These are all high end luxurious stops.
Shop
Viarani Capelleria
Opened in 1888, this tiny shop is run by mother and daughter. All hats are made in Italy. Check the hours before going, they close in the middle of the day from 12:30 to 3:30.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 27, 10125 Torino TO
www.cappelleriaviarani.it
Via Del Rocca
All of the shops on this stretch are cute. I bought some cute pants at 843 Boutique, Mola ( mom got a cute skirt and top), and the perfumery is so fun. I went 3 times before choosing my new sent.
Stay
NH Collection Piazza Carolina
I really can't say enough wonderful things about this hotel. I would come to Torino, just to stay here. It has the perfect blend of old world charm with clean contemporary amenities. I was in room 329 which overlooks the hotel piazza that is filled with lemon trees. It is a small room, with a full bed, the perfect spot for a single traveller. When the weather is nice the restaurant is in the courtyard. The breakfast is beautiful, it is in the same restaurant you can sit outside or in the glassed in area that surrounds the center piazza. The staff is beyond helpful. You email them with requests and they respond immediately. The location is in a very lively and fun square right in the city center.
15 Piazza Carlo Emanuele II, 10123 Torino Italia
www.nh-collection.com