Turin, like a treasure chest, reveals its wonders slowly. The quintessential royal city preserves the grandeur of its past, carries traces of its more recent industrial history, and boasts a natural landscape that invites, when needed, an escape to the mountains. With its arcades and historic shops, parks and hills, the Po River and museums, deciding what to see in Turin in three days is no easy task. Yet one thing is certain: every gaze cast upon the city of the Savoys is rewarded, whether discovering its ancient side that still lingers, or its modern face. Turin never fails to captivate and surprise, combining history and nature with a vibrant, welcoming present. The city centre, Monte dei Cappuccini, and Parco del Valentino are undoubtedly must-see stops. Between one and the other, it’s worth savoring the excellent Piedmontese cuisine, accompanied by one of the many local wines.
Turin City Centre
The centre of Turin is a world unto itself, surely the first stop for anyone wondering “what to see in Turin in three days.” From Porta Nuova station, completed in 1868, the streets of the city centre unfold—cobbled roads, historic buildings, and elegant squares—leading to the Royal Palace and its sumptuous gardens. It’s a walk you won’t want to rush, as every step tempts you to linger. From the shops on Via Roma, you’ll arrive at Piazza San Carlo, perfect for enjoying coffee at the historic Caffè San Carlo. From here, you can head towards the Egyptian Museum, one of the city’s cultural landmarks, worthy of an entire day (perhaps adding a fourth day to your trip). Continue towards Piazza Castello, the city’s heart, and Palazzo Madama, before reaching the Mole Antonelliana—Turin’s true icon and the home of the National Cinema Museum. But the visit might not end here: the city centre is meant to be explored at leisure, inspired by its unique, refined atmosphere.
Monte dei Cappuccini
At the far edge of Turin’s historic centre, on the right bank of the Po River, rises a hill both small and charming, rich in history. This is Monte dei Cappuccini, standing 325 metres above sea level and crowned by the convent and Church of Santa Maria al Monte dei Cappuccini. Once a defensive outpost, today this elevation is a place of peace—thanks to the late Renaissance church with Baroque interiors, cared for by the Capuchin friars, and also because it offers, while remaining in the city, a welcome break from urban bustle. Slightly above Turin, Monte dei Cappuccini affords views over the Po and the city below, and houses the National Mountain Museum “Duca degli Abruzzi” and the National Library of the Italian Alpine Club. The surrounding Art Nouveau (Liberty-style) buildings are another example of what to see in Turin and of the magic of this architectural style.
Parco del Valentino
Turin is also a true model of urban greenery. Encircled by mountains, with tree-lined avenues and parks, the city offers numerous green lungs, both large and small, interspersed among its streets and buildings. The Parco del Valentino, in particular, stretches for over 420,000 square meters along the left bank of the Po River. And that alone says a lot. Add to this the elegance of its gardens—from the rock garden to the rose garden—the statues, the iconic sculpture of the embracing lamp posts, and the Fountain of the Twelve Months, created for the Italian General Exposition of 1898, an “Expo” avant la lettre held right here. Then there are the long avenues and contemplative walks, the river flowing beside you, the shade and benches, and the view of the hills: so many small things that make it possible to experience Valentino, and with this green heart of the city, Turin in its purest essence.
