Turin

About Turin

The first capital of contemporary Italy is most notable for its car industry and for being home to the famous religious shroud. Its heaving maze of streets is also where Italy goes to work hard and play hard. Here you can shop, eat, drink, and live well, without really having to try.

This buzzing city has some fabulous hotels. Check out the luxurious NH Lingotto, designed by Renzo Piano and located in a former Fiat factory, which not only has a tropical Garden of Wonders and rooftop jogging track, but is connected to Turin's Lingotto Convention Centre. In the city centre, top-of-the-range hotels close to the Egyptian Museum include Golden Palace and Principi di Piemonte, but there are also plenty of budget options here.

The glittering boutiques of Turin’s main shopping area can be found around Via Roma, Via Garibaldi (one of Europe’s longest pedestrianised streets) and the adjacent side streets. There’s also the sprawling market at Porta Palazzo where you can find everything from cheap shoes and vintage clothes to household goods and a colourful food section. Don’t miss the temple to Italian food, Eataly, an enormous store selling artisanal produce from all over the country.

Turin lies close to the home of the ‘Slow Food Movement’, which has its global headquarters in nearby Bra. Piedmontese cuisine is all about making the best from simple high quality seasonal ingredients. Turin is famous for its chocolate, and renowned chocolatiers (and chocolate lovers) descend on the city for the CioccolaTÒ Festival in March to sell, sample and celebrate the sweet stuff.

In winter, Turin is regarded as one of the best ski resorts in Italy - think high-altitude slopes, no crowds, and stunning mountain views. With so much to see, do and eat, Turin is well worth a visit all year round.