Fourth largest city in Italy and the capital of Piedmont, Turin is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, most famous for the wonderful palaces and castles built by one of the most influential families in Europe during the Middle Ages, the Savoy. In this post we will present the best areas and hotels to sleep in Turin.
Art, history and nature are some of the things that can be found in Turin, famous for hosting two important museums: Egyptian Museum of Turin and the National Cinema Museum.
Located at the foot of the Alps, Turin is synonymous with design, innovation and reinvention. This is a destination not to be missed.
Where to sleep in Turin: the best areas and hotels
As a city, Turin is more compact and slightly cheaper than Rome o Milan. The city is divided into 23 districts, very different from each other. The accommodation offer in Turin is vast and varied. No doubt the best place to stay is the old town, where the central station is located, and from where you can easily reach other areas of the city.
Old Town: best area to sleep in Turin
The historic center of Turin is an architectural jewel that groups the main monuments and museums of the Piedmontese capital, in a square and airy area full of splendid squares.
The heart of the city is Piazza Castello, a huge square surrounded by historic buildings such as the Royal Palace or Palazzo Madama. We are located a few steps from the symbol of Turin, the Mole.
In addition to having almost all the attractions of the city nearby, it is the most beautiful and most evocative area. There are many good and inexpensive shops and restaurants to choose from.
The historical center it is a good area to sleep in Turin, lively and central. It is easy to reach, as it is close to the two main stations, Porta Susa e New door. Furthermore, if you sleep in the center you can easily get around the city on foot.
The prices of hotels and apartments in the historic center of Turin are around € 100 per night for a double or twin room. However you can find good hostels for around € 50.
Main attractions of the historic center of Turin
- Royal Palace of Turin - dating back to the 17th century, reflects the opulence of the House of Savoy. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it includes richly decorated halls, a library, and a large collection of weapons.
- Mole - this monument, symbol of Turin, dominates the city with its 167,5 meters high. It houses the National Museum of Italian Cinema on five floors.
- Via Po e Piazza Veneto - bordered by splendid arcades, Via Po is one of the most beautiful avenues in Turin. It connects Piazza Castello to Piazza Vittorio Veneto which offers a splendid view of the river.
- St. John the Baptist Cathedral - is the main church of Turin, particularly famous for hosting the Holy Shroud.
- Egyptian museum - it houses the second largest collection in the world of Egyptian antiquities, numerous statues, sarcophagi, mummies, everyday objects and jewels, as well as a series of papyri.
- Sabauda Gallery - is one of the most important art galleries in Italy. It houses more than 700 works by Italian and European artists from the 13th to the 20th century.
- Church of San Lorenzo - is built in the Baroque style, surmounted by an imposing dome.
- Senate - is a medieval castle with a baroque facade. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art.
- Carignano Palace - houses the Museum of the Italian Risorgimento
The best accommodations in the historic center of Turin:
- Hotel Concord
- Turin Hotel Porta Susa
- Grand Hotel Sitea
New door - Strategic area to stay in Turin
Torino it's not a very big city, so there are no particular disadvantages if you move a little away from the historic center. An excellent choice to sleep in Turin is that of staying near Porta Nuova station.
It's not an area with big attractions, but it is just 15 minutes walk from the central Piazza Castello. There aren't as many shops and restaurants as in the historic center, but the choice is varied.
In this area they are located numerous nice and cheap apartments, for only € 50 per night. The hotel prices here are also quite cheaper than those in the center. Double rooms can be found from € 60 per night. The value for money around the Torino Porta Nuova station it's the best in town.
Furthermore the area is very well connected. In addition to the train station there are several bus and tram stops that take you to any point in Turin. If you arrive in the city by train, the most convenient thing is to stay close to the station, to be able to easily bring your luggage to the hotel.
The best accommodations in Turin Porta Nuova:
- Turin Palace Hotel
- Hotel Rome and Rocca Cavour
- Apart Hotel Torino
Aurora - good choice near the center
North of the historic center is the Aurora district, a magnificent option for sleeping in Turin. AND one of the oldest neighborhoods in Turin, built outside the medieval city walls.
Aurora is a popular, lively and multi-ethnic area, famous for its food markets and flea market. Do not miss the Porta Palazzo market, the largest outdoor market in Europe.
As for accommodation, the neighborhood has a varied offer of accommodation with great prices and rates. Double rooms can be found from € 40 per night. In addition, you are only a 10-minute walk from the historic center.
Main attractions of the Aurora district in Turin
- Porta Palazzo food market - one of the largest markets in Italy and Europe with products of various quality.
- Turin flea market - great place to visit on weekends, to find original and cheap items. It is located in Via Borgo Dora.
- Monumental cemetery of Turin - a sublime burial place, a real open-air “museum” thanks to the numerous funerary sculptures.
- Porta Palatina - imposing Roman city gate.
The best accommodations in Aurora
- Hotel Dei Pittori
- ALICE HOME
- Pacific Hotel Fortino
Borgo Po - Quiet area to sleep in Turin
Borgo Po is a simple and rural residential area, on the edge of the Po and on the heights of Turin. It is about one of the most fascinating areas of the city. Its steep cobbled streets lead to the top of Monte dei Cappuccini.
It is a very quiet residential neighborhood with few commercial activities, but it is not too far from the center of Turin (you can get there in half an hour on foot). There are few hotels, but you will find numerous very nice apartments at very reasonable prices.
We recommend this area to sleep in Turin if you have several days available and if you want to stay in a quiet area. If, on the other hand, you have little time to visit the city, it is better to stay closer to the center.
The best attractions of the Borgo Po district:
- Church of the Great Mother of God - is a neoclassical building, characterized by its circular shape, its large dome and its imposing columns.
- Church of Santa Maria del Monte dei Cappuccini - the church dates back to the end of the Renaissance. It is located on a hill overlooking the river Po, near the bridge of Piazza Vittorio Veneto in Turin.
- Villa of the Queen - former residence of the royal family of Savoy, on the heights of Turin.
The best accommodations in Borgo Po
- Ponte Sassi hotels
- River House Torino
- Best Western Hotel Crimea
San Salvario - Nightlife and beautiful parks
The district of San Salvario is located south-east of the center of Turin. It extends from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II to Corso Bramante, and is bordered by the Porta Nuova railway station to the west and the river Po to the east.
The district initially housed the Jewish community of Turin. Here you can visit a surprising Moorish style synagogue.
Today the San Salvario district is one of the multi-ethnic neighborhoods of Turin with a rich nightlife, many bars, cafes and restaurants. The old industrial buildings in the neighborhood have found a second youth.
Attractions in the San Salvario district:
- Parco del Valentino and the botanical garden - this is the most beautiful park in Turin. A pleasant and romantic park on the banks of the Po river, with terraces and restaurants on the water's edge. The botanical garden is open from April to the end of October.
- medieval village - it is a curious "historical reconstruction" of a medieval Piedmontese village, surmounted by a castle.
- Historic center of Fiat - free admission and you can see Fiat vehicles, cars and planes manufactured in Turin.
- Promoter of the Fine Arts - a venue for temporary exhibitions in the Parco del Valentino.
- Synagogue of Turin - amazing Moorish-style synagogue, built in 1884.
Best accommodations in San Salvario:
- Best Western Executive Hotel
- B&B TOHOUSE DELUXE
- Duparc Contemporary Suites
Lingotto - economic area where to sleep in Turin
If you don't give a lot of importance to the location and don't mind taking public transport, the Lingotto district it's a good option to save. It houses the former FIAT car factory, transformed by the architect Renzo Piano into the Lingotto Congress Center.
If you want to stay close to shops and restaurants, this area is not a good choice to stay. To reach the center it takes approx an hour on foot or about 30 minutes by public transport, if you use the tram or bus.
The district has a train station which connects the area with other Italian cities, so even if it is far from the center, the neighborhood is well connected.
In this neighborhood you can find accommodation for as little as € 30 per night per double room, but the area is not the most fun. It is recommended to book accommodation here, only if you are looking for very cheap accommodation.
The best accommodations in the Lingotto district:
- Galimberti hotels
- The Emerald
- Hotel Continental
