Elegant, but never ostentatiously, active without frenzy, cultured and refined. Turin is one of the most versatile and fascinating Italian cities. It boasts dozens of museums, historic buildings, trendy restaurants and cafes. Respects its past, but invests in the future as demonstrated by the many contemporary art galleries and young creatives studios. Every time you land in the Piedmontese capital never fail surprises.

1. ROYAL RESIDENCES

The discovery of the Royal Turin is a classic dive in the history of the city. The palaces of power and the royal residences have preserved their original character and are the symbol of the first Italian capital: Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Carignano and Palazzo Chiablese are a clear evidence of the city's (and the whole country) history, together with the Reggia di Venaria and the Royal Hunting palace of Stupinigi.

2. THE NATIONAL CINEMA MUSEUM

Placed in the extraordinary architecture of the Mole Antonelliana, the Cinema Museum is the reference point for all cinema fans. The permanent exhibition is a journey through the history of cinema with original sets of famous films and, throughout the year, there are also temporary exhibitions of film characters as well as special days and screenings. Among other reasons to go there even the glass lift that rises to the roof top of the building: on clear days the show is one that cannot be forgotten, overlooking the Alps, the Basilica of Superga and the city rushing under your feets.

3. THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM

Turin has one of the most interesting and important museums of Italy: the Egyptian Museum. Second in the world for importance and magnitude only to the one in Il Cairo, it was recently renovated with a new museum path that allows you to understand better the value of the collection founded in 1824. Today there are about 3,300 objects on display, but the other 26.000 are registered in many warehouses and are available to who, even now, are trying to better understand the ancient Egyptian civilization and all its amazing facets.

4. THE CONTEMPORARY ART

Dozens of galleries, museums and private foundations make Turin the undisputed capital of contemporary art in Italy. From GAM (Modern Art Gallery) to Rebaudengo Foundation, through the Merz Foundation and the Rivoli Castle, the proposal is dense and constant. The strength of this proposal is in the dedicated website, Contemporary Art Torino and Piemonte, and in the constancy of some events aimed to open up the world of contemporary even to non-experts. The most important and appreciated is the Artist Lights event, that in the winter months, involving many national and international artists in the lights up of Turin’s squares, streets and roads.

5. THE PO RIVER 

It runs through the town, apparently with discretion, but it is an essential element of the city much loved by the citizens. The Po river accompanies the nightlife in San Salvario and Vanchiglia, and the Sunday’s walks of the families to the Valentino park. There are also who "use" it as a gym, like the rowers who sail it every day or those who ride or run alongside.

Credits: Touring Club Italiano