For more than two centuries the Royal Palace was the residence of the Savoy dukes and kings who ruled Piedmont and, from 1861, a newly united Italy. Today it is the centrepiece of the Musei Reali, a single complex on Piazza Castello that joins the palace, the Royal Armoury, the Galleria Sabauda picture gallery, the archaeological museum, the Royal Library and the Royal Gardens. Inside the palace, a grand staircase leads to a sequence of state apartments, throne rooms, ballrooms and private chambers decorated with gilded stucco, silk walls, Chinese lacquer and painted ceilings. The Royal Armoury holds one of the finest collections of arms and armour in Europe, with mounted knights lined up under a frescoed gallery. Connected to the palace is the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, Guarino Guarini’s extraordinary baroque dome of stacked arches, restored and reopened after a devastating fire in 1997. The Galleria Sabauda displays Italian and Flemish masters collected by the Savoys.
How it works: the Musei Reali operate on a single ticket that covers the palace, the Armoury, the Galleria Sabauda, the archaeological museum and the Chapel of the Shroud. The regular schedule runs from Tuesday to Sunday through the day, with Mondays closed, though third-party listings sometimes show different hours, so confirm on the day you plan to go. The Tiqets product linked here is a ninety-minute guided tour of the Royal Palace in English or Italian for a small group of at most ten, which brings the rooms and the Savoy family stories to life.
What you see: the tour concentrates on the royal apartments on the main floor, from the Throne Room and the Ballroom to the Chinese Cabinet and the Daniel Gallery. Afterwards, with the museum ticket, you can explore the Armoury, look up into the Guarini dome of the Shroud chapel and walk through the Galleria Sabauda.
Making the most of it: the complex is enormous, so plan on half a day if you want everything. The Royal Gardens behind the palace are a calm spot to rest. Turin Cathedral and Palazzo Madama are both on or beside Piazza Castello.
What to expect
The experience
A ninety-minute small-group guided tour of the royal apartments, with the option to continue on your own through the Armoury, the Shroud chapel and the picture gallery.
Best time
A weekday morning from Tuesday to Friday, when the state rooms are quieter than at weekends.
How long
Ninety minutes for the tour, and two to four hours if you add the rest of the Musei Reali.
Tips
Mondays are the usual closing day, large bags may need to be left in the cloakroom, and the dome of the Shroud chapel is best seen with time to look up.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History lovers, first-time visitors and anyone curious about the royal family that united Italy.
- Families
- Children enjoy the armoured knights on horseback in the Armoury, though the state rooms are a long walk for little ones.
- Couples
- The gilded ballroom and mirrored rooms make a romantic, old-world morning before lunch in the centre.
- Pair with
- Turin Cathedral next door and a hot chocolate in a historic café on Piazza Castello.
- Time needed
- Ninety minutes for the palace, half a day for the whole complex.
Good questions
What is included in the Musei Reali ticket?+
The single ticket covers the Royal Palace, the Royal Armoury, the Galleria Sabauda, the archaeological museum and the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. The Royal Gardens are part of the same complex.
Is the Royal Palace of Turin open on Mondays?+
The regular schedule is Tuesday to Sunday, with Mondays closed. Holiday openings vary, so check the calendar before you go.
Can you see the Shroud at the Royal Palace?+
No, the Shroud itself is kept in Turin Cathedral and is not on public display. The palace ticket includes the Guarini chapel built to house it.
Is the guided tour in English?+
Yes, the linked Royal Palace tour runs in English and Italian. Groups are capped at ten people.
How long does a visit take?+
The guided tour lasts about ninety minutes. Seeing the whole Musei Reali complex takes half a day.