Villa della Regina stands on the hill above the Po, close to the centre of Turin yet quiet and green. It was built in the seventeenth century as a suburban residence for a cardinal of the House of Savoy, and it later took its name from the queens who lived there. Its rooms are filled with frescoes, stucco and decorative painting, and some are decorated in the Chinese taste fashionable in the eighteenth century. Behind the villa the gardens climb the hill in terraces, with fountains, a grotto and a belvedere that looks over the roofs of the city. A small vineyard still grows on the slope, a reminder that the Savoy loved wine as much as they loved display. Like the great palaces of the centre and the suburbs, the villa is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. The tour linked here is a guided visit.
How it works
The villa is east of the river, a short taxi ride, bus ride or uphill walk from the centre. Interior visits are often guided or timed, and the villa has a weekly closing day, so check the ticket page for the schedule and the language of the tour. The product linked here is a guided tour, and some guided visits in Turin are offered in Italian, so confirm the language before you buy.
What you see
The interior is a sequence of decorated rooms, from ceremonial halls to small private cabinets with painted walls and lacquer-style panels. Outside, the terraces and gardens give the feeling of a country estate close to the city. The belvedere is one of the best places in Turin to look back across the river towards the old centre and the hills.
Making the most of it
Allow two hours for the visit and the gardens, and wear shoes for slopes and steps. It is a good choice for visitors who have already seen the Royal Palace and want something calmer, and it is best on a dry day, when the gardens are at their best. Combine it with a walk along the river and an aperitivo near Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
What to expect
The experience
A guided visit through the decorated rooms of a hillside villa, with time in the terraced gardens.
Best time
A dry day, when the gardens and the belvedere can be enjoyed.
How long
About two hours with the gardens.
Tips
Confirm the tour language and the weekly closing day, and wear shoes suited to slopes and steps.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples, garden lovers and visitors who want a quieter Savoy residence.
- Families
- Older children can enjoy the grounds, though the interior suits adults better.
- Couples
- Terraced gardens and a view over the city make it a romantic stop.
- Pair with
- A river walk and aperitivo near Piazza Vittorio Veneto.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
Why is it called Villa della Regina?+
It was built for a Savoy cardinal and later took its name from the queens who lived there.
Is Villa della Regina part of the UNESCO site?+
Yes, it belongs to the Residences of the Royal House of Savoy World Heritage Site.
Is there a vineyard?+
Yes, a small vineyard still grows on the hillside behind the villa.
Is the tour in English?+
Some guided visits in Turin are in Italian, so check the tour language on the ticket page before you buy.
How do I get there?+
It is across the river from the centre, by taxi, bus or an uphill walk.
