Turin’s historic centre is compact, flat and laid out on a grid, so almost anywhere between Porta Nuova station and the river puts you within twenty minutes of the main sights on foot. The choice of area comes down to atmosphere, noise and whether you want to be close to the trains. Here are the neighbourhoods that work best for a first visit, each with a hotel we recommend.
Via Roma and Piazza San Carlo: grand and convenient
The arcaded spine of the city runs from Porta Nuova to Piazza Castello, lined with shops and cafés and crossed by the elegant Piazza San Carlo. Staying here means the Egyptian Museum, the royal palaces and the station are all on foot. Grand Hotel Sitea on Via Carlo Alberto is the splurge, a classic grand hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant. On a quiet pedestrian street nearby, Hotel Victoria Torino offers Victorian-inspired rooms, a hearty breakfast and the Iside Spa with an indoor pool, at a gentler price.
Piazza Castello and the royal quarter: history on the doorstep
The streets around the Royal Palace, the cathedral and Palazzo Madama are the heart of Savoy Turin, with stately buildings and historic cafés. Hotel Indigo Turin on Via XX Settembre is a small, contemporary hotel in a nineteenth-century building, a few minutes from Piazza Castello and the cathedral, and one of the best-reviewed places in town.
Piazza Carlina, Via Po and the Mole: elegant and atmospheric
East of Piazza Castello, the porticoes of Via Po lead past university buildings and cafés to the huge Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the river. The streets around the Mole Antonelliana and Piazza Carlina are quieter and very pretty. NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina occupies a historic building on the square, with rooftop terraces and views to the Mole, and it puts the riverside aperitivo bars within easy reach.
Porta Palazzo and the Quadrilatero Romano: lively and local
North of the cathedral, the Quadrilatero Romano is a maze of narrow streets full of small restaurants and wine bars, and beyond it lies Porta Palazzo, the vast open-air market. The area is busy, multicultural and a little rough around the edges, but full of energy. Combo Torino, a hostel in a converted fire station by the market, has private rooms as well as dorms and is the best budget base in the centre.
Which area suits you
For a first short break, Via Roma or Piazza Castello put the most sights on your doorstep and keep the station close. Couples who want evening atmosphere and river views should look at Piazza Carlina and Via Po. Food lovers and budget travellers will enjoy the market energy of Porta Palazzo. Areas further out, such as Lingotto in the south, suit trade-fair visitors more than sightseers.
Practical tips
Much of the centre is a limited traffic zone, so if you arrive by car, ask your hotel how to register it and where to park; most hotels charge for parking or use public garages. Rooms facing busy streets and squares can be noisy, so ask for an inner room if you sleep lightly. Prices rise during big trade fairs, sporting events and the Christmas period, so book early for those dates.