We all know Milan for its grandiose edifices and art galleries, high fashion, and ornate Duomo––is there truly a more beautiful Gothic cathedral?––but there’s no denying it’s a bit out of the budget for the average traveler.
Between $202-a-night on hotels, and $107 on meals and transportation every day, a one-week city break in Italy’s elegant Northern metropolis does not come cheap, and that’s without factoring in the long wait to get into museums and hordes of tourists.
Luckily, there is this off-path gem a short 55-minute train ride from Milan that’s both comparatively cheaper and less crowded:
What Is Turin Famous For?
The capital and largest city of Piedmont, an alpine region in northwestern Italy, Turin is everything tourists wish Milan would be:
A different side of Italy than that you might be hoping to find if it’s Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast you’ve got your heart set on, it’s not exactly a maze of pastel-colored houses and cobblestones––in fact, it’s oftentimes called Paris of the East due to its Belle époque cityscape.
It has Milan’s grandiose architecture, with beautiful wide avenues lined by stately buildings, and the unrivaled food scene, except it’s not exactly overpriced nor crumbling under the weight of mass tourism as its sisterly metropolis.
It is best characterized by its plethora of Savoyard monuments, most notably Palazzo Reale and Palazzo Madama, and public squares so magnificent they look like palace courtyards, bordered by cafes that exude Old World charm.
Turin Is One Of Italy’s Most Historically-Significant Cities
Turin is also incredibly rich in history, having served as the first capital of Italy when the country was unified in the 19th century, and prior to that, it was the seat of the House of Savoy, one of Europe’s wealthiest royal houses.
A visit to Turin can be summarized in people-watching alfresco as you sip some cappuccino at Piazza Castello, exploring palaces, browsing the shops at Via Roma (Turin’s liveliest thoroughfare and its response to Paris’ Champs-Élysées), and strolling the scenic Po riverside.
Of course, there are some attractions you shouldn’t miss out on, like the soaring spire that dominates the skyline: Mole Antonelliana. Upon its completion, it was the tallest masonry building in Europe and now a permanent home to the National Museum of Cinema.
If you’re not a cinephile, you can still take a lift to the top of the Mole for around $9.41 (the views of Turin’s grid-like design backed by snow-capped mountains are breathtaking).
To our fellow museum geeks, the local Museo Egizio, opened as early as 1824, is one of Europe’s greatest collections of Egyptian artifacts, and when visiting the richly-decorated, marble-domed Chapel of the Holy Shroud, look for the Holy Shroud itself.
Yes, according to ancient tradition, the linen cloth used in Jesus’ burial is right here in Turin––some archeologists will dispute that, but in the very least, it’s a beautiful Baroque church worth checking out.
Unique Things To Do In Turin In 2025
Looking for unique activities to make your time in Turin even more memorable?
There’s no visiting Turin without sampling its world-class cocoa products:
Chocolate-making is a long-standing Torinese tradition, so much so it is considered one of Europe’s chocolate capitals.
It’s no wonder the Turin Chocolate Tasting Experience is a best-seller on GetYourGuide, combining sightseeing with visits to local chocolatiers, for only $39.77.
All that talk of food making you hungry yet?
You should definitely add this market tour, guided by a cesarina (an Italian female home cook) and topped with lunch back at hers, for $145.47.
This Is How Affordable Turin Is
On that note, Turin is surprisingly affordable by Northern Italy standards.
Considering it is so close to Milan, being under an hour away by train, you’d expect it to be as expensive as the Capital of Fashion––in reality, hotels here average a much-cheaper $165, and tourists will find themselves spending $77 on meals per day.
In reality, prices can be way lower, even:
The cheapest private room in Turin in summer, with an external bathroom, will set you back by $40 per night, at Hotel Serenella, while the 3-star Green Class Hotel Astoria, in the heart of the historic center, costs $80 to book.
Don’t mind splurging a little?
The luxurious Grand Hotel Sitea, on the well-frequented Via Carlo Alberto, and just behind Piazza San Carlo, has overnight rates starting from $196 for single rooms, a superb breakfast included.
You could always treat yourself to dinner with a view at an upscale restaurant, though we’d argue finding an affordable, locally-run trattoria where dinner seems to have been prepared by someone’s nonna is much more satisfying.
Try Pizzeria e Panozzeria La Sarda for delicious $8 pizzas, or the highly-rated Monegato Primi Secondi a Nessuno for excellent homemade pasta (and A+ service that won’t break the bank).
You get the gist of it:
Turin is relatively cheap, it has beautiful architecture, and it’s the perfect alternative to Milan if you can’t stand the Instagrammer crowds.
Are we really surprised, then, Europe-based travel agency TUI has named it best European getaway this February?
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
