©

Shutterstock 

Museo Egizio -

Turin's excellent Egyptian Museum houses one of the largest collections of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo, with more than 30,000 artifacts. It's the city's most visited attraction.

©

Shutterstock 

Museo Egizio collection -

Statues, sarcophagi, and mummies abound. But the museum is especially noted for its outstanding portfolio of papyruses, including the Turin Papyrus Map, an ancient Egyptian map generally considered the oldest surviving map of topographical interest from the ancient world. Another extraordinary example is the weighing of the souls papyrus from the Book of the Dead (pictured).

©

Getty Images 

Mole Antonelliana -

Turin's skyline is dominated by the enormous Mole Antonelliana. Named after its architect, Alessandro Antonelli (1798–1888), the building was originally conceived as a synagogue. It now houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Museum of Cinema).

©

Shutterstock 

Mole Antonelliana viewpoint -

If you prefer, you can bypass the museum and ride the elevator straight to the top for breathtaking city views and a panorama of the not-too-distant Italian Alps.

©

Shutterstock 

Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile -

Car nuts and petrol heads will receive communion at the National Automobile Museum. Its priceless collection of almost 200 cars includes rare examples of automobiles made by Fiat and Alfa Romeo, plus Lancia, Maserati, and Bugatti.

©

Shutterstock 

Ferrari -

The museum serves as a magnet for fans of Ferrari, one of the most famous car manufacturers in the world. Models exhibited range from early sports cars to luxurious grand coupé tourers like this Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.

©

Getty Images 

Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista -

Consecrated in 1505, the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista is the current location of the world-famous Shroud of Turin, one of the most studied and controversial religious relics ever unearthed.

©

Shutterstock 

Shroud of Turin -

Believed by many to be the burial shroud that Jesus of Nazareth was wrapped in after crucifixion, the Holy Shroud for the most part is hidden from view, with a full-size replica greeting visitors. The 2015 Exposition of the Shroud of Turin (pictured) was a rare occasion when the original was placed on public display. In 1988, radiocarbon dating established that the fabric was in fact from the Middle Ages. However, even these findings were later refuted by further scientific study.

©

Getty Images 

Palazzo Reale -

Looming over Piazza Castelo in the city center is Turin's former Royal Palace, which dates back to the 17th century. A sumptuous interior reveals a collection of opulently-decorated royal apartments. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

©

Shutterstock 

Armeria Reale -

Housed within the palace is the Royal Armory, which holds one of the world's most important collections of arms and armor. The dazzling artifacts date from the 15th to 19th centuries.

©

Getty Images 

Porta Palatina -

Turin sits on Roman foundations and the most imposing architectural feature of the empire is the incredible first-century gate, Porta Palatina. This is one of the best-preserved Roman gateways in the world. 

©

Shutterstock 

Palazzo Madama -

The centerpiece of Turin's grand Piazza Castello, Palazzo Madama is a stand alone UNESCO World Heritage Site the core of which is a 13th-century castle set at the palace's rear. It's built on the remains of the city's Roman east gate.

©

Shutterstock 

Museo Civico d'Arte Antica -

The castle houses the Turin City Museum of Ancient Art where a renowned collection of paintings from the medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods includes this piece, 'Ritratto Trivulzio,' a 1476 portrait of a man by the Italian Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina (c. 1430–1479).

©

Getty Images 

Galleria Sabauda -

The royal art collections amassed over centuries by the House of Savoy are held at the engaging Galleria Sabauda. Look out for the astonishing 'Scenes from the Passion of Christ' by Flemish painter Hans Memling (c. 1430–1494).

©

Getty Images 

GAM Torino -

If modern art is more your thing, head over to Turin Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and admire the handiwork of Paul Klee, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more.

©

Getty Images 

Piazza San Carlo -

Turin's abundance of charming squares is one of its most appealing qualities, and Piazza San Carlo is especially attractive. Laid out in the 16th century, the square is distinguished by the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo. Some of the city's most stylish and exclusive boutiques and cafés are set under its arcades.

©

Shutterstock 

Parco del Valentino -

Valentino Park is a popular green space and encloses a botanical garden complex. Numerous trees provide ample shade during the hot summer months, but the park makes for a pleasant diversion anytime of the year.

©

Shutterstock 

Borgo Medioevale -

Placed in Valentino Park and set along the banks of the Po River is Borgo Medioevale, a faithful replica of a 15th-century Piedmontese village. Built for an exhibition in 1884, the complex features rows of porticoed houses overlooking narrow streets, artisan shops, and a castle.

©

Shutterstock 

San Lorenzo -

The dome of the Royal Church of Saint Lawrence is a familiar Turin skyline landmark. Though fairly nondescript from the outside, this 17th-century church is certainly worth exploring for the architectural riches that lie within.

©

Shutterstock 

San Lorenzo interior -

Its dazzling cupola makes San Lorenzo one of the world's great churches. An exercise in Baroque exuberance, the dome's decorative interior is matched only by an equally opulent altarpiece.

©

Shutterstock 

Santuario della Consolata -

Another ecclesiastical gem is the Church of the Virgin of the Consolation. A riot of colorful marble and gilded woodwork greets visitors stepping inside this 17th-century pilgrimage church.

©

Shutterstock 

Juventus Stadium -

Soccer fans visiting Turin can make a pilgrimage to Juventus' stadium. Officially called the Allianz Stadium but known by locals simply as The Stadium, the building is one of Europe's great soccer venues. Separate guided tours take in the ground or the museum, which is brimming with silverware and historic memorabilia.

©

Shutterstock 

Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano -

Put aside an hour or two to browse the National Museum of the Italian Risorgimento, which is housed in the ornate 17th-century Palazzo Carignano. The museum is Italy's largest dedicated to the Risorgimento—the 19th-century political and social movement that resulted in the creation of the Kingdom of Italy.

©

Shutterstock 

Fetta di Polenta -

A Turin curiosity, the Fetta di Polenta, a six-story townhouse noted for its slim width, was built by the same man responsible for the towering Mole Antonelliana. This time, Alessandro Antonelli took a minimalist approach when designing this property, which was completed in 1840. He called it the Palazzo Fetta di Polenta: "A Slice of Polenta."

©

Getty Images 

Lingotto building -

Anybody who's seen the 1969 crime caper 'The Italian Job' will remember the sequence when the three Minis are chased by police vehicles across the rooftop racetrack of the Lingotto building, then the premises of a Fiat car factory. The building today is a hotel, conference, shopping, and cinema complex. But the track has survived.

©

Getty Images 

Caffè Al Bicerin -

One of the great joys of exploring Turin is discovering its many bars, cafés, and restaurants. Historic Caffè Al Bicerin was founded on the strength of a unique beverage, bicerin, a traditional hot drink native to Turin, made of espresso, drinking chocolate, and milk served layered in a small glass.

©

Shutterstock 

Caffè Baratti e Milano -

The elegant Caffè Baratti e Milano is another Turin café with a long and distinguished history. It opened in 1858 and is especially known for its delicious chocolate confection called cremino.

©

Shutterstock 

Turin tram ride -

One of the most charming ways to get around the city is by streetcar. The city's tram network was established in 1871 and most of the lines pass the most important visitor attractions.

©

Shutterstock 

Romantic Turin -

Pictured: Turin's Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Vittorio Emanuele I Bridge seen at dusk from the banks of the Po River.

©

Shutterstock 

Reggia di Venaria Reale -

The Palace of Venaria, located about 14 km (8.5 mi) from Turin city center, is an ideal excursion option for anyone wanting to discover one of the world's largest royal residences. Once the home of the Duke of Savoy, Carlo Emanuele II, the palace today is a little-known UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sources: (Phys.org) (CN Traveller) (European Historic Cafés Association) (Baratti and Milano) 

See also: The amazing residences owned by the British royal family

©

Shutterstock