Eco Hotels in Turin, Piedmont

Sustainable stays in Italy’s elegant first capital — where Baroque palaces meet Alpine panoramas

Why Stay in Turin?

Turin is one of the great unsung cities of Europe. As Italy’s first capital from 1861 to 1865, the city carries an aristocratic grandeur that sets it apart from Milan’s frenetic pace and Rome’s chaotic charm. The Savoy dynasty, which unified Italy, left a legacy of royal palaces, Baroque churches, and tree-lined boulevards that give Turin an orderly, almost Parisian elegance. Framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the west and the rolling hills of Monferrato to the east, the city offers an urban experience wrapped in natural splendour.

Turin’s cultural credentials are formidable. The Museo Egizio is the second-largest Egyptian museum in the world, surpassed only by Cairo’s. The Mole Antonelliana, the city’s unmistakable landmark, houses the National Cinema Museum — a testament to Turin’s role as the birthplace of Italian cinema. Guarino Guarini’s Baroque masterpieces, including the Cappella della Sacra Sindone (home of the Holy Shroud) and the Church of San Lorenzo, showcase the pinnacle of 17th-century architectural innovation. The city is also the automotive capital of Italy, with FIAT founded here in 1899, and the Museo dell’Automobile is a pilgrimage site for car enthusiasts.

This is Italy’s chocolate capital. Gianduiotti — hazelnut-chocolate pralines shaped like upturned boats — were invented here, and historic cafés like Caffè al Bicerin have been serving their namesake coffee-and-chocolate drink since 1763. The aperitivo culture in the Quadrilatero Romano district rivals Milan’s, with generous buffets accompanying your Negroni or Barolo. Turin also sits at the gateway to the Langhe wine region, home of Barolo and Barbaresco, just an hour south by car.

For the eco-conscious traveller, Turin delivers. Book your stay through IMPT and you’ll find hotels at the same prices as Booking.com across 8 million+ properties worldwide, with EUR5 free credit on sign-up, 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, and 1 tonne of CO₂ removed for every booking you make. Over 25,000 properties on the platform carry green certifications, making it simple to align your travel with your values. The city’s compact, walkable centre and excellent public transport network mean you can explore sustainably without a car.

At a Glance

Getting the Most from Your Visit

Turin-Caselle Airport (TRN), named after the aviator pioneer Sandro Pertini, lies just 15 kilometres north of the city centre. The Sadem bus service connects the airport to Porta Nuova station in approximately 40 minutes, while a dedicated train service links Caselle to Torino Dora station. If arriving from Milan, the high-speed Frecciarossa covers the 140-kilometre distance in just 45 minutes, making a day trip entirely feasible. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is the main intercontinental gateway, about 130 kilometres northeast, with direct bus connections to Turin’s bus terminal.

The city is served by two main railway stations: Porta Nuova, a grand 19th-century terminus on the southern edge of the centre, and Porta Susa, a modern high-speed hub on the western side. Both connect to Turin’s single-line metro system, which runs from Fermi in the west to Bengasi in the south. The city centre is exceptionally walkable: the grand boulevards and arcaded porticoes — 18 kilometres of them — mean you can stroll from the Royal Palace to the Po river in under 30 minutes, rain or shine.

Day trips from Turin are world-class. Sacra di San Michele, the imposing abbey that inspired Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose, perches on a rocky outcrop 40 kilometres west. The Reggia di Venaria Reale, a UNESCO-listed Savoy palace modelled on Versailles, lies just 10 kilometres from the city centre and is easily reached by bus. To the south, the Langhe wine region — home of Barolo and Barbaresco — offers vineyard tours, truffle hunting, and some of Italy’s finest restaurants. Turin rewards a minimum stay of three nights: two for the city itself and one for a spectacular day trip.

Where to Stay in Turin

Centro Storico (Quadrilatero Romano)

The historic centre, built on the Roman grid, is the most atmospheric area for visitors. Narrow cobbled streets, artisan workshops, and some of Turin’s best aperitivo bars fill the lanes around Via Garibaldi. You’re within walking distance of the Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, and the Duomo. This is the neighbourhood for travellers who want to soak up Turin’s medieval-and-Baroque character.

San Salvario

South of the railway tracks, San Salvario is Turin’s most multicultural and bohemian quarter. The covered market at Piazza Madama Cristina hums with activity, and the streets are packed with ethnic restaurants, craft beer bars, and independent bookshops. Parco del Valentino, the city’s riverside green lung, borders the neighbourhood to the east. Excellent value for younger travellers and food lovers.

Crocetta

A refined residential district south of the centre, Crocetta is known for its Liberty-style buildings, quiet tree-lined streets, and proximity to the Politecnico di Torino. It is quieter than the Centro Storico but still an easy walk or short metro ride from the main attractions. Ideal for families and travellers seeking a more local experience.

Borgo Po

Across the Po river on the eastern bank, Borgo Po climbs the hillside towards the Gran Madre church and beyond. This neighbourhood offers panoramic views over Turin and the Alps, a village-like atmosphere, and direct access to the Superga rack railway. Excellent for those wanting a peaceful retreat with spectacular vistas, just 15 minutes’ walk from Piazza Vittorio Veneto.

Recommended Hotels

All of the hotels below are bookable through IMPT at the same prices as Booking.com. Book with IMPT and you get EUR5 free credit, 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, and 1 tonne of CO₂ removed per completed stay.

Things to Do in Turin

Turin packs an extraordinary number of world-class attractions into a city centre that you can cross on foot in under half an hour. From ancient Egyptian artefacts to the silver screen, from royal palaces to riverside parks, the city rewards curiosity at every turn.

Mole Antonelliana & National Cinema Museum

The city’s undisputed symbol, the Mole Antonelliana is a 167-metre tower crowned by a soaring aluminium spire. Inside, the National Cinema Museum takes visitors on a spectacular journey through the history of film, with exhibits suspended dramatically within the tower’s cavernous interior. Take the panoramic glass lift to the observation deck for 360-degree views of Turin and, on clear days, the entire arc of the Alps from Monviso to Monte Rosa.

Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum)

The second-largest Egyptian museum in the world, founded in 1824, houses over 40,000 artefacts spanning 4,000 years of Nile Valley civilisation. Highlights include the intact Tomb of Kha and Merit, a spectacular collection of papyri, and the Temple of Ellesija, a rock-cut temple donated by Egypt in recognition of Italy’s role in saving Nubian monuments. Allow at least three hours.

Palazzo Reale & Royal Gardens

The Royal Palace of Turin, principal residence of the House of Savoy, dominates the city’s grandest square. The lavishly decorated State Apartments, the Royal Armoury (one of Europe’s finest collections of arms and armour), and the Galleria Sabauda — housing works by Van Eyck, Rembrandt, and Botticelli — are all within the palace complex. The Royal Gardens behind the palace offer a peaceful retreat with views towards the Po.

Basilica di Superga

Perched on a 672-metre hill east of the city, this Baroque masterpiece by Filippo Juvarra doubles as the royal mausoleum of the House of Savoy. It is also the site of the 1949 Superga air disaster that killed the entire Grande Torino football team — a tragedy woven into the city’s identity. The rack railway from Sassi station provides a scenic 20-minute ascent. From the basilica’s dome, the panorama stretches from the city to the Alpine arc.

Piazza Castello & Palazzo Madama

The city’s main square is a living architectural timeline. Palazzo Madama, the centrepiece, began as a Roman gate, became a medieval castle, and was given its Baroque facade by Juvarra. Today it houses the Civic Museum of Ancient Art. The square is surrounded by the Royal Theatre, the Prefecture, and elegant porticoes that lead to Via Roma, Turin’s main shopping street.

Parco del Valentino & Borgo Medievale

Turin’s largest park stretches along the west bank of the Po, with tree-lined avenues, gardens, and views of the hills beyond. The Borgo Medievale, a replica medieval village built for the 1884 Italian General Expo, sits within the park and offers a charming, slightly surreal time-capsule. The park is also home to the Castello del Valentino, another UNESCO-listed Savoy residence.

Museo dell’Automobile

One of the world’s finest car museums pays homage to Turin’s industrial soul. Over 200 vehicles trace the history of motoring from the earliest steam-powered carriages to futuristic concept designs. The FIAT story dominates, but the museum covers global automotive history with style and depth. Located in the Lingotto district, near the former FIAT factory with its rooftop test track.

Galleria Sabauda & Royal Museums Circuit

Part of the Polo Reale complex, the Galleria Sabauda holds the Savoy art collection with masterpieces spanning the 13th to 19th centuries. Hans Memling, Jan van Eyck, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Mantegna are all represented. A combined ticket grants access to the gallery, the Royal Palace, the Royal Armoury, and the Archaeological Museum — exceptional value for art lovers.

Walks & Hikes in Turin

Passeggiata al Valentino

A gentle 5-kilometre loop along the Po river and through Parco del Valentino. The path is flat and paved, making it suitable for all fitness levels. Start at the Murazzi embankment, follow the river south past the Borgo Medievale and Castello del Valentino, cross the river at Ponte Isabella, and return on the opposite bank via the Gran Madre church. Allow about 1 hour 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. Rating: easy.

Superga Hill Climb

A 3-kilometre ascent from the Sassi neighbourhood to the Basilica di Superga through woodland and olive groves. The trail gains approximately 400 metres of elevation and is moderately strenuous, with some steep sections. Alternatively, take the rack railway up and walk down. At the top, the basilica and its panoramic terrace reward the effort with sweeping views. Allow 2 hours for the walk up. Rating: moderate.

Centro Storico Walking Tour

A 4-kilometre loop through Turin’s historic heart that ticks off the major sights. Start at Porta Palazzo market (Europe’s largest open-air market), then walk through the Quadrilatero Romano to Piazza Castello, past Palazzo Madama to Piazza San Carlo (the city’s drawing room), down Via Roma to Porta Nuova station, and back up Via Lagrange to Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the Po. Allow about 2 hours at a steady pace. Rating: easy.

Nearby Cities

• Alba — 65 km south, white truffle capital and gateway to Barolo wine country
• Asti — 55 km south-east, sparkling wine and medieval towers
• Ivrea — 55 km north, UNESCO-listed Olivetti modernist town at the mouth of the Aosta Valley
• Cuneo — 90 km south, Maritime Alps gateway with a distinctive grid-plan centre

Frequently Asked Questions