Cities of art, rolling hills, lakes and majestic Alps: the area around Torino offers an incredible variety of experiences, encompassing nature, culture and age-old traditions. It could not be otherwise: this unique landscape provides the backdrop to Italy’s first capital, a place where history and innovation have coexisted for over two thousand years.
Strolling through Torino, you can clearly sense this identity: from the elegant Royal Residences to the Baroque churches, from the internationally renowned museums to the historic cafés, right through to the contemporary neighbourhoods. A dynamic and modern city, deeply rooted in its past.
But it is in the surrounding area that the journey expands: authentic villages, Olympic mountains, lakes nestled amongst the valleys and routes that traverse centuries of history.
What to see in the Torino area:
- The Alps: alpine landscapes, snow in winter, valleys and villages in summer. Outdoor activities guaranteed all year round
- Historic villages, cities rich in art and culture, the Royal Residences of the House of Savoy, forts and castles
- Hills and artisanal and food and wine products
- Spiritual and historical routes, such as the Via Francigena, and trails suitable for everyone.
Around Torino
Straddled by the River Po and surrounded by the western Alps, Torino was described by Le Corbusier as “the city with the most beautiful natural setting”.
The Torino hills, criss-crossed by scenic trails, are home to iconic sites such as the Basilica of Superga, alongside small towns steeped in tradition:
- Moncalieri and its castle
- Chieri, home of the ‘rubatà’ breadsticks
- Pecetto Torinese, famous for its cherries
- Marentino and its honey
- Carmagnola, known for its peppers
Find out more about the area here.
Mountains and nature: the Alps and valleys
The area around Torino is dominated by the Alps, which are ideal for outdoor activities all year round.
The Olympic mountains of the Alta Val Susa and Chisone, which played a central role in the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, are home to major ski resorts such as:
- ViaLattea
- Bardonecchia Ski
For those who love unspoilt nature, the Gran Paradiso National Park – Italy’s oldest – offers spectacular scenery in the Orco and Soana Valleys, with places such as Ceresole Reale, one of the Pearls of the Alps.
The Val di Susa is one of the regions richest in history, dominated by the spectacular Sacra di San Michele and dotted with fortifications such as the Fort of Exilles. The town of Susa, known as the ‘Gateway to Italy’, preserves important Roman remains.
The Lanzo Valleys, a historic holiday destination for the Torino aristocracy, still retain an elegant and authentic charm today.
In the Canavese, the Morainic Amphitheatre of Ivrea – shaped by glaciers – encompasses unique landscapes and sites of great value.
Just a few kilometres from Torino, Pinerolo has historical links to the cavalry and lies near the majestic Fenestrelle Fort, one of the most imposing fortified structures in Europe. Cycle routes and villages in the Pinerolo area recount the history and traditions of the Waldensian community.