Best things to do in Turin

A movie lover's paradise, Museo Nazionale del Cinema covers the industry from its earliest days to the present. The museum's huge exhibit space covers five floors. Among a huge array of movie memorabilia, you can see the original cape worn by actor Christopher Reeve in the movie "Superman." Recline in a comfortable chair in one of the screening rooms to watch special showings of experimental and classic Italian films. The museum also displays a growing collection of film posters, reels, books, and photos. You can ride the museum's panoramic elevator, which covers about 75 m (246 ft) in less than 60 seconds and offers 360-degree views of the area.

Dedicated solely to Egyptian art and culture, Museo Egizio houses the world's second-largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice, the museum now contains more than 30,000 exhibits, narrating the history of Egypt from the Paleolithic to the Coptic eras. Exhibits contain funeral furnishings and numerous objects of everyday use. Look for the altar of the goddess Isis and the intact tombs of the architect Kha, a builder of pharaohs' tombs, and his wife, Merit. The staff has painstakingly preserved these ancient objects, presenting them in a visitor-friendly layout that makes exploring ancient history fun and informative for of all ages. Guided tours are available with prior reservation.

Explore the Basilica di Superga to discover the tombs of many princes and kings of the House of Savoy. The church you see here today is a result of a promise Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy made in September 1706. He climbed a hill and saw Turin besieged by Franco-Spanish forces. He swore that, in case of victory, he would have a monument built to the Virgin Mary on the very hill where he stood. Climb the church's spiral staircase for views the city and, on clear days, the Alps. Take a guided tour for access to special areas.

Experience the heart of Turin in the historic Piazza San Carlo. Anchoring the city's old center, the plaza features 17th-century architecture and serves as a popular spot for shopping and dining. Admire the twin facades of the churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo. Study the iconic equestrian monument to Emmanuel Philibert that stands in the middle of the plaza. Some of the traditional cafes in the plaza feature original 19th-century furnishings.

Discover the world of Italian automobiles at Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile. The Turin museum houses more than 200 cars of 80 different makes, representing the evolution of the automobile since its origin. Wander through the museum's collection of 19th- and 20th-century models. Admire the first Italian car ever created, an 1896 Bernardi, or some of Ferrari's early racing cars. The museum's library holds more than 7,000 texts about automotive history and development.

Piazza Castello is the urban center of one of northern Italy's most important cities and was Italy's first capital. Wander the square to admire the Royal Palace, Royal Library, and the Royal Theater, among other structures. The old castle, from which the plaza takes its name, is a fortress built atop Roman ruins. Explore the portico-lined arcades along the square's perimeter of the square. They connect to many of the area's shopping streets.

Duomo di Torino e Cappella della Sacra Sindone hold much religious significance. The cathedral where the shroud rests dates back to the late 15th century. The shroud is scheduled to go on display in 2015. Approximately 4.5 m long by 1 m high (14.5 ft by 3.7 ft), the shroud contains a faint impression of a man who suffered crucifixion. It remains one of the most studied and controversial objects in human history, as many believe the image to be of Jesus Christ. Consider climbing the cathedral's bell tower on the combined ticket when visiting the Diocesan Museum.

Take a relaxing walk through Parco del Valentino, officially opened in 1856 as the country’s first public garden. The vast park contains a botanical garden, a castle, and a medieval village built specifically for the 1884 World’s Fair. The park stretches along the Po River and covers an area of about 50 hectares (124 acres). For the first few decades of the 20th century, the park served as the site of popular car races, the most notable of which was the 1948 Italian Grand Prix. The days of cars speeding over the park’s paved circuit are long gone, but the site still contains a special bench built in honor of Enzo Ferrari, perhaps the country’s best known racecar driver and automotive entrepreneur.

Soaked in history and filled with art, Palazzo Reale Di Torino was once the hub of the city’s political power. Together with the surrounding buildings, this palace formed a regional command center for the powerful House of Savoy. Originally built in the 16th century, the opulent palace was further expanded and modified in the 17th century. Renowned architect Filippo Juvarra was hired by Victor Amadeus, the head of the Savoy dynasty, to modernize the palace up to 17th-century standards. The architect’s most famous addition was a grand staircase. Later, Claudio Francesco Beaumont, a distinguished artist who was the dynasty’s official painter, embellished many of the palace’s chambers. Today, the palace offers visitors a chance to glimpse the grandeur in which the European aristocracy once lived and worked. Be sure to visit the on-site museum, with a historic armory displaying a vast collection of old weapons.

The fifth-largest cathedral in the world, Duomo di Milano is a marvel of Gothic architecture. Climb up to the roof and enjoy arguably the most spectacular views of the city, visible between the cathedral's Gothic spires. Constructed between 1386 and 1965, this massive church is known for its white marble, hundreds of spires, thousands of statues on its exterior, and a buttressed facade. You can take photos inside the cathedral if you buy a special wristband at the entrance. You can reach the roof, which is open during daylight hours, via elevator or 250 stairs. Make advance reservations if you'd like a guided sunset tour of the spires.

Well-preserved and packed with history and art, Castello Sforzesco was built in the 15th century on the remains of an ancient fortification. Later renovated and enlarged, the castle became one of the largest fortresses in Europe. Once the private home of the Sforza-Visconti ruling family of Milan, this became the Austrian governor's official residence when Lombardy was taken into the powerful Habsburg empire. Largely reconstructed in the late 19th century by architect Luca Beltrami, it now houses museums of applied arts, antique furniture and wooden sculpture, musical instruments, and Egyptian art. The castle also includes hundreds of works of Italian art, including masterpieces by Canaletto, Tiepolo, Titian, Correggio, and Tintoretto, among others. Admission to the castle is free; you can book tickets for the castle museums by phone or buy them on site.

The first, and largest, museum to pay homage to the risorgimento (Italian unification) movement in Italy, Museum of the Risorgimento is in one of Turin's most beautiful palaces. The original copy of Italy's national anthem, "Il Canto degli Italiani," is in the library, which houses a documentary archive and the literary works that helped to inspire the unification movement. Almost every room of the museum is filled with paintings, artifacts, and documents. In the multimedia room, watch films depicting the creation of many of Italy's Renaissance innovations, as well as the notable personalities of the risorgimento. You can ask for a touchscreen audio and visual guide at the main entrance.

Spend time relaxing with the locals at Piazza Vittorio Veneto, a favorite Turin hangout--and the site of fascist rallies during Mussolini's rule. The large square is a popular venue for parades and concerts. Admire the 19th-century buildings that line the square, the view of Turin hill, and the river Po.

View more than 70,000 works of art at Civic Museum of Ancient Art (Palazzo Madama), one of Italy's premier and most varied collections. Explore the halls of the Palazza, an intricate building with origins in ancient Rome, as you admire creations dating from the Middle Ages through the Baroque era. Wander through 35 rooms filled with ceramics, carvings, and tapestries, plus classical paintings and portraits. Visit the museum's tower and terrace for views of Torino. Note that this collection is not Turin's Museum of Ancient Art (Museo dell'Antichita), which is located elsewhere.