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Turin

Turin (Italian: Torino, Piedmontese: Turin) is a city in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, with a population of about 844,000 in 2023, and another 1.5 million across its metropolitan area. For many visitors it's simply the place where their budget flight lands then they jump on the coach to the Val d'Aosta ski resorts. It is however an outstanding destination in its own right, with its old-world aristocratic ambiance, grand boulevards and palaces, arcade streets, and cultural and artistic heritage.

Understand
"Taurini" first appears in history in 218 BC, when the tribe of that name was subdued by Hannibal. Over the centuries it grew into a sizeable city but was repeatedly attacked or occupied by foreign troops, and Italy was a patchwork of warring principalities. One powerful faction was the Savoy dynasty, relocating from their original Alpine home to re-base in Turin, and they embellished it in the 18th century with baroque palaces (not all of these for their mistresses), elegant boulevards and grand piazzas. Napoleon captured Turin and the Piedmont region in 1802, but after his downfall the Savoyards were re-instated and the city (now a royal capital) was further enhanced. The Savoyards just-about stayed on the right side of history during the revolutionary era of 1840-60 and the struggle to unify Italy, and Turin was for four years the country's first capital.

The city became an industrial powerhouse in the 19th century, especially through the automobile industry: "FIAT" stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, founded here in 1899, and Lancia set up in 1906. These sucked in labour from the poor south, and were subsidised by Mussolini. Turin was heavily bombed by the Allies during World War II but afterwards was restored to its former grandeur as a second Paris.

Car manufacture and other traditional industries withered in the late 20th century, as elsewhere in Europe, and the city became run-down, hollowed out and de-populated. It re-invented itself with new industry, design and services — not least to tourists — and in 2006 hosted the Winter Olympic Games.

The climate of Turin is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. Snow is common in winter and summer thunderstorms are not uncommon either. The wealth of indoor attractions and open spaces make the city a year-round destination.

Tourist information
Tourist information centres are on Piazza Castello (corner with Via Garibaldi, daily 09:00-18:00) and on Piazza Carlo Felice (front of Porta Nuova station, likewise daily 09:00-18:00).

By plane

To the city: Arriva Bus 268 runs every 15-30 min from the airport to Caselle town, and Turin Porta Susa and Porta Nuova railway stations, taking 40-55 min; some buses extend to Lingotto. Buy your ticket from a kiosk or machine in the arrivals area, for (in 2024) €7.50 single or €11 return. If the machines broken, buy on board by bank card; paying by cash costs an extra €1. If you buy a Turin + Piemonte Card (as in "See"), the ride is only €6.50. The bus into the city runs 06:00 to 00:30, and out to the airport at 05:00 to 23:30.

Flibco is a competing bus line, running every 30 min 03:30-23:00. It takes 25 min from the airport via Caselle to Corso Vittorio Emanuele II outside Porta Susa station (stop 5), for a fare of €7.5 each way, or 11€ return. Pay by bank card on boarding or at the counter in the terminal building.

Trains run hourly from Caselle-Aeroporto station (west side of the terminal), taking 35 min via Caselle town, Borgaro, Veneria Real, Grosseto and Rebaudengo Fossata to Turin Porta Susa main station. This service no longer runs to Dora. The train fare is €3.60.

By taxi to the city centre is around €40, and a private car transfer €100. There are car hire desks in arrivals: you don't want a car in the city, but do need one to explore the mountains.

Other airports for reaching Turin are Milan Malpensa MXP, Milan Linate LIN, and Bergamo BGY. Of these, Malpensa has the best range of flights, and best onward transport: the SADEM bus runs direct from MXP Terminals 1 & 2 to Turin Porta Susa, hourly 08:00-22:00 and at midnight. The ride lasts 2 hours and costs €22, buy tickets in Malpensa arrival hall or online.

By train
is the primary train station of Turin and closest station to the center of the city. The station contains 20 platforms and is a terminus station so through-trains will reverse direction. Lots of shops and cafés here, and a left-luggage office open daily 08:00-20:00, charge €6 per bag for five hours. There's even a piano. Porta Nuova is on the Metro, with lots of buses (including the airport bus) stopping outside.

All international and long-distance trains call here, with direct services from Paris Gare de Lyon via Lyon, from Milan (50 min), Aosta (90 min), Genoa (90 min), Bologna (2 hr), Florence (2 hr 45 min), Venice (3 hr 30 min), Rome (4 hr), Naples (6 hr), Bari (8 hr) and by sleeper from Reggio DC (18 hr) for Sicily. From Switzerland, Germany and Austria, change in Milan. Frecciarossa trains rush between Turin and Milan in 50 min for a fare in 2024 of €28, reservations compulsory and they do sell out. If you're not in a hurry, regional trains via Chivasso and Novara take 1 hr 45 min and the fare is only €13.

(Trains from Paris normally take six hours, but the route is blocked by a landslide at Modane in French Savoy. Replacement and workaround routes, e.g., via Annecy, take much longer. This is expected to drag on to summer 2024.)

is Turin's second most important railway station with nine platforms. Generally, all trains destined for Porta Nuova will stop at Porta Susa.

The old Porta Susa station at Piazza XVIII Dicembre is shut and empty, and horse-drawn buses ply there no more. The new station, adjacent south, opened in 2013, a long low steel hangar that looks like it wants to be a garden centre. There are ticket offices and machines, toilets, a café and a convenience store; there's no left luggage facility. There's limited seating and if you have an extended wait, you might be better in one of the nearby bars and cafés. Find these by exiting west onto Corso Inghilterra or going a little north (past the old station) onto Corso San Martino. Porta Susa station is on the Metro line, with a bus terminus (including for the airport bus) outside east on Corso Bolzano.

is Turin's third most used train station with 13 platforms, situated well south of the center of the city. The station is located near the Eataly and is a stop for trains heading into the city from Alba, Asti, Chivasso, Chieri, Ciriè, Cuneo, Fossano, Genoa, Pinerolo, Rivarolo and Savona.

You're unlikely to use the outlying stations of Rebaudengo Fossata, Stura, and Grosseto as a tourist, however they do offer service options if you stay in these areas.

is a nine platform station north of the city connected to tram line four.

is a five platform station north of the city centre with service solely by local trains of the city.

is a two platform station in the north west of the city with service solely by local trains connecting to Ceres.

By road
The principal routes, on toll motorways, are:
 * A4 from Trieste, Venice, Padua, Verona,  Milan and Novara.
 * From Geneva and northern France via the Mont Blanc Tunnel, then A5 down past Courmayeur, Aosta and Ivrea.
 * A7 from Genoa to Tortona, then A21 past Alessandria and Asti.
 * From Lyon and Grenoble in France via the Frejus Tunnel then A32.

By bus
Flixbus have direct buses to Turin from Paris (10 hr), Lyon (5 hr), Geneva (4 hr 30), Zürich (6 hr), Munich (9 hr), Ljubljana (10 hr), Zagreb (12 hr) and Budapest (16 hr). Services within Italy are from Genoa (2 hr 30), Bologna (6 hr), Florence (7 hr), Venice (6 hr 30), Trieste (8 hr), Rome (10 hr), Naples (11 hr) and Catania (22 hr). Buses from Milan are about every hour, taking 2 hours, and advance online fares can be as low as 4 euro. Many other destinations can be reached by a single change of bus.

Marinobus have a direct bus from Paris (25 hr) via Frankfurt and Stuttgart.

There's no bus station: long-distance buses pick up and drop off on Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II near the intersection of Corso Inghilterra and Porta Susa railway station. Look out for other travellers clutching their luggage and looking hopeful or anxious.

Public transport
Turin has an efficient, integrated system of buses, trams and metro all operated by GTT. These run 06:00-00:30, and out of hours there are night buses fanning out from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Their website has a journey planner and network map.

You must buy your ticket before you get on and validate it as soon as you board. All tabaccherie (tobacconists) sell transport tickets as do some bars and kiosks at stations. There are also vending machines at Metro stations. The standard ticket is the "City + Suburban 100", valid for 100 mins for unlimited bus rides plus one journey on the Metro. In 2024 this costs €2; daily, 48-hr and 72-hr tickets are available for €4.50, €9.50 and €12.50 respectively. Longer season tickets will need photo ID. The spot fine for travelling with an unvalidated ticket, or without one, is €25.

Bus and tram stops are clearly marked with yellow signs, and display maps of the city routes. There may be electronic indicators at the stop and on board.

Turin Metro, opened in 2006, is a single line, Linea 1, with driverless trains. The south terminus is Bengasi. The line runs north to Lingotto, near the mainline Lingotto train station, the Lingotto Conference, Exhibition & Trade Centre, Eataly and the Automobile Museum. The line continues north under Via Nizza stopping at Spezia, Carducci, Dante, Fermata 8226 and Marconi to Porta Nuova railway station. It there turns west beneath Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II stopping at Re Umberto and Vinzaglio, then north again to Porta Susa railway station and Piazza XVIII Dicembre. It then runs west under Corso Francia into the suburbs, stopping at Principi d'Acaja, Bernini, Racconigi, Rivoli, Monte Grappa, Pozzo Strada, Massaua, Marche, and Paradiso to end at Fermi. Fares are the same as for buses, eg a 100-min single journey including bus transfers is €2, it's automatically validated by passing the platform entrance gates.

As of 2024, a westward extension of Linea 1 and a new Linea 2 are under construction, and Linea 3 is in planning.

Out-of-town: the GTT network and ticket includes the suburbs, but further out it's mostly the blue buses run by Arriva or Sadem. Again, try to buy your ticket before boarding, eg at a tobacconist, café or news stand. Consider also buying the return if you're going to a quiet spot that may lack ticket facilities. You can probably buy your ticket on the bus, but this will cost maybe an extra euro, and the driver will grind his gums if he has to give change.

Metro Rail operates service between Turin and many of the outlying communities. If your destination is one of these towns (which include such sights as the royal estate at Venaria and the mountain town of Bardonecchia), one option is SFM, the metro rail service of Turin. SFM tickets can be bought at the station or through Trenitalia. For more information, check out the Servizio Ferroviario Metropolitano website.

By bicycle
The city has a network of bicycle paths, though they're not all in good condition, and pedestrians will try to claim right of way. On the roads, cars, motor scooters and trams will scythe across your path.

Bike share services are run by Lime and RideMovi; use their Android or iPhone apps to register.

By car
You don't need a car in town, and driving here is not for the faint-hearted. You need to beware the many restricted-entry streets, trams, and other motorists who may regard red lights and speed limits as merely advisory.

A good central parking garage is beneath Piazza Vittorio Veneto is Parcheggio Vittorio Park.

Car rentals: as well as the airport rental kiosks, there are down-town rental offices, e.g., Hertz, just outside Porta Susa train station.

There are three car sharing services in Turin, ShareNow, Enjoy and LeasysGO (which uses 100% electric cars). An electric scooter sharing service is run by MiMoto.

By taxi
Taxis in Torino start the meter the moment your call is received. It is not customary to hail a taxi on the street, but there are taxi ranks at the main railway stations, at the corner of Via Sacchi and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and elsewhere. You can also book via the WeTaxi app.

See
Turin's main attractions include important baroque palaces and churches, an attractive arcade-lined street grid, an extensive network of arcades, famous coffee shops and several renowned museums. Five palaces in Turin and nine more in the region served as residences for the Savoy royalty and are now inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Torino+Piemonte Card gives you plus one child under 12 free access to all the museums and most other city attractions listed below. It does not include regular public transport but does include the bus to and from Venaria Reale (plus palace entry), the rack-railway to Superga, selected city tours, and a discount on the airport bus. In 2024 a 24-hour card is €29, 48-hour €38, 72-hour €44 (€18 under age 18), and 120-hour €49. At these prices you may struggle to break even, given the regular entry fees, and the hours needed to take in each of the top sights. Holders of the card can buy a supplementary pass for public transport for €5.50 48 hours, €7.50 72 hours. All cards are timed from first use

Churches
Turin has some 150 churches, so only the most notable are described here. But almost all of them are worth looking into, if you happen to be passing and find them open.

Public spaces

 * Piazza Castello is the grand square flanked to the north by the cathedral, Palazzo Reale and gardens. West are the church of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Chiablese (housing the fine arts admin, not open to the public) and the tourist office; Via Garibaldi is the one km-long pedestrian street west to Piazza Statuto. Via Roma the main shopping street branches south. The square is big enough for an entire palace to occupy its centre, Palazzo Madama, housing the Museum of Ancient Art. East is Teatro Regio with Via Po and Via Verdi leading off.
 * 100 m north of the cathedral is a Roman city gate from the 1st century BC. West lies the 1 km x 1 km city district of Quadrilatero, on the site of the Roman colony. The street grid pattern has been preserved but the district was repeatedly built on, so the Porta is the only substantial Roman remnant.
 * is an elegant pedestrian mall running south from Piazza Castello to Piazza Carlo Alberto.
 * Piazza Carignano is a block south of Piazza Castello, with Teatro Carignano on its west flank and the Risorgimento Museum within Palazzo Carignano east.
 * Piazza Carlo Alberto has Palazzo Carignano to its west and the university library east.
 * Piazza San Carlo is midway along Via Roma, the arcaded pedestrian street between Piazza Castello and Porta Nuova station. On its west flank is Palazzo Turinetti di Pertengo housing Galleria d'Italia. Northwest, Galleria San Federico is a glitzy mall parallel to Via Roma, with a hotel and Cinema Lux. North is the Egyptian Museum.
 * is an elegant square at the foot of Via Pomba laid out mid-19th century and formerly used as a market.
 * Galleria Umberto I is a covered mall built in 1890, between Via della Basilica, Piazza della Repubblica and Via Milano.
 * is the grand centrepiece of Valentino Park along the riverside. This 17th century palace now houses the Faculty of Architecture of the Polytechnic University of Turin. On its north flank is the Botanic Museum (below). The illuminated fountain at the north end of the park is derelict.
 * Borgo Medievale at the south end of Valentino Park is an open-air reconstruction of a medieval village and castle. It's closed for rebuilding until late 2025.
 * is at the foot of Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, spanning the Po to Crimea district. It was opened in 1907 but criticised as being plain and slabby. Giant heroic statues were therefore added at each end.
 * is an odd building at Via Giulia di Barolo 9, corner with Coro San Maurizio, nicknamed Fetta di Polenta for its resemblance to a thin yellow slice of polenta. It was built from 1840 when the Vanchiglia district was laid out, designed by Alessandro Antonelli the architect of Mole Antonelliana. It narrows to a pinch of 54 cm, little more than a street facade, even a flatiron building has a plumper tip. It's now a private residence so you can't go in, and be grateful you don't have to live here.
 * is an odd building at Via Giulia di Barolo 9, corner with Coro San Maurizio, nicknamed Fetta di Polenta for its resemblance to a thin yellow slice of polenta. It was built from 1840 when the Vanchiglia district was laid out, designed by Alessandro Antonelli the architect of Mole Antonelliana. It narrows to a pinch of 54 cm, little more than a street facade, even a flatiron building has a plumper tip. It's now a private residence so you can't go in, and be grateful you don't have to live here.

Further out

 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.
 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.
 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.
 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.
 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.
 * Cerrutti Collection is an exhibition space of the Rivoli museum, in a modern building on Vicolo dei Fiori one km west of the castle.

Do

 * Parks: closest to the centre is Parco Valentino, ranged around Castello Valentino (above) on the riverside.
 * is a large green space upstream, at the confluence of the Po and Dora river.

Performance arts

 * Other theatres include the Alfieri, Stabile, Astra, Tedaca, Gioiello and Erba; Teatro Araldo has closed down. Alfa Teatro is a puppet theatre.
 * Stadio Olimpico the Torino FC football ground hosts the biggest live events, see below, or they're held in the adjacent Pala Alpitour aka Inalpi Arena.
 * is a mansion of 1713, centrepiece of Tesoriera Park, that's now a concert venue.
 * OGR (Officine Grandi Riparazioni) is an events venue at Corso Castelfidardo 22.
 * Stadio Olimpico the Torino FC football ground hosts the biggest live events, see below, or they're held in the adjacent Pala Alpitour aka Inalpi Arena.
 * is a mansion of 1713, centrepiece of Tesoriera Park, that's now a concert venue.
 * OGR (Officine Grandi Riparazioni) is an events venue at Corso Castelfidardo 22.

Sport

 * Stadio Primo Nebiolo is a multi-use facility (capacity 7200) in Parco Ruffini in the west of the city. It hosted Torino FC from 1993 to 2009 but no longer has a resident team.
 * Golf: courses around the city are Le Rosine, Stupinigi, Colonetti, Moncalieri, Ciliegi, Druento and La Mandria. Or if your game's none too good, try Torino Disc Golf in Parco del Meisen.
 * Stadio Primo Nebiolo is a multi-use facility (capacity 7200) in Parco Ruffini in the west of the city. It hosted Torino FC from 1993 to 2009 but no longer has a resident team.
 * Golf: courses around the city are Le Rosine, Stupinigi, Colonetti, Moncalieri, Ciliegi, Druento and La Mandria. Or if your game's none too good, try Torino Disc Golf in Parco del Meisen.
 * Swimming pools: over a dozen, with three of various sizes in the Stadio Olimpico complex.
 * Torino Marathon is first week in November. There are also fun runs over various distances.
 * Milano-Torino is a one day bike race over 199 km between the two cities, held in March.

Events

 * Torino Jazz Festival is late April.
 * Turin Book Fair is in May.
 * Kappa FuturFestival is a techno music festival in Parco Dora in July.
 * Terra Madre Salone del Gusto celebrates local produce and Slow Food. It's held in even-numbered years over a week in September, in Parco Dora.
 * Torino Film Festival is held over a week in November.
 * Cioccola in the first week of December is all about chocolate, and why you ought to buy more of it for Christmas.

Learn

 * University of Turin (Università degli Studi di Torino, UNITO) was founded in 1404. As of 2022 it had 78,900 undergrads, 2300 postgrads and PhD students, 2150 academic staff and 1880 non-teaching staff. The main Campus Luigi Einaudi is just off Via Po, but there are departments all over the city, and further out though some outlying campuses are now in the separate University of Eastern Piedmont based in Alessandria, Novara and Vercelli.

 * Polytechnic University of Turin (Politecnico di Torino, PoliTo) was founded in 1859 and majors on engineering, architecture, urban planning and industrial design. In 2020 it had 20,900 undergrads, 14,700 postgrads and PhD students, 980 academic staff and 890 non-teaching staff. There are multiple campuses and departments across the city.

Buy

 * Supermarkets downtown are small convenience stores, typically open to 21:00 daily. Carrefour Express is the main chain.
 * Via Roma is the elegant pedestrian mall from Piazza Castello south to Porta Nuova railway station, with a mix of upscale brands and budget chains.
 * Via Lagrange is parallel to Via Roma, two blocks east, with La Rinascente department store.
 * Via Po is another line of arcades from Piazza Castello southeast to Piazza Vittorio Veneto and the river Po, with FRAV at its head then a series of small stores.
 * Via Garibaldi is a km-long pedestrian street in Europe from Piazza Castello northwest to Piazza Statuto. It has clothes shops, bars, a Footlocker store and a branch of Muji.
 * Quadrilatero the district northwest of Piazza Castello has many independent stores.
 * Via Pietro Micca west from Piazza Castello to Piazza Solferino has several clothing stores.
 * Bookstores: Luxemburg International Bookshop is at Via Accademia delle Scienze 3 just off Piazza Castello and it's your best destination for English-language novels, EFL teaching materials and foreign magazines and newspapers. La Feltrinelli is a national chain with a branch on Piazza Castello at the junction of Via Po.
 * is a vast food hall, the foundation store of what has become an international gourmet grocery chain. It's at Via Ermanno Fenoglietti 14, corner of Via Nizza, midway between Spezia and Lingotto Metro stations, and open daily 10:00 till 23:00. There's another outlet 3 km north on Via Lagrange, open daily till 22:00.
 * Centro Commerciale Lingotto (formerly 8 Gallery) is the general shopping centre just south of Eataly. it's a long corridor with shops, the NH Hotel, Agnelli Art Museum, and a cinema. The shops are open daily 10:00-21:00 and the restaurants till 23:00. Lingotto Metro is in front on Via Nizza.
 * Edge of town shopping centres, which you'd only visit with a car, include Montecucco and Shopville Le Gru west, Le Fornaci southwest, Area12 north, and Botticelli, Porto di Torino and Outlet Village northeast.
 * Gifts: Rich, smooth gianduja chocolate is a local speciality, if you can resist gobbling them yourself.
 * Gifts: Rich, smooth gianduja chocolate is a local speciality, if you can resist gobbling them yourself.

Eat
Turin has good public water, surging out of the nearby mountains. You'll see public drinking fountains everywhere, usually in the shape of a green bull, locally called Turet. Restaurants will happily serve you a carafe of tap water and not hassle you to buy bottled.

Many restaurants serve Piedmontese dishes, obviously, but the other regional Italian cuisines are also well represented.

Turin and the region of Piedmont has a very distinct regional cuisine that you will not often find easily around Italy.

Traditional dishes that you should look out for include vitello tonnato, tajarin, agnolotti, and bagna cauda.

In addition, there are a number of traditional products from Turin such as torrone, bicerin, grissini, and gianduiotto.

Budget

 * La Piadineria is a chain with about 20 city locations, serving wraps; they have 3 outlets in or by Porto Nuova station.

Mid-range

 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Tre Gallini is a similar place at the southwest corner of the piazza. Gallini are chickens, galli are roosters.
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".
 * Eataly on Via Nizza by Lingotto metro station: see "Buy".

Drink
The main concentration of bars is along the river near Ponte Vittorio Emanuele, while the historic centre has many charming old-world cafés.

The late night spots are around Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Murazzi, Lungo Dora Firenze at the corner of Via Reggio, Largo Saluzzo in San Salvario and Piazza Santa Giulia.

 * Distilleries in the city mostly make vermouth and grappa. They include TUVÈ, Aquaglia, Arudi, Cornelio and Ducale.
 * Distilleries in the city mostly make vermouth and grappa. They include TUVÈ, Aquaglia, Arudi, Cornelio and Ducale.
 * Distilleries in the city mostly make vermouth and grappa. They include TUVÈ, Aquaglia, Arudi, Cornelio and Ducale.
 * Distilleries in the city mostly make vermouth and grappa. They include TUVÈ, Aquaglia, Arudi, Cornelio and Ducale.
 * Distilleries in the city mostly make vermouth and grappa. They include TUVÈ, Aquaglia, Arudi, Cornelio and Ducale.

Connect
Turin has 5G from all Italian carriers.

Stay safe
Turin is generally safe. But the top end of Via Nizza, flanking Porta Nuova railway station, can be seedy or even dangerous in the small hours. The nearby San Salvario area (Via Nizza to Parco del Valentino) is lively, going on raucous, but attracts drug peddlers and similar low-life. The areas between Porta Palazzo and the Dora River can be dangerous at night.

As in other European cities, beware pickpockets in any busy place, especially if you have luggage or backpacks.

Don't wear a football shirt or other club colours, unless you've come mob-handed with thousands of fellow supporters. Any Italian or major European club colours will be a red rag to the young bulls of either Juventus (black and white) or Torino (brownish red) or both. In particular, avoid wearing the jersey of Milanese club Internazionale, as they have a very heated rivalry with local club Juventus, and violent confrontations have been known to occur between the supporters of both clubs.

Consulates
Always contact your main embassy first - something serious like a stolen passport will be handled there not in Turin.
 * 🇷🇴 Romania

Go next

 * Racconigi Castle is another Savoy bling palace, 40 km south towards Saviglione.
 * Savigliano has the picturesque Piazza Santarosa and a railway museum.
 * The Alps: in summer take a trip to Gran Paradiso National Park, or Orsiera Rocciavrè Park, or Val Varaita Park. In winter there's a range of ski resorts, Courmayer is the biggest.
 * Aosta is a large town near the head of Val d'Aosta, as the road climbs towards the Mont Blanc tunnel.
 * Sacra di San Michele is an ancient abbey perched on a rock in the Susa Valley 40 km west of Turin.
 * Ivrea is industrial but with many Roman and other remains. This is the town where in February they hurl tomatoes at each other.

title: Turin


text:
Turkestan

Turkestan or Turkistan (Kazakh: Түркістан Türkistan) is a small but ancient city in the Kazakh Desert. There are many historical sights in this relatively well preserved, 1600-year-old city.

Understand
In the 11th century CE, the great Sufi sheikh Khoja Ahmed Yasawi lived and preached here. At the end of the 14th century, Emir Timur ordered the creation of a large mausoleum, mosque and madrassah on the site of his grave. Later, it became the capital of the Kazakh Khanate, and a large number of Kazakh khans, batyrs, generals, and well-known statesmen of the Kazakh Khanate were buried here. Now this place has become a tourist attraction and a.

Although historically part of the Kazakh Khanate, Turkestan used to have a majority population of Uzbeks, who constitute a large minority. Turkestan was the seat of the Kazakh khans up to the occupation of Kazakhstan by the Russian Empire. Archaeological excavations often take place in the city and in the suburbs. If you are lucky in the summer, you can witness these excavations by archaeological expeditions.

Due to Khoja Ahmad Yasavi's highly revered status among Turkic Muslims and the Soviet-era restrictions on international travel, Muslims of Central Asia have for long considered the city "the Second Mecca of the East", and traditionally have believed that a visit to Yasavi's mausoleum is equal to the Hajj to Mecca. In line with this tradition, the Turkic Council, an international organization of Turkic-speaking countries, proclaimed the city "the spiritual capital of the Turkic world" in 2021.

By plane

 * Alternatively, you can fly to Shymkent, from where you can take quite frequent minibuses (costing about US$2), trains or taxis.
 * Alternatively, you can fly to Shymkent, from where you can take quite frequent minibuses (costing about US$2), trains or taxis.

By rail
There are also train connections available from Almaty and the Uzbek capital of Tashkent. The border crossing and customs inspection on the latter line takes place around midnight, and Russian communicating with customs officials might be inconvenient.

By minivan
From Shymkent city, Tauke Khan str., take bus #26 to Bekzhan Bazaar (Бекжан). Marshrutkas 87 and 47 also run there. With the blue/orange Bazaar building to your right, go past a yurt. Go through a car park and a building with parking underneath. You can also use the smell of samsa to help guide you. The minivans are parked across from the Toyota and Hyundai dealership.There should be men yelling out their destinations as they stand next to their vans. Drivers go when the van is full. There will also be signs on the van with its destination on the windshield. The trip will take about 2 hours and will drop you off at Merey (мерей) bus station in Turkestan. It's also possible to be dropped off near the Yasawi mausoleum. The cost to Turkestan is 800 tenge from Shymkent in a 20-passenger minivan (Apr 2019).

From Shymkent city, Tauke Khan str., you can also take bus #93 to Samal Bazaar. Walk across Samal Bazaar to Samal bus station, there are minibus to Turkestan. The cost is 800 tenge if you take the minibus from Samal Bazaar to Turkestan (Sep 2017).

Get around
Public transport in Turkestan is by minibus or taxi. Minibus 1 or 1A go from Mausoleum to Merey bus station. The cost is 50 tenge (Sep 2019). A taxi from the train station to the Mausoleum should cost about 600-1,000 tenge.

See

 * The ancient city ruins of Sauran and Otrar. Sauran is about 70 km north-west of the city and Otrar 70 km south. The line mini buses to both leave from the main bus station Merey (Avtovokzal Merey). Ask around, the line mini buses often aren't named. For Otrar, ask for Talapty village, as this is closer to the main ruins. The line mini buses may not run back to the city late in the afternoon; you might have to hitch-hike or look for a taxi. Alternatively, hotels should be able to book you a taxi there for around 15,000 tenge return (Sep 2023).

Do
The area around the Yasavi Mausoleum has a number of historical buildings and a large mosque. It's a nice park to walk around if not only for the monuments. There isn't a huge amount to do in Turkestan outside of the centre.

Buy
The main bazaar is on the road to Merey bus station (Avtovokzal Merey) from the Mausoleum. The local kurt (hard, salty balls of dried sour cream that taste a little like parmesan) is very good; there are lots of villages just outside the city where it is made. Otherwise, the usual market fare is offered; fresh fruits and vegetables, hot snacks like samsa, dairy, and electronics. The market is not very touristy and does not sell many nicknacks rather what locals need in their day to day lives.

Drink
Turkestan is much more Muslim than the rest of the country, meaning that many venues do not serve alcohol, and most minimarkets do not stock alcohol. It is possible to find alcohol only in big supermarkets. Areas such as the Caravan Saray do not serve alcohol, despite being touristy in other regards.

 * Edem Bar (Эдем), Kozhanov St, +7 702 000 9066, open until 23:00 and serves alcohol.

Sleep
There is a string of relatively smart hotels between the Mausoleum and Merey bus station  (Avtovokzal Merey). Asking around should yield a local or two with a spare room.

Connect
Some western-style cafes around offer Wi-Fi, but not many. In a pinch, ask at any large hotel and offer 100 tenge or so for an hour's use.

Go next
Shymkent - The line mini buses cartels going to Shymkent have a sort of monopoly and it's more expensive from Turkestan than the opposite. Even locals all seem to pay 1,000 tenge (Apr 2019) rather than the 800 tenge coming into the city. The hustlers are ridiculous and might try to charge you 10,000 tenge. Just scoff "nyet" at them and tell them what you paid to get there; they'll fold quickly.

Arrival at Samal station but it is also possible to be dropped at Bekzhan bazaar, where the majority of long-distance buses leave from. Takes about 2 hours. There aren't many buses going further east than Shymkent so you might have to change there and catch a second one.

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title: Turkestan