Index
Museums in Turin: a guide to the unmissable ones
When you think of Turin, you imagine elegant arcades, the Mole Antonelliana, chocolate… but there is one aspect of the city that continues to surprise even locals: its extraordinary museum offerings.
Whether you are in town for a weekend or a longer stay, we recommend setting aside time to visit at least one of Turin’s museums. Some are internationally famous, others are hidden gems.
As hosts with apartments in various central areas of Turin — Santa Chiara, San Carlo, and Porta Susa — we often provide personalized advice to our guests on where to go and how to best plan their visits.
In this article, you will find a selection of the most interesting museums in Turin, with practical tips on how to reach them easily from our accommodations.
Museo Egizio: the city’s flagship museum
If there is one museum in Turin that you absolutely must see, it is this one. Ranked second in the world only to Cairo, the Egyptian Museum houses an incredible collection of artifacts: statues, papyri, sarcophagi, and everyday objects that tell thousands of years of history.
Location: Via Accademia delle Scienze, city center
Distance from our apartments:
- From San Carlo: 5 minutes on foot
- From Santa Chiara: 15–20 minutes on foot
- From Porta Susa: about 25 minutes on foot or 4 bus stops
Practical tip from Home4Holidays: buy tickets online to avoid queues, especially on weekends.
Cinema Museum at the Mole Antonelliana
A unique museum, housed inside Turin’s iconic building: the Mole Antonelliana. Not only for film enthusiasts, but for anyone wanting an interactive experience, with installations, posters, costumes, sets, and a spectacular panoramic elevator ride to the top.
Location: Via Montebello
Distance from our apartments:
- From Santa Chiara: 20 minutes on foot
- From San Carlo: about 15 minutes
- From Porta Susa: bus 56 to Sant’Ottavio
Bonus Home4Holidays tip: go to the top of the Mole for a magnificent view of the city.
MAO – Museum of Oriental Art
A fascinating and often underrated museum. Located in the heart of the city, MAO displays artworks and artifacts from across Asia: China, Japan, India, the Islamic world, and the Himalayas. An intimate, well-curated, and relaxing environment.
Location: Via San Domenico, in the heart of the Quadrilatero Romano
Distance from our apartments:
- From Santa Chiara: 5 minutes on foot
- From San Carlo: 10 minutes
- From Porta Susa: 15 minutes or 1 bus stop
Perfect for a quiet afternoon, perhaps combined with an aperitif nearby.
GAM – Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art
For those who love modern art and temporary exhibitions, GAM is a must-see. The permanent collection ranges from De Chirico to Fontana, Morandi, Burri, and many other notable 20th-century Italian artists.
Location: Via Magenta, Crocetta area
Distance from our apartments:
- From San Carlo: 15 minutes on foot
- From Porta Susa: 15 minutes
- From Santa Chiara: 20–25 minutes or direct bus
Local tip: combine your visit with a walk along Corso Galileo Ferraris, elegant and off the main tourist routes.
National Automobile Museum (MAUTO)
A spectacular museum, also great for families with children. MAUTO tells the story of the automobile in Italy and worldwide, featuring unique pieces, prototypes, historic models, and engaging scenographic displays.
Location: Corso Unità d’Italia, Lingotto area
How to get there: Metro to Lingotto, then 10 minutes on foot
Distance from our apartments:
- From Porta Susa or Santa Chiara: metro from XVIII Dicembre
- From San Carlo: metro from Porta Nuova
Tip: also visit Eataly or the Lingotto shopping center, they are just a short walk away.
Royal Museums: a journey through Savoy history
An extraordinary museum complex, including the Royal Palace, Royal Armoury, Sabauda Gallery, and Royal Library. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in baroque and royal Turin, among frescoed halls and artworks.
Location: Piazza Castello
Distance from our apartments:
- From San Carlo: 7 minutes on foot
- From Santa Chiara: 15 minutes on foot
- From Porta Susa: 25 minutes on foot or bus 56 to Piazza Castello
Ideal for a half-day visit, perhaps combined with lunch in nearby historic cafés.
Other museums to discover (for true enthusiasts)
Beyond the major classics, Turin is full of small, surprising museums, perfect if you’re looking for original experiences or have already visited the most famous ones. Here are a few extra recommendations based on our daily experience as hosts:
- Museum of the Mountain:
Located on Turin’s hills near Monte dei Cappuccini, this museum is dedicated to mountaineering, exploration, and mountain culture. The highlight? A panoramic terrace with exceptional views of the city and the Alps, perfect for memorable photos. Ideal for combining culture and landscape in one visit; - Pietro Micca Museum:
A small museum preserving one of Turin’s most fascinating stories: the 1706 siege. Explore the original underground tunnels used to defend the city in an exciting journey that feels straight out of a historical novel. Great for adults and curious teens; - Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo:
A reference point for international contemporary art, hosting ever-changing and often provocative exhibitions with emerging and established artists. The district is less touristy, but worth visiting for Turin’s experimental and creative side; - Lavazza Museum:
An experiential museum that tells the story of the famous Turin coffee brand and coffee culture in all its forms: culture, advertising, technology, and design meet in an interactive, multisensory path. Perfect for coffee lovers or marketing enthusiasts.
Our host tips: how to best enjoy Turin’s museums
One of the big advantages of staying in our apartments is that you’re already at the center of everything. Santa Chiara, San Carlo, and Porta Susa are strategic areas: you can reach almost all museums on foot or take the metro or a bus in a few minutes.
Many guests tell us how convenient it was to plan their day without having to arrange too many transfers: a morning exhibition, lunch outdoors, a walk, and maybe a second museum in the afternoon.
Turin offers a truly rich — and often underrated — cultural experience. Our advice? Don’t try to see everything in one day: choose a couple of museums according to your interests and enjoy them at your own pace. For inspiration, our blog offers more updated tips to discover the best of the city, day by day.
Conclusion
From ancient Egyptian mummies to the most contemporary digital installations, Turin is an open-air museum city, capable of surprising you at every corner.
Whether you are passionate about art, history, cinema, or science, here you will find something that engages you.
And if you are looking for a comfortable and well-located place to stay to make the most of your visits, check out our apartments: they are the ideal starting point to discover the most authentic and cultural side of Turin.
