I Visited Italy’s Most Elegant City; Why I Wouldn’t Go Back to Turin

Turin is known as one of Italy’s most chic places.

Earlier this year, Vogue named it the most elegant city in the country, even beating out the fashion capital of Milan. I’ve also read many travel blogs and articles about the great things Turin has to offer.

Situated in the northwest of the country, it’s known for its grand baroque architecture and royal history. It’s also famous for being home to the Shroud of Turin, a centuries-old religious relic.

So when my husband and I were trying to figure out where to go for a short trip in northwest Italy, we decided to give it a try. Though we enjoyed a lot about our July visit, we didn’t fall in love with the city and wouldn’t rush back.

Turin’s known for its beautiful architecture and elegant vibes, but I wasn’t so impressed when I took a closer look

From afar, central Turin looked amazing.

The baroque architecture and wide porticos made the city look more like Paris or Vienna than any other Italian city I’ve visited before. It was undeniably impressive.

Up close, however, I noticed that many of the buildings and streets seemed a little gritty and worn, with graffiti and stickers covering some facades.

To me, this gave parts of the city a slightly rough-around-the-edges feel, but I know some travelers might just see that as part of its character.

I also expected to find a more upscale shopping scene in Turin. Given the city’s reputation — and how an Italian friend had described it as quite wealthy and refined — I’d pictured rows of luxury shops and stylish boutiques.

However, I found myself disappointed. Though I found some designer stores, such as Chanel and Prada, there seemed to be more shops selling vapes and touristy trinkets.

I felt this gave the city a more down-market feel, rather than an elegant and chic one.

Even so, Turin earned points for its walkability and tasty local offerings

Still, there were several things I really enjoyed about Turin.

The historic Palazzo Reale was fascinating to wander around, and the ancient Roman ruins of the Palatine Gate were cool to see — even if some of the surrounding newer, not-so-attractive buildings didn’t exactly complement such a historic relic.

The city center is also really walkable, which I loved.

Our hotel, The NH Collection Torino Piazza Carlina, was perfectly situated in the city so that we could easily head out to explore, then pop back to recharge before going out again.

When we got tired of walking around, we could rent some of the many e-bikes and e-scooters available in the area. At one point, we even rode Turin’s historic tram, which was bursting with charm and a really fun way to get around.

I also liked how the city had a buzz to it, especially in the evenings when aperitivo time (roughly 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) was in full swing.

Turin does aperitivo well, too. The Aperol Spritzes were about half the price of what we’ve found in the UK and France. Some were as affordable as 5 euros, and our drinks always came with nibbles, like salty popcorn, nuts, olives, or crisps.

We also enjoyed some really good food while in Turin, including a standout pizza at Sorbillo and gelato flavored with gianduja (a special regional paste made with chocolate and hazelnut).

I’m glad I saw Turin, but I’m not eager to return — perhaps I’d set my expectations too high

My husband and I live in the south of France, which is part of the reason we wanted to visit northwest Italy — it’s not too far away and an easy drive.

However, perhaps living in Provence means our standards are high when it comes to European charm: We live on the Côte d’Azur, not far from famously beautiful spots like Saint-Tropez and Aix-en-Provence, where beautiful old buildings and historic plazas abound.

Turin might be a great weekend trip for people whose priorities are art and culture, or those who don’t live near historic cities.

Still, I’m glad I went — traveling is always a privilege, and the city was interesting. It just wasn’t in the top few places I’ve been lucky enough to visit.