10 Best Museums in Turin

The Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio) is in the centre of Turin, set over 4 floors. It’s the oldest museum in the world dedicated to Egyptian archaeology and has 24 human mummies and a vast array of impressive statues and artefacts on display. You’ll love the wonderful design of the building, the huge statue of Seti II and the large gift shop.

You can take themed tours with different curators who discuss a specific collection and the history behind the artefacts. The self-guided audio tours are also immensely popular and available in English. Bring your own headphones, connect to the online audio guide in the museum and then take the fascinating tour at your own pace.

The Royal Museums (Musei Reali) showcase the history of the House of Savoy and its spectacular palace-turned-museum complex. The opulent Royal Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stunning artwork, sweeping staircases and magnificent chandeliers. Gilt is everywhere and the rooms are mesmerising. If you love old books and historical documents, why not visit the Royal Library with its fascinating collection of over 200,000 volumes and documents?

There are other buildings too, including the Royal Armory, which is home to ornately decorated ceilings and a vast collection of ancient weapons. The beautifully landscaped Royal Gardens are also delightful for an afternoon stroll, so it’s a smart idea to arrive here early to fit everything into your day.

The Museum of the Holy Shroud (Museo della Sindone) is the place to discover the science and history of the Holy Shroud. This linen cloth is claimed by some to be the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth, and you can learn about it in this fascinating crypt museum. The building has a wing dedicated to scientific research on the cloth. There’s also a section which focuses on the history of the shroud and displays the ornate case in silver and semi-precious stones that used to house it.

The Shroud of Turin itself isn’t visible to the public. It’s stored in the nearby Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (Cattedrale di San Giovanni Battista) just a 10-minute walk from here.

The National Automobile Museum (Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile), or MAUTO as it’s known by locals, is in southern Turin. If you love cars and racing, this wonderful museum is an excellent choice. Spread over 3 floors, you’ll learn the history of automobiles from Leonardo da Vinci’s visionary projects right through to present-day Formula One racing cars. There are impressive, shiny cars in all the exhibits, as well as photos and documents to accompany them.

If you’re looking for something original, why not reserve tickets for an “Open Garage” event? The basement of the museum houses about 70 cars, some in immaculate condition and some being restored. You can see these hidden jewels by reservation only.

Juventus Museum is a great place to visit if you love football and want to learn about the history of the club. Here, you can see all the trophies and cups the team has won, as well as the black and white striped shirts of some legendary players. The J-Museum, as it’s also known, is fully bilingual in Italian and English, and you can even meet some of the players here… in hologram!

The museum is in the Allianz Stadium complex, and you can buy a combined ticket to tour the museum and the stadium together. On this popular tour, you’ll visit the locker rooms and media area, getting a fascinating look behind the scenes.

The National Museum of Cinema (Museo Nazionale del Cinema) is a fascinating tour of the history of cinema and filmmaking. This interactive museum takes you back to the beginning of motion pictures through to modern-day special effects and virtual reality. The exhibits are fun and lively, and the poster gallery here is extremely popular.

The museum is located inside the Mole Antonelliana Tower – a stunning architectural feat. Tourists come here to visit the museum and then take the panoramic lift to the top of the tower. The views over the city are breathtaking. If you’re feeling energetic, you can also take a guided tour and climb up the 85 metres of steps to the Panoramic Terrace.

The Pietro Micca Museum (Museo Pietro Micca e dell’Assedio di Torino del 1706) is an eye-opening account of the history of Turin. It focuses on the 1706 siege of the city, with a range of items on display. The highlight for many is undoubtedly visiting the countermine tunnels. These played a crucial role during the siege. As you descend below ground, you’ll learn the heroic tale of Pietro Micca, who died here trying to save the city.

It’s a good idea to reserve well in advance for the tunnel visits as they are very popular. You’ll cover several miles underground, so you’ll need comfortable shoes too. The tour is in Italian, but audio guides are available in English.

The Civic Museum of Ancient Art (Museo Civico di Arte Antica) is housed in the magnificent Palazzo Madama in the centre of Turin. The artwork is spread over 4 floors, and you can see paintings, sculptures and ceramics from the Middle Ages, as well as the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

But visitors don’t just come here for the amazing art, the building itself is an architectural wonder. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site served as a fortress in the Middle Ages, then a castle and palace for subsequent royal families. You can take a guided tour of the museum and a fascinating free tour of the restoration of part of the building.

The Lavazza Museum (Museo Lavazza) is a great place for coffee lovers to visit. This former factory has been converted into a bright and colourful museum showcasing the history of the Lavazza company to the coffee supply chain and more. You can even sample different types of coffee and choose your own customised blend in the coffee store here.

Visitors love this museum for its interactive exhibits. You’ll be given a tiny coffee cup on a lanyard at the entrance, and you can use this to play the video games and quizzes along the tour. It’s great fun for both kids and adults and a popular museum for a fun family outing.

The National Mountain Museum (Museo Nazionale della Montagna) is an intriguing place to visit if you love hiking and mountaineering. Here, you can learn about alpine history through 3D exhibitions, stories of explorers and alpinists and a large library full of photos and historical documents.

For an added extra, it’s a great idea to buy the special ticket which gives you access to the rooftop terrace. From here, you’ll have spectacular panoramic views over the city of Turin and the Alps. You’ll be awestruck at the stunning city skyline on one side, with the snow-capped peaks of the mountains to the east. The views are simply breathtaking and not to be missed.