Things to Do at Royal Palace Of Turin

The Royal Palace of Turin served as the primary residence of the House of Savoy from 1646 to 1865, occupying an entire city block with 3,365 rooms spread across four floors. Standard admission costs €12 ($13), but the €20 ($22) combined ticket including the Royal Armory and Sabauda Gallery provides excellent value - book online to skip lengthy weekend queues. The palace's Royal Apartments showcase original 17th-century furnishings, including the famous Chinese Cabinet with over 1,000 pieces of oriental porcelain. Walking through the opulent state rooms, your footsteps are muffled by thick Persian carpets while the scent of aged wood and old fabric preservation fills the air. The Throne Room's gilded ceiling soars overhead, creating an acoustic environment where even whispered conversations seem to carry extra weight. Crystal chandeliers cast dancing light patterns on silk-covered walls, while floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the palace's formal gardens where you can hear the distant sound of fountain water and traffic from Via Po beyond.

The palace is incredibly central - you'll find it right off Piazza Castello in Turin's historic center. If you're coming by public transport, virtually any tram or bus that goes to the city center will get you close. The nearest metro stop is Porta Nuova, about a 10-minute walk. If you're driving, parking can be tricky in the old town, so you might want to use one of the peripheral parking areas and walk or take public transport into the center.