Things to Do at Valentino Park

Parco del Valentino stretches for 500,000 square meters along the Po River, created in 1856 as Turin's largest public park with medieval villages, botanical gardens, and the fairy-tale Borgo Medievale. Entry to the park is free, but the Medieval Fortress tour costs €6 ($6.54) - arrive early morning for peaceful walks before joggers and families fill the pathways. The park's centerpiece is the reconstructed 15th-century village built for the 1884 Italian General Exhibition, complete with authentic period buildings moved stone by stone from Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. Walking the tree-lined paths, you'll hear the gentle rustle of leaves overhead mixed with the distant sound of the Po River flowing nearby and children's laughter from playgrounds scattered throughout. The air carries the fresh scent of grass and river water, particularly pleasant during spring when magnolia and cherry trees bloom in clouds of pink and white. The Medieval Village feels genuinely transported from another era - cobblestone streets echo with your footsteps while artisan workshops demonstrate traditional crafts in an atmosphere that makes you forget you're in a modern city.

The park is easily accessible by public transport - take Metro Line 1 to Porta Nuova station, then it's about a 10-minute walk south. Alternatively, buses 9, 27, and 56 stop near various park entrances. If you're staying in the city center, it's actually a pleasant 15-20 minute walk from Via Roma. There's limited parking along the park perimeter, but honestly, public transport or walking makes more sense given Turin's compact size and excellent transit connections.