Things to Do in Turin in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Turin
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- August is peak aperitivo season - Torinese locals flood outdoor terraces along the Po River and in Piazza Vittorio Veneto from 6pm onward, creating an incredibly social atmosphere. Temperatures are perfect for evening strolls through the arcades without needing layers.
- Major museums like Museo Egizio and Palazzo Reale are significantly less crowded than June-July when Italian school groups descend. You'll actually have space to appreciate the collections, and ticket queues rarely exceed 15-20 minutes even mid-morning.
- The city essentially becomes a locals-only playground - many Torinese who can afford it leave for mountain or beach holidays, meaning restaurants that are normally booked solid have same-day availability, and you'll experience authentic neighborhood life rather than tourist-saturated areas.
- Mountain access is exceptional - the Alps are just 90 km (56 miles) away with cable cars running full schedules. When Turin hits 28°C (83°F), you can be at 2,000 m (6,562 ft) altitude where it's 15°C (59°F) cooler within 90 minutes, perfect for afternoon escapes from city heat.
Considerations
- Many family-run trattorias, cafes, and specialty shops close for 2-3 weeks in August for annual holidays - it's an Italian tradition called 'ferie'. This particularly affects authentic neighborhood spots in San Salvario and Vanchiglia. Always check opening hours before trekking across town.
- The humidity can be genuinely uncomfortable during midday hours, especially when combined with Turin's lack of sea breeze. That 70% humidity at 28°C (83°F) feels stickier than you'd expect, and the city's historic buildings trap heat. Air conditioning isn't universal in older cafes and shops.
- August 15th is Ferragosto, Italy's biggest summer holiday - the city practically shuts down for 2-3 days. Public transport runs on reduced schedules, most restaurants close, and supermarkets have limited hours. If your trip overlaps with August 13-16, you'll need to plan meals carefully.
Best Activities in August
Alpine Valley Day Trips to Val di Susa
August is absolutely ideal for escaping to the Susa Valley, which sits 30-45 minutes west of Turin by regional train. While the city swelters, mountain villages like Susa and Sacra di San Michele monastery offer temperatures 8-10°C (14-18°F) cooler. The hiking trails are dry and fully accessible, wildflowers are still blooming at higher elevations, and you'll encounter mostly Italian families rather than tour groups. The early morning trains from Porta Susa station are nearly empty because locals are already at their mountain houses.
Po River Cycling Routes
The Po River path is Turin's best-kept recreational secret, and August evenings are when locals actually use it. The 20 km (12.4 mile) paved path from Parco del Valentino to the Superga hill offers flat, shaded cycling with river breezes that make the humidity bearable. Start around 6pm when temperatures drop to 24°C (75°F) and you'll ride alongside Torinese families, couples on vintage bikes, and serious cyclists training. The path connects multiple parks and leads to riverside beaches where locals swim - something guidebooks rarely mention.
Rooftop Aperitivo Experiences
August transforms Turin's rooftop terraces into the social heart of the city. Unlike winter when they're closed or summer when they're tourist-mobbed, late August offers perfect weather and a local crowd. The tradition involves paying 10-15 euros for a cocktail that comes with unlimited buffet snacks from 6-9pm. Rooftops at NH Collection Piazza Carlina, Eataly Lingotto, and various hotels in the Quadrilatero Romano neighborhood offer spectacular views of the Alps at sunset. This is genuinely how Torinese spend August evenings - it's not a tourist activity that locals avoid.
Royal Residence Circuit Tours
The Residenze Reali Sabaude - a UNESCO network of Savoy royal palaces - are far more enjoyable in August's smaller crowds. Palazzo Reale, Reggia di Venaria (10 km/6.2 miles north), and Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi (10 km/6.2 miles southwest) have air-conditioned interiors that provide welcome relief from midday heat. More importantly, you can actually photograph the rooms without dozens of people in frame, and English audio guides are always available rather than all checked out. The gardens at Venaria are spectacular in August with maintained fountains operating on full schedules.
Langhe Wine Region Day Trips
August is harvest preparation season in the Langhe wine region, 90 km (56 miles) south of Turin. The vineyards are lush green before September's grape picking, and wineries are less crowded than autumn's peak season. Temperatures in Alba and Barolo towns reach 30°C (86°F), but winery cellars stay naturally cool at 14-16°C (57-61°F). Many smaller producers close during Ferragosto week, but larger estates remain open. The real advantage is restaurant availability - normally impossible-to-book spots in Barolo and La Morra often have same-day tables in August.
Museo Egizio Extended Visits
The Egyptian Museum is the world's second-largest Egyptian collection after Cairo, and August offers the rare opportunity to explore it properly without crushing crowds. The museum stays comfortably cool, and you can spend 3-4 hours examining artifacts without feeling rushed by queue pressure behind you. The Deir el-Medina collection and royal mummy rooms are genuinely world-class, but they're impossible to appreciate in July when school groups pack every gallery. Late afternoon visits after 3pm are particularly quiet as day-trippers head to dinner.
August Events & Festivals
Ferragosto Celebrations
August 15th is Italy's major summer holiday, and while most businesses close, the city hosts free outdoor concerts in Parco del Valentino and along the Po River. Locals picnic in parks throughout the day and evening. It's worth experiencing the uniquely quiet, almost eerie atmosphere of a completely shut-down Turin on the 15th itself, followed by the evening gatherings. Don't expect restaurants or museums - this is about observing Italian holiday culture.
Cinema all'Aperto Outdoor Film Screenings
Throughout August, various Turin parks and courtyards host free or low-cost outdoor cinema screenings, typically starting around 9:30pm when darkness falls. Films include Italian classics with subtitles and recent releases. The Parco del Valentino and Cortile del Maglio locations are most popular with locals who bring picnic blankets and wine. It's a genuinely local experience - tourists rarely know these happen.