Things to Do in Turin in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Turin
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Virtually no tourists compared to summer months - you'll have the Egyptian Museum and Royal Palace practically to yourself on weekday mornings, with wait times under 10 minutes versus the 45-minute queues in June
- Winter sales run throughout January with discounts of 30-70% at Via Roma boutiques and outlet malls like Mondovicino - locals do their serious shopping this month, not during tourist season
- Alpine skiing at its absolute peak just 90 km (56 miles) away in Sestriere and Via Lattea resorts, with fresh powder and fewer lift queues than February school holidays - day trips are completely doable
- The aperitivo ritual shines in winter when Torinesi pack cozy bars from 6pm onwards, and the buffet spreads are genuinely substantial enough to replace dinner - you're experiencing the city at its most authentically local
Considerations
- The cold is genuinely uncomfortable if you're not prepared - that -2°C to 7°C (29°F to 46°F) range feels colder than the numbers suggest due to 70% humidity and wind tunneling down the arcaded streets, especially after sunset around 5pm
- Many smaller restaurants and family-run trattorias close for 2-3 weeks in January for annual holidays, particularly in the second half of the month - you'll need to check ahead rather than just wandering
- Daylight is limited to roughly 8.5 hours, with sunrise around 8am and sunset by 5:15pm - this compresses your sightseeing window and means outdoor activities need careful timing
Best Activities in January
Egyptian Museum Extended Visits
January is the absolute best time to properly explore the world's second-largest Egyptian collection without being rushed. With minimal crowds, you can spend 3-4 hours here comfortably. The museum's climate control makes it perfect for cold days, and the recent 2024 renovation added new interactive sections. Morning visits from 9-11am are quietest. The collection rivals Cairo's in quality, and you'll actually have space to read the descriptions and appreciate the statuary without being jostled.
Chocolate and Pastry Workshop Tours
Turin invented the solid chocolate bar and January is prime time for cioccolato caldo so thick you need a spoon. The cold weather makes this genuinely appealing rather than touristy. Look for workshops that include bicerin tasting, the local coffee-chocolate-cream drink invented at Caffè al Bicerin in 1763. Many artisan chocolatiers offer 2-hour sessions where you make your own gianduiotti. The indoor setting is perfect for January afternoons, and you're learning techniques locals actually use.
Via Lattea Ski Day Trips
January offers the best snow conditions of the season in the Via Lattea ski area, just 90 km (56 miles) west. Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, and Claviere have 400 km (249 miles) of interconnected runs with reliable snow and shorter lift queues than February. Day trips are genuinely practical - you can leave Turin at 7:30am and be on slopes by 9:30am. The mountains are visible from central Turin on clear days, which happens about 60% of January days. This is what locals do on winter weekends.
Royal Palace and Residence Circuit
The Savoy royal residences are indoor activities perfect for January's short days and cold weather. The Royal Palace, Palazzo Madama, and Palazzo Carignano are all within 800 m (0.5 miles) of each other and connected by heated arcades. January's low crowds mean you can actually appreciate the baroque details and frescoed ceilings without tour groups blocking your view. The Armory collection in the Royal Palace is spectacular and chronically under-visited. Budget a full day to do all three properly.
Langhe Wine Region Day Trips
January is truffle season's tail end in the Langhe, and the bare winter vines reveal the landscape's dramatic contours. Barolo and Barbaresco wineries welcome visitors for tastings, and the indoor cellar tours are atmospheric in winter. The 80 km (50 mile) drive south takes about 90 minutes. You'll avoid the summer coach tour crowds entirely, and winery staff have more time for conversation. The cold weather makes the rich Piedmontese cuisine, heavy cream sauces and brasato, feel appropriate rather than overwhelming.
Historic Cafe Culture Crawls
Turin's 18th and 19th-century cafes are the city's living rooms in January. Places like Caffè San Carlo, Caffè Torino, and Baratti & Milano have gilded interiors, marble tables, and locals reading newspapers for hours. This is when aperitivo culture is at its peak - from 6pm onwards, bars serve elaborate buffets with your 8-12 EUR (9-13 USD) drink. The indoor warmth, social atmosphere, and substantial food make this genuinely appealing in January cold. You're not doing a tourist activity, you're doing what Torinesi actually do in winter.
January Events & Festivals
Saldi Invernali Winter Sales
The official winter sales run throughout January with legally mandated discounts of 30-70% at all retailers. This is when locals actually shop, not tourists. Via Roma, Via Garibaldi, and the outlet malls like Mondovicino see genuine bargains on Italian fashion. The first weekend in January is chaotic, but mid-month weekdays offer the best selection-to-crowd ratio.
Epiphany Befana Celebrations
January 6 is a public holiday when the witch Befana delivers gifts to children. Piazza Castello hosts a small market and puppet shows on January 5-6. It is a local family tradition rather than a tourist spectacle, which makes it worth catching if your dates align. Bakeries sell special befana-shaped cookies and coal-shaped candy throughout the first week of January.