Where to Stay In Turin: Best Areas and Boutique Hotels + B&BS

If you're looking to visit a city that simply exudes elegance, Turin should be the first one on your list.

This highly underrated city in northern Italy is home to architecture reminiscent of Paris, boutiques from some of the globe's biggest fashion players, jaw-dropping piazzas, and world-famous museums. And this being Italy – of course, the food is incredible, too.

If you plan on adding this thriving city to your bucket list (and you really should!) here's where to stay in Turin while you visit. I've included the best neighborhoods and the best hotels in Turin for each budget, so no matter the type of holiday you have in mind, you'll find it!

The best neighborhoods to stay in Turin

Il Centro – Turin's city centre is undoubtedly the best area to stay for first-time visitors and sightseers in Turin. Filled with beautiful architectural design and enough museums, sights, and eateries to keep you busy, staying here will help you get acquainted with the city.

San Salvario – Looking to stay in the hippest part of town, where trendy cocktail bars spill out onto the streets and friends meet up in the park over picnics and drinks? Head to San Salvario, Turin's ultimate nightlife destination.

Vanchiglia – Vanchiglia is the best place to stay in Turin if you're on a budget but want to stay close to the action. With plenty of cultural sights of its own as well as proximity to the center, Vanchiglia's laid-back vibe is perfect for families and solo travelers alike.

Borgo Po – Located on the other side of the Po River, this affluent residential neighborhood is the perfect spot for couples to stay during their visit to Turin. Filled with green spaces, it provides an outdoorsy alternative to the hustle and bustle of the city center.

Crocetta (sometimes known as La Crocetta) – Crocetta is equal parts lively and elegant. While it's not home to the same level of nightlife as San Salvario, it still has plenty to do, and its charming streets make it wonderful to walk around.

Lingotto – Live where the locals do by staying in this laid-back yet friendly district, which is home to the National Car Museum and Turin's football team's home stadium.

1. Where to stay in Turin for the first time: Il Centro

If you're visiting Turin for the first time or just a few days, the city center is the best place to stay. Home to some of the city's most impressive piazzas including Piazza San Carlo and Piazza Castello, the center boasts plenty of elegant architecture that rivals the likes of Paris and Milan.

It's within walking distance of all the sights, too, so if you're pushed for time, you'll be able to see everything worth seeing in just a few days.

Luckily, Turin is still slightly off the beaten track for most visitors to Italy, so even if you stay in the city's center, you won't feel overwhelmed with tourists. Here you'll also find the jewel in Turin's museum crown – the Museo Egizio. It's the biggest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt and it's well worth a visit for history buffs and novices alike.

Things to do in Il Centro

• Visit the Egyptian Museum (Museo Egizio)

• Go shopping

• Grab a drink in the Piazza San Carlo

• Stroll the Piazza Castello

• Visit the Royal Palace of Turin

Best area for:

• Tourists

• First-time visitors to Turin

• Sightseeing

• Piazzas

• Finding a luxury hotel

Best hotels in Il Centro

($$$) Royal Palace Hotel

($$) Agora Boutique Stays

($$) Hotel Chelsea

($) Hotel CHC Torino Castello

2. Where to stay in Turin for nightlife and cool hipster vibes: San Salvario

If you'd mentioned San Salvario to somebody from Turin thirty years ago, they probably would have told you to avoid it.

But this once scruffy neighborhood has transformed over the last decade into what's probably now Turin's hippest destination. Now, you can even find luxury accommodation there, such as the Turin Palace Hotel and DuParc Contemporary Suites.

One of the best places to stay for eating and drinking, San Salvario is home to rows of quirky bars and friendly eateries. The area near Marconi Metro in particular is great for nightlife lovers, with streets such as Via Sant' Anselmo, Via Belfiore, Largo Saluzzo, and Via Giuseppe Baretti all providing rows of hip bars where you can chat and drink the night away with the locals.

But San Salvario isn't just for night owls. In this area, you'll also find the Parco del Valentino, which by day is a go-to destination for dog walkers and outdoorsy types and at night, becomes a place where locals pull up a picnic blanket and socialize with friends.

My favorite spot here is Imbarchino, a bar that serves up affordable cocktails and small dishes overlooking the river.

Things to do in San Salvario

• Grab a cocktail at Gorilla Bar

• Go for a night out or grab aperitivo after work

• Stroll around Parco del Valentino

• Look out over the river with a drink at Imbarchino

• Visit the Medieval village in the park for a stroll back in time

Best area for:

• Nightlife

• Food and drink

• Hipster vibes

• Proximity to the train station

Best hotels in San Salvario

($$$) DuParc Contemporary Suites

($$) Best Western Plus

($) Hotel Plaza

3. Where to stay in Turin on a budget: Vanchiglia

Turin is in my eyes one of Italy's more affordable cities for tourists, but if you want to be even more budget-friendly, head to Vanchiglia.

Vanchiglia allows you to be close to all the action without having to pay city center prices, but it's just a 15-minute walk away from Turin's historic centre. There's tons to do here too, from the incredible Mole Antonelliana which is home to Turin's famous Museo del Cinema or CAMERA, a photography exhibition center.

It's also not far from the Museo Lavazza which pays tribute to Italy's best-known tipple. No, not Aperol Spritz – coffee! Lavazza is one of Italy's oldest and most popular coffee producers.

Vanchiglia itself is home to streets of independent boutique shops, friendly eateries serving up local delicacies, and plenty of stylish bars where you'll find locals enjoying an aperitivo of vermouth to round off the working day.

Things to do in Vanchiglia

• See world-famous photography at CAMERA

• Visit the renowned Museo del Cinema

• Go shopping in the area's independent boutiques

• Go up the lift at the Mole Antonelliana

• Catch a flick at the famous Cinema Massimo

• Go to an event or grab a drink at Off Topic Torino

• Visit the Museo Lavazza to learn about Italy's coffee culture

Best area for:

• Culture vultures

• Shopping

• Movie lovers

• Coffee lovers

Best hotels in Vanchiglia

($$$) Hotel Dei Pittori

($$) CX Turin Regina Student & Explorer Place

($) Santa Giulia Hotel e Residence

4. Where to stay in Turin for green spaces & away from the crowds: Borgo Po

Borgo Po is one of Turin's most prestigious residential areas and it's home to plenty of grand properties as well as tons of beautiful green space.

It lies on the other side of the river from Turin's historic centre and it's the ideal place to stay for those seeking a more outdoorsy holiday than the typical stay in Turin.

Whilst most people visit Turin for the city lifestyle, Borgo Po should be the go-to destination if you want to see a side of Turin that not many tourists see, with more greenery and fewer high-rise buildings.

Bear in mind that Borgo Po is a pretty hilly area and not super well connected to the city by public transport, so you'll need a decent level of fitness to stay in the area, especially if you plan on walking to Turin city centre. Borgo Po is also a great area to stay if you have a car.

FYI: This is probably not the right area if you have young kids and need a pram!

Things to do in Borgo Po

• Take a walk along the river

• Go for a hike

• Visit San Salvario over the river for food and drink

Best area for:

• Families

• Green spaces

• Away from the crows

• Accommodation with green space

Best hotels in Borgo Po:

($$$) Casa Zara Turin

($$) Sotto un cielo de Stelle

($) Best Western Hotel Crimea

5. Where to stay in Turin for couples & families: Crocetta

Crocetta is one of Turin's most elegant areas. It's residential, so you can stay here like a local while still enjoying proximity to the city center since it's just a stone's throw from the boutique hotels and a short distance from the sights of Turin's historic center.

Here, you'll find the Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, a must-visit for culture lovers. In this neighborhood, you'll also find plenty of Liberty-style architecture – an art nouveau-inspired movement that can be seen in buildings such as Turin's Casa Fenoglio-LaFleur.

This neighborhood is among Turin's safest and best-kept areas, so it's ideal for couples and families alike seeking a refuge away from tourist crowds or noisy nightlife.

The benefit of staying in Crocetta, however, is that the center is never more than a stone's throw away. That means you'll enjoy the advantages of staying in a residential area while still getting to see all of Turin's most impressive sights.

And if you're in the mood for a cocktail at the end of a busy day exploring Turin, you're only a short walk from the bar-filled San Salvario.

Things to do in Crocetta

• Take a stroll around the tree-lined boulevards

• Civic Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art

• Walk into the city center

• Catch a performance at Teatro Gioliello

Best area for:

• Couples

• Families

• Art lovers

• Exploring life in a residential neighborhood

Best hotels in Crocetta

($$$) Hotel Lancaster

($$) Residence Saachi Aparthotel

($) Liberty Hotel

6. Where to stay in Turin like a local: Lingotto

If you're keen to explore Turin like a local would while spending a fraction on accommodation compared to the city center, Lingotto is for you.

Located within walking distance of the main sights, Lingotto is a laid-back area that boasts plenty to do and see. This district was once home to Turin's famous Fiat factory and even now the legacy of the automobile industry lives on in Lingotto through the Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile – The National Car Museum.

Here, you can find cars from multiple periods of history as well as an insight into how cars have developed over the years. Lingotto is considerably quieter than many other neighborhoods, so if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle, it's ideal.

It was also the site of Turin's Olympic Stadium, which hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics. It now hosts matches for Turin's football team.

Things to do in Lingotto

• Watch a football match

• Visit the car museum

• Grab a coffee at one of the local espresso bars

Best area for:

• Sport lovers

• Car lovers

• Football fans

• Travelers who enjoy living like a local

Best hotels in Lingotto

($$$) DoubleTree by Hilton Turin Lingotto – sleep in a restored car factory!

($$) Green Class Hotel Gran Torino

($) Hotel Galimberti

Where to stay in Turin – Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Is it worth visiting Turin?

While Turin isn't as well known as Italy's bigger cities such as Rome, Florence, and Venice, it's 100% worth visiting. This hidden gem offers some of the country's best museums such as the Cinema Museum and the Egyptian Museum while costing much less to stay in than titans like Milan.

There's something to do for everyone in Turin, whether you're partial to an art gallery or you enjoy spending your evenings sipping cocktails in a piazza. Plus, it's relatively simple to visit other Italian cities such as Milan and Bologna on the train from Turin. All in all, you certainly won't regret if you choose to factor Turin into your holiday plans.

📅 How many days do I need to see Turin?

Turin is relatively compact, so you can see all of the city's main sights in just a few days. Arriving on a Friday and leaving on a Monday should give you enough time to see most things, but you certainly won't regret staying longer to get to know Turin in all its glory. If you plan on getting to know all the city's different neighborhoods and making the most of its famous nightlife, staying for up to a week in this charming city is a great idea.

❌ What neighborhoods should I avoid in Turin?

Turin is a pretty safe city, so there are no real no-go zones that you should avoid. Having said that, some of the northern outskirts of Turin can be pretty scruffy, so if there's something I wouldn't recommend you stay it's the districts of Aurora and Barriera di Milano. Even there, the trouble you're most likely to come up against is petty theft such as pickpocketing. Keep your wits about you while walking around and you should be fine.

📍 What is the best area of Turin to stay in?

If you're only staying in Turin for a short time and want to be near the action, opt for Il Centro. Both Borgo Po and Crocetta are great for families, while San Salvario is the ultimate nightlife destination. If you plan to live like a local and save some money on accommodation, opt for Vanchiglia or Lingotto.

☀️ What are the best months to visit Turin?

While many travelers automatically think to flock to Turin during summer, this may not be the best time to visit. From June to August the weather can be extremely hot and August turns Turin into a ghost town with the city's residents fleeing the heat to Italy's coastal towns.

Instead of visiting in the height of summer, I'd recommend visiting Turin during the shoulder seasons. April, May, and September are all great times to visit and the weather will still be reasonably warm in October. You don't have to worry too much about escaping the crowds here as Turin is one of Italy's more hidden gems.

🚶 Is Turin walkable?

One of the best things about Turin is how easy it is to walk around the city. You won't need to hire a car and in many cases, you won't even need to take public transport either – although if you decide to, there is a robust system in place. If you're worried about being within walking distance of amenities and sights, consider staying in one of the more central districts such as Il Centro or Crocetta.

❓ Should I stay in Turin or Milan?

The north of Italy is home to so many interesting cities that at times it can feel impossible to choose which one is worth your time to visit. Two of Italy's most popular cities are Turin and Milan – both of which have factors that make them desirable to visit.

Milan is slightly more fast-paced than Turin with an unrivaled fashion scene and excellent art museums. Turin, on the other hand, is more laid-back, with quirkier museums and more affordable prices. Luckily, it's not difficult to get between the two on a high-speed train, so if you can't decide whether to visit Milan or Turin, simply visit both.

Where to Stay in Turin – Final Words

I hope my insight into Turin's best neighborhoods and hotels will help you choose where to stay on your trip to this charming city in Italy's Piedmont region.

The truth is, wherever you stay in this vibrant city, you're guaranteed a good time. Whether it's San Salvario with its thriving nightlife or Crocetta with its elegant streets and interesting sights, every district in Turin has its own thing to offer.

My final piece of advice is, don't leave the city without trying one of its specialties such as fritto misto (a mix of fried savory foods) to be washed down with a cold glass of vermouth. Salute!