Empire to Elegance Turin Royal History and Mystery Audio Tour

1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 1 more

Turin hasn’t just preserved its past – it’s woven it into the fabric of daily life. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover how Roman foundations, medieval power struggles, and royal ambitions shaped this elegant northern Italian city. You’ll find out how Turin evolved from Julius Caesar’s military outpost to the sophisticated first capital of united Italy, while hearing mysterious legends that still haunt its streets. The tour starts at Porta Palatina, the impressive ancient Roman gateway built in the 1st century BCE. Along the way, you’ll discover how the House of Savoy transformed Turin into a royal capital through centuries of strategic diplomacy. You’ll stroll through elegant porticoed streets and historic galleries en route to Palazzo Madama with its contrasting medieval and baroque facades. The tour ends at the Gran Madre di Dio church across the Po River, where some believe the statue points to the hidden location of the Holy Grail.

What's Included

Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
App for Android and iOS
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
Smartphone and headphones

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
Palatine Gate

This tour starts at Porta Palatina. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.

End point
Chiesa Della Gran Madre di Dio

Tour ends at Chiesa Della Gran Madre di Dio.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approximately)
  • (Pass by)

    Marvel at this remarkably preserved Roman gateway dating from the 1st century BCE, featuring massive twin towers and original stonework. Discover where Julius Caesar established the military colony of Iulia Augusta Taurinorum, experiencing the foundations of what would become modern Turin.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Explore this Renaissance cathedral that houses the enigmatic Shroud of Turin, Christianity's most studied and controversial relic. Walk through the sacred space where faith, science, and mystery converge in one of Italy's most important religious sites.

    Admission ticket free
  • Palazzo Reale Di Torino (Pass by)

    Pass through the magnificent former residence of the House of Savoy, showcasing opulent state apartments and royal gardens. Discover how this powerful dynasty transformed Turin into a sophisticated capital through centuries of strategic diplomacy and artistic patronage.

    Admission ticket free
  • Galleria San Federico (Pass by)

    Stroll through this elegant covered shopping gallery with its Art Nouveau details and historic boutiques. Experience the atmospheric arcade where scenes from Dario Argento's horror classic "Profondo Rosso" were filmed in the 1970s.

    Admission ticket free
  • Piazza San Carlo (Pass by)

    Walk into Turin's elegant "parlour," a symmetrical baroque square flanked by twin churches and graceful arcades. Enjoy the harmonious architecture surrounding the bronze equestrian statue of Duke Emanuele Filiberto sheathing his sword after the Battle of San Quintino.

    Admission ticket free
  • Palazzo Madama (Pass by)

    Marvel at this extraordinary palace featuring a medieval castle on one side and an ornate baroque facade on the other. Explore the layers of Turin's history embodied in this UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the Senate of the Kingdom of Italy.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Pass this prestigious opera house renowned for its exceptional acoustics and neoclassical architecture. Discover one of Italy's leading cultural institutions where world-class performances have graced the stage since 1740.

    Admission ticket free
  • Mole Antonelliana (Pass by)

    Admire Turin's iconic 167-meter tower that dominates the skyline and appears on Italian 2-cent euro coins. Experience the city's most recognisable landmark, originally conceived as a synagogue and now home to Italy's National Cinema Museum.

    Admission ticket free
  • Museo Nazionale del Cinema (Pass by)

    Explore the world's tallest museum housed within the soaring Mole Antonelliana, dedicated to the art and history of cinema. Discover interactive exhibits spanning film history while enjoying panoramic views of Turin and the Alps from the building's distinctive dome.

    Admission ticket free
  • Museo Egizio (Pass by)

    Walk by the world's second-most important Egyptian museum after Cairo, housing an extraordinary collection of ancient artefacts. Marvel at the treasures including mummies, papyri, and monumental statues that reveal 4,000 years of Nile Valley civilisation.

    Admission ticket free
  • (Pass by)

    Explore Italy's most important museum dedicated to the Risorgimento, the 19th-century movement that unified the nation. Discover Turin's crucial role as the first capital of united Italy through documents, artefacts, and personal stories of the unification struggle.

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
  • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Supplied by VoiceMap Audio Tours

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Tags

Private and Luxury
Private Sightseeing Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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