Turin is a city that reveals itself slowly, to those who know where to look. This bike tour is designed for first-time visitors who want to immediately understand the soul of the city: not a collection of curiosities, but a route that tells the storey of how Turin was founded, grew, and became what it is today.
In about two hours, you will ride through the heart of the historic old town accompanied by a cycling guide recognised by the Piedmont Region.
The route
We start from Piazza Arbarello, a quiet corner just a stone's throw from the centre, ideal for initial introductions and getting on the bike.
From there, you immediately get to the heart of the matter: in the Quadrilatero Romano, which extends along the axis of Via Garibaldi, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, a brief stop in front of the Town Hall before entering the imposing Piazza Castello.
We continue towards the Roman Theatre and the Porte Palatine, visible traces of the ancient Augusta Taurinorum, and then immerse ourselves in the tree-lined avenues of the Royal Gardens, from where we will admire the Mole Antonelliana, the symbol of Turin.
From the centre, you cross into the nearby district of Vanchiglia (the city's nightlife hub) to admire the Fetta di Polenta, a unique 19th-century building with a trapezoidal layout. Then Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the largest porticoed square in Italy. The tour continues through squares steeped in history: Piazza Carlo Alberto with the Museum of The Resurgence, the National Library and Palazzo Campana, Piazza Carignano with its palace that was the seat of the first Italian parliament, and the Egyptian Museum, one of the most important in the world.
Finally, you enter the scenic Piazza San Carlo, known as the “living room of Turin”.
The last few kilometres lead to Piazza Solferino and finally to the Maschio della Cittadella, the only surviving tower of the imposing 16th-century fortress commissioned by the House of Savoy.
The bicycles
The tour takes place on TORPADO Prydon Journey or Expedition bicycles, designed for cycling tourism: stable geometry, comfortable handlebars, and wide tyres to effortlessly absorb cobblestones and paving stones. Helmet provided. No particular cycling experience is required: the pace is that of conversation.
The streets
They will be mostly bike-friendly, with some crossings in pedestrian zones or areas with low vehicular traffic.
The tour starts and ends in Piazza Arbarello.
