Turin Car Rental

Founded by the Taurini in the 3rd century B.C., Turin has been ruled by various populations and has always played a major role in the history of Italy.

A Roman colony, a Lombard duchy, the capital of the Duchy of Savoy first, then of the Kingdom of Sardinia and in contemporary times Turin was the first capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

It was also the cradle of the Risorgimento (Unification) and the heart of Italian industry, thanks to its leading role not only in the automotive industry but also in other important Italian industries.

In recent years, the multi-faceted capital of Piedmont has managed to reinvent itself, gaining a place in the tourism sector and freeing itself from the image of an industrial city thanks to its rich historical and cultural heritage, which includes architectural gems, museums of great value, excellent cuisine and internationally renowned events, such as the Salone del Libro (Book Festival) and Turin Film Festival.

What to see in Turin: the city’s most beautiful attractions

A car is the best way to visit Turin and its surrounding areas, because it allows you to move easily from one area to another, reaching the many places of interest located near the capital.

To rent a car in Turin, you can turn to Maggiore, which has offices in Caselle Airport, Porta Nuova Station and in the city centre.

Renting a car with Maggiore is easy, convenient and above all safe, as all rental vehicles meet high standards of quality and comfort.

You tour should start from the beautiful Piazza Castello, surrounded by magnificent arcades and refined buildings such as the imposing Palazzo Madama, home to the Civic Museum of Ancient Art, the regal Palazzo Reale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 and part of the “Musei Reali di Torino” (Royal Museums of Turin) circuit, Palazzo del Governo and the Royal Church of San Lorenzo, which also contains a replica of the Holy Shroud.

From here you can easily reach another symbol of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana, an unusual 167-meter-high building initially designed as a synagogue and then converted into a monument dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II. Take the elevator to the Tempietto where you can admire a spectacular 360° view of the city, or stop to visit the National Museum of Cinema, where you can follow an interactive itinerary exploring the history of the Seventh Art.

Also worth visiting in Turin are the Duomo of San Giovanni Battista, built between 1491 and 1498, to which the Chapel of the Holy Shroud was added in the 17th century, where the shroud believed to have wrapped the body of Christ is still kept, Palazzo Carignano, home to the interesting Museum of the Risorgimento, and Piazza San Carlo, where you can admire the Equestrian Statue of Emanuele Filiberto and the twin churches of Santa Cristina and San Carlo Borromeo.

Not to be missed in the Piedmont capital are the spectacular Egyptian Museum, founded in 1826 and considered to be one of the largest and most important museums dedicated to the culture of ancient Egypt (second only to the one in Cairo), the National Automobile Museum named after Giovanni Agnelli, the Valentino Castle and its beautiful park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, and the Basilica of Madonna delle Grazie or Superga, located on the hill of the same name and where the remains of Carlo Alberto of Savoy are kept.

To complete your visit, be sure to stop at the magnificent Sanctuary of the Consolata, a Baroque building that is considered one of the oldest in the city, the Church of the Gran Madre di Dio in Piazza Vittorio Veneto, at whose entrance is said to be buried the Holy Grail, and Villa della Regina, built in 1615 in a dominant position looking over the city.

Staying in the city centre, don’t miss the GAM Museum, which houses 45,000 works of art, the Porte Palatine and the remains of the ancient city walls, the Teatro Regio and the Museum of Eastern Art (MAO), while about 10 km outside the city centre you can admire the impressive Reggia di Venaria, and imposing complex that houses highly valuable halls, such as the Galleria Grande di Juvara and the Scuderia Grande, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

Not only are there many places to visit in Turin, but there are also many things to do.

Before setting off to explore the area surrounding the city, take a break in one of the city’s historic cafes, such as the Caffè Confetteria Al Bicerin, much loved by Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, or the Caffè San Carlo, a favourite meeting place of intellectuals of the Risorgimento, while if you feel like shopping, head for the Porta Palazzo Market, Europe’s largest open-air market covering an area of 50,000 square meters.

Finally, if you want to have a unique experience visiting the attractions of Turin, then treat yourself to a tour of its esoteric and masonic sites, stopping off at Piazza Statuto, Via Bonelli and Piazza Solferino.

Places and towns to visit around Turin

If Piedmont’s capital captivates you with its rich historical and artistic heritage, its surrounding areas will do the same, since there are many things to see near Turin, including nature reserves, ancient abbeys, stately homes and ancient villages.

Starting with the villages to visit in the area around the Savoy city, in about half an hour’s journey you can reach Avigliana, a characteristic village where you can admire the Sanctuary Madonna dei Laghi, the Clock Tower and nearby Abbey of San Michele della Chiusa or Sacra di San Michele, a magnificent architectural complex situated on Mount Pirchiriano, and then head for Usseaux, a small town in the Val Chisone, and listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”.

Among the places to visit near the capital of Piedmont are the royal palaces, abbeys and forts, which have always been among the most beautiful attractions in the region.

Stop off at Abbey of Novalesa, an ancient Benedictine complex in Val di Susa, at the Abbey of Sant’Antonio di Ranvero, an important religious building in Gothic-style built in the 12th century, the Ducal Castle of Agilè, part of the “Castles of Canavese” circuit and of the UNESCO Savoy Residences, at Palazzina of Caccia Stupingi, built to a design by Filippo Juvara, and Rivoli Castle, home to the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Also worth seeing in the area around Turin are the Fort of Fenestrelle, a fortified complex in Val Chisone and the Abbey of Vezzolano, a magnificent Romanesque-Gothic building. If you want to take a tour of the beautiful natural sights of the area, don’t miss Lake Orta or the Natural Park of Lake Candia.

With an ancient history, a rich artistic heritage and natural wonders, Turin and its surrounding areas offer this and so much more.