Despite living in the shadow of their more illustrious neighbours Juventus recently, Torino are worth a visit for any trip to northern Italy. The Granata are sure to capture the heart of any neutral with their blend of attacking and exciting football, coupled with a memorable match-day experience. A club steeped in magnificent history, Torino offer an alternative footballing experience to the likes of Juve, AC Milan and Inter.
Tickets
Arguably the most important part of seeing Torino is securing a ticket for the game. Other than the Derby della Mole against Juventus, the Olimpico rarely sells out. Even on derby day you would be unlucky to be unable to obtain a ticket although it is advisable to buy tickets in advance for such matches.
Tickets can be bought from Torino’s official site, as well as at the ticket office at the Olimpico. TicketOne stores are dotted around the city and are ideal venues for picking up stubs whilst exploring Turin, without having to venture out to the stadium.
Prices vary depending on the area of the stadium; sitting in the Curvas will generally cost €20 for a standard fixture, whilst a central seat will set you back anywhere up to €60. However, a derby against Juventus or other high profile matches may see an increase of €20 on ticket prices.
Hotels
Turin has a vast array of hotels ranging in price and standard. Should you wish to be within the vicinity of the Olimpico, Lingotto is the place to be. The Galimberti Hotel is located half a mile away from the stadium and is ideal for short trips to see Torino. At €45 per night it is also extremely reasonably priced.
For a more centrally-based hotel the Bologna in Porta Nuova is an excellent option. A comfortable and popular hotel, the Bologna is slightly more expensive at €55 per night but is ideal for seeing some of Turin’s must-see attractions. The Egyptian Musuem is less than 10 minutes away, whilst providing a simple route for travelling to the stadium on match-day. Trams from the main station near the hotel will get you directly to the Olimpico.
Flights
Turin is serviced by Caselle International Airport Sandro Pertini, located around 8 miles northwest of the city in the town of Caselle Torinese. From here, a bus service at a reasonably priced €6.50 will get you into the centre of Turin in 45-50 minutes. The service runs every 15 minutes from 5.15 to 23.30. However, if you’re running short on time, a private plane might be your best option, the booking of which, you can do it here.
The taxi rank at the airport is easy to locate and a cab will get you into downtown Turin in half an hour, but for a much steeper fare. Expect to pay anything in the region of €30-50 for the journey.
Although flight prices vary throughout the year, flying from London Stansted will generally cost between €95 and €135, whilst a flight from Manchester may cost an additional €65. Ryanair offer a regular service to Turin, as well as the three airports in nearby Milan, should you be willing to make the approximately two hour journey between the two northern cities.
What to see in Turin
Whilst Turin is one of the great northern industrial cities of Italy, there is still plenty to see although the main sites can be all visited in a single weekend.
Undoubtedly a must-see is the Egyptian Museum, one of the finest collections of Ancient Egyptian artefacts outside of Cairo.
The Piazza Castello, lying in the heart of the city, is also worth setting aside an afternoon to explore. The square is surrounded by palaces including the Reale and Madama Cristina and offers magnificent views of the city. Several scenes of the classic British 1969 film “The Italian Job” were shot in the piazza.
A weekend watching Torino is not complete without a visit to the Superga Basilica, the hilltop church steeped in history as the scene where Il Grande Torino, the great Granata side of the 1940s, tragically lost their lives in 1949. Situated approximately 30 minutes out of the city, the harrowing basilica is a fine example of early 18th Century Baroque architecture and provides stunning views of the city and the surrounding Alps. Superga can be reached by bus via the 61 or 68, or by catching the number 15 tram.
Food
One of the best pizzerias in Turin, Fratelli Pummaro is an excellent stop off for any travellers on a budget. Delicious pizza is served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with the restaurant becoming increasingly popular with visitors. A huge variety of pizzas are available for under €10 and the location makes it all the more convenient; within walking distance of the city’s main railway station, Porta Nuova. Fratelli Pummaro can also offer the perfect pre-match meal, with it being only a short tram ride away from the Olimpico (25 minutes on the number 4 tram).
Bars
The closest bar to the Olimpico is Birreria Don Giovanni, located a short walk from the stadium. It is convenient for a pre or post match drink, but better options are located slightly further afield.
For a drink on the river front, Dal Vecchio bar is the place to go. A lively and friendly atmosphere, Dal Vecchio offers drinks at moderate prices. The Santa Giulia in Vanchiglia is a great choice for mixing with locals, located on the corner of the piazza.
Travel to Olimpico
The stadium is located in the south of Turin and is well connected to the centre of the city. The easiest route is via tram, taking the number 4 from Porta Nuova and getting off at either Sebastopoli or Filadelfia. Similarly, the number 10 tram also services the stadium from Porta Susa rail station.
Alternatively, buses run from Lingotto rail station directly to the Olimpico. The number 14 bus will drop you off at the stadium should you be located in the south of the city, with Lingotto only an 11 minute ride away.
At the Olimpico
Torino offers an enjoyable and memorable match-day experience, with the Granata having some of the most passionate fans in Italy.
Outside the stadium there are plenty of vendors selling unofficial merchandise, from shirts and scarves to badges and pins. You will also be able to pick up some fast food from one of the many vans located around the ground.
As with all matches in Italy, entry to the stadium will require a form of photographic ID as well as a ticket.
The Olimpico is spacious and well-designed, although the atmosphere can be dampened somewhat by the presence of a running-track surrounding the pitch, making the action seem rather distant.
Nonetheless, the view from all parts of the stadium is clear and Torino’s fans can certainly generate noise, particularly amongst the Ultras in the Curva Nord.
Cost
Hotel: One night – €45-€50
Flights: €125 return (dependent on time of year)
Airport transfer: €6.50
Match Ticket: €20-€60
Food: €5-€9 pizza/pasta
Drink: €3 Tea/Coffee, €4 Coca-Cola, €6 Beer
Metro: €1.50 for single ticket
