Welcome to Turin! You’ve just checked into your hotel or Airbnb and are set to embark on an exciting journey through the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. However, you may find yourself facing a difficult choice.
Should you purchase a Turin Piedmont museum card—like the Torino+Piemonte card or the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte card—in advance to save money while visiting individual museums? Or would it be more economical to pay for admission at each door based on your stay duration?
There’s no need to worry; I’m here to assist you in making that choice. Having visited all the key attractions, calculated expenses, and experienced Turin both as a tourist and as a long-term resident, I can guide you in choosing the best option for your visit.
Museum Cards Available in Turin
Let’s begin by exploring your options. There are two main cards offering free access to the most significant—and many lesser-known—museums, exhibitions, castles, and royal residences. The first card is the Torino+Piemonte card, offered by Turismo Torino & Provincia (Turin & Province Tourism), while the second is the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte card (Piedmont Museum Membership) from the Association Abbonamento Musei.
Torino Piemonte Card
This card is primarily designed for tourists looking to make the most out of a short visit, such as a weekend in Turin. It grants free entry to all major museums and royal residences in Turin and surrounding areas, along with discounts on various purchases and transportation. The card is available in formats for 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day visits (detailed prices can be found in the Useful INFO section at the end of this article).
One of its advantages is that it allows free entry not just for the cardholder but also for one child under 12. However, this benefit is somewhat diminished since most State and Municipal Museums already offer free access to visitors under 18.
Additionally, Turismo Torino offers a Royal Pass for 30€ that is valid for 4 days, granting free access to the Royal Residences of the House of Savoy located in Turin and Piedmont. It also offers a 20% discount on admission to select museums, including the Basilica of Superga, the Egyptian Museum, and the National Museum of Cinema. If your primary interest lies in royal residences, this card is a solid option. However, for the average tourist, the Torino+Piemonte Card provides better value with its extensive coverage of museums, despite a higher cost.
All Turismo Torino cards come with additional benefits such as discounts on public transportation and bus tours, although these usually only offer a 10% reduction and require additional spending. I prefer to focus on the free museum access that comes with the card rather than the ancillary benefits that necessitate further expenditure.
Abbonamento Musei Piemonte Card
The Abbonamento Musei Piemonte card provides a museum membership that allows unlimited access to all museums, royal residences, castles, and temporary exhibitions in Turin, Piedmont, and the Aosta Valley for an entire year from the purchase date. Designed primarily for residents and those planning to stay in the region for a week or more, this card offers fantastic value for cultural enthusiasts.
Free Things to Do in Turin
There are numerous attractions you can enjoy at no cost during your stay in Turin. Besides admission fees for museums and royal residences, you can explore a wealth of free sites, including churches, piazzas, the stunning architecture of historic buildings, parks, cafes, and picturesque tree-lined boulevards that have earned Turin the nickname “the Paris of Italy.”
1 Day in Turin – Itinerary Suggestions
If you have just a single day in the beautiful city of Turin and wish to visit some museums, I recommend starting with the Royal Museums (15€), which include a fascinating collection covering the Royal Palace, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, the Royal Armory, the Sabauda Art Gallery, and the Antiquity Museum, followed by the Turin Egyptian Museum (18€).
While you could purchase the Torino+Piemonte Card – 1 Day (29€) to visit up to three attractions (like the National Cinema Museum and Panoramic lift at Mole Antonelliana (20€)), I don’t recommend it. You would likely feel rushed and miss out on appreciating the free local highlights, such as the piazzas, churches, and parks. If you buy the one-day card and visit these two museums, you would only save 4€ (14%), which isn’t particularly worthwhile.
2 – 3 Days in Turin – Weekend Itinerary Suggestions
If you plan to spend a couple of days in this magnificent city, the Torino+Piemonte card becomes a worthwhile investment. For a two-day experience, in addition to the Royal Museums and the Egyptian Museum, I suggest visiting the National Cinema Museum and the Panoramic Lift at the Mole Antonelliana (20€) and exploring an additional royal residence, like the Royal Hunting Residence of Stupinigi (12€). The total individual entry cost for these attractions would reach 65€, but with the 2-day Torino+Piemonte card (39€), you can enter all for free, saving 26€ (40%).
For a three-day trip, you can branch out further based on your interests. Be sure to visit the Reggia of Venaria (20€), an impressive palace that rivals Paris’s Versailles.
Then, select one of the following options that suit your preferences: sports fans may enjoy the Juventus Museum (29€), automobile enthusiasts might appreciate the National Automobile Museum (15€), art aficionados can visit the Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art GAM-Torino (10€), coffee lovers should check out the Lavazza Museum (10€), and history buffs will enjoy Palazzo Madama Museum (18€). Adding the Reggia of Venaria and one of the aforementioned attractions to your 2-day visit could result in individual costs between 95€ and 114€. By using the 3-day Torino+Piemonte card (45€), you’ll gain free access and enjoy savings ranging from 50€ (53%) to 69€ (61%), which is significant.
However, keep in mind that visiting six museums in three days can be overwhelming and may not leave much room for enjoying the free attractions mentioned earlier. In fact, it may be more beneficial to purchase the 2-day card and dedicate the third day solely to exploring and soaking in the beauty of Turin.
If your trip spans four or five days and your goal is to maximize your savings by visiting museums and palaces daily, consider purchasing the 5-day Torino+Piemonte card (50€). With such a card, if you visit at least four places from the previous list (which would cost 65€ separately), any additional visits will allow you to save the standard ticket price.
Alternatively, for a more leisurely experience, consider acquiring the 3-day card, using days one and five to relax and enjoy, and reserve your museum visits for days two to four. Remember that using the cards begins a countdown, requiring consecutive days for usage, with no option to select non-consecutive days for museum entry.
Staying Longer Than a Week or Relocating to Turin and Piedmont?
If you are traveling across Turin and Piedmont for a week or more or considering moving here, I strongly advise investing in the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte (Piedmont Museum Membership). At a price of 52€, it’s only 2€ more than the 5-day Torino+Piemonte card, yet it grants you free access to nearly every museum, palace, castle, residence, and exhibition throughout Turin, Piedmont, and the Aosta Valley for an entire year. For 87€, you can even access all museums in Milan and Lombardy.
Throughout the year, I’ve traveled extensively in Piedmont, but I’ve only begun to explore the vast array of attractions available. What’s fantastic is that I could utilize my Abbonamento Musei Piemonte card to visit numerous sites for free, such as Casa Menabrea, the Cittadellarte – Pistoletto Foundation in Biella, Grinzane Cavour Castle in the Lange, Staffarda Abbey in the Po Valley, and many more.
If you’re a local in Turin, on a rainy day, or simply in the mood for some culture, art, or history, you can easily pop into any museum or residence, like the GAM-Torino Art Gallery, the Egyptian Museum, or the Queen’s Villa (Villa of the Regina) and always have an enriching experience. It’s far better than staying indoors watching TV or scrolling through your phone!
Final Thoughts on Museum Cards in Turin & Piedmont
Hopefully, this guide has clarified your options regarding museum cards for your visit to Turin and Piedmont. If you only have one day, skip the card and focus on the abundant free sites. For trips of two to five days, consider purchasing the Torino+Piemonte card in either the 2- or 3-day variation to maximize your access to incredible museums, exhibitions, castles, and royal residences while saving money.
For stays of a week or longer, traveling across Piedmont, or moving to Turin or elsewhere in Piedmont, indulge yourself with the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte card. With this, you’ll discover countless fascinating sites and truly immerse yourself in the region’s rich history and culture. Trust me; you won’t regret this investment!
Useful INFO:
Torino Piemonte Card
Prices:
The Torino+Piemonte card is available in the following formats:
1 Day* – 29€ (* maximum of three sites during 24 hours)
2 Days – 39€
3 Days – 45€
3 Days Junior (under 18) – 18€
5 Days – 50€
Where to Buy:
Online: TORINO+PIEMONTE CARD | Turismo Torino e Provincia.
In-Person: WHERE TO BUY | Turismo Torino e Provincia list of locations.
Call: +39.011.535181.
The best location to purchase the Torino+Piemonte card is at the Turismo Torino – Tourism Information Centre in Piazza Castello, near Via Garibaldi (see on the map). Upon entering the office, there’s a dedicated line on the left for museum cards.
Abbonamento Musei Torino Piemonte (Turin Piedmont Museum Membership)
Prices:
Full Price – 52€
Discounted – 48€ (various organizations may offer discounts; check the website for details, including for the disabled)
Seniors – 45€ for individuals aged 65 and over
Youth – 32€ for those aged 15 to 26 years
Junior – 20€ for those aged 14 and under
Where to Buy:
Online: Acquista – Abbonamento Musei.
In-person: Punti vendita – Abbonamento Musei list of locations.
Call: +39 800.329.329 from 9 am to 6 pm.
The best location to purchase the Abbonamento Musei Torino Piemonte is at the “InfoPiemonte – Torino Cultura” Tourism Information Centre in Piazza Castello, near Via Garibaldi (see on map). When you enter, there’s a distinct line on the left just for museum cards.
Ticket Prices for Main Attractions in Turin
| The Royal Museums | 15€ |
| Madama Palace + Exhibits | 18€ |
| Turin Egyptian Museum | 18€ |
| Carignano Palace | 10€ |
| National Cinema Museum + Panoramic Lift at Mole Antonelliana | 20€ |
| Juventus Museum | 29€ |
| Lavazza Museum | 10€ |
| The Royal Tombs and Dome at the Basilica of Superga | 8€ |
| Villa of the Regina | 7€ |
| Hunting Residence of Stupinigi | 12€ |
| Reggia of Venaria Reale | 20€ |
| Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art GAM-Torino | 10€ |
| National Automobile Museum | 15€ |
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