The Complete Guide to Shopping in Turin

Gallery San Federico

My wife, Maria (that's her in the photo down below), is the shopping specialist, so this page was prepared with lots of help from her. Take it from me, you are dealing with a real expert. Over to Maria...

Maria is carrying out shopping research

Turin's Markets

Let me first tell you about Porta Palazzo, the greatest market in Italy—you haven't truly experienced Torino until you've gotten lost in its beautiful, chaotic heart. Forget your quiet, polite shops. This is where the real magic happens! The moment you step into Piazza della Repubblica, your senses wake up—the air itself is alive! It smells of espresso, sun-ripened peaches, and the salty tang of the sea from the fishmongers' stalls. It’s a symphony of Nonna Italian voices, the clatter of carts, and vendors calling out their daily specials.

My husband, he loves the salumi, but for me? It’s the people. This market is Italy in one piazza! You have Salvatore from Sicily, who’s been here for forty years; he’ll sell you the sweetest blood oranges and tell you a story about his village. You can find Calabrian nduja and Piedmontese cheeses and then turn a corner for spices from the four corners of the world and vegetables that taste like nothing you've ever tasted before. It’s a feast for the eyes and the soul!

My advice? Go hungry. Taste the cheese they offer you, let the fruit vendor pick the perfect peach for you, and the clothes! Madonnina, the deals you can find! It’s not about fancy labels; it’s about the hunt. That perfect leather bag, a silk scarf with a story… you have to have an eye for it.

This isn’t just shopping, Caro. This is where we live. It’s our kitchen, our social club, and our open-air theater. So put on your comfortable shoes, bring a big bag, and come with an empty stomach and an open heart. Porta Palazzo isn’t just a market; it’s the beating heart of our Torino. You’ll leave not just with groceries, but with a piece of our city’s soul.

Trust me, you’ll thank me later! Now, go!

Every second Sunday of the month, the Gran Balon antiques market is held in the same area, and this really has to be seen to be believed.

Grand Balon is one of the biggest antique markets in the entire world, and some incredible bargains can be discovered, but make sure you give yourself plenty of time, as there is so much to see.

Corso Racconigi: Particularly good here is the fresh produce section, which is below street level and is home to some of the best cheese, meat, and seafood in all of Turin. This is the market my husband loves; he spends hours here choosing what he'd like me to cook for dinner!

The morning market in Crocetta, just off Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, is another great favorite of mine. Crocetta is the best market for clothes, bags, and shoes. Original and 100% authentic designer names can be found everywhere at a fraction of the retail price. Crocetta is a pretty upmarket area, so they would never dare sell fakes!

The neighborhood here is lovely; exploring this market or just sitting at one of the coffee bars with a morning espresso or cappuccino and croissant while taking in the atmosphere is definitely one of life's little pleasures. If you are looking to do some serious clothes shopping in Turin, then do make a point of visiting.

Eataly

The world's greatest gourmet paradise is here in Turin! It was here that the world's first Eataly store opened its doors back in 2007 and still today Eataly in Via Nizza 230 is the best food store you will ever visit. It is also unlike any other food store you will ever visit. 

Inside this massive shop and market, you'll find wall-to-wall gourmet delights and the best food Piedmont has to offer, from truffles to chocolates and everything in between. Nearly everything sold here is produced by small artisans and is of the highest quality.

The ten or so restaurants inside the store allow you to sample some of the best of Italian cuisine, from ice cream made the old-fashioned way to the most wonderful cheeses you will ever eat.

Eataly is almost like doing a tour of the very best of Italian food, but instead of having to travel thousands of miles to discover these wonderful “slow food” producers, they are all here under one roof. It's worth making the trip to Italy just to visit Eataly!

Famous Shopping Streets in Turin

Via Garibaldi

For the most fashionable shopping in Turin, visit Via Roma and the streets leading off it. This is where you will find all the leading designer stores and the prices to match, although you'll still find the fashion here is way cheaper than in Milan and the staff is far less snooty and rude too.

The best time to visit for shopping is in early January or July, when the big sales are held.

Take in the atmosphere on a Saturday, when all of Turin seem to dress up in their finest to parade up and down this street and to be seen at the coffee bars of the adjoining Piazza San Carlo. Also, explore the beautiful Galleria San Federico, home to one of Turin's oldest cinemas, The Lux.

Via Garibaldi is another shopping street that is well worth a visit; not as upmarket as Via Roma, this pedestrianized street is packed with fascinating little shops and always has a wonderfully eclectic feel. I love the old Farmacia Bosio, just one of the many stores in Via Garibaldi that seem to have been here forever.

Farmacia Bosio

Designer Fashion Outlet Stores

There is an outlet village, the Torino Outlet Village, located in Settimo Torinese.

It's around a 20-minute drive from Turin, and you'll find all the top designer brands at discounted prices. You can find out how to get there and the brands they feature on their website - here is the link.

Torino’s Shopping Malls

Shopping malls are not common in Italy, but Turin has a few good ones.The most central of them is 8 Gallery at 230 Via Nizza, opposite Eataly.

8 Gallery is very different from most shopping malls in that it is located in the old Fiat car factory in Lingotto.

Lingotto was the famous Fiat factory with the roof test track. When the factory closed, it was turned into a shopping mall with around a hundred quality shops, many restaurants, cinemas, and the NH Lingotto hotel.

If you get tired of shopping and want to view the famous test track, this can be done from the shopping center or hotel. Actually, my husband loves this track so much, he could even skip the shopping entirely—talk about crazy!

For more on wonderful Turin visit my guide.

Need a place to stay in Turin? Try the Grand Hotel Sitea.

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