Turin, a city rich in history, with architectural and cultural wonders, as well as contemporary creations. All of this makes it an interesting tourist destination as well as one of the most popular towns for university students.

Furthermore, the PalaOlimpico in Turin will host the Eurovision Song Contest this year, which will take place between May 10 and 14, 2022. It will be the sixty-sixth edition of this musical contest, which attracts performers from all around Europe each year.

In addition to the main stage, the program includes the Eurovillage, which will have the Valentino Park as a backdrop, one of Turin's most recognizable symbols. The set-up areas, which can hold up to 20,000 people, will feature a variety of cultural events as well as two mega screens that will broadcast the semi-finals and grand final live on two evenings.

The presenters of this edition are three of the most well-known and well-liked people in Italy and abroad: Laura Pausini, Mika, and Alessandro Cattelan. While Mahmood and Blanco, representing Italy, will compete with the song "Brividi" as the winners of this year's Sanremo Festival.

These are some things to do in Turin for people who plan on visiting the city during the Eurovision dates, or for those who are fortunate enough to live in Turin already.

However, in the meantime, the Piedmontese city has a plethora of additional attractions and places to visit, both day and night.

In this article, we'll go on a journey together to discover things to do in Turin to enjoy the city whether it's sunny or rainy, alone or with friends.

What to do in Turin for free

Because Turin is one of Italy's university cities, we get to know it by seeing what we can do without spending money.

We've already stated it, but we'll mention it again because of its importance and beauty: the Valentino Park is rich in wildlife and located in the heart of the city. Long walks or bike rides can be enjoyed at any time of year, but the colours of autumn and the blooming of spring can only add beauty. Many students prefer to study outside if they can find a peaceful spot within the park.

Another must-see is the Monte dei Cappuccini, a hill overlooking Turin that can be reached in approximately 15 minutes on foot from Piazza Vittorio Veneto. The road is hilly and needs little effort, but it is rewarded with a stunning perspective of the entire city.

The Duomo, dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, is a must-see. Even if you are not a believer in sacred sites or religion, you should be aware that the Holy Shroud is maintained here. This is why it is regarded as a site of immense artistic and symbolic significance.

If the weather is nice and you want to be outdoor, walking around Turin's squares is a fantastic way to get to know the city. They are the epicentres of city activity, with many young people attending them both during the day and night. They are gathering places where people can spend the time, have a snack, or drink something in one of the many bars, restaurants, or clubs.

The five most attractive squares in Turin are:

• Piazza San Carlo, also known as the "Salotto di Torino" because of the many events it hosts;
• Piazza Castello, the city's nerve centre, famous for its characteristic arcades;
• Piazza Vittorio Veneto, the city's and Europe's largest piazza;
• Piazza Carignano, with its numerous Baroque style buildings;
• Piazza Statuto, home to the obelisk, a symbol of magic and esotericism.
  

If the weather isn't cooperating and you're seeking for indoor activities or other things to do in Turin, we'll tell you about four unique attractions in the following paragraph.

4 Turin attractions not to be missed

Another icon that characterises Turin, is the Mole Antonelliana, which was purchased by the Municipality and has since become a National Unity monument.

It is known as Antonelliana because it was built by architect Alessandro Antonelli in 1863, but its spectacular panoramic lift will not be inaugurated until 1961, at the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Italy's unity. This permits you to ascend to the 85-meter-high temple and enjoy an incredible perspective of the city.

The National Cinema Museum is housed within the Mole, which has the unique feature of spiralling upwards. It is possible to retrace the history of cinema from its beginnings to the present day using its collection and an interactive itinerary.

A visit to the Egyptian Museum of Turin, the world's oldest museum dedicated to Egyptian culture, is strongly advised if you want to continue your journey into the past. Its collection of antiques and old works is very extensive and diverse. The permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, thematic or guided tours are all available.

News, workshops, special events, and conferences are always arranged. The recommendation is to go to the website and look at all the available appointments.

The third of the three stages we've chosen is the Teatro Regio, Turin's opera theatre, wchich is located in Piazza Castello. It hosts symphonic concerts and operas, including the great classics at certain times of the year, but even if that isn't your thing, the 90-minute guided tour is worth taking to view the interior, learn about technical wonders like acoustics, and peruse the historical archives.

Finally, OGR Torino, a magnificent late-nineteenth-century industrial complex that has been transformed into a new centre for creativity, culture, and entertainment. This space has been transformed from a workshop, where trains were repaired, into a hub of worldwide innovation.

It hosts events ranging from visual art to music to current acts, as well as technology and food. In reality, there is a restaurant that is open from breakfast until late at night and serves traditional Piedmontese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.

Turin by night

There is no shortage of entertainment in a sophisticated and young city that is gearing up to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022. The same squares and streets that are visited during the day become the epicentres of nightlife, and we now witness some of Turin's nightlife destinations and most popular clubs.

The banks of the Po river attract groups of young people from the time of the apéritif, so let's talk about the famous Murazzi: the river margins with the traditional arches and boat sheds. There are numerous clubs here that host a variety of evenings for music and entertainment fans into the early hours of the morning.

A historic area of Turin is the Quadrilatero Romano, near to Piazza San Carlo. It's a tangle of streets with a variety of clubs, including wineries and cocktail bars, as well as restaurants and pubs with live music.

Another not to be missed is Borgo Dora, a Turin district that is now merged into the Aurora district and is adjacent to the city's old centre but remains a popular district with multi-ethnic clubs.

Another place that has attracted many young people is San Salvario, an alternative district full of bars and enjoyable evenings that has attracted many young people for several years.

For those looking for places to go dancing, some options are: Supermarket Torino, which hosts trendy evenings and DJ sets; the Discoteca Life, located in the heart of Valentino Park, also hosts themed parties on Fridays and Saturdays; Hiroshima Mon Amour, which hosts concerts and organised events; and the WhiteMoon, which hosts a variety of evenings ranging from Hip-Hop, R&B, Reggae, House, and Rock.

Turin is a city that should be explored and is brimming with youthful people. Precisely for this reason, it provides numerous options, including culture, art, innovation, and entertainment.