The Elegant Capital of Piedmont: Biella to Turin
Today’s ride is a short but rewarding one, taking us from the textile town of Biella south to Turin — Torino in Italian. Turin is a city that constantly surprises visitors who come expecting an industrial centre and instead discover one of Italy’s most elegant and sophisticated cities. Lined with kilometres of arcaded walkways, grand baroque piazzas, and ornate palaces, Turin feels like a more refined, less chaotic alternative to Rome or Milan.
Turin’s identity runs deep. This is the city that gave Italy the Fiat motor car, Lavazza coffee, and some of the country’s finest chocolate — gianduja, the hazelnut-chocolate combination, was invented here. The food scene in Piedmont’s capital is exceptional, from traditional trattorias serving bagna cauda and vitello tonnato to the vibrant aperitivo culture that fills the piazzas each evening. We spend the afternoon wandering beneath the arcades, admiring the view of the Alps from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and sampling the city’s legendary bicerin — a layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and cream.
Route Highlights
- Turin’s magnificent baroque architecture and grand arcaded boulevards
- The Mole Antonelliana — Turin’s iconic spire and home to the Cinema Museum
- Piedmont’s extraordinary food culture — gianduja chocolate, aperitivo, and traditional cuisine
- Views of the snow-capped Alps framing the city from Piazza Vittorio Veneto
Travel Tips
Turin has a ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato) in the city centre that restricts vehicle access — check the boundaries before riding in, as fines for motorcycles are enforced by camera. The Egyptian Museum in Turin is the second largest collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world after Cairo and is absolutely worth a visit. For the best bicerin, head to the historic Caffè Al Bicerin near the Consolata church. Turin’s aperitivo culture rivals Milan’s — order a Vermouth (which was invented here) and enjoy the generous snacks that come with it.
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