10 Reasons to visit Torino - Part 8. The "Portici"

Climate change is undeniably impacting also on our travel choices, as we often try to avoid places that are getting too hot or too cold, too exposed to extreme weather that is intensifying everywhere. Turin has a unique feature that protects both locals and visitors from all this.

Imagine a rainy day, when you have no desire to grab an umbrella and go out, to constantly open and close it, or to wear those uncomfortable plastic raincoats. In Turin, you don't need any of these. There are 18 km (12 miles) of porticos, 12 of which (8 miles) are interconnected, so you can walk through the entire historic center while always staying under these imposing arches that protect you from the rain. Similarly, think of one of those summer days when the heat invites an afternoon nap rather than a stroll through the city center. Even in the height of summer, in Turin, you can enjoy the historic center while always staying in the shade.

Turin's porticos are very wide, so even when there are lots of people around, there's room for everyone. Shop windows and entrances face them, making strolling under the porticos a truly pleasant experience. If you're in Piazza Castello, you can reach Porta Susa Station by passing through Piazza Vittorio Veneto, Via Roma, Piazza San Carlo, Piazza Carlo Felice, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Corso Vinzaglio, and Via Cernaia. If you're a sports enthusiast, you can power walk for a full 18 km, every day!

If you want to discover all about Turin's porticos, you can book my "Turin Under the Porticoes" tour. We'll stroll around discovering the many historical and artistic attractions that overlook them, and we'll end with an excellent Vermouth sitting at a table in one of the city's many historic bars.