Top 5 Piedmont Castles You Can Visit with the Torino+Piemonte Card

From Venaria Reale to Racconigi, here are the top 5 Piedmont castles and royal residences you can visit free with the Torino+Piemonte Card.

7/19/20262 min read

The five most rewarding Piedmont castles and royal residences included with the Torino+Piemonte Card are the Reggia di Venaria Reale, Palazzina di Stupinigi, Castello di Racconigi, Palazzo Reale in central Turin, and Castello del Valentino — each offering a distinct architectural style and a different distance from the city center.

Key Takeaways

All five sites are part of, or closely tied to, the UNESCO "Residences of the Royal House of Savoy" listing.
Venaria Reale: the largest and most visited — allow a half to full day.
Stupinigi: compact Baroque hunting lodge, easiest quick add-on.
Racconigi: furthest out, best for a dedicated day trip with landscaped parkland.
Palazzo Reale: right in central Turin, easiest to combine with city museums.
Castello del Valentino: a riverside castle within Turin's Parco del Valentino, mainly viewable from outside as it houses a university faculty.

1. Reggia di Venaria Reale

Europe's grandest Savoy residence, with vast Baroque gardens and a UNESCO listing. Reachable via the discounted Venaria Express shuttle. Full details in our Venaria Reale guide.

2. Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

A star-shaped Baroque hunting lodge about 10 km from Turin, compact enough to combine with another stop on the same day. See our Stupinigi guide.

3. Castello di Racconigi

A former royal residence with an English-style landscape park, about 40 km south of Turin — the birthplace of Italy's last king. Best suited to a dedicated day trip; see our Racconigi guide.

4. Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace of Turin)

Technically within the city rather than the wider region, but historically the anchor of the Savoy residence network and the easiest to combine with a museum-heavy day in central Turin. See our Royal Palace guide.

5. Castello del Valentino

A riverside castle within Turin's Parco del Valentino park, notable for its French-influenced architecture. It now houses a university architecture faculty, so interior access is limited, but the grounds and exterior make a scenic stop on a riverside walk.

Planning tip: don't try to see all five in one trip

Venaria Reale and Racconigi alone can each fill half a day or more once travel time is factored in. For a realistic multi-day plan that balances Turin's city museums with one or two of these regional sites, see our 3-day Turin & Piedmont itinerary.

FAQ

Which Piedmont castle is closest to central Turin? Palazzo Reale is right in the city center; among the "regional" sites, Stupinigi is closest at about 10 km out.

Can I visit more than one castle in a single day? Venaria Reale and Stupinigi can sometimes be combined with a car and an early start, but Racconigi's distance generally requires its own dedicated day.

Are all five sites included free with the card? Venaria Reale, Stupinigi, Racconigi, and Palazzo Reale are included in the free-entry circuit; Castello del Valentino's interior access is limited due to its current university use, so check current terms.

Do I need a car to visit these sites? A car makes it easier, especially for Racconigi, but Venaria Reale and Stupinigi are both reachable by public or dedicated shuttle transport from Turin.