Turin travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Turin, Piedmont, Italy.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Turin.
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- calm, local and green, a riverside nature-reserve picnic spot
- Sandy river-bank area at the Stura-Po confluence inside the Meisino nature reserve
- Free open-air access; the park is open all day, every day of the year
- Picnic areas, cycle and walking paths, and the Meisino environmental and sports education centre (Via Friedrich Nietzsche 154)
- Swimming in the Po is not recommended; use the bank for sunbathing, walking and birdwatching
Spiaggia del Meisino (Po River Beach)
Urban sandy bank on the Po river, an informal free beach in a nature reserve a short ride from the centre.
Editor’s tip. Do not swim; the Po current and water quality make bathing unsuitable, so use the bank for sunbathing and walking.
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- relaxed, local and family-friendly, a calm park lake
- Natural swimming area and bathing establishment on the Lago Grande, in the Avigliana Lakes natural park
- Lifeguard and support staff on Saturday afternoons (15:00-18:00) from July to early September as reported; swimming possible every day without a supervised area
- Canoeing and lakeside walking trails
- Parco Naturale dei Laghi di Avigliana information: +39 011 9313000
Lago Grande di Avigliana (Piscina Naturale)
Moraine lake in a natural park with a natural swimming area, the closest lake bathing to Turin.
Editor’s tip. Lifeguards are reported only on Saturday afternoons, 15:00-18:00, from July to early September; swim carefully on other days.
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- family-friendly, calm lake with lidos and water sports
- Free public beach on the lake shore plus private bathing establishments such as Chalet Moia (Via Lago Sirio 2)
- Sun loungers, umbrellas and cabins at the private lidos
- Canoe, pedalo and windsurf rental
- Restaurants and snack bars on the lakefront
Lago Sirio (Chiaverano)
Small glacial lake in the Canavese hills with a free beach, lidos and water sports.
Editor’s tip. Use the free public beach to avoid lido fees, and bring water and shade.
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- lively lakeside lidos with lawns, pedalos and family crowds
- Several bathing establishments listed by ARPA Piemonte, including Bagni Comunali e Marinella, Bagni Masseria and Lido Anzasco, plus free stretches of shore
- Loungers, umbrellas, pedalo and canoe rental at the establishments; fees vary by operator and are not published centrally
- Lakefront cafes and restaurants
- Joint lake management office: Via Umberto I 107, 13886 Viverone
Lago di Viverone (Bagni Comunali, Località Lido)
The largest lake near Turin, bathing-quality water again since 2008, with many lidos and water sports.
Editor’s tip. Compare lido fees on arrival, as prices vary by operator and are not published centrally.
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- quiet, natural and unhurried, a protected park lake
- Quiet, mostly natural shoreline inside a protected nature park with little building on the shore
- Boat and canoe rental; Canottieri Candia rowing school
- Visitor centre and walking paths around the lake
- Nearby Anthares World pool complex
Lago di Candia (Parco Naturale)
Quiet protected lake in the Canavese with a natural shore, canoe hire and walking paths.
Editor’s tip. Drive if possible; the train to Caluso still needs a taxi of about 10 minutes.
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- relaxed lakeside bar beach with a pier and Borromean views
- Lakeside beach with a pier, umbrellas and a bar service as reported
- Views of the Rocca di Angera and the Borromean shore
- Water quality notices published by ARPA Piemonte (arpa.piemonte.it)
- Free and paid beach areas in the Arona-Dormelletto lakefront
Lago Maggiore - Dormelletto (La Rotta)
Southern shore of Lake Maggiore with a pier and bar beach, the nearest Maggiore swimming area to Turin.
Editor’s tip. Check ARPA Piemonte water quality notices at arpa.piemonte.it before swimming.
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- lively, scenic lakefront lido under a historic old town
- Pebble beach and lakefront promenade next to the old town, often cited as the lake's most famous beach
- Swimming zone with beach clubs and loungers in season; fees vary by operator
- Cafes and restaurants on the lakefront
- Boat links to other lake towns and Swiss Locarno
Lago Maggiore - Cannobio Lido
Pebble lido under the old town of Cannobio on the Piedmont shore of Lake Maggiore, best for a long day or overnight stay.
Editor’s tip. Wear water shoes, as the pebbles can be uncomfortable and hot at midday.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Turin’s coast.
Can visitors swim at the Meisino beach in Turin?
Swimming in the Po is not recommended. The bank is intended for sunbathing, walking, picnics and birdwatching.
From the Spiaggia del Meisino (Po River Beach) editorial.
How do visitors get to the Meisino from central Turin?
A GTT bus runs from the centre to the Meisino park in about 30 to 40 minutes, and a digital city ticket costs EUR 1.90. Riverside cycle paths also lead to the park.
From the Spiaggia del Meisino (Po River Beach) editorial.
How far is Lago Grande di Avigliana from Turin?
About 25 km west of Turin. Regional trains from Porta Nuova take 25 to 30 minutes, or about 30 minutes by car on the A32.
From the Lago Grande di Avigliana (Piscina Naturale) editorial.
Is there a lifeguard at the lake?
A lifeguard and support staff are reported on Saturday afternoons from 15:00 to 18:00, July to early September. Swimming is possible every day but without a supervised area.
From the Lago Grande di Avigliana (Piscina Naturale) editorial.
Is there a free beach at Lago Sirio?
Yes. A free public beach sits on the lake shore alongside private bathing establishments such as Chalet Moia.
From the Lago Sirio (Chiaverano) editorial.
Can visitors rent boats at Lago Sirio?
Canoe, pedalo and windsurf rental are available at the lake.
From the Lago Sirio (Chiaverano) editorial.
How far is Lago di Viverone from Turin?
About 65 km north-east. By car it takes around an hour, while the train to Santhià plus a bus or taxi takes about 70 to 75 minutes.
From the Lago di Viverone (Bagni Comunali, Località Lido) editorial.
Is the water safe for swimming?
Water quality has been suitable for bathing since 2008, and ARPA Piemonte publishes notices that visitors can check.
From the Lago di Viverone (Bagni Comunali, Località Lido) editorial.