Galleria Subalpina is a glass-roofed shopping arcade in central Turin, linking Piazza Castello with Piazza Carlo Alberto. It is not a market of produce stalls, but a quieter place to browse shops and cafés beneath an iron-and-glass canopy.
Opened in the 1870s and designed by Pietro Carrera, the gallery reflects the European fashion for grand covered passages. Its tall arches, decorative stonework and filtered daylight give it a distinctly Turinese elegance. Caffè Baratti & Milano, known for its ornate interior and chocolate tradition, is a reminder of the city’s historic café culture.
The arcade is worth a visit for its unhurried atmosphere as much as its architecture. Stop for a coffee or bicerin, look up at the roof and take in the long perspective through the passage. It also makes a convenient link between sights around Piazza Castello and Palazzo Carignano on Piazza Carlo Alberto.
Visit in the morning or late afternoon for softer light, and check individual opening hours if you plan to shop, as some businesses close on Sundays or Monday mornings. The gallery is within walking distance of Porta Nuova station, and standing at the café bar is usually cheaper than sitting at a table.