Valentino Park is Turin’s best-loved riverside green space, stretching along the western bank of the Po in the San Salvario district. Its shaded avenues and lawns draw joggers, students and families, while the river paths offer a peaceful counterpoint to the arcades and baroque piazzas of the city centre.
The park is closely tied to Turin’s royal past. At its heart stands the Castello del Valentino, a 17th-century Savoy residence with steep roofs and corner towers inspired by French château architecture. Now used by the Politecnico di Torino, it is part of the UNESCO-listed Residences of the Royal House of Savoy. The surrounding park took much of its present form in the 19th century, when it was redesigned in the English landscape style.
Further south, the Borgo Medievale recreates a Piedmontese village and fortress for the 1884 General Italian Exhibition. The park also contains the University of Turin’s botanical garden and a rose garden, while riverside paths are ideal for walking, cycling or watching rowers on the Po.
Late spring and early autumn bring comfortable temperatures and some of the park’s best colour; in summer, seek out the shade on hot afternoons. The park is about a 20-minute walk from Porta Nuova station, and public transport stops nearby. Check seasonal opening times before visiting the Borgo Medievale or botanical garden, and stick to well-lit routes after dark.