Via Po is one of Turin’s most distinctive streets, linking Piazza Castello with Piazza Vittorio Veneto near the River Po. Its long arcades, Baroque façades and café-lined pavements make it feel like a neighbourhood as much as a route through the city. Walk its length and you’ll move from the monumental royal centre toward the river and the hill beyond.
Laid out in the 17th century as Turin expanded under the House of Savoy, Via Po reflects the orderly grandeur of the former royal capital. The University of Turin’s historic buildings bring students into the area, while the nearby Mole Antonelliana houses the National Cinema Museum. Bookshops, cafés and old-fashioned stores add to the street’s intellectual and slightly bohemian character.
The pleasure here is in taking your time: browse books and prints beneath the porticoes, stop for a bicerin—the local coffee and chocolate drink topped with cream—or settle in for an aperitivo. At the eastern end, Piazza Vittorio Veneto opens toward the river and the Gran Madre church on the opposite bank. Side streets offer more places to eat, drink and explore away from the main thoroughfare.
Visit in late morning for shopping or early evening for aperitivo; Sunday is quieter, but some shops close. Via Po is easily explored on foot from Piazza Castello and is about a 20-minute walk from Porta Nuova station. The stone paving under the arcades can be uneven, and the area gets lively on weekend evenings during university term time.