Experience in Torino, Italy by Claudia

What is it like to live in Torino? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Torino has positive and negative aspects. It is a very cultural city, the architecture is very original, there are a lot of students and in the weekends in the downtown, it's very nice to have a walk around. It's not really a city for partying, but there are several discos and on Friday/Saturday night the most important square, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, becomes a place where you can have a lot of fun, drinking and shouting with your friends. On the other side, Torino is a very chaotic city, there are neighbourhoods that are very dangerous, but fortunately, they are far from the city centre and the residential districts. Since I'm Dutch, I would recommend this city because I felt good from the 1st day in Torino, but be sure where you'll stay during your Erasmus, not too far from the center.

What is the student lifestyle like in Torino?

Student lifestyle in Torino, to be sincere, doesn't give you a lot of benefits. You don't have discounts or particular help from the city. But it is a 'young' city, it means that you'll find a lot of students like you, on Erasmus or not. During the weekend you can be sure that you will relax and enjoy the city in the several parks along the Po river. There are also a lot of places where you can have fun during winter, so as bowling, karts, cinemas, pools.

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How much does it cost to live in Torino?

It depends where you go, but it's recommended to not buy anything like drinks or food in the downtown, it costs very much (a bottle of water 500 ml 2, 20€! ). But generally you'll find affordable prices. If you'll need a bus ticket, you'll spend 1'70€ for 90 minutes. If you want to go to eat a pizza with your friends, you'll spend ca. 10€. The nightlife is quite expensive, in some places you can find cocktail at 10€, but when you'll start to know the city you'll find them at 4€.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Torino? Is there any advice you can give?

It's not so difficult to find a cheap accommodation. But if you are searching for student houses, they are very difficult to find. Like I said before, you have to be very careful where you'll find an accommodation, be sure they aren't in Barriera di Milano district, near the train station Porta Nuova or in Lingotto district.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is very good. We all know that the Italian kitchen is one of the best in the world. You will find a lot of places where you'll find the typical Italian dishes, and also the typical Piemontese dishes.

My favourite dishes are Insalata Caprese, generally pasta, pizza, Italian steaks.

What places would you recommend visiting in Torino?

Of course, you have to visit the downtown, it's very nice and interesting. There is also the Mole Antonelliana, the structure that characterizes Torino, which contains Museo del Cinema and an elevator that can bring you to the top of the structure. The parks are very nice, you can play Frisbee, football, volleyball because there are a lot of open spaces especially in the Parco del Valentino. From any place in Torino, you'll see a hill with a church on the top, it's called Superga and it's not near the city centre, but if you have the possibility you should go there. There is an incredible view of Torino, especially at night. It's also the perfect place to bring a girl for the 1st appointment.

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Is it good to eat out in Torino? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

There are a lot of affordable pizzerias, places where you can have the typical Italian wraps. There are some bars that have students menu, it means that 4€ you can have a drink and one warm meal. I have to give an advice: there is a place near Piazza Vittorio Veneto, called La Mangiatoia, where you can have a 50cm sandwich for 4-6€. You have also to try La Piadineria, where you'll eat typical Italian wraps. Of course, you'll find also fast foods like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and Subway (last one very difficult to find).

Is the nightlife good in Torino? Where is good to go?

The nightlife is nice in Torino, there are a lot of discos, not near to the city centre, but at 10€ of a taxi. In Piazza Vittorio Veneto there a lot of pubs where you can drink. There is also another district called Quadrilatero, still in the downtown, and it's the best place to go if you want many streets full of pubs and lots of people until 4 am. You can also find places where you can smoke shisha.

What advice would you give future students heading to Torino?

Just have fun, meet a lot of people and eat Italian food!

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