Reggia di Venaria Reale

The "Versailles of Piedmont"

The Reggia di Venaria Reale, around ten kilometres north-west of Turin, is one of Europe's largest royal residences and the most spectacular excursion destination near the city. Built from 1660 as a hunting lodge ("Venaria" from Venatio Regia, royal hunt) for the House of Savoy, it was expanded in the 18th century by Filippo Juvarra into a monumental Baroque complex. Like the other Savoy residences – including the Palazzo Reale in the city centre – it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. After decades of decline, the Reggia was restored in one of Europe's largest restoration projects and reopened in 2007.

Galleria Grande, Sant'Uberto and the gardens

The centrepiece is the Galleria Grande, a long, light-filled hall with stucco decoration and huge windows – one of the finest Baroque halls in Europe. Alongside it stand the magnificent court church of Sant'Uberto and the historic stables (Scuderie Juvarriane), now used as exhibition space.

Above all, though, it's the restored gardens that make Venaria so special. They're divided into several areas:

• the Gran Parterre, with its central axis and canal
• the Upper Park and Lower Park, with flower and rose gardens
• the Potager Royal, at around ten hectares the largest vegetable and fruit garden in Italy

Altogether the grounds cover several dozen hectares; fountains and contemporary sculptures are dotted among the Baroque axes.

Rotating exhibitions and the Castello della Mandria

Venaria isn't a static museum but a venue with an ever-changing programme. In 2026, highlights include the costume exhibition "Regine in scena. L'arte del costume italiano tra cinema e teatro" (17 April to 6 September), "Milo Manara. Il nome della rosa" (from 3 June), and the autumn show announced as "Les Modernes. Da Matisse a Bacon". Current exhibitions are included in the Reggia ticket – it's worth checking the official website for up-to-date dates.

The site also includes the Castello della Mandria in the surrounding park, a separately ticketed hunting and residential estate with preserved royal apartments. Visitors staying for the full day can combine the Reggia, the gardens and the Mandria.

Visiting and practical information

The Reggia and its exhibitions are open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 17:00, and at weekends and on public holidays until 18:30; the gardens are open Tuesday to Sunday until 19:30. Closed on Mondays (except public holidays), with ticket offices closing one hour before closing time. The "All in a Palace" combined ticket for the palace, gardens and current exhibitions costs €25 (reduced €20 for groups, €10 for ages 6 to 21 and students under 26, €6 for school groups, €55 for a family), gardens only €6, and the Castello della Mandria €10. Tickets are available on site and through the official online shop lavenaria.museitorino.it; group and guided tour bookings go through the reservation centre. The Reggia and exhibition rooms are wheelchair accessible, and in the gardens the Gran Parterre and sculpture garden are accessible too; manual wheelchairs are available free of charge.

Since the palace, gardens and park are extensive, allow half a day to a full day and wear comfortable shoes. The gardens are at their best in spring and summer. The easiest way to get there is the Venaria Express (GTT line 3990 "VEX"), which runs Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from the city centre via Piazza Castello and Porta Susa to the Reggia; at weekends a hop-on-hop-off day ticket costs €7 (€4 with the Torino+Piemonte Card). By car it takes around 25 minutes. For more ideas beyond the city, see the day trips guide.