Basilica di Superga

This hilltop Baroque basilica sits 672 meters above Turin, designed by master architect Filippo Juvarra in the 1710s as the Savoy royal family's mausoleum. You'll explore the ornate church interior with its soaring dome, then descend to the crypts where Italian royalty lies buried in marble sarcophagi. The real draw is the panoramic terrace: on clear days you can see the entire Alps arc from Monte Rosa to the Maritime Alps, with Turin's grid spread out below like a map.

The historic rack tramway from Sassi takes 20 minutes, climbing through vineyards and forests while the city shrinks behind you. Inside the basilica, the atmosphere shifts from tourist chatter to reverent quiet as you enter the royal tombs. Behind the building, a simple memorial plaque marks where the Grande Torino football team died in 1949 when their plane crashed into the hillside. The contrast between the opulent royal burial chambers and this modest sports memorial feels uniquely Italian.

Most visitors rush through the basilica in 30 minutes, but you need at least two hours to appreciate both the architecture and views properly. The tram costs €4 each way, though driving up saves money if you're in a group. Skip the overpriced cafe on site and bring snacks. The basilica interior closes for Mass on Sunday mornings, but the views remain accessible. Weather makes or breaks this trip: on hazy days you'll see nothing but gray soup where the Alps should be.