Carlo Reale - Revealing the secrets of Turin

In Turin, where baroque palaces meet tree-lined boulevards, Carlo Reale has spent the past 14 years turning his hometown into a living storybook for visitors from around the world. A former Classical Philology student who once dreamed in Latin and Greek, he found his true calling guiding travelers through a city he knows by heart—one espresso at a time. From hidden royal treasures to the city’s evolving LGBTQ+ scene ahead of EuroPride 2027, Carlo reveals why Turin is Italy’s most elegant surprise.

GWF: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where are you from and how you became a guide in Turin?

Sure, I'm Carlo Reale from the very beautiful Turin, the baroque gem of north Italy. I've been working as an official tour guide here for 14 years now, so much time has passed since I got my licence, and I absolutely love my job. It was actually my mum's idea. She worked as a high school teacher by the time I was still studying Classical Philology at University, and she had taken her pupils on a school trip to Sicily. When she came back she was so enthusiastic about the tour guide they had there, that she suggested that I become a guide myself. I was a little reluctant at the beginning, but then I embraced the adventure and I finally got my licence after a very hard exam I had to pass. And so the story goes...

GWF: What does a typical day look like for you as a guide?

Oh wow, that's an interesting question... the fact is that I have no typical days! Every day is so different, every tour and every connection with the people I meet is so unique, also timings can be constantly changing and they can challenge every single detail of the working day. I must expect the unexpected. On a side note there's just one thing that every working day has in common: waking up in the morning at 07.15 am, drinking at least 4 coffees (yeah I know, they're a lot...), then starting to understand where I have to be, what time, and who with... that's the beginning, the rest can be always very surprising!

“…like in a movie scene, Turin is the perfect frame and setting”

GWF:What made you fall in love with this city?

I love Turin, I deeply love this place. I was born and raised here, altho I lived a couple of years in Madrid, where I've learnt Spanish. But Turin is where my heart finds peace, the city I call my home, where my family, friends and my love is. I love the surprise effect that Turin's squares give me everytime. There's so many and they are all different with different vibes. I know every single brick of them, but still I fall in love all of a sudden as if I was watching them for the first time, everytime the sun hits their corners at sunset, or when somebody's playing music in the streets. When I bump into a friend while minding my own business, like in a movie scene, Turin is the perfect frame and setting.

GWF: How would you describe the atmosphere of the city compared to other Italian destinations?

Turin is very elegant, very symmetric, and still very authentic. Maybe less "Italian" and more "European". We're known for being quite formal and detached, and Turin actually reflects this, as if you were invited in a house you don't know, when you come into town. But then, the majesty of baroque opens up, and you feel like the main guest of an elegant party. People expect the typical Italian landscape here, with medieval towers and narrow streets, forget about that. Here the streets are large avenues full of trees and arches you can walk below in every season of the year.

“Turin is absolutely safe for LGBTQ+ travelers”

GWF: What do visitors usually find most surprising about Turin?

I think Turin has gained all along the 20th century the fame of being an industrial city, quite miserable and grey. After the Olympics we hosted in 2006, all that industrial "dust" was removed and we ourselves understood the beauty underneath. We were surprised at first, and now we're ready to surprise the rest of the world.

GWF: How would you describe Turin’s LGBTQ+ scene for international visitors?

Turin is absolutely safe for LGBTQ+ travelers, and the parties take place mostly during the weekends. But still there's a few friendly cocktail bars and clubs open all week long. And by the way... we're hosting the Europride next year in 2027!

GWF: Are there specific neighborhoods, bars, or cultural spaces you’d recommend to gay travelers?

To be honest with you, Turin doesn't really have a gay area. Gay bars can be found all over the city, especially in San Salvario, and Vanchiglia.

GWF:If someone has only 48 hours in Turin, what should they absolutely not miss?

A private tour with me, of course! ;) Joking! Walking around the city centre, indulging in the wonderful historical cafés, having a stroll beside the Po river in the Valentino Park. And also, if you have a car, you can enjoy the amazing hills of the wine region called Langhe, only 45 minutes driving from Turin, and taste very intense red wine.

GWF: What’s one hidden gem in the city that most tourists don’t know about?

The Royal Palace. A must see for me, including the Royal Armoury and the Chapel of the Shroud. But a special place in my heart is for the Lavazza Coffee Museum.

GWF: If you could pack your bags tomorrow and become a guide anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Definitely Greece. I studied Latin and Greek at high school and also at University. Actually, I used to be a Latin and Greek teacher, before deciding to focus on my freelance tour guide job. So, if I had to choose any other destination where I'd love to work is where all my classical philologist background lays and comes from, to spread the love I have for Greek ancient culture and history.