Piazza Castello, Turin

This is one of Turin's main squares and holds reminders of the city's long and continuing history, from a Roman gate to a modern skyscraper. It is almost entirely surrounded by historic and interesting buildings including the Palazzo Madama, Royal Palace, Regio Theatre, Galleria Subalpina, Church of San Lorenzo, Royal Library which contains works by da Vinci, and the State Archives in Piazzetta Mollino. You can take a break under the porticos to go shopping or to relax in one of the many cafes. Come winter, there is an open-air ice rink and in the summer, colorful flowerbeds.