Sustainable stays in Piedmont's wool capital — gateway to Oasi Zegna, Sacro Monte di Oropa, and the medieval Ricetto di Candelo
Biella sits at the foot of the Biellese Alps in north-western Piedmont, a compact city of around 44,000 people that punches far above its weight in global influence. This is Italy's undisputed textile and wool capital — the birthplace and present-day home of fashion empires including Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Cerruti 1881, and Filatura di Pollone. For centuries, the fast-flowing mountain streams that descend from the Alps above the city have powered mills, fulling houses, and dyeworks, creating a tradition of fabric-making that dates back to the medieval period and continues to define the local economy today. When you wear a fine Italian suit, there is a good chance the cloth was woven somewhere in the valleys above this quiet, elegant city.
The city itself is divided into two distinct halves that together tell the story of Biella's past and present. Biella Piano, the lower town, sprawls across the plain with broad avenues lined with Liberty-style buildings, bustling cafés, the lively Saturday market, and everyday commercial life. Biella Piazzo, the upper town, perches on a rocky promontory above and preserves its medieval street plan virtually intact — cobbled lanes, tall stone houses, quiet piazzas, the Renaissance splendour of Palazzo Ferrero and Palazzo La Marmora, and the atmospheric Piazza Cisterna with its arcaded buildings. The two halves are connected by a historic funicular railway that has been ferrying passengers up and down since 1885, offering panoramic views over the rooftops below and out to the rice paddies of the Vercelli plain.
Beyond the city, Biella serves as the gateway to some of Piedmont's most spectacular natural and cultural landscapes. The UNESCO Sacro Monte di Oropa, set within a vast complex of cloistered courtyards at 1,159 metres above sea level, is one of the most important Marian pilgrimage sites in the Alps and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage serial site "Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy," inscribed in 2003. Nineteen chapels line the mountain path leading to the sanctuary, each containing life-size terracotta figures depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The sanctuary itself houses the venerated Black Madonna, a cedarwood statue believed to date from the early centuries of Christianity.
The Oasi Zegna nature reserve, created in the 1930s by textile magnate Ermenegildo Zegna, covers 100 square kilometres of forested mountains, alpine meadows, and marked trails — including the famous Conca dei Rododendri, where tens of thousands of rhododendrons burst into spectacular bloom each June. Just five kilometres from the city centre, the Ricetto di Candelo stands as one of the best-preserved medieval fortified villages in all of Europe, its 200 stone-and-brick cellars now home to artisan workshops, wine bars, and cultural events throughout the year.
For travellers who want to experience authentic Piedmont without the tourist crowds of the Langhe or Lake Maggiore, Biella offers an intoxicating mix of industrial heritage, medieval architecture, mountain scenery, and world-class gastronomy. The city is home to the Cittadellarte — Fondazione Pistoletto, one of Italy's most important contemporary art centres, founded by the Arte Povera pioneer Michelangelo Pistoletto in a converted textile mill. Even Biella's beer is exceptional — the Menabrea brewery, founded in 1846, is Italy's oldest continuously operating brewery and offers guided tours of its historic cellars. Staying in a sustainable hotel here means your visit actively contributes to protecting these landscapes. With IMPT, every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere while you enjoy the same prices you'd find on Booking.com.
Biella sits in a strategic position that makes it easy to reach from the major transport hubs of north-western Italy, yet the city sees relatively few international tourists — meaning you'll enjoy an authentic Piedmontese experience without fighting through crowds. Whether you arrive by air, train, or car, the journey from any major hub is straightforward and scenic.
By air: The nearest major airport is Turin Caselle (TRN), approximately 90 km south-west of Biella and reachable in about 75 minutes by car via the A4 motorway. Milan Malpensa (MXP) is around 100 km to the south-east and offers a wider range of international connections; the drive takes roughly 90 minutes via the A26 and A4. Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio are also viable options at roughly two hours' drive. From both Turin and Milan airports, you can rent a car or take a bus/train connection via Santhià.
By train: Biella is served by regional rail connections via the Biella–Santhià line. From Turin Porta Nuova, take a regional train to Santhià (about 45 minutes on the Turin–Milan mainline), then change for the local service to Biella San Paolo station — total journey time around 1 hour 20 minutes. From Milan Centrale, the trip takes approximately 2 hours with a change at Novara or Santhià. Trains run roughly every hour during the day. Biella San Paolo station is centrally located in the Piano quarter, within walking distance of most hotels and the funicular.
By car: From Turin, take the A4 motorway eastbound towards Milan and exit at Santhià, then follow the SS230 (Strada Statale 230) northward directly into Biella — about a 50-minute drive in normal traffic. From Milan, head west on the A4 and take the same Santhià exit. The roads around Biella are generally uncongested, and parking in the city centre is straightforward with both free and metered spaces available near Piazza Vittorio Veneto. A rental car is particularly useful for exploring the Panoramica Zegna road, the mountain routes up to Oropa, and the surrounding countryside.
Getting around the city: The historic funicular railway between Biella Piano and Biella Piazzo runs regularly throughout the day and is the most charming way to move between the lower and upper towns — the ride takes just three minutes and delivers sweeping views over the city. The funicular has been in continuous operation since 1885, making it one of the oldest in Italy. Local buses (ATAP Biella) connect the city centre with Oropa, Candelo, and other surrounding towns on regular schedules. For day trips to Oasi Zegna, Lake Viverone, or the Ricetto di Candelo, a car gives you the most flexibility, though cycling is increasingly popular on the quieter valley roads.
Best day trips: Don't miss the drive up to Oasi Zegna via the panoramic SS232 (known as the "Panoramica Zegna"), which winds through chestnut and beech forests with spectacular viewpoints over the Po Valley. The road itself is a monument to Ermenegildo Zegna's vision — he planted hundreds of thousands of rhododendrons and conifers along its route in the 1930s. Lake Viverone, about 20 km south, is a peaceful spot for lakeside walks, swimming, and summer sailing, with trattorie serving fresh lake fish along its shores. The town of Ivrea, 30 km east, is famous for its historic orange-throwing carnival and was recognised by UNESCO as a 20th-century industrial city of exceptional interest. And the vineyards of Lessona and Bramaterra, just south of Biella, produce some of Piedmont's most sought-after Nebbiolo wines — far less known but often as fine as their Barolo cousins.
Biella Piano is the commercial heart of the city, centred around Via Italia and Piazza Vittorio Veneto. This is where you'll find the main shops, restaurants, the Menabrea brewery, and key transport connections including the train station and bus terminal. Hotels in Piano tend to offer modern comforts and are within walking distance of everything. It's the most convenient base for visitors arriving by public transport, and the funicular to Piazzo is just a short walk away. The lower town also hosts the main Saturday market, a lively affair that fills the streets with stalls selling local toma cheeses, salumi, textiles from the mills, and fresh produce from surrounding farms. Evening passeggiata along Via Italia is a quintessential Biella experience.
Perched on its natural terrace above Piano, Biella Piazzo offers an altogether different atmosphere. The narrow cobbled streets, Renaissance palazzi, and the quiet Piazza Cisterna create a genuine sense of stepping back in time. Accommodation here tends to be in smaller B&Bs and boutique guesthouses, often within historic buildings with original stone walls and beamed ceilings. It's the ideal choice for travellers who want atmosphere, quiet evenings, and the pleasure of watching the sun set over the plain below with the distant silhouette of Monte Rosa on the horizon. The upper town is also home to the Museo del Territorio Biellese and several excellent restaurants and wine bars tucked into medieval cellars.
Staying near the Sanctuary of Oropa puts you at 1,159 metres, surrounded by alpine scenery and profound silence. The sanctuary complex itself includes guest accommodation in its historic buildings — pilgrims and visitors have been staying here for centuries. There are also small hotels and mountain refuges in the surrounding area, including options near the Oropa cable car station. This is the perfect base for hikers wanting to explore the trails up to Lago del Mucrone (1,902 m), or for winter visitors interested in the nearby ski slopes. Mornings here are extraordinary — crisp mountain air, the sound of the sanctuary bells echoing off the mountainsides, and views stretching across the entire Po Valley to the distant Apennines.
The Oasi Zegna area, centred around the villages of Trivero and Bielmonte, offers a completely different pace. Accommodation ranges from mountain hotels and agriturismos to rifugi (alpine huts) nestled among beech and chestnut forests. This is where you stay if the outdoors is your primary motivation — over 100 km of marked trails are accessible from your doorstep, the Bosco del Sorriso sensory forest walk is a meditative experience, and in winter the Bielmonte ski area provides gentle slopes and cross-country routes. The Panoramica Zegna road connects Trivero with the rest of the Biellese, making it easy to combine mountain immersion with cultural day trips into the city. Several restaurants in the area serve outstanding mountain cuisine — polenta concia with melted toma cheese, wild game, and foraged mushrooms.
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The Sacro Monte di Oropa is the spiritual and architectural crown jewel of the Biellese Alps. This immense complex of courtyards, churches, and cloistered buildings sits at 1,159 metres above sea level, surrounded by beech forests and mountain peaks. Founded, according to tradition, by Saint Eusebius in the 4th century, it houses the venerated Black Madonna — a cedarwood statue that legend says was carved by Saint Luke. The sanctuary is part of the UNESCO "Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy" serial site, inscribed in 2003. Nineteen sacred chapels line the mountainside, each containing life-size polychrome terracotta figures depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, created by some of Piedmont's finest Baroque artists. The Basilica Superiore, completed in 1960 to designs by Ignazio Galletti, can hold 3,000 worshippers, while the Basilica Antica preserves its original medieval intimacy and the miraculous statue. The cable car from the sanctuary ascends to Lago del Mucrone at 1,902 m. Allow at least half a day.
The ride on Biella's historic funicular railway — in continuous operation since 1885 — is one of the city's essential experiences. In just three minutes you ascend from the bustling Piano to the serene Piazzo, the medieval upper town perched on its rocky terrace. Once there, explore the cobbled streets, admire the Renaissance facades of Palazzo Ferrero (now the civic library) and Palazzo La Marmora (still inhabited by the La Marmora family, with a remarkable private garden), and settle into a café on Piazza Cisterna, the elegant main square ringed by arcaded buildings dating from the 15th to 17th centuries. The views from the edge of the Piazzo terrace stretch across the entire lower city and out to the rice paddies of the Vercelli plain, with the Alps rising behind you.
Biella's textile heritage is celebrated in several museums and cultural spaces. The Cittadellarte — Fondazione Pistoletto, housed in a converted 19th-century textile mill on the Cervo river, was founded by Arte Povera pioneer Michelangelo Pistoletto in 1998. It functions as a laboratory where art, society, and sustainability intersect, hosting exhibitions, residencies, and the annual Arte al Centro festival. The FILA Museum (Fondazione FILA), dedicated to the history of the iconic sportswear brand born in Biella in 1911, traces the evolution of athletic fashion from functional knitwear to global icon. The Museo del Territorio Biellese, housed in a former monastery in the Piazzo, covers the region's history from prehistoric times through the Roman period to the textile revolution that made Biella famous, with an excellent archaeology section and Piedmontese painting collection.
Created in the 1930s by Ermenegildo Zegna, founder of the eponymous fashion house, the Oasi Zegna is a 100-square-kilometre protected area of forests, alpine meadows, and mountain streams in the Biellese Alps above Trivero. The reserve is accessed via the scenic "Panoramica Zegna" road (SS232), which Zegna himself commissioned — he planted hundreds of thousands of conifers and rhododendrons along its 26-kilometre length. Over 100 km of marked trails cater to all levels, from gentle family strolls through the Bosco del Sorriso (Forest of Smiles) sensory walk to challenging alpine hikes ascending to 2,000 m. The star attraction is the Conca dei Rododendri, where tens of thousands of rhododendrons bloom in a spectacular natural amphitheatre of pink, red, and white each late May to early June.
Just five kilometres from Biella, the Ricetto di Candelo is a medieval fortified village unlike almost anything else in Italy — and one of the best-preserved ricetti (communal fortified storehouses) in all of Europe. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, this walled enclosure of roughly 200 stone-and-brick cellars (cellae) was constructed by the local community as a communal storehouse for wine and grain, and as a refuge during times of conflict. The regular grid of narrow lanes, low stone arches, heavy wooden doors, and defensive towers survives virtually intact. Today the Ricetto hosts artisan workshops, a wine enoteca, and seasonal cultural events including the annual "Candelo in Fiore" flower festival and a medieval re-enactment each summer.
Standing beside the cathedral in Piano, the Battistero di Biella (Baptistery of Biella) is one of the oldest surviving religious buildings in Piedmont. Dating from the 11th century, this small, austere Romanesque structure features a circular plan, thick stone walls, and fragments of medieval frescoes inside that offer glimpses of the artistic traditions of early medieval Piedmont. Its simple, powerful architecture — a striking counterpoint to the ornate Baroque cathedral of Santo Stefano next door — speaks to the deep roots of Christianity in the Biellese Alps. Archaeological investigations have revealed that the baptistery was built on even earlier foundations, possibly dating to the 5th or 6th century. Visits can be arranged through the cathedral office.
Housed in the former Convento di San Sebastiano in the Piazzo, this museum traces the history, art, and culture of the Biellese territory from prehistoric times to the modern industrial era. The archaeological section includes finds from Roman-era settlements in the area, Bronze Age artefacts, and Celtic remains. The art gallery features a notable collection of Piedmontese painting from the 15th to 19th centuries. But perhaps the most fascinating section is the one dedicated to the textile industry — documenting how water-powered mills along the Cervo and Sessera rivers transformed a quiet alpine town into one of Europe's great industrial centres. The building itself — a Gothic cloister with a peaceful garden and sweeping views over the Piano — is worth the visit alone.
Biella's Cathedral of Santo Stefano (Duomo) stands in the Piano quarter and dates back to the late Gothic period, though much of the current structure reflects later Baroque renovations commissioned by the Savoy court. Inside, the highlights include a fine 15th-century crucifix, Baroque altarpieces by Piedmontese masters, and an ornate carved choir. The adjacent bell tower, standing at 55 metres, is one of Biella's most recognisable landmarks and visible from across both the Piano and Piazzo. Don't miss the crypt, which preserves fragments of the original Romanesque building and provides a tangible connection to the city's earliest Christian community.
About 20 km south of Biella, Lake Viverone is one of Piedmont's loveliest small lakes — a tranquil, reed-fringed body of water popular with swimmers, sailors, and birdwatchers. The lake is shallow and warms quickly in summer, making it ideal for families. Archaeological evidence suggests that Bronze Age pile-dwelling settlements once stood along its shores, part of the wider UNESCO "Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps" serial site. A gentle path circles the shoreline, and the surrounding area is dotted with small trattorias serving local cheeses and wines from the nearby Erbaluce di Caluso DOC vineyards — one of Piedmont's most distinctive white wines.
Founded in 1846, Birra Menabrea is Italy's oldest continuously operating brewery, and it sits right in the heart of Biella Piano. The brewery's distinctive Art Nouveau building on Via Roma is a landmark in itself. Guided tours take visitors through the historic cellars carved into the rock beneath the brewery, where the original lagering caves maintain a natural constant temperature. The tasting room offers the full range of Menabrea beers, from the flagship lager to seasonal specialties. It's a welcome reminder that Piedmont's artisan traditions extend well beyond wine — and that Biella's pure mountain water is as valued by brewers as it is by wool dyers.
Distance: 12 km one way from Biella Piano · Elevation gain: 740 m · Difficulty: Moderate
The historic pilgrimage path from Biella to the Sanctuary of Oropa has been walked by the faithful for centuries, and today it remains one of the most rewarding walks in the Biellese Alps. The marked trail begins near the Biella Piano railway station and climbs gradually through chestnut and beech woods, past small chapels and wayside shrines, alongside the rushing Oropa stream. As you ascend, the views open out — first over the city below, then across the entire Po Valley. The final approach to the sanctuary, through a broad avenue of ancient trees, is deeply atmospheric. Most walkers take 3–4 hours for the ascent and return by bus. Alternatively, you can drive up and walk only the final section — the Sacro Monte proper — which loops past the 19 UNESCO-listed chapels in about 90 minutes. Each chapel contains remarkable life-size terracotta and fresco scenes by 17th- and 18th-century Piedmontese artists.
Distance: 4.5 km loop · Duration: 1.5–2 hours · Difficulty: Easy
The Bosco del Sorriso (Forest of Smiles) is the Oasi Zegna's signature nature experience and one of the most unusual walks in Piedmont. This gentle loop trail winds through a mixed forest of ancient beech, birch, and fir trees, with eight sensory stations along the route that invite walkers to pause, breathe, listen, and reconnect with the natural world. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing), each station focuses on a different sense or emotion. The trail is fully accessible, with boardwalks and gentle gradients, making it suitable for families with young children and visitors with limited mobility. In late May and June, the surrounding rhododendrons transform the forest edges into a riot of pink and crimson. The Conca dei Rododendri loop (3 km, easy) can be combined for a longer excursion through the most spectacular blooming areas.
Distance: 8 km one way · Duration: 2.5–3 hours · Difficulty: Easy to moderate
This rewarding linear walk connects two of the Biellese's most distinctive sites. Starting from the medieval Ricetto di Candelo, the trail heads south through rolling farmland — rice paddies, vineyards, and small woods — to the Riserva Naturale della Bessa, one of Europe's largest ancient gold-mining sites. The Bessa is a vast, eerily beautiful landscape of rounded river stones left behind by Celtic and Roman gold prospectors who worked the area's alluvial deposits for centuries, piling the discarded stones into enormous mounds called cumuli. Today, a network of paths winds through this strange terrain, which has been gradually colonised by heather, birch, and wild orchids. Interpretive panels explain the geology and history. Return by the same route, or arrange a pickup in the village of Borriana. The walk is mostly flat, with excellent birdwatching along the agricultural sections.
Biella is Italy's textile and wool capital, home to globally renowned fashion houses including Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, and Cerruti 1881. The Biellese textile district has produced fine fabrics since the Middle Ages, and today the area remains one of Europe's most important centres for luxury wool and cashmere production. Beyond textiles, Biella is known for the UNESCO Sacro Monte di Oropa pilgrimage sanctuary, the medieval Ricetto di Candelo (one of Europe's best-preserved fortified villages), the Oasi Zegna nature reserve, and the Cittadellarte — Fondazione Pistoletto contemporary art centre.
Biella is approximately 80 km north of Turin and 100 km from Milan Malpensa Airport. By train, regional services from Turin Porta Nuova take around 1 hour 20 minutes with a change at Santhià on the Turin–Milan mainline. By car, take the A4 motorway and exit at Santhià, then follow the SS230 north to Biella — about 50 minutes in normal traffic. Direct buses also run from both Turin and Milan, and car hire is available at Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa airports.
Yes. The Sacro Monte di Oropa is included as part of the UNESCO serial site "Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy," inscribed in 2003. The sanctuary complex, located at 1,159 metres in the mountains above Biella, is one of the most important Marian shrines in the Alps and houses the venerated Black Madonna statue. The 19 sacred chapels of the Sacro Monte contain remarkable life-size terracotta figures depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
The Ricetto di Candelo is one of the best-preserved medieval fortified villages in Europe, located just 5 km from Biella. Built in the 13th and 14th centuries, this walled complex of roughly 200 stone and brick cellars (cellae) was originally used by the community to store wine, grain, and other provisions, and as a refuge during wars and raids. Its remarkably intact medieval street grid survives virtually unchanged. Today it hosts cultural events, artisan workshops, and wine tastings throughout the year, including the annual "Candelo in Fiore" flower festival.
The area around Biella offers outstanding outdoor activities year-round. The Oasi Zegna nature reserve has over 100 km of marked trails, including the Bosco del Sorriso sensory forest walk and the spectacular Conca dei Rododendri rhododendron trail. A cable car from the Sanctuary of Oropa takes you to Lago del Mucrone at 1,902 metres for alpine hiking, with the option to summit Monte Mucrone (2,335 m). Lake Viverone, 20 km south, provides summer swimming, sailing, and lakeside cycling. In winter, the Bielmonte ski area in the Oasi Zegna has slopes for beginners and intermediates, plus cross-country skiing trails through the forests.