Sustainable stays beneath the tallest dome in Piedmont — gateway to Italy's rice country and the Italian Lakes
Novara is one of those Italian cities that rewards the traveller who ventures beyond the obvious. Sitting on the western edge of Lombardy's gravitational pull, just 50 kilometres from Milan and 100 from Turin, this proud Piedmontese city has been quietly accumulating centuries of art, architecture, and culinary tradition — all without the crowds that plague its larger neighbours. As Piedmont's second-largest city after Turin, Novara carries real urban substance while retaining the intimacy that makes Italian provincial capitals so appealing.
The first thing you notice about Novara is the dome. Alessandro Antonelli's extraordinary cupola atop the Basilica di San Gaudenzio soars 121 metres into the Piedmontese sky — taller than the dome of St Peter's in Rome — making it one of the tallest brick structures ever built and an engineering marvel that still astonishes visitors today. Antonelli, the same architect who gave Turin its famous Mole Antonelliana, spent decades perfecting this gravity-defying creation, completing a structure that seems to defy the physical limits of brickwork. You can climb inside the dome on guided tours, ascending through the layered brick structure to reach viewing platforms that reveal a panorama stretching from the Alps to the Po Valley, with the shimmering expanses of rice paddies laid out below like an enormous patchwork quilt.
Those rice paddies are the other defining feature of Novara. The province produces more rice than any other in Europe — the vast plain between Novara and Vercelli is the largest rice-growing area on the continent, earning the city its rightful title as Italy's rice capital. In spring, when the fields flood with water, the flat landscape transforms into an extraordinary mirror world: thousands of hectares reflecting sky and clouds in a scene that photographers travel from across Europe to capture. This agricultural heritage feeds directly into the local kitchen, where paniscia novarese, a hearty risotto made with borlotti beans, salami d'la duja, and Barbera wine, is the iconic dish that every visitor must try.
Novara's roots reach back to the Romans, who founded the settlement as Novaria along the route between Vercelli and Milan. Layers of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance history remain embedded in the city fabric — from the Broletto courtyard complex, an ensemble of four historic buildings spanning different centuries, to the Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco, which anchors the western edge of the old town. The Baptistery next to the cathedral is a remarkable Romanesque structure from the 11th century, its interior preserving medieval frescoes that rank among the most important examples of Romanesque art in Piedmont. The compact historic centre is easily walkable, with handsome arcaded streets, elegant piazzas, and the surprise of a proper opera house — the Teatro Coccia, which has staged performances since 1779 and remains one of Piedmont's finest theatres.
Perhaps Novara's greatest hidden advantage is its position as a gateway to the Italian Lakes and wider Piedmont. Lake Orta — smaller, quieter, and arguably more beautiful than its famous neighbours — lies just 40 kilometres to the north-west, while Lake Maggiore and the elegant resort of Stresa are barely 50 kilometres away. Staying in Novara puts you within easy reach of these treasures, plus the wine lands of the Colline Novaresi and the Ghemme DOCG zone, while keeping you rooted in an authentic, affordable, and uncrowded Italian city where rice paddies stretch to the horizon and the dome of San Gaudenzio catches the last light of every Piedmontese sunset.
Novara's strategic position in north-western Italy makes it exceptionally easy to reach, and its compact size means you can explore deeply without rushing. The city sits at a crossroads of major transport routes, making it both a rewarding destination in its own right and an ideal base for exploring the wider region.
By train: Direct Trenord regional trains depart frequently from Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi, covering the 50-kilometre journey in approximately 30–40 minutes. From Turin, trains on the Turin–Milan main line reach Novara in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Novara also sits on the high-speed line between Milan and Turin, though most high-speed services pass through without stopping — the regional connections are frequent and affordable. Milan Malpensa airport is the closest international gateway at just 40 kilometres, reachable via the Malpensa Express to Busto Arsizio and a short connecting train, or by taxi or rental car along the A4/A26 motorway network.
By car: The A4 motorway (Turin–Milan) passes just south of Novara, with dedicated exits for the city. The A26 motorway connects Novara to Malpensa airport and the lakes region to the north. If you're driving from further afield, Novara's position between two of Italy's most important motorway corridors makes it straightforward to reach from anywhere in northern Italy.
Once in Novara, the compact historic centre is best explored on foot. The main sights — the Basilica di San Gaudenzio, the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Broletto, and the Castello — all sit within a comfortable 20-minute walking radius. The city's flat terrain and well-maintained pavements make strolling a pleasure, and the arcaded streets of the centre provide shelter from both rain and summer sun. If you want to venture further, local buses connect the city centre with outlying areas, though most visitors find that the old town and its immediate surroundings provide more than enough to fill several days.
For day trips, Novara is perfectly placed. Lago d'Orta is just 40 kilometres to the north-west, reachable by car in about 40 minutes or by train to Orta-Miasino station. This intimate lake, centred on the medieval village of Orta San Giulio and its island monastery, is one of northern Italy's most enchanting spots. Lake Maggiore and the grand hotels of Stresa are approximately 50 kilometres north. To the west, the town of Vercelli — another rice capital with its own impressive basilica — makes for a rewarding half-day excursion at just 25 kilometres away. And consider exploring the rice paddies of the Vercelli plain by bicycle: several rental shops in Novara offer bikes, and flat cycling routes thread through the flooded fields, passing centuries-old cascine (farmhouses) and irrigation channels that date back to the monks of the Middle Ages.
For the best experience, plan your visit around the seasons. Spring brings the spectacular flooding of the rice paddies and mild temperatures perfect for walking. Summer can be warm but the proximity to the lakes offers easy escapes. Autumn is harvest time, when the rice fields turn golden and the local food festivals kick into gear. Even winter has its charm, with the Fiera di San Gaudenzio — a beloved fair held around the patron saint's feast day in late January — filling the streets with stalls, food, and celebration.
The beating heart of Novara, centred on the spacious Piazza della Repubblica with its arcaded buildings and café terraces. Staying here puts you steps from the Broletto courtyard, the Duomo and Baptistery, and the city's best restaurants and bars. The area is pedestrian-friendly, atmospheric in the evening, and ideal for those who want to absorb Novara's daily rhythm without relying on transport. Hotels in this zone tend to be smaller boutique properties and B&Bs set within renovated historic buildings, with many offering views of the cathedral's neoclassical façade.
The neighbourhood surrounding the Basilica di San Gaudenzio is quieter and more residential than the centro storico, yet still thoroughly central. Waking up to views of Antonelli's towering dome from your window is a privilege that never fades. This area offers a mix of mid-range hotels and guesthouses, with easy access to Corso Cavour — one of the main shopping streets — and the Galleria Giannoni art collection. It's particularly appealing for architecture enthusiasts and those who prefer a slightly calmer base while remaining within five minutes' walk of everything.
The streets radiating from Novara's train station along Viale Roma encompass the university zone, home to the Università del Piemonte Orientale's Novara campus. This area offers practical accommodation for travellers arriving by rail or planning regular day trips to Milan, Turin, or the lakes. The walk into the old town takes about 10 minutes along pleasant tree-lined avenues. You'll find reliable mid-range and chain hotels here, plus a livelier evening scene thanks to the student population, with affordable trattorias and aperitivo bars that locals prefer over the tourist-facing spots in the centre.
For travellers with a car who want to combine Novara's cultural offerings with the natural beauty of the lake district, accommodation on the northern outskirts and toward Lago d'Orta (approximately 40 km) offers the best of both worlds. Agriturismo farmstays in the rice-growing countryside surrounding the city provide tranquillity, authentic home-cooked Piedmontese cuisine, and the chance to wake up surrounded by the vast, flat landscape of the risaie. Some offer cycling tours through the paddies and farm-to-table cooking classes featuring locally grown rice varieties.
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The undisputed icon of Novara. Alessandro Antonelli began building his extraordinary dome in 1844, and it took decades to complete — a brick masterwork rising 121 metres that remains one of the tallest structures of its kind in the world, taller even than the dome of St Peter's in Rome. The basilica itself houses important works of art, including paintings by Gaudenzio Ferrari and Tanzio da Varallo. Guided tours take visitors inside the dome structure, climbing through the concentric layers of brickwork to reach viewpoints that offer staggering panoramas of the city, the rice plains, and the Alpine horizon. On exceptionally clear days, you can pick out Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn against the sky.
Adjacent to the cathedral on Piazza della Repubblica, Novara's Baptistery is a remarkable Romanesque octagonal building dating to the 5th century with significant 11th-century renovations. Step inside to discover fragments of medieval frescoes depicting scenes from the Apocalypse and the Last Judgement — among the most important surviving examples of Romanesque painting in Piedmont. The building's austere brick exterior and elegant proportions make it a quiet masterpiece that rewards careful attention, a world away from the crowds at more famous baptisteries in Florence or Pisa.
The Broletto is a unique architectural ensemble of four buildings from different centuries arranged around a central courtyard: the Palazzo dell'Arengo (13th century), the Palazzo dei Paratici, the Palazzo del Podestà, and the Palazzo dei Referendari. Once the centre of civic and commercial life, the courtyard now hosts exhibitions and cultural events. The blend of Romanesque brick arches, Gothic windows, and Renaissance details makes it a living textbook of Novara's architectural evolution spanning over five centuries.
Housed within historic buildings in the city centre, the Museo Novarese brings together archaeological finds from the Roman settlement of Novaria alongside medieval and Renaissance art from the city's churches and private collections. The archaeological section includes mosaics, inscriptions, and everyday objects that illuminate daily life in Roman Novara, while the art collection features works by local masters alongside pieces that trace Novara's artistic connections to Milan and wider Lombardy.
One of the oldest opera houses in Piedmont, the Teatro Coccia has been staging performances since 1779. The current building dates from 1888, rebuilt in an elegant Italian style with a beautifully restored auditorium that seats over 900. The theatre hosts a full season of opera, ballet, classical music, and contemporary performances, serving as a reminder that even smaller Italian cities sustain rich performing arts traditions. Check the programme — catching an opera in this jewel-box theatre is an unforgettable Novara experience.
At the western edge of the old town, this castle traces its origins to the Visconti rulers of Milan and was later expanded by the Sforza dynasty in the 15th century. The fortress served military purposes for centuries — its sturdy brick walls and corner towers still convey medieval power. Today it houses cultural spaces, exhibition halls, and a pleasant park surrounds the perimeter, making it a favourite spot for locals' evening passeggiata.
The flat agricultural plain surrounding Novara is one of the largest rice-growing areas in Europe. From April to June, the flooded paddies create an almost surreal landscape — vast sheets of water reflecting sky and clouds, punctuated by the straight lines of irrigation channels and the dark forms of ancient farmhouses. Exploring the risaie by bicycle or car is a quintessentially Novarese experience. Several routes are signposted, and some agriturismi offer guided tours explaining the centuries-old cultivation traditions that made this region the rice bowl of Italy.
Just 40 kilometres north-west of Novara, Lago d'Orta is one of Italy's most romantic and unspoiled lakes. The medieval village of Orta San Giulio tumbles picturesquely down to the waterfront, from where boats cross to the tiny Isola San Giulio — home to a Romanesque basilica and a Benedictine monastery. Above the village, the Sacro Monte d'Orta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features 20 chapels with Renaissance frescoes and terracotta statues depicting the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. This is an unmissable day trip from Novara that combines lake scenery, medieval architecture, and sacred art in a single unforgettable outing.
Begin at Piazza della Repubblica and the Duomo, admiring Antonelli's neoclassical façade and stepping inside the ancient Baptistery to see the 11th-century frescoes. Cross to the Broletto courtyard, exploring its four interlocking buildings and the atmospheric medieval arcade. Continue south along Corso Italia to the Basilica di San Gaudenzio — spend time inside, and if tours are running, climb the dome. Then head west along Via Fratelli Rosselli to the Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco and its park. Return east through the shopping streets of Corso Cavour and Via Negroni, completing the loop back at Piazza della Repubblica. This 3-kilometre route touches every major landmark in Novara's compact centre. Allow 1.5–2 hours including brief museum stops, or a full half-day if you climb the dome and explore the Broletto galleries.
For a greener escape within the city, start at the Parco dei Bambini, a pleasant public park south-east of the centre with shaded paths and playgrounds. Walk north-west along the Allea, a tree-lined promenade that follows the trace of Novara's former city walls, offering views across residential quarters with their liberty-style villas and small neighbourhood churches. The flat terrain makes this an easy 4-kilometre round trip suitable for all fitness levels, and benches along the way invite you to pause and watch daily Novarese life unfold. It's particularly lovely in autumn when the chestnut trees turn golden, or on warm evenings when locals come out for their evening stroll.
A 40-minute drive from Novara brings you to Orta San Giulio, where one of the most beautiful lakeside walks in Italy awaits. Begin at Piazza Motta, the village's main square right on the water, and walk south along the lakeshore path toward the Sacro Monte d'Orta, climbing gently through chestnut woods past the 20 devotional chapels. The views across the lake to the Isola San Giulio and the mountains beyond are spectacular. Descend back to the village, take a boat to the island to visit the basilica, then reward yourself with a gelato on Piazza Motta. Total walking distance: approximately 4 km, with some uphill sections on the Sacro Monte. Combined with the boat trip, this is a full-day excursion that ranks among the finest lake walks in northern Italy.
Spring (April–May) is spectacular when the rice paddies flood, creating mirror-like reflections across the plains. Autumn (September–October) brings harvest festivals and mild weather ideal for exploring. The Fiera di San Gaudenzio in late January is a beloved local tradition worth timing your visit around. Summer (June–August) is warmer but offers easy escapes to the nearby lakes.
Novara is just 50 km west of Milan. Direct Trenord regional trains from Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi reach Novara station in approximately 30–40 minutes, with departures every 20–30 minutes throughout the day. Milan Malpensa airport is only 40 km away, with bus and train connections to Novara. By car, take the A4 motorway west from Milan — the journey takes about 45 minutes.
Absolutely. Novara boasts one of the tallest domes in the world — the 121-metre Antonelli dome atop the Basilica di San Gaudenzio — plus a medieval Broletto courtyard, an 11th-century Baptistery with remarkable Romanesque frescoes, and an elegant 19th-century opera house. The city serves as a gateway to Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, and sits at the heart of Italy's rice-growing region, offering exceptional Piedmontese cuisine including the iconic paniscia novarese.
Novara is the rice capital of Italy. The signature dish is paniscia novarese, a rich risotto made with borlotti beans, salami d'la duja, Barbera wine, and seasonal vegetables. The city is near the birthplace of gorgonzola cheese, and biscottini di Novara — light, airy biscuits first made in 1560 — are a centuries-old local specialty. Local wines include Ghemme DOCG and Colline Novaresi DOC, both made primarily from the Nebbiolo grape.
Yes. The Basilica di San Gaudenzio offers guided tours that take you inside the dome structure designed by Alessandro Antonelli. The climb takes you through the layered brickwork to viewing platforms that reward visitors with extraordinary views across Novara, the Piedmont plains, the rice paddies, and on clear days, the entire arc of the Alps including Monte Rosa. Tours are typically available on weekends and by appointment; check with the basilica or the Novara tourist office for current schedules.
Dive deeper into planning your Novara trip with our detailed guides:
Season-by-season guide covering rice paddy flooding, harvest festivals, the Fiera di San Gaudenzio, and ideal weather windows for your trip.
From paniscia novarese to gorgonzola, biscottini di Novara, Ghemme DOCG wine, and tapulone — the essential guide to eating in Italy's rice capital.
Complete guide to Novara's top attractions: the Antonelli dome climb, Romanesque Baptistery, Broletto courtyard, Teatro Coccia, and Lake Orta day trips.