Eco-Friendly Hotels in Vercelli — Stay Sustainably in Italy’s Rice Capital
Discover Vercelli, a historic Piedmontese city surrounded by shimmering rice paddies. Book eco-conscious hotels, earn 5% IMPT cashback, and remove 1 tonne of CO₂ — all at the same price as other booking platforms.
Why Stay in Vercelli?
Vercelli is one of Piedmont's best-kept secrets — a city where medieval grandeur meets agricultural abundance, and where you can walk streets largely untouched by mass tourism. Founded as the Roman settlement of Vercellae in the 1st century BC, Vercelli has been a crossroads of trade, faith, and culture for over two millennia. Today it offers visitors an authentic northern Italian experience without the crowds, queues, or inflated prices of more famous destinations.
The city sits at the heart of the largest rice-producing region in Europe. From spring to early autumn, the surrounding countryside transforms into a mesmerising patchwork of flooded paddies that mirror the sky and the Alpine foothills beyond. This is the landscape that produces Italy's finest risotto rice — Carnaroli, Arborio, and Vialone Nano — and it shapes everything from the local cuisine to the rhythm of life in the city itself.
But Vercelli is far more than rice. Its architectural heritage is extraordinary. The Basilica di Sant'Andrea, a masterpiece of early Gothic architecture completed in 1227, was the first Gothic church in Piedmont and remains one of northern Italy's most important medieval buildings. Its fusion of Cistercian Gothic with Lombard Romanesque detail, soaring interior vaulting, and elaborate sculptural programme makes it a destination in its own right. Nearby, the soaring Torre dell'Angelo and Torre di Città speak to Vercelli's powerful medieval commune, while the Renaissance elegance of Piazza Cavour — framed by porticoed arcades and the neoclassical façade of the Palazzo Comunale — is one of Piedmont's loveliest civic squares.
For culture lovers, the Museo Borgogna houses one of Italy's finest regional art collections, with works by Titian, Gaudenzio Ferrari, and Sodoma displayed in a handsome 19th-century palazzo. The Synagogue of Vercelli, completed in 1898, is a jewel of Moorish Revival architecture and a testament to the city's once-thriving Jewish community. And for pilgrims and walkers, Vercelli is a key stop on the Via Francigena, the ancient route from Canterbury to Rome — a fact that brings a steady stream of travellers through its medieval streets each year.
Staying in Vercelli also means strategic access to the wider wonders of Piedmont. Milan is under an hour away by train. Turin, with its baroque squares and world-class Egyptian Museum, is even closer. The Barolo and Barbaresco wine country begins just south of the city. Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, and the Alpine valleys of the Val Sesia are all easy day trips. Yet at the end of the day, you return to a city where hotel prices are refreshingly reasonable and dinner means a perfectly executed risotto made from rice harvested that very morning.
Vercelli at a Glance
Getting the Most From Your Stay
To experience Vercelli at its best, start in the historic centre. The city's medieval core is compact and entirely walkable — you can cross from the Basilica di Sant'Andrea to the rail station in about 20 minutes on foot. Begin at Piazza Cavour, the natural heart of the city, where locals gather under the arcades for morning coffee and evening aperitivo. The square is lined with elegant cafés and pastry shops; grab a bicciolano — the local spiced biscuit — and a cappuccino and watch the city wake up around you.
From the piazza, it's a short walk down Via Verdi to the Basilica di Sant'Andrea. Try to visit in the morning when sunlight pours through the great rose window and illuminates the Lombard brickwork in shades of terracotta and gold. The adjacent cloister, with its quiet garden and medieval well, offers a moment of stillness that feels centuries removed from the modern world. Climb the Torre dell'Angelo if it's open — the view across the red-tiled rooftops to the rice plains and the distant Alps is one of Piedmont's great panoramas.
Food in Vercelli is a serious affair, and rice is the undisputed protagonist. Book a table at a traditional trattoria and order panissa — a dense, savoury risotto cake made with Borlotti beans and salami, sliced and served warm. Follow it with a classic risotto alla Milanese, here made even better by rice that may have travelled less than five kilometres from paddy to plate. If you're feeling adventurous, try rane fritte — fried frogs, a Vercelli specialty that dates back centuries and remains a point of local pride. The frogs are sourced from the rice paddies themselves, where they thrive in the flooded fields.
Timing matters. Spring (April to June) is magical: the paddies are flooded, creating vast reflecting pools that catch the changing sky, and the countryside is intensely green. Autumn brings the harvest and a calendar of sagre (food festivals) celebrating rice, truffles, and wine. Summer can be hot and humid — Vercelli is on a plain and the paddies raise humidity levels — so plan outdoor exploration for mornings and evenings. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, with fog draping the medieval towers and the scent of woodsmoke in the air. Hotel rates drop significantly in the colder months, making it a compelling off-season option for budget-conscious travellers.
Where to Stay in Vercelli
Vercelli's compact size means location matters more for atmosphere than distance — wherever you stay, you'll be within a 15-minute walk of the centre. Here are the main areas to consider:
Centro Storico (Historic Centre)
The medieval core around Via Verdi and Piazza Cavour. Narrow cobbled lanes, Roman foundations, and the hum of café life. Staying here puts you steps from the Basilica, the best restaurants, and the evening passeggiata. Boutique B&Bs like B&B Il Vicolo occupy centuries-old buildings with original stone walls and beamed ceilings. This is the area for atmosphere and authenticity.
Stazione Area (Near the Railway Station)
Practical, well-connected, and slightly more affordable. The area around Piazza Roma and Corso della Libertà offers easy access for those arriving by train or planning day trips to Milan, Turin, or Novara. Hotels like Hotel Garibaldi and Hotel Matteotti sit here, providing solid 3-star comfort at excellent rates. The walk to the historic centre takes about 10 minutes along tree-lined streets.
Periferia Est (Eastern Suburbs & Rice Fields)
For a taste of the rice landscape on your doorstep, consider accommodation on the eastern edge of the city where the paddies begin. Hotel Ristorante Il Punto sits in this transitional zone, offering countryside views and a restaurant that celebrates the local harvest. This area suits travellers with a car who want to combine city visits with exploration of the surrounding agricultural countryside.
Modo Area (Modern Vercelli)
Near Vercelli's conference and business district, this area around Modo Hotel offers contemporary 4-star comfort with amenities designed for longer stays — gym, meeting rooms, secure parking. It's a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride to the historic centre. Ideal for business travellers or those seeking modern facilities over historic charm.
Sustainable Hotels in Vercelli
IMPT partners with over 8 million hotels worldwide. Every booking removes 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere — at no extra cost to you. Plus, you earn 5% cashback in IMPT tokens and €5 free credit on your first booking.
Things to Do in Vercelli
Vercelli rewards the curious traveller with layers of history, art, and gastronomy. Here are the essential experiences:
1. Basilica di Sant'Andrea
The crown jewel of Vercelli's architectural heritage. Built between 1219 and 1227, this was the first Gothic church in Piedmont — a bold fusion of Cistercian simplicity imported from France with the warm Lombard brickwork tradition. The façade features three portals crowned by a magnificent rose window, while the interior soars with pointed arches and quadripartite vaulting. The attached cloister, with its paired columns and carved capitals, is one of the most serene spaces in northern Italy. The basilica was built on the site of an earlier 4th-century church founded by Saint Eusebius, Vercelli's first bishop, and houses important medieval frescoes. Entry is free.
2. Museo Borgogna
One of Piedmont's finest art museums, housed in the elegant Palazzo Borgogna on Via Antonio Borgogna. The collection spans from the 14th to the 20th century, with particular strength in Renaissance and Baroque painting. Highlights include works by Titian, Gaudenzio Ferrari, il Sodoma, and Bernardino Luini. The museum also holds an important group of 19th-century Piedmontese paintings and decorative arts. For art lovers, this is an unmissable stop — and refreshingly uncrowded compared to Turin's galleries.
3. Piazza Cavour
The living room of Vercelli. This elegant rectangular square, framed by continuous porticoes on three sides, has been the city's social and commercial hub since the Middle Ages. The northern end is dominated by the Torre dell'Angelo (also known as Torre Comunale), a 14th-century brick tower that once housed the city bells and still stands as Vercelli's most recognisable landmark. Under the arcades, historic cafés serve espresso and aperitivi from morning until late. The square hosts the city's main market and numerous festivals throughout the year.
4. Torre di Città
Rising at the opposite end of the historic centre from the Torre dell'Angelo, the Torre di Città is a 13th-century civic tower that, together with its counterpart, framed the medieval power axis of Vercelli. The tower stands near the site of the ancient Roman forum. When open to visitors, the climb rewards with sweeping views across the red-tiled cityscape to the shimmering rice plains beyond.
5. Synagogue of Vercelli
Completed in 1898 on Via Foà, the Sinagoga di Vercelli is a masterpiece of Moorish Revival architecture. Its striped façade, horseshoe arches, and onion-domed towers evoke the synagogues of Moorish Spain, while the lavishly decorated interior features gilded stucco, intricate geometric patterns, and a magnificent ark. It is considered one of the most important synagogues in Italy and stands as a monument to Vercelli's once-flourishing Jewish community, which numbered over 600 people in the 19th century. Visits are possible by appointment.
6. Museo del Tesoro del Duomo
Adjacent to Vercelli's cathedral (the Duomo di Sant'Eusebio), this treasury museum houses an extraordinary collection of medieval liturgical art. The undisputed highlight is the Vercelli Book (Codex Vercellensis), one of the oldest surviving manuscripts of Old English poetry, dating from the late 10th century. How an Anglo-Saxon manuscript ended up in Piedmont is one of medieval history's great mysteries — it was likely brought by a pilgrim travelling the Via Francigena. The museum also holds important ivory carvings, illuminated manuscripts, and goldsmith work.
7. Arca di Sant'Eusebio (Duomo)
Vercelli's cathedral, dedicated to its founding bishop Saint Eusebius, is a palimpsest of architectural styles spanning from the 4th to the 19th century. The current neoclassical façade dates from the 18th century, but the crypt and some structural elements preserve much earlier phases. The cathedral contains the tomb of Saint Eusebius and important Renaissance frescoes. The adjacent campanile offers another perspective on the city.
8. Rice Field Landscapes & Ecomuseum
The countryside surrounding Vercelli is the star attraction for many visitors, especially from April to September when the paddies are flooded. Rent a bicycle or drive the rural roads east and south of the city to see the checkerboard of shimmering water, earthen dykes, and herons stalking between the shoots. The Ecomuseo delle Terre d'Acqua network includes several sites around the Vercelli plain that interpret the relationship between rice cultivation, water management, and rural life. The spring flooding season, when the paddies become vast mirrors reflecting the Alps, is a photographer's dream.
9. Via Francigena — Walk the Pilgrim Route
Vercelli is a major stopping point on the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrimage route running from Canterbury to Rome. The medieval pilgrims who walked this route described Vercelli as a wealthy and welcoming city where they could rest, resupply, and pray at Sant'Andrea before continuing south. Today you can walk the Vercelli section of the route — the stretch from Santhià into Vercelli crosses the rice plains and enters the city through its eastern gate, much as pilgrims have done for a thousand years.
Recommended Walks & Self-Guided Tours
Walk 1: Medieval Core Circuit (1.5 hours, 2 km)
Start at Piazza Cavour under the Torre dell'Angelo. Walk south along Via Verdi, pausing to admire the palazzi facades and the shop fronts of historic bakeries. Reach the Basilica di Sant'Andrea and explore the church and cloister (allow 30 minutes). Continue east to the Duomo and Museo del Tesoro, then loop back north via Via Gioberti to the Torre di Città. End with an aperitivo under the arcades of Piazza Cavour. This walk covers Vercelli's essential monuments in a gentle, unhurried circuit.
Walk 2: Jewish Heritage & Art Trail (2 hours, 2.5 km)
Begin at the Synagogue on Via Foà (book ahead for interior access). Walk west to the Museo Borgogna and spend an hour with the collection. Continue south to the Chiesa di San Cristoforo, a small Romanesque church with important 13th-century frescoes hidden behind its modest façade. From there, walk east along Corso Libertà back to the centre, stopping at pasticcerie for bicciolani biscuits — a recipe perfected by Vercelli's Jewish bakers in the 19th century.
Walk 3: Rice Fields Cycling Loop (3–4 hours, 30 km by bike)
Rent a bicycle (available from several shops near the station) and head east out of the city along the Strada Provinciale towards Palestro. Within 10 minutes you're among the paddies. Follow the network of quiet farm roads south towards Trino, then loop back west. In spring, the flooded fields are alive with egrets, herons, and the occasional stork. Stop at an agriturismo for lunch — many serve risotto made from rice grown in the fields you're looking at. This route is flat, easy, and one of Italy's most distinctive cycling experiences.
Explore Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Vercelli
What is Vercelli famous for?
Vercelli is Italy's undisputed rice capital, surrounded by vast paddies that produce premium risotto rice. It's also renowned for its Gothic Basilica di Sant'Andrea, medieval towers, important art collection at Museo Borgogna, and its position on the historic Via Francigena pilgrimage route. The city's Jewish heritage and Moorish Revival Synagogue add another layer of historical depth. Local cuisine — especially panissa, risotto, and fried frogs — draws food lovers from across Italy and beyond.
When is the best time to visit Vercelli?
Spring (April to June) is ideal: the rice paddies are flooded and lush green, temperatures are pleasant for exploring on foot, and the city's gardens bloom. Autumn (September to October) offers harvest season with food festivals celebrating rice, truffles, and wine, plus golden light across the countryside. Summer can be hot and humid (the paddies raise humidity significantly) but evenings are lovely. Winter is foggy and atmospheric, with significantly lower hotel rates.
How do I get to Vercelli from Milan or Turin?
Vercelli is on the main railway line between Turin and Milan, with regular regional and InterCity services. The journey from Milan Centrale takes approximately 50 minutes; from Turin Porta Nuova about 40 minutes. By car, take the A4 motorway — roughly 1 hour from Milan (80 km) and 50 minutes from Turin (75 km). The nearest airports are Milan Malpensa (MXP, ~55 km) and Turin Caselle (TRN, ~70 km).
Can I use Vercelli as a base for exploring Piedmont?
Absolutely. Vercelli is an excellent value base for exploring eastern Piedmont. It's well-connected by rail to Milan and Turin, close to the Barolo and Barbaresque wine regions, within easy reach of Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, and on the doorstep of the Monferrato hills. Hotels are significantly more affordable than in Milan or Turin, and you'll experience a more authentic, less touristy side of northern Italy. The city makes a particularly good base for travellers planning to explore the rice plains, the Via Francigena route, and the lesser-known corners of Piedmont.
How does booking a Vercelli hotel through IMPT help the environment?
When you book any hotel through IMPT, we remove 1 tonne of CO₂ from the atmosphere per booking — equivalent to the carbon absorbed by 50 trees in a year — through verified carbon offset projects. You also earn 5% cashback in IMPT tokens, which you can use for future bookings, convert to other cryptocurrencies, or donate to environmental causes. All this comes at the exact same price you'd pay on Booking.com or any other platform. Plus, new users receive €5 in free credit on their first booking. With over 8 million hotels worldwide, you can always find the right stay and make a measurable climate impact.