Novara Travel Guide
City City in Piedmont, known for its agriculture
Novara’s Piazza della Repubblica, cathedral and medieval Broletto lure travelers exploring Piedmont. Rice paddies and nearby Alp foothills explain the city’s risotto traditions; local trattorie serve tajarin and cheeses.
Why Visit Novara? #
Set in Piedmont’s rice plains, Novara attracts travelers who appreciate quiet Renaissance squares and bold ecclesiastical architecture, from the soaring dome of the Basilica of San Gaudenzio to the medieval Broletto. Food is a draw too: local rice dishes such as paniscia reflect the region’s long rice-growing tradition. Short walks lead to cafés and small museums. Easy rail links make it a low-stress base for exploring nearby lakes and vineyards.
Who's Novara For?
Novara sits in rice country, so risotti and local salumi are excellent. Small trattorie around the Centro Storico and the covered market near Piazza Cavour serve hearty, affordable Piedmontese dishes. Try local wines and simple seasonal menus under €25-35.
The compact Centro Storico and the Basilica di San Gaudenzio make for intimate strolls and sunset views from the dome area. Quiet piazzas and family-run osterie around Piazza Cavour create low-key date nights without Milan prices.
Novara is a gateway to the Ticino park and the rice paddy landscape, good for gentle cycling and birdwatching. Day trips to Lake Maggiore and nearby hiking trails are straightforward by regional train or car.
Affordable rents and fast trains to Milan (about 30-40 minutes) make Novara an economical base for remote work. There are cafes with reliable wifi in the historic centre, though coworking options are limited compared with bigger cities.
Top Things to Do in Novara
All Attractions ›
- Basilica di San Gaudenzio - Home to Alessandro Antonelli's soaring cupola dominating Novara's skyline, with sacred relics.
- Duomo di Novara (Cathedral) - Romanesque and neoclassical layers combine in the city's main cathedral and treasury.
- Palazzo del Broletto - Medieval civic complex beside the cathedral, with frescoed halls and Gothic details.
- Castello Visconteo-Sforzesco - Fourteenth-century Visconti fortress now housing exhibitions and occasional cultural events.
- Teatro Coccia - Elegant opera house presenting opera, ballet, and symphonic concerts in historic surroundings.
- Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Faraggiana Ferrandi - Local natural history museum with taxidermy displays and regional geological collections.
- Mercato Coperto di Novara - Covered market where producers sell cheeses, salumi, seasonal fruit, and lively chatter.
- Parco del Ticino - Expansive river park ideal for cycling, birdwatching, and quiet riverside picnics.
- Ghemme (historic village and vineyards) - Small wine town famed for Ghemme DOCG, cellars, and atmospheric medieval lanes.
- Milan - Italy's fashion and finance capital, reachable quickly by frequent regional trains from Novara.
- Turin - Elegant Savoyard city with royal palaces, Egyptian museum, and lively café culture nearby.
- Stresa (Lake Maggiore & Borromean Islands) - Lakefront resort offering boat trips to Isola Bella, gardens, and lakeside promenades.
- Orta San Giulio - Picture-postcard island village on Lake Orta; narrow streets and medieval charm.
- Sacro Monte di Varallo - UNESCO pilgrimage complex set above Varallo, with painted chapels and panoramic views.
- Vercelli - Rice-growing province capital with Romanesque basilicas and an atmospheric medieval center.
Plan Your Visit to Novara #
Best Time to Visit Novara #
The best time to visit Novara is late spring or early autumn when days are mild, sunny and ideal for wandering the historic center and visiting nearby vineyards. Summers get hot and humid, while winters are chilly, often foggy and occasionally snowy.
Best Time to Visit Novara #
Novara's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 28°C. Moderate rainfall (948 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (120 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (100 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Novara
Novara is easiest to reach by train: Stazione di Novara sits on the main Turin-Milan line with frequent services. The nearest major airport is Milan Malpensa (MXP); many visitors route via Milano Centrale and continue by regional train to Novara.
Milan Malpensa (MXP): Malpensa is the closest major airport for Novara. Take the Malpensa Express to Milano Centrale or Milano Cadorna (single ticket €13, ~50 min to Centrale), then change for a regional train to Novara (see train card). There are also private coaches/shuttles and taxis from the airport; coach journeys to Novara are typically around 30-50 minutes depending on route and traffic (prices vary, often around €8-€15), while a taxi is significantly more expensive.
Milan Linate (LIN): Linate has good links into central Milan but no direct rail link. Use the city bus/shuttle (ATM bus 73 or dedicated shuttle) or a taxi to reach Milano Centrale or San Babila (single urban bus ticket €1.50, ~20-30 min to central Milan depending on traffic), then catch a train to Novara (regional trains from Milano Centrale, see train card). A taxi from Linate directly to Novara will be considerably pricier but is possible for door-to-door convenience.
Train: Novara is served by Stazione di Novara on the Turin-Milan line with frequent Trenitalia regional and regionale veloce services. From Milano Centrale journey times are typically around 40-55 minutes; from Torino Porta Susa/Porta Nuova it’s roughly 30-45 minutes depending on service. Regional fares are modest (typical single-ticket range around €3-€9 depending on service and class). Some intercity/regional-express trains also call at Novara for faster connections.
Bus: Novara has an urban bus network operated by AFM with the main hub at Stazione di Novara; single urban tickets are generally around €1.30. Intercity and coach services run from the station and nearby terminals to regional destinations (Milan, Vercelli, Borgomanero, etc.) with journey times and prices varying by route - expect short local bus rides within the city and longer coach trips hourly or several times daily to nearby cities.
How to Get Around Novara
Novara is compact and best explored on foot for the historic centre; for regional travel, trains are the most convenient and dependable option. Use the local AFM buses for connections off the main rail corridor and reserve taxis or a hire car when you need door-to-door service or are heading to the airports.
- Trenitalia (Regional & Regionale Veloce) (€3-€9) - Trains are the fastest and most practical way to travel to and from Novara for regional trips - frequent connections to Milan and Turin stop at Stazione di Novara. Regionale and regionale veloce services are reliable and inexpensive; buy tickets at station machines or via the Trenitalia app and validate regional paper tickets before boarding. For day trips into Milan or Turin, trains beat road congestion and are usually punctual.
- AFM Novara (Urban bus) (€1.30) - The local AFM bus network covers Novara and nearby suburbs with the main interchange outside the railway station. Single tickets are typically low-cost and aimed at short hops across town; carry small change or buy tickets from vending machines/tabacchi. Buses are useful for reaching destinations not in comfortable walking distance, but frequencies can be lower evenings and Sundays.
- Intercity / Regional coaches (Varies) - Coach services link Novara to smaller towns and sometimes provide direct services to Milan or other regional centres. These are a good option if you prefer a direct seat without changing trains, though schedules are less frequent than rail. Check operator timetables in advance and book longer coach journeys for guaranteed seats.
- Taxi (€6-€90+) - Taxis are available at the rank outside Stazione di Novara and can be useful late at night or when carrying heavy luggage. Fares within the city are reasonable for short trips, but long rides to airports are costly - always confirm the estimated fare or ask for the meter to be used. Pre-booked airport transfers give door-to-door convenience if you value time over price.
- Car hire (€25-€70/day) - Hiring a car gives flexibility for exploring the surrounding Piedmont countryside - both international and local agencies operate in Novara and at nearby Milan airports. Driving is straightforward, but parking in the historic centre can be limited and ZTL (limited-traffic) zones are enforced: check signs and payment rules. A car is best for day trips to the lakes or vineyards outside the rail corridor.
- Walking - Novara's historical centre is compact and very walkable; many sights (Piazza delle Erbe, Duomo, Broletto) are within easy strolling distance from the station. Walking is often the fastest and most pleasant way to explore the centre, especially on market days or for short errands.
Where to Stay in Novara #
- B&B Hotel Novara - Basic, clean rooms near the station
- Il Ristretto B&B (Novara) - Simple guesthouse, central location
- Hotel Europa Novara - Central, family-run hotel with breakfast
- Hotel Palace Novara - Comfortable rooms, short walk to sights
- Boutique/luxury options (nearby) - Smaller luxury stays, limited selection in city
- Nearby upscale hotels in Novara province - Consider villas or country relais by car
- B&B Hotel Novara - Easy, central base for short stays
- Hotel Europa Novara - Walkable to main sights and transport
- Hotel Palace Novara - Larger rooms, family-friendly layout
- Il Ristretto B&B (Novara) - Apartment-style rooms available
- B&B Hotel Novara - Reliable Wi‑Fi, basic work space
- Hotel Palace Novara - Calmer rooms, decent internet for remote work
Where to Eat in Novara #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Novara's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Novara #
Novara’s nightlife is low-key and mostly concentrated around the historic centre - think relaxed wine bars, aperitivo spots and a handful of late-night cafés rather than big clubs. The Piazza delle Erbe and the square by the Duomo are the natural starting points for an evening; locals drift from aperitivo to small osterie. Practical tip: places typically wind down by 1-2am on weekdays and later on weekends, dress is casual, and the city is safe to walk between venues.
Best Bets
- Piazza delle Erbe - Lively square full of bars and outdoor terraces after dinner.
- Piazza del Duomo - Evening drinks near the Duomo with basilica views.
- Corso Cavour - Main shopping street with late cafés and wine bars.
- Via Fratelli Rosselli area - Cluster of neighborhood pubs and informal dinner spots.
- Mercato Coperto (local market area) - Good for an early-evening aperitif and quick bites.
- Nearby Milan clubs (easy train hop) - Take a late train to Milan for big-club options.
Shopping in Novara #
Novara’s shopping scene is compact and practical - the historic centre and a couple of pedestrian streets concentrate most stores. Expect mid-sized Italian chains, family-run specialty food shops and traditional markets where local cheeses and rice-based dishes (this is rice country) are on offer. Bargain hunting is modest: prices are fairly fixed in boutiques, but you can negotiate a bit with stallholders at outdoor markets. Best areas to stroll are the centro storico along the main Corso and the covered market for food and everyday goods.
Best Bets
- Corso Cavour - Main pedestrian shopping street with boutiques and cafés.
- Centro Storico (historic centre) - Narrow streets with artisanal shops and local food stores.
- Mercato Coperto (covered market) - Fresh produce, cheeses and stallholders selling local specialties.
- Piazza Martiri - Central square surrounded by shops and street-level boutiques.
- Via Fratelli Rosselli - Smaller boutiques and well-known Italian retail chains.
- Local flea and antique markets - Weekend stalls selling vintage homewares and collectibles.
