Novara is a city often passed through, but one that deserves a stop: an elegant capital on the plain between Piedmont and Lombardy, halfway between Turin and Milan. A city of rice and history, of arcades and cafés, it’s also the gateway towards the great lakes and the wine hills of Alto Piemonte. Here is where to stay best, with the small addresses we choose one by one, never by hearsay.
Choosing where to stay in Novara is simple and concentrated in the city: most of the places are in the centre or just outside, handy for the station and well connected. Let’s look at the city, what makes it special and where it’s best to stop.
Novara, the city of the dome
Novara’s symbol is the San Gaudenzio dome, the soaring spire that towers over the city’s rooftops and can be seen from across the plain. It bears the signature of Alessandro Antonelli, the same architect as Turin’s Mole Antonelliana: at around 121 metres it’s one of the tallest brick domes in Europe. In 2026 the panoramic climbs up the dome reopened, offering a spectacular view over the city and the Alps (openings are generally at weekends and by booking: it’s worth checking before heading up).
The old town is compact and elegant, made of arcades, squares and historic cafés, with the Cathedral and the Visconti-Sforza Castle, now restored and turned into a space for exhibitions and events. It’s a walkable city, pleasant to experience on foot between a shop window and an aperitif. Novara is also a land of good food, from risottos to its typical biscuits, the famous “biscottini di Novara”.
All around stretches the landscape of the Novarese: the rice paddies that flood in spring and reflect the sky, and a little further north the hills of the great Alto Piemonte wines, from Ghemme to Sizzano and Gattinara, a world of mountain reds still to be discovered. It’s the “gateway to the lakes”, handy for reaching Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta. The addresses we choose in the city:
Le due dimore di Corso Torino
A refined bed and breakfast in a handy location in Novara, with elegant rooms attentive to detail and a warm welcome. The pleasure of a charming residence a stone’s throw from the centre, perfect for those seeking style and quiet. Ideal for a couple or for travellers who want a special address as a base for the city and the lakes.
La Villa
A much-loved guest house in Novara, appreciated for its welcome and the convenience of its location for those moving between the cities of the North-West. The practicality of a reliable, well-served base, with excellent value for money. Ideal both for a business trip and for a leisure stop discovering the city.
Bnbook Residence Matteotti
An aparthotel in the centre of Novara, with apartments featuring a kitchen and the independence of a home in the city. The convenience of your own space and practical services, ideal for slightly longer stays or for those travelling for work. A flexible, central base for experiencing Novara at your own pace.
All the small hotels in Novara →
When to go
Novara is worth a visit all year round, but it’s at its best in the shoulder seasons. In spring the Novarese landscape lights up with the flooded paddies, and the weather is ideal for strolling in the centre; autumn is the season of flavours and the great Alto Piemonte wines, between harvest and cellars. Summer on the plain can be hot, but it’s handy for using Novara as a base towards the cooler lakes; winter is quiet and suited to a city stay, among arcades, cafés and exhibitions at the Castle. At any time, it’s a practical base for short stays.
Getting there
Novara is a very handy hub: the station is on the Turin–Milan high-speed line, which makes it reachable in minutes from both cities and an excellent base for those travelling by train too. By car you arrive from the exits of the A4 (Turin–Milan) and A26 motorways, at the crossing of two major routes. Its strategic position between plain, lakes and hills has always been its strong point.
For the full picture on roads, trains and getting around the region: how to get to Piedmont. From Novara you easily reach Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta; the city pairs well with Vercelli, the other rice capital.
This guide is part of our grand tour of the region: discover all the destinations and areas in Where to Stay in Piedmont.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions we’re asked most often about where to stay in Novara.
Where is the best area to stay in Novara?
The most convenient choice is the city centre or its immediate surroundings: this is where most of the places are, within walking distance of the Cathedral, the San Gaudenzio dome and the arcades, and well connected to the station. As a walkable city and a handy rail hub, the central location is what matters most.
What is there to see in Novara?
The symbol is the San Gaudenzio dome, Antonelli’s soaring spire, among the tallest brick domes in Europe, with the panoramic climbs reopened in 2026. Also worth it are the Cathedral, the Visconti-Sforza Castle with its exhibitions, and the arcades and historic cafés of the centre. All around, the rice paddies and the wines of Alto Piemonte.
Can you climb the San Gaudenzio dome?
Yes: in 2026 the panoramic climbs up the San Gaudenzio dome reopened, with routes that take you up high for a spectacular view over the city and the Alps. Openings are generally at weekends and by booking, so it’s worth checking dates and availability before you go.
Is Novara a good base for the lakes?
Yes, Novara is considered a “gateway to the lakes”: from the city you easily reach Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta, as well as the wine hills of Alto Piemonte. Thanks to its position between Turin and Milan and its good connections, it’s a handy plain base for exploring the north-east of Piedmont.
How do you get to Novara?
By train it’s very convenient: the station is on the Turin–Milan high-speed line, minutes from both cities. By car you arrive from the exits of the A4 Turin–Milan and A26 motorways. Its strategic position at the crossing of the major routes makes it an easy base to reach from any direction.
