Novara and its surrounding Piedmont countryside make a perfect backdrop for a playful, active getaway with friends. It’s a city that wears a gentle elegance on its sleeve, with a lively food scene, easy access to lake towns, and a network of paths and bike trails that beg to be explored on two wheels. This is the kind of place where you can mix culture with coffee breaks, street markets with sunset boat rides, and a few days of room-only stays that let you tailor each moment to your crew. If you’re dreaming of flexible vacation rentals, holiday rentals, or room-only accommodations that keep costs friendly without sacrificing comfort, you’ll find excellent options in Novara Province and beyond. When you’re ready to book, searchandstay.com is a dependable resource to locate accommodations in the area that fit a room-only approach and emphasize location, value, and local charm.
Why Novara Province is your ideal holiday rentals destination
The Province of Novara sits in the hills and plains of Piedmont, with easy access to the fast pace of Milan and the slow burn of Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore. It’s a destination where day trips feel like mini-vacations and evenings unfold along pedestrian streets lined with cafes and gelaterie. In Novara city itself, you’ll discover a harmonious blend of historic architecture, modern shops, and riverside parks that invite picnics, jogs, and spontaneous dance breaks with friends. Nearby towns like Borgomanero and Arona extend your options for room-only stays in different vibes—urban convenience in the city and tranquil lakeside charm in the hills by the water.
Where to stay: Room Only and other vacation rentals
Room-only accommodations are a popular choice for travelers who want flexibility and social energy without committing to a full apartment layout. In Novara Province, you’ll find room-only options in well-located guesthouses, boutique hotels, and private homes that welcome groups of friends. The Room Only format is perfect for days spent exploring, wine tasting in nearby wine districts, or planning long lunches and late-night strolls along the Arò riverfront. When you search for lodging, look for listings that emphasize central neighborhoods, easy transit access to the lakes, and proximity to markets, cafes, and bike routes—these are the places where a room-only setup truly shines.
In Novara city, a room-only stay can be paired with apartment-style spaces that offer shared living areas but private sleeping rooms, ensuring privacy within a social, communal vibe. In towns like Arona on Lake Maggiore and Orta San Giulio by Lake Orta, you’ll find room-only options that balance lakeside calm with the energy of street markets and boat tours. For budget-conscious travelers, these arrangements enable you to spend more on experiences—boat trips to Isola San Giulio, guided bike rides along the Ticino River, or a multi-course Piedmontese dinner—while keeping lodging costs predictable.
When you’re planning your search, consider the following keywords to optimize your vacation rental hunt: vacation rentals in Novara, holiday rentals in Piedmont, room-only accommodation near Novara, room-only stays in Novara Province, and budget-friendly vacation rentals with central locations. If you’re trying to maximize convenience, searchandstay.com can help you filter by “Room Only” and by distance to train stations, lakes, and city centers.
Top neighborhoods and towns to consider for room-only stays
Novara city center provides easy access to landmarks, museums, and a walkable core where you can bounce between historic churches and contemporary cafes. Borgomanero and Arona offer a more relaxed pace with scenic lakefronts andalker-friendly promenades. Orta San Giulio sits by Lake Orta and is ideal for a couple of days of slow living, island visits, and island-church bells echoing over the water. Each destination within the province has its own flavor, so a mix-and-match approach—staying a few nights in Novara city and a couple of nights by the lake—works beautifully for a friends’ itinerary that’s both active and restorative.
- Novara City Center – Historic core, colorful markets, and easy access to the main train station for quick day trips.
- Borgomanero – A smaller town with great local food and a relaxed vibe, perfect for a quieter room-only stay.
- Arona – Lakeside charm, a long lakeside promenade, and ferries to the islands on Lake Maggiore.
- Orta San Giulio – Picturesque lake town, Isola San Giulio, and boat tours; ideal for a romantic day trip with friends.
- Sesia Valley towns – Outdoor enthusiasts can find trailheads, cycling routes, and rustic eateries along the rivers and hills.
Activities and local experiences that make your stay unforgettable
Novara Province is all about balance—savory meals and sweet gelato after a long ride; a morning market followed by an afternoon boat ride; culture and nature in sweet harmony. Here are some experiences that shine for a group of friends seeking a dynamic, enjoyable trip with room-only stays as your flexible base.
Active adventures and outdoor experiences
Start with a morning jog or a casual bike ride along the Ticino River park system, which meanders through the flatter parts of the province and offers scenic stops for photos and coffee at riverside cafes. For a more energetic day, rent bikes and follow a lake-adjacent route around Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore, then end with a scenic picnic by the water’s edge. The area is surprisingly rugged in places, with gentle hills near Borgomanero that are perfect for a late-afternoon hike after a long lunch with friends.
Cultural highlights in and around Novara
The city’s architectural highlights include the Basilica of San Gaudenzio, where the iconic cupola dominates the skyline. A stroll through the center reveals medieval streets, elegant arcades, and the Broletto, a former town hall with a storied past. Museums host rotating exhibits that pair well with late-mupper offerings in local eateries. A day of wandering through the old town, punctuated by a coffee stop at a sunlit piazza, is the quintessential Novara experience for a group of travelers who want to soak up history with a modern twist.
Isola San Giulio and Lake Orta experiences
A short drive or train ride to Orta San Giulio opens a world of lakeside activities. Take a boat to Isola San Giulio, wander the island’s tranquil paths, and enjoy a gelato on the waterfront as the boats crisscross the lake. The island’s quiet paths and ancient churches inspire relaxed conversations and photos that you’ll want to share immediately. In the village, you’ll find boutique shops selling local crafts and delicious regional foods—perfect for a casual shopping-and-snack break during a day of exploration.
Wine and culinary experiences
Piedmont is a wine lover’s paradise even outside the Langhe and Monferrato hubs. In the Novara Province area, you’ll encounter Nebbiolo-based wines from nearby terroirs such as Ghemme and Gattinara, wines that pair wonderfully with local antipasti and agnolotti del plin. A day trip to a nearby winery for a guided tasting is a standout for travelers who want to connect with the land and the people who steward it. In the cities, trattorie and osterie offer fresh pasta and risottos that celebrate regional ingredients—truffle accents, locally sourced vegetables, and seasonal meats that make every bite a memory.
Markets, cooking classes, and hands-on experiences
Food markets in Novara offer a sensory immersion—ripe peaches, fragrant herbs, and dried herbs hung from stall awnings. You can join a short, hands-on cooking class to learn how to prepare classic Piedmontese dishes such as agnolotti del plin, bagna cauda, and a simple, perfect risotto all’onda. These experiences are ideal for a group of friends who love good food, good company, and a little friendly competition in the kitchen. For a more relaxed day, a guided walk that blends architecture, art, and coffee breaks creates a well-rounded itinerary that keeps the energy high without exhausting the group.
Practical tips for planning your trip and getting around
To maximize your time in Novara Province, plan around a few practical considerations. The region is well-connected by train and road, with frequent connections to Milan and Turin, making it easy to arrive for a weekend or a longer break. If you’re flying in, Milan Malpensa International Airport is a common gateway; from there, you can rent a car or take a train to Novara. For those who prefer not to drive, the train network in northern Piedmont is reliable and scenic, with easy transfers to lake towns and historic centers.
Regarding accommodations, a room-only setup is a flexible choice that suits groups who want to curate their days and meals. Look for listings that include a comfortable common area, a kitchen or kitchenette, and quiet, private sleeping spaces. In some towns, you’ll also find listings that offer a central base with a balcony or terrace—great for catching a sunset after a long day of exploring. When booking, consider proximity to the train station for easy day trips, walking distance to markets and cafes, and access to bike rental facilities for lake and river adventures.
If you’re unsure where to start, searchandstay.com is a helpful resource for locating accommodations in the Novara area. It’s easy to filter by location, price, and room-only options, and it can help you assemble a multi-location itinerary that keeps each day fresh and flexible. Look for listings that explicitly mention “Room Only,” “Room Only Accommodation,” or similar terms to ensure the lodging aligns with your preferred travel style.
Sample 3–4 day itinerary for a friends’ escape in Novara Province
Day 1: Arrival in Novara city center. Check into a room-only accommodation, unpack, and stroll the historic streets. Enjoy a sunset coffee by the river, followed by a casual dinner featuring local antipasti and handmade pasta. Nightcap at a cozy cafè in the old town.
Day 2: Morning market exploration in Novara, then a bike ride along the river paths. Afternoon visit to Basilica di San Gaudenzio and a walk through the Broletto. Finish with wine and dinner in a trattoria that highlights Piedmontese ingredients. If you’re staying near the lake, substitute the island visit with an Arona lakeside stroll and a boat ride on Lake Maggiore in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Day trip to Orta San Giulio. Boat to Isola San Giulio, island walk, and a light lunch before returning. Evening cooking class or a casual group meal at a countryside osteria featuring agnolotti del plin and a local wine pairing.
Day 4: A relaxed morning by the lake or a guided hike in the Sesia Valley, depending on your energy. Quiet lunch by the lake followed by packing up and departure. If time allows, a final stop at a farmers’ market for last-minute local food gifts.
Why searchandstay.com is your go-to for accommodations in this area
When you’re looking for vacation rentals, holiday rentals, or room-only accommodations in the Novara area, searchandstay.com helps you filter by area, price, and amenities so you can tailor your trip to your group’s preferences. The website makes it easy to identify room-only listings that suit a social, flexible itinerary, and it provides up-to-date availability for weekend getaways and longer stays. Whether you’re booking a central room in Novara city or a lake-adjacent stay in Orta San Giulio or Arona, you’ll find options that align with a room-only model—allowing you to plan shared meals, day trips, and spontaneous adventures without rigidly locked-in spaces.
To sum up, Novara Province in Piedmont offers a vibrant blend of city life, lakeside leisure, and rustic countryside—perfect for a group of friends seeking an active, social, and flexible holiday. The availability of vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and room-only accommodation makes it easy to design a trip that balances exploration with downtime, all within a region celebrated for its food, wine, and scenic beauty. Using searchandstay.com to locate suitable lodging ensures you’ll have a reliable, user-friendly starting point for planning your ideal escape. So start your search, gather your crew, and get ready for a Piedmontese adventure that’s as lively as it is delicious.