Novara, tucked in the heart of Piedmont and just a short hop from the Alps, is a city that knows how to pair elegant history with easy, joyful modern living. It’s the kind of place where a morning espresso on a sunlit Piazza feels like a tiny celebration, and where a day spent exploring narrow medieval streets leads to a sunset stroll along the banks of the river. If you’re hunting for vacation rentals and holiday rentals that balance culture, food, and real Italian energy, Novara and its surroundings in the Province of Novara deliver. It’s a destination that feels authentic, approachable, and perfect for groups of friends who want to mix cultural sightseeing with relaxed, social downtime. Whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer Piedmont escape, this area blends city vibes with easy access to lakes, hills, and wine country, all connected by a robust network of trains and scenic roads.
Where to base your stay: vacation rentals in Novara and the surrounding area
Your ideal home base could be a stylish apartment right in the centro storico (historic center) of Novara, where you can wander from a cozy kitchen to a sun-warmed square in minutes. Think light-filled living rooms, balconies with views of church towers, and multiple bedrooms that make it easy for friends to share a space while keeping a sense of privacy. For larger groups or longer stays, consider a row house or a country house within easy reach of the city core. These vacation rentals and holiday rentals provide that perfect mix of space, comfort, and sociable common areas for evenings in after a day of adventures.
When you’re exploring your options, keep an eye on accommodations that offer: - multiple bedrooms and bathrooms for groups - a well-equipped kitchen for hosting dinners - easy access to train stations or car rental services - terraces or outdoor spaces to soak up Piedmont’s fresh air
To discover a wide selection of stays that fit your travel party and budget, consider using searchandstay.com. It’s a resource that highlights vacation rentals and holiday rentals across Novara and the wider Piedmont region, with filters for neighborhood, price, and amenities. If you’re planning day trips to Arona, Orta San Giulio, Stresa, or the Monferrato wine country, you’ll find listings that position you perfectly for exploring the area. The site’s streamlined search helps you compare options quickly, making it easier to lock in a fabulous base before you arrive.
Iconic sights in Novara you can’t miss
Novara is a city that rewards wandering and pausing. In the centro storico, you’ll find architectural gems that tell the tale of Piedmont’s long history. The Basilica di San Gaudenzio is one of the crown jewels—the striking cupola rises above the city and serves as a visual beacon when you’re cruising along the tree-lined streets. Inside, the light plays across marble and frescoes in a way that invites quiet exploration, and stepping outside into the piazzas, you’re instantly immersed in the rhythm of daily life here. Nearby, the main square hosts regular markets and casual gatherings, a reminder that this isn’t just a place to study architecture; it’s a place to experience everyday Italian life with friends.
Another anchor of Novara’s identity is its riverside landscape. The Ticino River sweeps along the edge of town and becomes a gentle playground for bike rides, jogs, or easy waterside strolls at sunset. If you’re visiting with a crew that loves a mix of culture and fresh air, you’ll quickly appreciate how the city’s layout invites you to move freely between cafe patios, historic churches, and scenic vantage points that look out toward the Alps on clear days.
From Novara, it’s simple to hinge your city sightseeing with nearby lake experiences. The area around the province is a gateway to Lake Orta, Lake Maggiore, and other water-filled landscapes that have long inspired travelers, artists, and food lovers. A day spent on or beside the lakes creates the perfect balance of energy and relaxation for a group of friends who want both upbeat activities and downtime with good company.
Morning rituals, local flavors, and a social food scene
Piedmont’s cuisine is famously comforting and vibrant, and the Novara area (with its proximity to both lake and mountains) serves up a delicious range of options. Start a day with a quick pastry from a local pasticceria—think light brioche or a flaky croissant with a foamy cappuccino—then share a late breakfast on a sun-warmed terrace as you plot your next moves. Meals are a social event here, and many vacation rentals in the area boast kitchens that invite you to recreate some of your favorite Piedmontese dishes with friends.
Lunch could be something hearty and seasonal—risotto made with locally grown vegetables, a platter of mixed grilled vegetables and cheeses, and a glass of local wine that’s as easy to enjoy as it is to savor slowly. For pasta lovers, agnolotti del plin (small stuffed pasta) and plump ravioli served with a butter-sage sauce are classic standouts you’ll find in trattorie across the region. If you’re wandering through town, you’ll also encounter a variety of osterias and taverns that celebrate simple, high-quality ingredients—innovative yet faithful to tradition. A night out with friends might end with a gelato stroll along a riverbank or a lively aperitivo in a bustling square, where conversations linger as the sun fades over the rooftops.
When you’re searching for accommodations with a social edge, look for places with an open-plan dining area, a balcony perfect for evening cocktails, or a garden where you can host a casual barbecue after a day of adventures. Coupled with a great location, these features help turn a holiday rental into a home base for sharing meals, swapping stories, and planning the day’s activities with your crew.
Outdoor adventures and local experiences for a crew on the move
Novara and its surroundings are a natural playground for active travelers. If you’re into outdoor experiences, you’ll find plenty of options that fit a social vacation style.
- Bike rides along river paths and quiet country lanes, with gentle hills that are friendly to all fitness levels.
- Boat trips on nearby lakes, including the scenic routes to Isola di San Giulio on Lake Orta and the Lake Maggiore towns along the Borromean Gulf.
- Lake-front strolls at sunset, followed by an outdoor wine-tasting session in an osteria garden or a local enoteca.
- Short hikes in the rolling Piedmont hills, where vineyards meet chestnut groves and panoramic viewpoints reward the effort with sweeping landscapes.
- Cooking classes and food tours that celebrate regional specialties—perfect for groups who want to bring a taste of Piedmont back to their vacation rental kitchen.
For a deeper dive into the area’s natural beauty, consider a day trip to Orta San Giulio to explore the cobblestone lanes, the tranquil island of San Giulio with its small monastery, and charming waterfront cafés. A boat tour around the island gives you a chance to see the island’s gardens and villas from a new angle, and the entire experience is wonderfully suited to relaxed social days with friends. If you’re craving a bigger lake scene, Arona on Lake Maggiore is a classic option, where a prominent hill offers vantage points over the lake and a statue-strong vibe that makes for dramatic photographs and memorable chats with your travel companions.
Classic day trips: lakes, islands, and wine country
From a comfortable base in Novara, you can stitch together a few classic day trips that showcase the best of Piedmont’s water, hills, and vineyards. Here are some favorites that combine scenic beauty with easy logistics for groups:
- Arona and Lake Maggiore: Explore the lakeside promenade, visit the Colossus of San Carlo Borromeo, and enjoy lakeside trattorie with fresh seafood and regional wines. It’s a perfect backdrop for group selfies and long conversations over a glass of rosé as the boats drift by.
- Orta San Giulio and Isola di San Giulio: A short boat ride from the mainland, this tiny jewel offers quiet lanes, lakeside cafés, and the island’s monastery—an atmosphere that feels like a cinematic moment you’ll want to capture with your friends.
- Stresa and the Borromean Islands (Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola Pescatori): A day’s itinerary that blends elegant garden views with lakeside dining—great for a “culture + scenery” combo that keeps everyone energized.
- Monferrato wine country: A scenic day among rolling hills dotted with vineyards and historic villages. This region is known for wines like Barbera, Moscato, and exquisite food pairings—perfect for a wine-focused group tour or a relaxing lunch stop with a panoramic terrace.
When you’re planning these trips, consider accommodations that make it easy to coordinate early departures or late returns with friends. A vacation rental with a central location and reliable Wi-Fi makes it simple to map routes, share navigation, and sync plans with everyone in your crew. Platforms like searchandstay.com can help you identify stays that are close to transit hubs or near your preferred day-trip starting points, so you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time making memories.
Staying active in the Piedmont countryside
Active travelers will find that the surrounding countryside offers ample opportunities to move, sweat, and smile. You can rent bikes to explore flatter routes along riverbanks or set out on longer rides into the hills that cradle Piedmont’s celebrated landscapes. If hiking is more your pace, the area has a range of trails suitable for a variety of levels—some paths reveal vineyard vistas, others lead to lookout points where you can see the Alps in the distance on crisp, clear days. For those who love water-based activities, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on nearby lakes can be arranged through local operators, often with instruction or guided tours if you’re new to the sport.
Evenings are perfect for socializing after a day in the outdoors. Many vacation rentals offer comfortable spaces to regroup: a kitchen or dining area where you can plan the next day’s adventures, a balcony with sunset views, or a patio where friends can unwind with a glass of wine and a plate of local cheeses. That blend of physical activity and relaxed camaraderie makes Novara and its surroundings a great fit for holidays with friends who want both movement and meaningful downtime.
Seasonal highlights and festivals you can fit into a friendly itinerary
Throughout the year, the region hosts markets, cultural events, and seasonal celebrations that pair nicely with a stay in a well-situated vacation rental. Spring and early summer bring mild weather perfect for open-air markets, architectural strolls, and long lakefront evenings. Summer festivals—often featuring live music, food stalls, and neighborhood performances—give your group plenty of options to soak up local culture without leaving the comfort of your rental too late. Autumn in Piedmont is famed for harvest time and wine-tocused events, offering tastings and tours that let your crew savor regional flavors in a scenic setting. While exact dates shift from year to year, the rhythm of outdoor daytime activities followed by relaxed evenings remains a constant, making Novara a reliable hub for seasonal getaways with friends.
When you’re booking accommodation, consider staying near the centers of the action or in neighborhoods with easy transit access to festival venues. A well-located vacation rental can become a launchpad for spontaneous plans and late-night chats about the next day’s adventures.
Practical tips for planning your trip
To make the most of a holiday rental-based stay in Novara and the Piedmont region, here are some practical pointers:
- Travel logistics: The area is well-connected by road and rail. If you’re arriving by train, choose a rental within a short walk or taxicab ride from the main station for quick city-center access. If you plan to explore countryside towns or lakes, a car can be especially convenient for a group, though you’ll find that many highlights are reachable by comfortable day trips with trains and boats.
- Timing: Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities and comfortable days for sightseeing. Summer is lively but can be busy around popular lakes; book accommodations early if you’re traveling with a large group.
- Accommodations: Look for vacation rentals with ample communal spaces, plus good kitchen facilities for group meals. A place with multiple bathrooms helps large groups stay organized and comfortable. If you’re traveling with friends, a rental that includes outdoor spaces—balconies, terraces, or a garden—adds significant value for evening hangouts.
- Local experiences: Reserve a cooking class, a wine-tall tasting, or a guided walk to get better insight into Piedmont’s regional flavors and history. Having a local host or manager available can make onboarding easier and help tailor your itinerary to the group’s interests.
- Booking platform: Use a trusted site like searchandstay.com to compare options, read reviews, and secure accommodations that meet your criteria. The site’s filters can help you find rentals near your chosen day-trip destinations, near restaurants with outdoor seating, or near lake access for easy water-based activities.
A sample 4-day itinerary for a friends’ escape
Day 1: Arrive, settle into your vacation rental, and spend the afternoon exploring Novara’s centro storico. Dinner in a trattoria with regional specialties and a nightcap at a lively wine bar in the square set the tone for the week ahead.
Day 2: Day trip to Orta San Giulio. Take a boat to Isola di San Giulio, wander its tranquil streets, and enjoy lunch on the water. Return to Novara for a sunset stroll along the river and a group cooking session back at the rental.
Day 3: Visit Arona and Lake Maggiore. See the sculpture on the lakefront, explore a lakeside promenade, and savor a meal with lake views. If the group is up for it, add a ferry ride to a Borromean island for garden views and photo opportunities.
Day 4: A visit to Monferrato wine country for a relaxed day of tasting and hillside village strolls. End with a group dinner featuring antipasti, local wines, and a memorable dessert before heading back to your rental to pack and reflect on the trip.
Of course, you can tailor this plan to your crew’s pace, swapping in more hiking, shopping, or spa breaks as you prefer. The flexibility of vacation rentals makes it easy to switch up activities and keep everyone engaged, while still returning to a comfortable, familiar space to unwind together.
Why Novara and its province make sense for your next vacation rental trip
Novara is more than a destination for a quick in-and-out visit. It’s a hub where culture and nature come together with a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and where a group of friends can balance sightseeing with authentic leisure. The province’s proximity to lakes, rolling hills, and celebrated Piedmontese cuisine means you have a full menu of experiences right at your doorstep, all within a comfortable driving or rail network. For those seeking a memorable group escape that combines city energy with lakeside calm and hillside charm, the Novara area is a standout choice.
When you’re ready to plan your trip, searchandstay.com is a great starting point to find vacation rentals and holiday rentals in and around Novara, Arona, Orta San Giulio, and nearby towns. The platform aggregates options across the region, helping you compare layouts, amenities, and neighborhood vibes so you can pick a place that aligns with your friends’ tastes and travel style. A well-chosen base makes all the difference—giving you a comfortable home away from home while you chase sunlit days, scenic views, and memories in Piedmont.
Whether you’re drawn to strolling centuries-old streets with a coffee in hand, sampling world-class wines, or setting out on a lake-bound adventure, Novara and its surrounding province offer a delicious constellation of possibilities. The combination of accessible day trips, a rich culinary scene, and a welcoming accommodation landscape ensures that your next holiday with friends becomes a cherished story you’ll tell for years to come. And with a reliable resource like searchandstay.com to simplify the booking process, you can focus less on planning and more on living every moment to the full.
Ready to begin your Piedmont adventure? Start by exploring vacation rental options in Novara and the province, pick a few experiences that your group can’t miss, and let the rest fall into place. The region rewards curiosity, good company, and a bit of spontaneity—the perfect ingredients for a memorable trip with friends.