Provincia di Novara, Province of Novara, Piemonte, Italy House Accommodation

Where to stay in the Province of Novara: vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and more

Booking a home base in the Provincia di Novara means choosing between options that suit every itinerary and budget. If you’re traveling with friends, consider spacious holiday homes or villas in or near Arona, Orta San Giulio, and Novara city. Want a design-forward apartment with an alfresco lounge? Look for modern vacation rentals in the city centers. Prefer something rustic and charming? Farm stays or countryside houses outside the town centers offer wide terraces and sunlit courtyards where you can sip a prosecco at sunset. The region’s accessibility—from Milan and Turin to the Alps via fast highways and reliable trains—makes it easy to mix day trips with long, lazy afternoons by the water. When you search for places to stay, look for features like a private garden, a balcony with views of Lake Orta or Lake Maggiore, a fully equipped kitchen for group meals, high-speed wifi for planning days on the fly, and easy access to local experiences and guided tours. For a broad selection of vacation rentals, holiday rentals, and house accommodations in the area, check searchandstay.com, where you can filter by date, group size, and desired neighborhood.

Whether you want a sleek apartment near the center of Novara for city vibes, a lakefront villa on the edge of Arona, or a cozy pied-à-terre in Orta San Giulio’s narrow lanes, the Province of Novara offers options that keep you close to the action and far enough to unwind with friends. Short breaks and longer getaways alike are supported by a range of housing types, from compact studio flats to multi-bedroom houses with terrace dining spaces perfect for a weekend barbecoa and a sunset toast after a day on the water.

Top destinations within the Province of Novara for a memorable holiday

The Province of Novara is a tapestry of lakes, historic towns, and wine-country escapes. Here are some must-visit spots that pair beautifully with vacation rentals and holiday homes in the area.

Orta San Giulio and Lake Orta

Orta San Giulio sits like a jewel tucked between hills and the tranquil waters of Lake Orta. Its cobbled streets, pastel facades, and the tiny island of San Giulio are postcard-perfect. Staying in a rental near Orta San Giulio means easy access to lakefront strolls, boat rides, and intimate dinners in trattorie that pride themselves on seasonal ingredients. A day trip to the Island of San Giulio involves a short boat crossing to wander the quiet cloisters, visit the Basilica of San Giulio, and savor gelato while watching swans glide along the water. Evening sunsets over the lake invite languid conversations and playful photos—ideal for a holiday with friends who love a little flirtation with the shoreline. When searching for holiday homes around Orta, prioritize properties with lake views, private terraces, and proximity to ferry docks to maximize your time on the water.

Arona and Lake Maggiore highlights

Arona sits on the southern shores of Lake Maggiore and is known for its long waterfront promenades and the towering Colossale Statue of San Carlo (San Carlo Borromeo). A stay in Arona gives you a buoyant mix of outdoor fun and culture—perfect for energetic travelers who want seamless access to boat trips, cycling alongside the lake, and casual evenings in lakeside cafes. From here, day trips to nearby villages and hidden coves along the lake are easy, and your vacation rental can offer quick access to bike paths and paddle-boarding spots. If you’re booking a holiday home near Arona, look for properties with secure bike storage, a sunny courtyard for morning yoga, and a kitchen that makes it simple to host a late-night pasta party after a sunset cruise.

Novara city: culture, markets, and architecture

Novara, the provincial capital, is a vibrant base with a compact historic center that blends medieval elegance and modern street life. The city’s cathedral, Piazza Martiri della Libertà, and the towering, slightly off-kilter Torre di San Gaudenzio (designed by Alessandro Antonelli) create a striking skyline that’s perfect for daytime exploring and sunset photos. A stay in or near Novara gives you convenient access to museums, markets, and delicious Piedmontese cuisine—often enjoyed in lively osterie where locals gather for long meals. Your vacation rental in this area should offer comfortable living spaces for groups, with dining rooms that accommodate everyone for a shareable meal after a day spent wandering through arcades, pastry shops, and historical streets.

Wine towns: Ghemme and Gattinara

For wine lovers, the Nebbiolo-based wines of Ghemme and Gattinara are a revelation. These towns sit northwest of Novara and offer wine tastings amid vineyard-laden hills that are quintessentially Piedmontese. Staying at a countryside house or a vineyard-adjacent villa allows you to pair mornings in the Chiavazzino or Montagnola vineyards with afternoons paddling on a reflective lake or tracing a medieval route through the villages’ narrow lanes. When you book a vacation rental near these wine towns, look for hosts who can arrange guided tastings, a cheese and salumi board, and a short drive to a regionally famous trattoria where you can indulge in dishes that pair beautifully with Nebbiolo wines.

Borgomanero and the surrounding countryside

Borgomanero makes a great base for exploring the countryside and discovering rural hospitality. The area’s farms and country homes often provide cooking classes and farm-to-table experiences in addition to serene landscapes ideal for morning jogs or relaxed bike rides. If you’re traveling with friends, consider a house with a large kitchen and an outdoor dining space so you can cook together and then roam the countryside to discover old mills, small chapels, and stone farmhouses that tell stories of generations of farming life in Piemonte.

Experiences and activities: what to do in the Province of Novara

When you’re selecting a vacation rental or holiday home, think about how you’ll fill your days. The Province of Novara offers a blend of water-based activities, cultural outings, and easy adventures that are perfect for groups of friends who want to balance leisure with exploration.

• Water adventures on Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore: boat tours, private charters, sailing, paddleboarding, and casual lakefront swims when the weather warms up.
• Walking and hiking: strolls along lakeside paths, gentle forest trails, and short hikes that reveal panoramic views of the surrounding hills and villages.
• Cycling routes: flat lake routes and country lanes that wind past vineyards, farmsteads, and old stone bridges—an ideal way to cover more ground with friends.
• Old-town exploration: meander through medieval lanes, stop at gelaterias and pastry shops, and capture the charm of historic plazas with a camera or a quick social post.
• Food and wine experiences: tasting menus, cooking demonstrations with local chefs, and visits to regional producers of cheeses, rice-based dishes, and Nebbiolo wines from nearby appellations.
• Cultural visits: art galleries, regional museums, and architectural highlights, including iconic towers and churches, to learn about the area’s history and design.
• Markets and authentic day trips: wander markets, find regional ingredients, and plan a day trip to nearby villages for a deeper sense of local life.

For a balanced itinerary, mix two days of lake time with one or two days of city wandering. Then schedule a couple of evenings for wine tastings or a sunset dinner on a terrace—perfect for sharing stories with friends as the sky changes from gold to rose to indigo.

When choosing accommodations in the Province of Novara, consider properties that give you easy access to both water-based activities and hillside trails. A well-located vacation rental might offer a quick drive to the lake, a short ride to the city, and a comfortable space to regroup after a day of exploration. Look for features like a dedicated lounge area for games and chats, a well-equipped kitchen for group meals, and outdoor spaces ideal for dining al fresco after a day of adventures.

Local experiences and seasonal highlights you won’t want to miss

The Piemonte region is famous for food and wine, and the Province of Novara is no exception. Expect rich, comforting flavors that pair with Nebbiolo and other Piedmontese varietals. Seasonal events—whether it’s a harvest festival, a farmers’ market, or a small-town feast—capture the region’s warmth and hospitality. When you stay in a vacation rental here, you have the flexibility to join community events, learn local recipes, and dine in family-run trattorie that serve honest dishes built on local ingredients. If you’re visiting in late summer or autumn, you might catch seasonal markets that showcase fresh vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, and breads baked in wood-fired ovens. In summer, lakeside towns host casual concerts and nights of stargazing from a terrace or a shared balcony. Your holiday home can be the convenient hub from which you organize these experiences with your friends.

To optimize your trip, connect with hosts and local operators through trusted channels. When you’re ready to book, searches on searchandstay.com help you compare multiple properties across the Province of Novara, ensuring you find the right house, apartment, or villa for your group. Look for listings that include clear photos, accurate descriptions, flexible check-in options, and neighborhoods that suit your mood—whether you want a lively center with cafés and nightlife or a peaceful rural setting with panoramic views.

Practical travel tips for a smooth stay in the Province of Novara

Planning a group trip to the Provincia di Novara requires a few practical considerations to maximize comfort and minimize logistics headaches. Here are some traveler-friendly tips to help you book confidently and enjoy a seamless holiday with friends.

• Transportation: The region is well-connected by highways, and the area is easy to reach from Milan and Turin. If you’re staying near the lakes or in the towns outside Novara city, renting a car is convenient for day trips and spontaneous lake outings. If you prefer to rely on public transport, check train connections to Arona, Orta San Giulio, and Novara city, and plan lake visits around ferry schedules.
• Accommodations: For groups, choose houses or villas with multiple bedrooms, large living spaces, and a shared kitchen. Outdoor dining spaces, a barbecue area, and secure parking add substantial value for a trip with friends.
• Seasonality: Lake-oriented activities peak in late spring, summer, and early autumn. Spring brings blossoming landscapes, while autumn offers harvest flavors and wine-tasting experiences in nearby villages. Winter can be quiet and atmospheric, with comfortable indoor spaces in vacation rentals that invite long meals and games by the fire.
• Food and wine etiquette: Piedmontese cuisine often centers on seasonal produce, cheeses, and slow-cooked meats. Learn a few regional phrases, book a wine-tasting experience, and enjoy shared plates that showcase local ingredients and family-style hospitality.
• Booking tips: Start with a clear list of must-haves (distance to water, number of bedrooms, outdoor space, parking). Read guest reviews for insights into host communication and neighborhood safety, and filter listings by your travel window and group size on searchandstay.com to quickly find the best match.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend or a weeklong escape, the Province of Novara in Piemonte offers a balanced mix of outdoor adventures, cultural discoveries, and social evenings with friends. A well-chosen holiday rental acts as your home base for quick dips into lake life, long chats over regional wines, and carefree days spent wandering historic streets and quiet lanes. Embrace the region’s warmth, and let the landscapes of the Province of Novara inspire your next holiday with friends.

For a curated range of accommodations across the area, including charming houses, elegant apartments, and scenic countryside retreats, visit searchandstay.com to compare options, read host reviews, and secure a place that matches your travel vibe. Whether your priorities are proximity to Lake Orta’s island charm, easy access to Arona’s waterfront, or a comfortable city stay in Novara, you’ll find vacation rentals and holiday homes designed for relaxed exploring, fun breakouts, and memorable group adventures in the heart of Piemonte, Italy.