Discover Novara on foot with this 1-day itinerary in the historic center. An 8-stop route that will take you to discover squares, churches, and palaces, from the Duomo to the Basilica of San Gaudenzio. Follow the map and our tips to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Novara historic center walking itinerary 8 stops awaits you: a mix of art, history, and local life. Starting from the Cathedral, you’ll stroll through the Broletto, the Sforza Castle, and the charming Piazza della Repubblica, until you reach the majestic dome of the Basilica. Each stop is enriched with fun facts and practical advice to make the most of the city. A perfect idea for a weekend getaway or a day trip, suitable for everyone: couples, families, and solo travelers. Don’t forget to stop at one of the center’s trattorias to taste the local cuisine. With this itinerary, Novara will reveal all its charm.
🗺️ Your trip at a glance
A compact yet comprehensive itinerary to discover the heart of Novara in one day.
- Ideal for: those who love art and history, on a route rich in monuments.
- Highlights: 8 iconic stops, map included, stop at the Broletto and the Basilica.
- Who it’s for: city-breakers, cultural explorers, and families.
Itinerary stops
Stop no. 1
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
First stop on our itinerary: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, set in a charming corner of Novara between Piazza della Repubblica and Vicolo Canonica. A pagan temple once stood here, followed by a 4th-century Early Christian basilica, and today we admire Alessandro Antonelli’s imposing neoclassical façade. Inside, among the aisles punctuated by Corinthian columns, the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine by Gaudenzio Ferrari and the precious Romanesque floor mosaic of Adam and Eve stand out. Don’t miss the Chapel of San Siro with its 12th-century frescoes and the reliquary bust of San Bernardo. Hours: Monday–Saturday 7:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, Sunday 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–21:30. Free admission. Stepping inside is like traveling back centuries, among ancient frescoes and silence broken only by the 19th-century organ.- Go to the page: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: Novara’s Neoclassical Duomo
- Vicolo Canonica, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Visitors who appreciate historical layers and artistic details, from Romanesque mosaics to Antonelli’s genius, will be fascinated by this cathedral that tells centuries of faith and culture.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Stop no. 1
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
First stop on our itinerary: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, set in a charming corner of Novara between Piazza della Repubblica and Vicolo Canonica. A pagan temple once stood here, followed by a 4th-century Early Christian basilica, and today we admire Alessandro Antonelli’s imposing neoclassical façade. Inside, among the aisles punctuated by Corinthian columns, the Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine by Gaudenzio Ferrari and the precious Romanesque floor mosaic of Adam and Eve stand out. Don’t miss the Chapel of San Siro with its 12th-century frescoes and the reliquary bust of San Bernardo. Hours: Monday–Saturday 7:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00, Sunday 9:00–13:00 and 15:00–21:30. Free admission. Stepping inside is like traveling back centuries, among ancient frescoes and silence broken only by the 19th-century organ.- Go to the page: Novara Cathedral: Antonelli’s 121-meter-high dome and Romanesque crypt
- Vicolo Canonica, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Visitors who appreciate historical layers and artistic details, from Romanesque mosaics to Antonelli’s genius, will be fascinated by this cathedral that tells centuries of faith and culture.
Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Stop no. 2
Teatro Coccia
Continuing towards Piazza Giacomo Puccini, you’ll come across one of Novara’s gems: the Teatro Coccia. Inaugurated in 1888, it is the only Teatro di Tradizione in Piedmont, with a capacity of about 900 seats. The atmosphere here is that of grand opera houses: perfect acoustics, 19th-century elegance, and a stage that has hosted works by Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi. The season ranges from opera to dance, from drama to concerts, with a special focus on young people thanks to the AMO Academy. If you’re passing by, take a look at the program: there might be a show that captures your interest. The theater is accessible to people with disabilities and is a stone’s throw from the Broletto.- Go to the page: Teatro Coccia Novara: Horseshoe-shaped Hall and Perfect Acoustics Since 1888
- Piazza Giacomo Puccini, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Those who choose Teatro Coccia are not mere tourists, but culture enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences: here, opera is experienced with the same intensity as on an international stage.
Teatro Coccia
Stop no. 3
Visconti-Sforza Castle: A Dive into History
Just a few steps away, you’ll find yourself in front of one of Novara’s symbols: the Visconti-Sforza Castle. Its foundations date back to the 1st century AD, when it was part of the Roman city walls. In 1293 it passed to the Visconti family, who fortified it, and then to the Sforza family, who gave it its current appearance with four corner towers and an imposing moat. For over 170 years it served as a prison (until 1973), housing among others Claretta Petacci. After a long restoration, it reopened in 2016 and today hosts high-quality temporary exhibitions, such as those dedicated to Divisionism and Italian painters in Paris. The courtyard is free and accessible daily from 7 am to 7 pm; the interior rooms can only be visited during events. If you’re a history or art enthusiast, don’t miss the chance to explore this layered place, where every stone tells a piece of the past.- Go to the page: Visconti-Sforza Castle Novara: Crenellated Towers and Renaissance Courtyards in the Historic Center
- Largo Donatori di Sangue, Novara (NO)
- https://www.ilcastellodinovara.it/
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You should go if…
Those who visit the Visconti-Sforza Castle are not mere tourists, but history enthusiasts who love uncovering the layers of time, from Roman foundations to prisons.
Visconti-Sforza Castle of Novara
Stop no. 4
Basilica of San Gaudenzio
The fourth stop brings you face-to-face with Novara’s most beloved landmark: the Basilica of San Gaudenzio. Designed by Pellegrino Tibaldi, it was built between 1577 and 1590 after the plague, but its dome steals the show: 121 meters of brick and lime, a masterpiece by Alessandro Antonelli completed in 1878. Entrance is free (open daily 8 AM–6 PM). Let the side chapels amaze you: the polyptych by Gaudenzio Ferrari from 1516 in the Nativity Chapel, the frescoes by Tanzio da Varallo in the Chapel of the Guardian Angel, and the 18th-century Scurolo with the saint’s silver urn. If you’ve got guts, book a guided climb to the second balcony (from €12) – you’ll pass through the bell tower’s double staircase and the Sala del Compasso with Antonelli’s ancient compass. Up there, at 45 meters, you’ll enjoy the city and, on clear days, Milan’s skyscrapers on the horizon.- Go to the page: Basilica of San Gaudenzio: Antonelli’s 121m Dome and Italy’s Tallest Bell Tower
- Via Carlo Bescapè, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Whoever arrives here is a traveler thirsting for wonder: faith alone isn’t enough—they want to experience firsthand the gravity-defying engineering, the brick and art.
Basilica of San Gaudenzio
Stop no. 5
Palazzo e Arengo del Broletto
Leave the dome behind and step back in time: the Palazzo e Arengo del Broletto is Novara’s most important medieval complex, unique in Piedmont for its Lombard design. Built from the 13th century around a square courtyard, its four buildings tell centuries of power and public life: the Palazzo dell’Arengo with the rare Frieze of the Knights (1230–1270), secular chivalric scenes; the Palazzo dei Paratici of the craft guilds; the Gothic Palazzo del Podestà with five terracotta-decorated mullioned windows; and the Palazzo dei Referendari. Upstairs, you’ll find the Paolo and Adele Giannoni Gallery of Modern Art, with over 800 Italian paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries – from Fattori to Segantini – and entry for just €5 (free on the first Sunday of the month). The courtyard is always open, and in summer it hosts an open-air cinema. Don’t miss the Sala dell’Arengo with its detached 15th-century frescoes.- Piazza della Repubblica, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Those who visit the Broletto are curious travelers who love to get lost among historical and artistic layers, capturing the shift from medieval politics to modern art in a single courtyard.
Palazzo e Arengo del Broletto
Stop no. 6
Museums of the Duomo Canonica
From the Broletto courtyard, just a few steps take you to Vicolo Canonica, where the medieval cloister of the cathedral hides a two-part gem. The Museo del Tesoro welcomes you with five terracotta groups of the Passion, followed by vestments and reliquaries from the 16th to the 19th century. Upstairs, the Museo Lapidario houses the third largest epigraphic collection in Italy: Celtic stelae, Roman altars from the 2nd century BC to the 3rd century AD, and a precious 5th-century ivory diptych. Those who love details seek out the small female terracotta figurine from Magna Graecia. 13 rooms for a dive from the 6th century BC to the 19th century. Open Saturday and Sunday (3–6 PM winter, 4–7 PM summer), ticket €5. Tip: book a weekday visit to enjoy the cloister almost in solitude.- Vicolo Canonica, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Those who visit the Museums of the Duomo Canonica are explorers seeking layered stories: from Celtic inscriptions to sacred vestments, with a keen eye for minor details, without haste.
Museums of the Duomo Canonica of Novara
Stop no. 7
Casa della Porta
Continuing along Via Canobio, you come across one of the most fascinating examples of Gothic civil architecture in Novara: Casa della Porta. Its brick façade, with three large pointed-arch windows adorned with terracotta frames featuring twisted floral motifs, will leave you speechless. Between the windows stand out two noble coats of arms: the cardinal’s hat of Ardicino della Porta, who purchased the building in the early 1400s, and the Visconti serpent, symbol of Milanese rule. The house stands on a much older core, dating back to the year 1000, with reused Roman materials. Saved from demolition between the 19th and 20th centuries, it was restored by architect Carlo Nigra between 1918 and 1930, who returned it to its original splendor. Today it houses the Enne3 business incubator and several companies—a blend of history and modernity that makes it unique. It’s worth looking up to catch every detail.- Via Amico Canobio, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Those who visit Casa della Porta are enthusiasts of medieval details, able to pause and admire the coats of arms and terracotta decorations, savoring the centuries of stratification on a single façade.
Casa della Porta
Stop no. 8
Omarini Garden
After so much history and architecture, Omarini Garden is the perfect stop to recharge. Overlooking Largo Cavour, this small public park is a true green lung in the city center. Inside, the Little Mermaid Fountain stands out, a 1927 work by Milanese sculptor Pier Enrico Astori, depicting a female figure with a shell. The benches shaded by plane trees invite you to sit and observe Novara life. Once a private garden attached to the Omarini family palace, it was later donated to the city. Today it’s a meeting place for students and families, with well-kept flowerbeds and paths. If you visit Novara in spring, the flowers make it even more charming. Perfect to end the itinerary with relaxation.- Largo Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, Novara (NO)
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You should go if…
Those who arrive at Omarini Garden are travelers who love to take a break between monuments, appreciating the unexpected silence and greenery in the historic center.
Omarini Garden
