Things to Do in Novara

The historic central square with a daily food market under a covered loggia. Come for local cheese, bread, and cured meats at market prices.

🕐 Market open Monday to Saturday 7:00-13:00; square open all day

💡 Buy a paper cone of olives and a slice of focaccia from the stall near the fountain for under €3.

The city's iconic 19th-century basilica with a towering 121-metre dome. Climb the dome for panoramic views; entry to the church is free.

🕐 Daily 07:30–12:00 and 15:00–19:00

💡 Climbing the dome costs a few euros and is worth it for the view. Go late afternoon for soft light.

Central square with the neoclassical cathedral (free entry) and the Broletto palace complex. The square itself is a calm spot to sit.

🕐 Cathedral open daily 08:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00

💡 Pop into the Broletto courtyard – it's usually quiet and has a lovely Romanesque cloister.

A domed basilica with a striking 121-metre cupola designed by Alessandro Antonelli. Climb the dome for a small fee, but the interior is free.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 8:00-12:00 & 15:00-18:00, Sunday 9:00-12:00 & 15:00-18:00

💡 Skip the climb if queues are long; the view from Piazza della Repubblica is just as good.

An unfinished neoclassical palace from the 1830s, now a free cultural space hosting exhibitions and events. The courtyard is open to the public.

🕐 Varies; generally open afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday during exhibitions

💡 Check the schedule on the municipality website before visiting; events often include free guided tours of the interior.

Lively open-air market held on Piazza delle Erbe and nearby streets every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Clothes, produce, local cheese.

🕐 Tue and Sat 08:00–13:00

💡 Come hungry – grab a cone of fried olives or slices of salami from the food stalls. Best around 10am to avoid the crowds.

Decent-sized park with a playground, benches, and shaded paths. Good for a picnic or a break from sightseeing.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 Grab a panino from a local bakery and eat at the tables near the fountain. Quietest on weekday mornings.

A large public park surrounding the medieval Sforza Castle. Lawns, shaded paths, and a moat with ducks. Free entry to the park; castle visit has a fee.

🕐 Open daily from 7:00 until dusk

💡 Go on a Sunday morning for a quieter walk and a picnic at the far end near the ramparts.

A compact natural history museum with stuffed animals, minerals, and fossils. Free entry on certain days—check the monthly schedule.

🕐 Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-12:30 & 15:00-18:30; closed Monday

💡 Free admission is usually on the first Sunday of the month. Arrive early to avoid the school groups.

Small natural history museum with local geology, fossils, and taxidermy. Entry is free on the first Sunday of the month; otherwise a low fee.

🕐 Tue–Sat 09:00–12:30 and 14:30–18:00; Sun 10:00–12:30 and 15:00–18:00

💡 Check their website for free-entry days. The fossil collection is better than expected for a provincial museum.