Is Omegna Worth It? Why You SHOULD Visit This Italian Town!

Omegna is definitely worth a visit. It’s perched on the two banks of the Nigoglia River on the north tip of Lake Orta in Italy’s Piedmont region and is a charming town to spend a few hours exploring. 

We headed there for a day trip while exploring the area around Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore on our eight-week Italian road trip. Like most places along these shores, we found Omegna to be a quaint town full of character.

Although small, Omegna is perfect for history and nature enthusiasts thanks to its mountain lake location and attractions. The surrounding vistas are beautiful, and there are a few sites worth visiting, such as Forum Omegna and the Church of Saint Ambrogio.

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Uncover The Reasons Omegna Is Worth Visiting For A Day Trip While Visiting Lake Orta

In this post, I’m sharing my knowledge of Omegna and why I think it’s worth visiting for a day trip while exploring Italy’s lakes in Piedmont. I’m also covering:

• Top attractions and things to do in Omegna.
• How to get there and where to park.

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Is Omegna Worth Visiting?

Lake Orta is better known for its gems like Orta San Giulio and Isola San Giulio rather than its ancient town of Omegna, but we thought it was an idyllic spot to spend a few hours and somewhere not to be missed.

Perfect for a slow day if you’re feeling a little tired and looking for somewhere to grab a meal, take in the scenery and not feel overwhelmed by countless attractions – Omegna is definitely worth visiting. Although the town has a long history that dates back to Roman times, the historical centre remains somewhat small, so it won’t take you long to explore. 

During the Middle Ages, Omegna was ruled by various lords and was known for its skilled craftsmen who produced high-quality textiles, ceramics, and metalwork. This can still be seen today, as the town is home to the Alessi Factory Store, a well-known and loved brand for stylish kitchens and homeware. Omegna is a good place to buy designer household items.

We enjoyed walking along the promenade, which was beautifully maintained with autumn wildflowers still blooming. The walk along the river, although short, was pretty, and the quaint streets, filled with boutique shops, are worth exploring.

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Activities Worth Doing In Omegna, Italy

There are a handful of activities in Omegna that we enjoyed, and if you’re heading there, be sure to tick these activities off the list. 

Market Day

Market day in Omegna is a must-visit and the reason we headed there in the first place. Held every Thursday on Via Lungo Lago Buozzi, the weekly market is a bustling experience that offers a chance to experience the local culture and pick up some unique keepsakes. 

The market is located in the heart of the town, and you can expect to find a wide range of items. We found fresh produce and handmade crafts to clothing and accessories. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, and it’s a great place to interact with the locals and enjoy an authentic Italian way of life. 

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore the market when you’re in Omegna!

The Promenade Walk

The Promenade goes around the lake at Omegna for a few kilometres on either side, but the west shore is much nicer and less obstructed. From our parking spot along Via Lungo Lago Buozzi (on the west shore as this road goes around to the east), the promenade is stunning. 

It’s a short walk, about 10 minutes, to the old town centre of Omegna. It’s flat, well-paved and easy to walk; you’ll be able to take some lovely photos of the lake too.

The River Walk

Once you reach Omegna, you’ll notice the bridge over the Nigoglia River. It’s the outflowing river for Lake Orta and, interestingly, the only north-flowing river in Italy. At the bridge is the Piazza XXIV Aprile, which delivers picturesque views across Lake Orta, but follow the river into the town, and you’ll be able to walk along the river.

Vicolo Fantello is the name of the River Walk path. It will take you directly to the Omegna Forum, which is a redeveloped old steelworks factory now an exhibition centre; see the attractions below.

Brunch At  La Buvette

There are numerous places to grab a meal in Omegna. We stopped by a few, but my favourite was La Buvette, which is actually a restaurant deli. Although the dishes were small, the flavours were sensational. 

We had a wonderful waiter who was attentive, friendly and happy to give recommendations on both food and wine. We sat outside with a view of the lake; although it was on the road, it wasn’t busy. There was seating inside as well. 

Shop On Via Alberganti (Via Dal Buter)

There are a number of streets to browse; the most popular is Via Alberganti. It’s sometimes referred to as Via dal Buter due to the old butter and cheese market that used to be held along the street. Here, you’ll find boutique shops selling everything from fashion and antiques to homeware.

It will lead you to the heart of the old town at Piazza XXIV Aprile. From there, take a stroll along the pedestrianised Via Felice Cavallotti. Again, this street is full of shops, and we noticed a number of bars, too. Keep walking to reach the Church of Saint Ambrogio.

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Attractions Worth Visiting In Omegna

Don’t miss these popular attractions while you’re visiting Omegna to make your trip worth it. 

The Church of Saint Ambrogio

The town is home to several cultural and historical attractions, such as the church of Sant’Ambrogio, which dates back to the 11th century and features lovely frescoes and artwork. 

It has religious and artistic interests and a beautiful mosaic floor. There are numerous chapels, each with its own religious artefacts and depictions. It’s a nice church and worth visiting, if only for a quick look while you’re in Omegna.

Omegna Forum

The Omegna Forum is an exhibition and museum on the former location of the Cobianchi Ironworks, where they used to operate blast furnaces for melting cast iron. 

It’s a good example of the restoration and redevelopment of an important industrial complex. The factory’s vault, the walls that supported the massive overhead crane, and the raw material storage hoppers can still be seen today. 

It is an interesting place to learn about the Italian industry and its evolution in metal in Italian homes, including iconic products like the Bialetti moka pot and even forks. It’s easily reachable from the River Walk.

Museo Rodari

Giovanni Francesco Rodari was an Italian author and journalist known for his works of children’s literature, including the famous Il Romanzo di Cipollino. He was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for his contribution as a children’s author in 1970 and is considered Italy’s most important children’s author of the 20th century.

He was born in Omegna, and there is a museum dedicated to his life and works. We didn’t visit as, unfortunately, the museum has no English translations. This might be a drawback for many of you. If you speak Italian and are interested in literacy, it could be somewhere worth adding to the list.

Alessi Factory Store

North of Omegna in its Crusinallo borough (Frazione), the Alessi Factory Store is a great place to find unique and stylish home decor, kitchenware, and gifts. You’ll find a wide selection of items that are both functional and beautiful, and their prices are very reasonable.

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Planning Your Trip To Omegna

Are you ready to plan your trip? I’ve put together some practical information on getting to and moving around Omegna.

How Long Will You Need In Omegna?

The old town of Omegna is small, and a day trip is enough. It’s possible to see all the attractions and complete the activities if you arrive early on a Thursday morning.

How To Get To Omegna, Italy

Omegna has a well-connected road and rail network. 

Road

The E62 connects Omegna to Milan, which has the nearest International Airport. The SP229 also runs along the eastern shores of Lake Orta with connections for Turin.

Bus

There are three bus companies that connect all locations throughout the Piedmont province with services connecting the towns around Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore to Omegna. Depending on where you go, there are a number of routes.

Check the timetable:

• Comazzibus
• SAF

Train

As for the rail links, Omegna has two train stations. The nearest station to the old town is Omgena, whereas Omegna-Crusinallo is next to the Alessi Factory Store. From Milan, it takes about two hours to reach Omegna with a transfer at Novara.

You can check times and prices using Trainline. I find booking seats in advance saves money.

Plan

Milan and Turin both have an International Airport with numerous low-cost flights arriving from Europe. We like to use Skyscanner to book flights and set up price alerts, which I recommend you to do as well to find the best deals!

Ferry

Finally, you can get to Omegna on the ferry, which serves Lake Orta. There are two companies.

Navigazione Lago D’Orta runs three routes regularly during the summer periods but is suspended during the winter (it runs only on the 31st of January and Sundays of March and October during winter). For more information, check the official website here.

The second is Consorzio Navigazione Servizio Pubblico. Official website, here.

Parking At Omegna

Cars

For normal cars, there is ample parking in Omegna. Within the centre, there are two large car parks on either side of the town.

Campers

For campers and cars, there is street parking along Lungolago Gramsci and Lungo Lago Buozzi. There are electrical hook-ups available as well, and parking is free. Otherwise, there is a camper park at the end of Via Fratelli Rosselli.

We stayed one night. It’s a good spot for campers, safe and secure. There are all the services you’ll need, including showers, but I found on a chilly autumn day, the showers weren’t good enough. They’d be fine for summer. The price is around €10 for 12 hours.

Ideas On Where To Stay

Make the most out of your visit and stay in Omegna. It makes a great base for exploring the rest of the area, including nearby Stresa, where the three Borromean Islands are; Verbania, home to our favourite Italian botanical gardens; and Orta San Giulio, where the tranquil Isola San Giulio can be found.

• Top-end option: Chocolat La Mairie (apartment) – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Mid-range option: Locanda La Francisca (hotel) – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Budget option: La CasaLina (apartment) – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.

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The Perfect Day In Omegna, Italy

I recommend arriving early on in the morning; most shops open at 9 am. If you want to visit the market, it’s on a Thursday. Park along the street at Via Fratelli Rosselli so you can walk along the promenade into the centre of town; otherwise, Parking 1 above is best. If you’re not visiting on Thursdays, park on Via Lungo Lago Buozzi closer to town, but you’ll still get to walk along the promenade. 

Head to Piazza XXIV Aprile and walk along the river to Omegna Fortum. Afterwards, walk back into Omegna’s old town, crossing over the River at Via E. de Amicis bridge onto Via Felice Cavallotti. Had southbound, but don’t forget to pop into the church on the corner. 

Continue on Via Felice Cavallotti until you’re back in the main plaza. The street will continue onto Via Alberganti and take you back down to the promenade if you follow it. Alternatively, you can hook a right at Via Dottor D. Manfredi for the Rodari museum.

If you want to visit the Alessi Factory Store, you can either drive onwards after your visit to Omegna or jump on the train. It’s one-stop north and is quite fun to use the train. 

⭐ Pro tip >> Keep in mind that most shops in Italy shut for lunch between 12 and 1 pm until about 3 pm or 3:30 pm. They generally close around 7:30 pm.

Quarna Sopra

If you have time, you might consider visiting Quarna Sopra and let me know how it is! We wanted to visit, but the road leading to the small hilltop town looked steep and too windy for our camper, so we gave it a miss. If you’re travelling in a small car, it shouldn’t be a problem.

I’ve read the town has some stunning panoramic views of Lake Orta looking south over the entire lake. It’s 8 km / 5 miles along SP51 and should take around 20 minutes from Omegna. 

In Summary: Is Omegna Worth Visiting?

As always, I leave you with my final thoughts on why I think Omegna is worth visiting. In the end, we spent two nights, one on the roadside and one in the camper park. We enjoyed the views and the walk into Omegna, but one day was enough to see the sites. 

I found Omegna to be a quaint town with lots of character, and I definitely think it deserves more recognition. I especially enjoyed the promenade and river walk, which were nice surprises. All the shops were lovely and fun to walk around, while the meal we had at La Buvette was excellent. In truth, the pizza we had at Pomodoro was also delicious and super affordable.

We visited in late September and had a mixture of weather during our road trip around Piedmont, but mostly it was sunny. Since we were travelling during the low season, the town wasn’t crowded, and we didn’t need to make reservations. 

I would have liked to have experienced the ferry and also Quarna Sopra. If you visit, let me know how you get on!

Thank you for reading my post. You can find my latest stories and articles on my blog homepage here. Follow me on Instagram (@abigailcarolina.dalton) and Facebook to see what I’m getting up to and where my upcoming trips are!

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