Varallo Sesia, Italy: Why You HAVE TO Visit This Town!

Is Varallo Sesia worth visiting? If you’re thinking of visiting this mountain town, you’re in for a treat. Varallo is 100% worth visiting and actually turned out to be another of our favourite locations while exploring Piedmont. 

We stopped here on our way south from Alagna Valsesia after some hiking to make a visit to the religious site of Sacro Monte di Varallo and break up the journey. Not expecting much, we were blown away by Varallo’s beauty and quirky character.

Varallo is perfect for culture, history, and even adventure enthusiasts, thanks to its unique blend of attractions and activities. From stunning architecture, thrilling water sports and beautiful panoramic vistas, we enjoyed exploring the town, and I know you will, too. 

Here’s everything you can’t miss when visiting Varallo Sesia, Italy!

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The Very Best Of Varallo Sesia, Italy Piedmont And Why It’s Worth A Visit!

In this post, I’m sharing my knowledge and experience of Varallo Sesia and why I think it’s a wonderful place that’s definitely worth visiting. I’m also including the following:

• All the top activities and attractions
• A quick guide to planning your trip, including practical information on how to get there, where to stay and when to visit.

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Why Is Varallo Worth Visiting?

Nestled on the Sesia River at the foothills of Monte Rosa, the second-highest mountain in the Alps, Varallo sits in a stunning location. Encapsulated within the valley at 450 metres (1,480 ft) above sea level, the views from the top of town are spectacular. 

Having parked just outside the old town, we decided to spend the night to break up our drive south. Surprisingly, Varallo Sesia was larger than we had expected, with a grand piazza and numerous architectural charms.

The Sacro Monte di Varallo is, of course, the main reason for visiting, but the town was a bustling hub, especially towards the evening when things started to liven up. It’s a town filled with restaurants, cafes and bars, fashion, antiques, and bookstores, all with a quaint character, which we loved. 

It also helped that we visited on a sunny day as it made the river, which flows through the centre of the town, sparkle an emerald green. Approaching the town was like a fairy tale, with a heavy stone bridge and colourful buildings along the water’s edge. There was even a small sandy beach perfect for dipping our hot feet. 

After spending the day in Varallo Sesia, I can honestly say that it’s a destination worth visiting. It was such a lovely surprise and somewhere worth adding to your Piedmont itinerary.

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Things To Do In Varallo Sesia

There are a number of fascinating attractions and activities in Varallo and the surrounding area. We’ve cherry-picked the absolute best for you.

1. Visit The Sacro Monte di Varallo

There is no way you can visit Varallo without a stop at the Sacro Monte di Varallo. The Sacred Mountain is Varallo’s crowning glory and is considered one of the most important religious sites in the country. 

The complex was built in the 16th century and is made up of 45 chapels spread across a winding path up a hillside. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and each chapel is dedicated to a different moment in the life of Jesus Christ. 

The chapels contain sculptures and other artwork that are considered masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, but for me, it was the views across the valley that made the site extra special. No matter your religious beliefs, it’s worth visiting.

2. And The Churches

Varallo Sesia is known for its beautiful churches, including the Church of San Gaudenzio and Santa Maria delle Grazie. Both are definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in art and architecture. 

Santa Maria delle Grazie has a wonderful wall of frescos painted by the renowned 16th-century painter Gaudenzio Ferrari. It’s said to be a masterpiece of Renaissance painting in the Piedmont region. 

We also visited the Church of San Gaudenzio when exploring the historic centre. To reach the church, you’ll need to climb up some steps as it sits on a promontory, but once up there, you’ll get a great view over the main square and of Sacro Monte in the distance.

3. Stroll Around Varallo Old Town

Varallo Old Town is a charming historic district and a place you’re going to love exploring! It’s filled with narrow streets and alleyways where you can soak in the local culture and traditions.

To access it (depending on where you’re staying), walk over to the stone bridge, Ponte Antonini, which is over 600 years old! From there, you’ll get picturesque views of the surrounding mountains. The architecture is beautiful; it’s medieval and bright, and you’ll notice all the colourful buildings along the river. 

On the other side, the cobbled streets eventually weave to the main piazza, but be sure to check out Via Pio Alberganti, Via Osella and Via Ravelli. We found a pizzeria to stop at for dinner along Via Osella – Pizzeria Ristorante Grotta Azzurra – and a pub – Gambrinus Pub – across the road for drinks. 

A little opposite was a shop wafting out some incense smoke, so we made a quick stop to stock up the van. Other than that shop, you’ll find old antique stores and boutique fashion sprawling throughout the streets.

4. Relax At Piazza Vittorio Emanuele

The huge central plaza of Vittorio Emanuele is Varallo’s main square, home to many notable landmarks, including the stunning Church of San Gaudenzio I mentioned above and the Monumento a Re Vittorio Emanuele, which dominates the central plaza. 

It’s easy to grab a coffee or a delicious meal at one of the many cafes that are nearby while admiring the beautiful architecture and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. 

We actually felt that this part of the city was quite modern and spacious, which is a contrast to the rest of the old town, although many of its buildings and monuments date to the medieval and Renaissance periods.

5. Explore The Museums

I didn’t manage to visit the museums in Varallo, but there are a handful of interesting ones to keep you busy. The city’s main museum is Palazzo dei Musei – Pinacoteca di Varallo e Museo Calderini.

The Museo Calderini is dedicated to both the art and nature of the Valsesia Valley. It features exhibits on the richness of the Valsesian artistic tradition from the Renaissance to the 19th century. There are also local traditions, crafts, and naturalistics, as well as a collection of archaeological artefacts from the region. 

The museum is worth visiting if you’re interested in Italian history, art, nature and culture. Still, it would be especially appealing if you’re interested in the history and culture of the Piedmont region.

We also noticed the Museum of Ancient Watchmaking of Varallo, which could be a little hidden treasure. You might also want to visit the Valsesia Railway Museum, located inside the former railway depot. It houses a collection of documents, photos, relics, and dioramas.

6. The Heritage Train

If you’re looking for a unique and historical experience in Italy, don’t miss the chance to hop on the Novara-Varallo heritage train. This vintage steam locomotive will take you on a journey through the beautiful Valsesia region, passing by stunning landscapes and charming towns.

During the trip, you’ll have the opportunity to taste typical local products and enjoy a free guided tour of Varallo Sesia and its monuments with qualified tourist guides. All rates include an advance booking fee and discounts for the cable car to Sacro Monte upon presentation of the train ticket.

The Novara-Varallo line has a long history, dating back to the 1850s, thanks to the work of engineers Giuseppe Antonini and Giulio Axerio. Nowadays, the project is managed by the FS Italiane Foundation, the Piedmont Region, and the Municipality of Varallo.

If you’re planning to visit Milan or Turin, make sure to check the calendar as routes are proposed every year, offering themed trips with small tastings on board and events in Varallo.

• Valsesian Railway Museum 

7. Enjoy The Adventure Sports

Aside from the sites within the town, Varallo Sesia and the surrounding Valsesia area offer a range of outdoor activities that can be combined with your itineraries to add a little excitement.

Here are some of the popular adventure sports that you can try in Varallo, Italy:

Rafting and kayaking: The Sesia River, which runs through the Valsesia area, is a popular spot for white water rafting and kayaking. 

Canyoning: Canyoning involves navigating through narrow gorges and canyons by rappelling, jumping, and swimming. 

Hiking and trekking: The Valsesia area is known for its beautiful hiking trails that offer stunning vistas of the Alps and the surrounding countryside. 

Mountain biking: The Valsesia area has several mountain biking trails that range in difficulty. It’s possible to rent a bike and explore the scenic trails on your own or join a guided tour.

• Sesia Rafting

8. Visit During L’Alpàa Festival

If you’re looking for an authentic cultural experience, don’t miss the annual Alpaa Varallo festival. This festival celebrates the local traditions of the Valsesia Valley and takes place every year in July.

During the festival, you can enjoy a range of activities, including traditional music and dance performances, food and wine tastings, handicraft exhibits, and much more. You can also take part in guided tours of the town and visit the impressive Sacro Monte di Varallo.

The festival is organised by the local community and offers a unique opportunity to experience the cultural heritage of the Valsesia Valley. 

If you’re planning to attend the festival, make sure to book your accommodation well in advance, as it’s a popular event that draws large crowds.

• L’Alpaa Festival

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Planning Your Trip To Varallo Sesia

Are you ready to book your trip? I’ve put together a quick travel guide to help you plan! This includes travel tips and practical information on visiting Varallo Sesia.

How Long Will You Need In Varallo, Italy?

Varallo isn’t a huge city, but it would be perfect for a weekend stay if you’re exploring the Piedmont or Lombardi regions of Italy. You could easily spend a weekend exploring the city and the surrounding area, booking a rafting experience and hiking in the nearby national park.

We spent one day, which was enough to see the main attractions within the city, but overall we were in Piedmont for a little over two weeks.

How To Get To Varallo

Varallo is easily accessed by road; however, due to its location, there is no direct rail network from the larger cities. That said, with a few transfers, you’ll be able to reach Varallo within a few hours.

ROAD

The SP299 westbound runs along the Sesia River, connecting Varallo to Novara, where the E64 connects to Milan. Alternatively, the A4 connects Novara to Turin. Both Turin and Milan have international airports.

If you’re planning to visit Varallo, ideally, you’ll want to have access to a vehicle.

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TRAIN

As for the rail links, Varallo does have a train station, although it only serves the heritage train. To get to Varallo on public transport, you’ll need to catch a train to Vercelli Railway station and then a bus to Varallo.

Vercelli Railway station is connected to both Milan and Turin; both journeys take just under an hour. From Vercelli, the number 50 bus takes you to Varallo, Italy in about an hour and a half.

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

Train Travel: I use the Trainline to book your train tickets in advance, and you’ll save money! Trainline is available all over Europe and the United Kingdom. Find trains here.

PLANE

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 do as well to find the best deals!

Ideas On Where To Stay

Varallo makes a good base for exploring the Valsesia Valley, and you can easily reach Lake Orta and Lake Maggiore, where the gems Orta San Giulio and Omegna are worth a day trip in less than an hour.

• Delzanno: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Ospitalità rurale familiare Land Wasser: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Dimora Fiorita Senior My Holiday Home: Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.
• Al vicolo del Gallo: – Check and review prices on Booking│ Book a room on Agoda.

When To Visit Varallo, Italy

We visited in early autumn, which was the perfect time. We avoided the summer crowds and were able to enjoy an authentic Varallo without the tourists. Even though it was autumn, the weather remained pleasant, and we had temperatures around 20°C/68°F.

Therefore, I recommend visiting in late September or early October.

That said, there is also a reason to visit in July due to the festivities, and you could consider visiting before the peak season begins. Peak season is generally considered between June and August.

Keep in mind that during winter, the area is prone to heavy snowfall.

In Summary: Is Varallo Sesia Worth Visiting?

Since we returned from our Italy road trip, I’ve recommended Varallo Sesia as a place worth visiting to friends and family who enjoy nature holidays. It’s in a beautiful location, and the drive to reach it along the river is reward enough in itself.

It’s definitely somewhere to be added to a larger itinerary to explore the Valsesia Valley. Another place we loved was Alagna Valsesia, at the end of the valley. If you’re a fan of history, hiking, art and fresh mountain air, then Varallo is going to be somewhere to visit.