Sitting scenically in the foothills of the Biellese Alps, Biella is technically a city, but more visually described as two towns in one, linked by a funicular. Biella Piazzo is at the top, with the medieval and Renaissance mansions, and Bella Piano at the bottom, with the cathedral. Above the city are mountain slopes, and the pilgrimage site, Oropa. Our Gurus don’t have a favourite part of town, and actually their recommendation for the best places to stay in Biella is in the countryside, on the city outskirts.

The Sacred Mount of Oropa sanctuary is a very beautiful collection of 12 Roman Catholic churches and chapels, which are designed to be visited in order, and throughout which the story of the Virgin Mary is told, both with art and 156 modelled figures. Biella is also close to the Bielmonte Ski Resort, and the Burkina Natural Reserve, and just south of the city is a beautiful expanse of moorland. So there are plenty of reasons to pick Biella as a base.

But what about Biella itself, you may ask? Well, taking a stroll within Biella is best done with a map, this isn’t one of your tiny hilltop hamlets, and if you want to find the city’s official highlights, the 13th century cathedral, Renaissance churches of San Sebastian and San Girolamo, the archaeological museum and art gallery, use a map. But as with all the best Italian destinations, if you walk around without one you’re bound to see some incredible architecture, bell towers, and some fascinating evidence of Biella’s long history as a major textiles producer — Biella is still important for fashion and garment production today, and there are a number of Italian brands born here. The best places to stay in Biella are known for their local cuisine, and this is a great spot for foodies, and their families too, with numerous local sweets and biscuits to try, plus a number of local cheeses and Piedmont wines.

The Best Places to Stay in Biella

For a Countryside Escape

• The Santo Stefano Spa Relais makes a fantastic country escape: a picturesque rural villa complete with tennis courts, an outdoor pool, bikes, horse riding facilities, and a golf course just a few kilometres away. The spa is so good it’s part of the name, and the restaurant has a great reputation for its regional cuisine. Its 40 rooms and suites are stylishly decorated without too many flourishes, and there are some great family-sized options. We also think it’s great value.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The closest international airport to Biella is Turin Airport, which is an hour away by car, or about two and a half hours by public transport. Milan Malpensa is also just over an hour away by car, or three hours by public transport, and Milan Linate is a little bit further again, at about an hour and a half by car, or three and a half hours by public transport. There are also plenty of ways to arrive by train, though most will take you via Milan or Turin again.
• So we recommend you arrange an airport pick up, or consider hiring a car? if you decide to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Biella is in the foothills of the Bielllese Alps, close to the pilgrimage site of Oropa, the Bielmonte Ski Resort and the Burkina Natural Reserve, so there are clear sets of people visiting Biella, and they’re not all keen on visiting at the same time. Piedmont is busy during the harvest months, when there are a number of food festivals, while in the summer the festivals are usually arts focused.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Piedmont
• Or expand only a little further and include the best places to stay in Asti, with its sparkling wine and historic architecture, Alba, with its white truffles, Turin for the Fiats and Nutella or Lake Maggiore, with its exotic plants
• You might also refine your search by the kind of holiday you’re planning, and focus on the best wine hotels in Piedmont or go skiing in Sestriere
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.