Visit Vercelli: Explore the City, Stay Among the Rice Fields
- amycasettadicharme
- Dec 30, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 9
Vercelli is one of those Italian cities most travelers skip — and that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting.
A small medieval city in northern Piedmont, surrounded by Europe’s largest rice fields, Vercelli offers history, food and authentic local life without crowds.The smartest way to experience it? Visit the city by day and stay in the peaceful countryside just outside it.
Why Visit Vercelli
1. Europe’s Rice Capital
Vercelli sits at the heart of the largest rice-growing area in Europe. Just a few minutes outside the city, the landscape opens into endless rice fields that completely change with the seasons:
Spring (April–May): flooded fields reflecting the sky like mirrors
Summer: intense green landscapes
Autumn: golden harvest season
Winter: foggy, minimalist scenery
This is a side of Italy you won’t find anywhere else.
2. A Quiet Medieval City
Vercelli’s historic center is compact, elegant and refreshingly calm.
Don’t miss:
Basilica di Sant’Andrea – one of the earliest Gothic churches in Italy
Piazza Cavour – the heart of local life
Narrow medieval streets with palaces, courtyards and small cafés
You can see the main highlights in half a day, without rushing.
3. Real Local Life (Not a Tourist Set)
Vercelli isn’t shaped by tourism. And that’s its biggest strength.
You’ll find:
weekly outdoor markets
traditional trattorias serving local rice dishes
family-run shops
locals filling cafés and squares
No souvenir shops, no tour buses, no inflated prices.
What to Do in Vercelli (Simple & Practical)
✔ Visit Basilica Sant’AndreaFree entry, never overcrowded, impressive even if you’re not a church lover.
✔ Walk the historic centerEverything is close. One hour is enough to get the feel of the city.
✔ Eat panissaThe local rice dish made with beans, salami and red wine. This is the real thing — not a tourist version.
✔ Step outside the cityDrive or cycle just a few minutes and you’re surrounded by rice fields.
Why Stay Outside the City (This Is the Key)
Here’s the smart move:Vercelli is perfect to visit, but even better to sleep just outside it.
Staying in the countryside means:
silence at night
open landscapes instead of traffic
easy parking
quick access to the city (5–10 minutes)
That’s exactly where AMY B&B is located.
AMY B&B: Your Base in the Rice Fields
AMY B&B is in Asigliano Vercellese, just minutes from the city but surrounded by rice fields.
You get:
peaceful rural setting
quick access to Vercelli
free parking
comfortable rooms
homemade breakfast with local products
local tips you won’t find online
Visit the city during the day, relax in nature in the evening.
Vercelli as a Base to Explore Piedmont
Vercelli is also perfectly positioned for day trips:
Turin: 50 min
Milan: 50 min
Monferrato wine region: 30 min
Gattinara wine area: 30 min
Langhe (Barolo / Alba): about 1 hour
Lake Maggiore: 45 min
You stay central — without staying in crowded places.
Best Time to Visit Vercelli
Spring: rice fields flooded, incredible landscapes
Summer: green countryside, long days
Autumn: harvest season, food festivals
Winter: quiet, atmospheric fog
Vercelli never gets mass tourism, so there’s no bad season.
Ready to Visit Vercelli the Right Way?
If you’re looking for authentic Piedmont, slow travel and landscapes you won’t find elsewhere, Vercelli is the perfect choice.
And staying in the rice fields just outside the city makes the experience even better.
