Visit Vercelli: Your Gateway to Piedmont Rice Fields

Vercelli isn't on most tourist radars, and that's exactly what makes it special. This small medieval city in northern Piedmont is Europe's rice capital, surrounded by endless rice fields that create landscapes you won't find anywhere else in Italy. If you're looking for authentic Piedmont away from crowded tourist routes, Vercelli is your answer.

WHY VISIT VERCELLI

1. Europe's Rice Capital

📍 What makes it unique: Vercelli produces more rice than any other area in Europe

The landscape around Vercelli is unlike anything else in Italy. In spring, the rice fields flood and create infinite water mirrors reflecting the sky. In summer, everything turns emerald green. In autumn, golden fields stretch to the horizon. This is a side of Italy most travelers never see, and it's absolutely stunning.

2. Medieval Architecture

📍 What to see: Basilica Sant'Andrea, Piazza Cavour, historic center

Vercelli's medieval center is beautifully preserved but refreshingly quiet. The Basilica Sant'Andrea is one of the first Gothic buildings in Italy, with a facade that blends Romanesque and Gothic styles. Walk through Piazza Cavour and the narrow streets around it to discover elegant palazzos, local shops, and cafes where locals still outnumber tourists.

WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS? 

Stay at AMY B&B, just 5 minutes from Vercelli center.

WhatsApp or check our rooms.

3. Authentic Local Life

📍 What you'll find: Weekly markets, traditional trattorias, family-run shops

Vercelli hasn't been transformed by tourism, which means you experience real Italian daily life. The weekly market fills the streets with vendors selling fresh produce, local cheese, and handmade goods. Trattorias serve panissa (the local risotto) made the traditional way. People greet each other in the streets. This is the Italy you imagine but rarely find.

WHAT TO DO IN VERCELLI

Visit the Basilica Sant'Andrea

The Basilica Sant'Andrea dates back to 1219 and represents one of the finest examples of early Gothic architecture in Italy. The interior is simple but powerful, with soaring arches and beautiful light. Entry is free and it's rarely crowded.

Walk Through the Historic Center

Vercelli's medieval center is compact and walkable. Spend an hour wandering the narrow streets, discovering hidden courtyards, elegant facades, and small artisan shops. The Piazza Cavour is the heart of the city, perfect for an aperitivo while watching daily life unfold.

Explore the Rice Fields

The rice fields are Vercelli's real treasure. In April-May when fields flood, the landscape transforms into water mirrors. In September-October during harvest, you can watch the rice collection. Just drive or cycle a few kilometers outside the center and you're surrounded by this unique landscape.

WANT TO EXPERIENCE THIS? 

Stay at AMY B&B, just 5 minutes from Vercelli center.

WhatsApp or check our rooms.

Taste Panissa

Panissa is Vercelli's signature dish: a creamy risotto cooked with Salame della duja, beans, and local red wine. It's hearty, flavorful, and you can only find it made authentically here. Ask locals for their favorite trattoria – every Vercellese has one.

VERCELLI AS YOUR PIEDMONT BASE

Here's the smart part: Vercelli's location is perfect for exploring all of Piedmont.

📍 Turin: 50 minutes

📍 Milan: 50 minutes

📍 Monferrato wine region: 30 minutes

📍 Gattinara wine zone: 30 minutes

📍 Langhe (Barolo/Alba): 1 hour

📍 Lake Maggiore: 45 minutes

You're in the center of everything but staying in a peaceful countryside setting instead of a crowded tourist area. AMY B&B gives you this perfect combination: tranquil rice fields at night, easy access to Piedmont's attractions by day.

BEST TIME TO VISIT VERCELLI

Spring (April-May): Flooded rice fields create mirror landscapes

Summer (June-August): Green fields, warm weather, outdoor dining

Autumn (September-October): Rice harvest, golden fields, truffle season

Winter (November-March): Quiet atmosphere, fog creates mystical landscapes

Every season offers something different. Vercelli never gets crowded, so any time works.

WHERE TO STAY IN VERCELLI

AMY B&B is located in Asigliano Vercellese, 5 minutes from Vercelli center but surrounded by rice fields. You get:

✅ Peaceful countryside setting

✅ Easy access to Vercelli and all Piedmont

✅ Comfortable rooms with rice field views

✅ Homemade breakfast with local products

✅ Free parking

✅ Local expertise on what to see and do

It's the perfect balance: nature and tranquility, but close to everything you want to explore.

WHAT MAKES VERCELLI SPECIAL

Vercelli isn't trying to be a tourist destination, and that's its strength. You won't find souvenir shops or tour buses. You'll find real Piedmont: locals who greet you with a smile, trattorias serving family recipes, rice fields that have looked the same for centuries, and a pace of life that lets you actually relax.

If you're tired of crowded tourist towns and want to experience authentic Italy, Vercelli is where you should be.

Ready to discover Vercelli? 

Stay at AMY B&B, just 5 minutes from Vercelli center.

WhatsApp or check our rooms.