Top 5 best scooter rentals in Novara

Novara doesn't announce itself the way Rome or Florence do, and that's exactly why a scooter suits it so well. Ride in from the plains and the first thing you'll see is the dome of the Basilica di San Gaudenzio rising 121 metres over the rooftops — a landmark you can be parked beneath within minutes of arriving. From there it's a short hop to the arcades of Corso Cavour, and just as short a ride out again into the flooded rice paddies that ring the city, glowing gold at sunset in late spring. Few visitors realise how close Lake Orta is either: rent a scooter in Novara and you're looking at a lakeside coffee in Orta San Giulio inside forty minutes.

The historic centre is compact and mostly pedestrianised, so a scooter lets you park right at its edge and walk the last stretch into the piazzas, rather than hunting for a spot for a car you don't really need indoors. Its light weight makes the narrow, arcaded streets easy to navigate, and the same nimbleness pays off the moment you leave town: the flat rice-growing plains, the hill villages north of the city and Lake Orta itself all sit within a comfortable twenty-to-forty-minute ride, distances that feel awkward on foot or by bus but effortless on two wheels.

Top 10 things to see in Novara by scooter

1. Basilica di San Gaudenzio — Novara's landmark church, topped by Alessandro Antonelli's soaring 121m dome, climbable for panoramic views over the city and the rice plains.
2. Duomo di Novara (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta) — the city's neoclassical cathedral, right next to the Broletto complex in the historic centre, an easy first stop.
3. Broletto — a medieval civic complex of four brick courtyards housing the city museums, with parking right at the edge of the pedestrian zone.
4. Castello Visconteo Sforzesco — the old Visconti-Sforza castle in the centre, now a cultural venue with gardens, a short ride from anywhere in town.
5. Piazza delle Erbe and Corso Cavour — Novara's arcaded shopping street and market square, ideal for a stroll and a coffee stop between rides.
6. Le risaie della Baraggia and Pianura Novarese — the flooded rice fields around the city, the classic Novara ride, especially scenic at sunset in late spring.
7. Lago d'Orta and Orta San Giulio — a postcard lakeside village roughly 30–40 minutes away, a favourite half-day escape.
8. Santuario di Boca — a striking hilltop pilgrimage church in the Novara hills, reached by a winding, scenic country road.
9. Abbazia di Sant'Andrea, Vercelli — a well-preserved Romanesque-Gothic abbey a short ride toward Vercelli, often combined with a Novara trip.
10. Ticino Natural Park — a river park with routes along the Ticino, perfect for a nature-focused ride out of the city.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Novara?

For a 50cc moped, an AM category licence is enough, obtainable in Italy from age 14. For anything above 50cc up to 125cc, you'll need an A1 category licence. If your licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, bring an International Driving Permit alongside it. Most rental operators also set their own minimum age, typically 18, and will ask for a deposit, usually held on a credit card, with the amount scaled to the value of the scooter.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Novara?

Average rental price is around 5-8 EUR per day during low season and 12-18 EUR during high season, with premium models running 20-30 EUR per day.

• Prices are lowest from November to February, when demand drops off.
• Rates climb steadily through spring and peak in June-August, when both the city and Lake Orta see the most visitors.

When to book a rental scooter in Novara?

June through August is high season, driven by warm weather and the pull of nearby Lake Orta, so book ahead if you're travelling then. November to February is low season, with fewer scooters on the road and the best prices, though some winter days are simply too cold for comfortable riding. If you want warm, quiet roads without the summer rates, aim for May, June, September or early October.

Local traffic rules in Novara

Italy drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for every rider and passenger on a scooter, no exceptions by age. Speed limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h on ordinary roads outside town; 50cc mopeds are capped at 45 km/h and can't use main extra-urban dual carriageways. The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, dropping to zero if you've held your licence less than three years. Keep your headlight on at all times, even in daylight — it's required for scooters and mopeds around the clock.

Most of our scooter rentals in Novara come from operators with years of experience, and each rental includes a helmet, insurance and friendly service. If you want to rent a scooter in Novara, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!