Biella at a glance
Biella is the main town of the Biellese area and a natural day trip from Lake Viverone. The town is built on a slope: Piazza Lamarmora lies below, and the old upper town is the Piazzo. Biella, Italy is also the gateway to the Sanctuary of Oropa, which is reached by bus from the town.
The classic way up to the Piazzo was the funicular, but it has been closed since 1 September 2025 and a replacement bus runs instead. Beyond the old town, the main stops are the Cittadellarte art foundation and the wool heritage of the Fondazione Sella. For longer plans around the area, see our guide to Piedmont tours and day trips.
Our picks: Biella
The cathedral walk is the shorter option; the longer walk adds the MeBo museum. The train day trip from Turin takes in Oropa and Piazzo with a regional food tasting, but it starts in Turin and the entries to the three palaces are extra.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Biella, Oropa and Piazzo day trip by train from Turin
- Transport from and to Turin
- Oropa and Piazzo visits
- Regional food tasting
The guide speaks English and Italian. Museo dei Tesori and entry to Palazzo Ferrero, Palazzo Lamarmora and Palazzo Gromo Losa are extra.
Check availability →
Biella old town walk with cathedral entry
- Guided walk
- Cathedral entry
Entry to Palazzo Ferrero, Palazzo Lamarmora and Palazzo Gromo Losa is extra.
Check availability →Biella walking tour with cathedral and MeBo museum
- Cathedral entry
- MeBo museum entry
- Guided walk
A longer walk than the cathedral-only tour, with a museum added. Entry to Palazzo Ferrero, Palazzo Lamarmora and Palazzo Gromo Losa is extra.
Check availability →Day trips and tours around Biella
Guided visits, wine tastings and day trips in the Biella and Ivrea area, with live prices and availability.
The old town and the Piazzo
The Piazzo is the part of Biella most visitors come for. It is the historic upper town, a quarter of old streets and squares on the hillside above the modern centre. A good approach is to walk the lanes at a slow pace, look into the courtyards that are open and stop for a coffee on the squares. Do not count on being able to enter churches, palaces or museums: opening times vary, so check before you go if there is one interior you want to see.
From Piazza Lamarmora the replacement bus climbs to Piazza Cucco, via Piazza Curiel. A normal city ticket costs €1.80 and is valid for 60 minutes (2026). The bus runs Sunday to Thursday from about 07:15 to 21:46 and on Friday and Saturday from 07:15 to about 00:16. Times can change, so check the current timetable if you plan an evening on the Piazzo.
Biella funicular: closed, with a bus instead
A short summary so you do not plan around a ride that is not running.
| Way up | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Funicular | Closed since 1 Sep 2025 | No reopening date. Do not plan on a free ride up. |
| Replacement bus | Running | Piazza Lamarmora to Piazza Cucco via Piazza Curiel. City ticket €1.80, valid 60 minutes (2026). |
For most visitors the bus is the simplest option: it is cheap and it needs no planning beyond a ticket. A free funicular ride is not available at the moment.
Wool heritage and Cittadellarte
Biella is known for its wool tradition. The Fondazione Sella has its seat in the former Lanificio Maurizio Sella, a wool mill, at Via Corradino Sella 10. Visits are possible by registration, Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 13:00. This is not a museum with a regular ticket, so book ahead if you want to go inside.
Cittadellarte is an art foundation. It offers guided visits on weekends at 10:30, 14:30 and 16:30. A visit takes about 90 minutes and is held in Italian or English. Booking is welcome, and the guided visit is included in the ticket. Admission is €12, reduced €8 for people under 25 or over 65, students and FAI members. Temporary exhibitions cost €5. Children under 12 and people with disabilities and their companions enter free. On weekdays visits are possible on request for a surcharge (2026).
Half-day plan for Biella
One way to use a half day, without rushing.
Morning: Piazzo
Take the replacement bus from Piazza Lamarmora to Piazza Cucco and walk the old streets.
Midday: coffee and lunch
Stay in the Piazzo for lunch, then walk back down through the town.
Afternoon: Cittadellarte or wool
On a weekend, book a Cittadellarte tour. On a weekday, ask the Fondazione Sella about a visit.
Another day: Oropa
Bus 360 leaves from Biella San Paolo for the sanctuary, about 14 km away.
Oropa guide →Nearby places to add
Biella is close to the lake and to other stops that fit into a day.
Biella: frequently asked questions
Is the Biella funicular running?
No. It has been closed since 1 September 2025 and a replacement bus runs between Piazza Lamarmora and Piazza Cucco. There is no reopening date.
How much is the replacement bus?
A normal city ticket costs €1.80 and is valid for 60 minutes (2026).
How do I visit Cittadellarte?
On weekends there are guided visits at 10:30, 14:30 and 16:30, about 90 minutes, in Italian or English. Admission is €12 and includes the guide. Booking is welcome (2026).
Can I visit the wool heritage in Biella?
The Fondazione Sella, in a former wool mill, takes visitors by registration from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:00. There is no general museum ticket, so book first.
How do I get from Biella to Oropa?
Take bus 360 from Biella San Paolo. Oropa is about 14 km from the town.
Is this the official website of Biella?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not connected to the town of Biella, the Biella tourist board or any local authority.