Set amid the Alps, this former Roman settlement is famous for its ancient ruins, medieval art, winter markets and access to superb ski resorts.
With its atmospheric old town, galleries, museums and ski centers, Aosta offers a mix of attractions for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. It sits at the heart of the Aosta Valley, encompassed by magnificent Alpine peaks such as the Grand Combin, Mont Vélan and Monte Emilius. Romans founded the town in 25 B.C. at a strategic point where the principal roads to France and Switzerland converge.
Start your visit in the walled historic center, home to a range of Roman ruins. Discover elegant palaces, hidden courtyards and grandiose piazzas as you stroll around cobblestone streets. Get an overview of the town’s early beginnings at the Regional Archaeology Museum.
Cross the 1st-century Roman Bridge and walk through the Arch of Augustus. Admire the Porta Praetoria, the one-time entrance to the Roman city. Gaze up at imposing towers, including Fromage Tower and Balivi Tower. Explore the colonnaded cryptoporticus of the Roman Forum, located beneath Piazza Giovanni.
Marvel at the Gothic decorations of the 4th-century Aosta Cathedral. Afterwards, browse displays of art from the 1400s to 1900s at the Cathedral Treasure Museum. Visit the entrancing cloisters of Chiesa di Sant’Orso.
If visiting in the summer months then be sure to catch an open-air performance at the Roman Theatre. In January and December the town’s biggest fairs take place. Try local delicacies at the Marché Vert Noel Christmas market and shop for handicrafts at the centuries-old Santa’Orsa Fair. Appreciate the town’s infectious charm at pavement cafés that frame the many squares.
For mountain adventures, ride the Aosta-Pila Gondola from the town center to Pila ski area. Bike and hike in summer, ski and snowboard in winter and enjoy breathtaking views all year round. Other nearby resorts include Breuil-Cervinia, Champuloc and Courmayeur.
Aosta is less than a 2-hour drive from MilanOpens in a new window, TurinOpens in a new window and GenevaOpens in a new window, Switzerland. Whether in the sun-drenched summer or snow-covered winter, Aosta is an ideal base for exploring the Aosta Valley and the world-famous Mont Blanc.
