Photo by Simona Mapelli. Aosta is a small town in the equally small Aosta Valley. A historical place characterized by the presence of the Romans but also picturesque thanks to the splendid setting of the Alps. An ancient city that can only leave you speechless among splendid landscapes and the historical scenery among its monuments. Find out more about Aosta: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening.
SEE ALSO : 15 Places to Visit in Aosta Valley The most beautiful towns and villages in Aosta Valley
What to see in Aosta
1 – Roman Theater
Photo by Simona Mapelli. The Roman Theater is one of the main attractions of Aosta as it is the oldest. It is in fact a construction of the year 25 BC, a well-preserved Roman architectural masterpiece capable of hosting several thousand spectators . It is formed by a majestic 22-meter wall made up of arches and windows, a semicircular stalls intended for the reception of the public built on several levels and the foundations of what was once a scenic building adorned with columns, marble and statues.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
- How to get there: easy to reach on foot in a few minutes from any point in the historic center – Get directions
- Hours: every day from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00
- Ticket price: full € 7.00 – reduced from 6 to 18 years € 2.00
2 – Arch of Augustus
The Arch of Augustus is another of the ancient monuments of Aosta , built on the occasion of the victory of the Romans over the Salassi with the shape of a barrel vault. In the 12th century it was able to host the home of a local noble family as a small fortification had been built inside it but was closed with slate blocks due to numerous infiltrations that were putting the entire structure at risk. Today, therefore, a monument that has completely changed from what it looked like hundreds of years ago is visible, especially after the last restoration in 1912.
- How to get there: it is located at the gates of the historic center and can be reached in a few minutes on foot – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
3 – Porta Pretoria
Photo by Simona Mapelli. The Porta Pretoria of Aosta is the real gateway to the historic center , that is the area enclosed by the surrounding walls, known precisely as the Walls of Aosta, which surrounded the city during the Roman era. This gate is also very old but is in an excellent state of conservation . Its construction features stone blocks fixed with crushed slate extracted from the bottom of the Dora Baltea river and is characterized by the series of arches on which the sentinel walkways are still visible. To complete the work, two defensive towers are located right on its sides .
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
- How to get there: it can be reached on foot in a few minutes from any point in the historic center – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: ratis
4 – Criptoportico Forense
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli. The Forensic Cryptoporticus is another of the Roman monuments of Aosta , the one that in ancient times surrounded the sacred area. It is a two-nave gallery but what its true function was is not yet completely clear even if it is hypothesized that it was used first as an ambulatory and then as a military depot. What is certain, however, is that the entire structure served to stabilize the unevenness of the ground in the entire area included within it where two temples had been built, one dedicated to Augustus and the other to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.
- How to get there: it is located almost outside the historic center, but still reachable on foot in a few minutes – Get directions
- Hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00
- Ticket price: full € 7.00 – reduced from 6 to 18 years € 2.00
5 – Regional Archaeological Museum
Photo by Simona Mapelli. The Regional Archaeological Museum is an unmissable place in a historic city like Aosta , in fact it stands right at the point where excavations have been conducted that have brought to light the finds from different eras. Inside, however, it also houses the objects found throughout the region , arranged in chronological order starting obviously from prehistoric times and divided by funeral ornaments, glass, terracotta pots, statuettes, coins and much more. It goes without saying that most of the exhibition dates back to the Roman era to which a model of the ancient city was dedicated, rebuilt based on the remains still visible in Aosta.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
- How to get there: it can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from the historic center – Get directions
- Hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00
- Ticket price: full € 7.00 – reduced from 6 to 18 years € 2.00
6 – Aosta Cathedral
Photo by Simona Mapelli. The Cathedral of Aosta is the main place of worship of the city, a church with a very long history behind it which is demonstrated by the different architectural styles present inside and outside acquired by the many interventions it has received over the years. The Cathedral is characterized by two lateral bell towers of over 60 meters, the external Renaissance facade with decorative religious icons, the interior with frescoes of the sixteenth century depicting three episodes from the life of the Virgin, the childhood of Jesus and a large central nave. ending with a large wooden crucifix.
- How to get there: it is located in a very central position in the historic area of ​​Aosta, therefore within walking distance – Get directions
- Hours: always accessible
- Ticket cost: free
7 – Funerary Area Fuori Porta Decumana
The Funeral Area Fuori Porta Decumana was a burial area of ​​the Roman era unearthed just outside the walls of Aosta in the western end of the historic center, where the Porta Decumana is located. the necropolis takes its name. The peculiarity of this funerary area lies in the three mausoleums and in the Basilica that are inside it as well as the fact that it was used for both Christian and pagan burials. The use of the area has been dated to the first millennium , after which it was gradually abandoned.
- How to get there: it is located immediately outside the historic center but still reachable on foot in a few minutes from the most central area – Get directions
- Hours: open only on the first Wednesday of the month from 14:00 to 18:00 and the other days by reservation only
- Ticket cost: free
8 – Villa Romana della Consolata
The Roman Villa della Consolata is a historic building from the Roman era, today preserved as an archaeological site after its accidental discovery in 1971 during excavations to build a palace. This villa had an urban and rural role at the same time, in fact it was used to preserve and conserve food while the land was cultivated around it. Shortly before being abandoned, however, it had become a summer residence in which many slaves were employed. Currently the villa is protected by an iron structure and can be visited through a walkway that explains the rooms of the house through information panels.passing between the kitchen, the bedroom, the dining room, the hot bathroom, the cold bathroom and the storerooms.
- How to get there: it is located outside the historic center and can be reached in 20 minutes on foot or by bus 440 to the Via GS Bernardo stop from which you can proceed on foot – Get directions
- Hours: open only Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 to 12:30
- Ticket cost: free
9 – Sant’Anselmo
Academy Museum The Sant’Anselmo Academy Museum is a museum set up in the academy of the same name, which was founded in 1855 to promote historical studies in the entire region. In fact, the museum houses a precious collection of archaeological objects such as gold coins, Celtic bronze armillas, medieval statues, sixteenth-century paintings, sacred furnishings, Roman bronzes, glass, ceramics, weapons and armor, coming from all over the Aosta Valley.
- How to get there: it is located in the historic center, reachable on foot in a few minutes – Get directions
- Hours: open by appointment only
- Ticket cost: free
10 – Collegiata di Sant’Orso and the Museum of the Treasure
The Collegiata di Sant’Orso is a complex of considerable historical and artistic interest , overlooking the square from which it takes its name, dominating with its imposing Romanesque bell tower. Inside there are three naves made up of enormous pillars of late Gothic architecture and frescoes of the fifteenth century on the vaults, while on the altar the Ottonian frescoes dedicated to San Sebastiano capture the attention. The sacristy instead houses the Museum of the Treasury which exhibits many artistic works created specifically for the Collegiate .
- How to get there: it is not located in the historic center but immediately outside so it can also be reached on foot in a few minutes – Get directions
- Hours: the Collegiate is open every day, while the museum can only be visited from 15:00 to 17:00 and by making a request to the sacristan
- Ticket cost: free for the Collegiate – € 4.00 for the museum
11 – Megalithic Area
Photo by Simona Mapelli. Located in the Saint-Martin-de-Corleans district, it is one of the most important prehistoric archaeological areas in Europe. It is a multi-layered site inside which it is possible to admire various traces belonging to several historical periods : from the periods of Roman and Gallic domination, to the Copper Age, up to the Neolithic. The exhibition path descends to about 6 meters below street level and offers interesting archaeological finds, dolmens, demolished steles, platforms and traces of plowing.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
- How to get there: about 2 km from the historic center, reachable on foot in less than 30 minutes – Get directions
- Hours: open from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday). From October to March 10: 00-18: 00, from April to September 9: 00-19: 00
- Ticket price: € 7.00 full – € 5.00 reduced
12 – Il Forte di Bard
Photo by Rosario Lepore. Near Aosta, about 46 km away, stands the Forte di Bard, located at 384 m asl on a rocky promontory from which you can enjoy the view of the Dora Baltea river. Made up of a series of stone buildings, the Forte di Bard was built around the 5th century with the aim of defending the borders of the Roman Empire. The possessions of the fort were followed first by the feudal lordship of the Bard and then passed into the hands of the Savoy who immediately placed their garrison. The peak of fame for the Fort was reached in 1800 when the Austro-Piedmontese army managed to stop the advance of Napoleon Bonapartewith a siege that lasted several weeks which resulted in its ruin. After a period of total abandonment, the fort was completely resumed, opening its doors to the public under a new guise in 2006. To date, the Fort offers its visitors, in addition to a noteworthy panoramic view of the complex, also the opportunity to visit various exhibitions and exhibition of ancient, modern and contemporary art with its itineraries such as: The museum of the Alps, the children’s Alps and the prisons.
- How to get there: by car on the A5 motorway which will take you to your destination in about 40 minutes (40 km). Also reachable thanks to the Trenitalia regional trains that from Aosta lead to Hone Bard, about 15 minutes walk from your destination – Get directions
- Hours: from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 19:00
- Ticket price: full € 8.00 – reduced € 6.00 – students aged 6 to 18 € 4.00. The prices of the routes are excluded, for more info visit the official website
One day itinerary in Aosta
Photo by Simona Mapelli. It starts from the historic center precisely from a tasty breakfast at the Saint-Vout Cafe, and then goes to the nearby Arco d’Augusto and later to the Collegiate Church of Sant’Orso hoping to also be able to visit its Treasure Museum in the presence of the sacristan . Then we head inside the Walls of Aosta crossing the Porta Pretoria, beautiful to observe and photograph, then continuing with the visit of the Roman Theater. Finally at lunchtime we recommend a nice typical place at the Caveau Restaurant, where you can take it easy.
Photo by Simona Mapelli. After lunch, go to admire inside and outside the Cathedral of Aosta, immediately after and the vault of the Forensic Cryptoporticus and finally the Regional Archaeological Museum, both of which will keep you for a while until it’s time to have dinner. At this point you are near the Vecchio Ristoro Restaurant where you can savor an excellent culinary proposal.
Here is the one-day itinerary in summary:
- Arco d’Augusto – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Collegiate Church of Sant’Orso and Museum of the Treasure – opening hours: Church always open – Museum from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm – ticket price: Church free – Museum € 4.00
- Porta Pretoria – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Roman Theater – opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 – ticket price: full € 7.00 reduced € 2.00
- Lunch at Caveau Restaurant – Get directions
- Aosta Cathedral – opening hours: always open – ticket price: free
- Criptoportico Forense – opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00 – ticket price: full € 7.00 reduced € 2.00
- Regional Archaeological Museum – opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:00 – ticket price: full € 7.00 reduced € 2.00
Where to eat in Aosta
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Photo by Simona Mapelli.
Aosta is also a city with an excellent gastronomic tradition. During your visit, be sure to taste some delicacies such as Polenta with Fontina and Bleu d’Aosta cheeses or veal Pastrami. Below you will find 5 restaurants where you can enjoy these and other specialties.
- Caveau Restaurant rustic setting and menu full of typical Italian and Valle d’Aosta dishes prepared with local products and with attention to detail
Average price per person: € 25.00
Address and contacts: Rue Xavier de Maistre, 12 Get directions / tel: (+39) 0165261771 - Ristorante Vecchio Ristoro gourmet cuisine of both meat and fish based mainly on typical Aosta Valley dishes revisited in a modern key and availability of set menu or tasting menu
Average price per person: € 40.00
Address and contacts: Via Tourneuve, 4 Get directions / tel : (+39) 016533238 - Pam Pam Trattoria degli Artisti traditional setting and typical local dishes prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients
Average price per person: € 30.00
Address and contacts: Via Maillet, 5/7 Get directions / tel: (+39) 016540960 - Locanda Urbana : selected raw materials, organic or at Km. 0 that become a street-food
course Average price per person: € 15.00
Address and contacts: Via Croix de Ville, 25 Get directions / tel: (+39) 0165230738 - Sapori di Casa : mainly home-made cuisine with seasonal ingredients
Average price per person: € 20.00
Address and contacts: Via Vaudan Marche, 15 Get directions / tel: (+39) 3317041447
What to do in the evening: nightlife areas and the best clubs
Aosta offers a good choice of night clubs in which to spend your evenings. The nightlife is divided between the main nightclub located in the suburbs and other places in the historic center such as pubs and cocktail bars where you can spend quieter hours listening to music and
- Old Distillery Pub : English pub serving excellent food, beers, cocktails and a wide choice of spirits accompanied by evenings with DJ sets or live bands of various genres / Address: Via Pres Fossees, 7 Get directions / Facebook page
- Moma Discoclub : the main nightclub in the area that organizes themed events with both house and Latin music, inviting DJs and important guests / Address: Les Iles, 7 Get directions
- Rolling Stone 72 : pub and cocktail bar with a simple menu, excellent drinks and thematic evenings focused on a type of liquor and accompanied by music / Address: Via Vaudan Marche, 7 Get directions / Facebook page
- GeKoo : wide selection of beers including craft beers, cocktails, snacks and live music / Address: Piazza Emile Chanoux, 28 Get directions / Facebook page
- Pub Beautiful : craft beers and 3 quality taps, Rugby football and live music / Address: Via Croix de Ville, 65 Get directions / Facebook page
Plan your stay in Aosta: info and useful tips
- How to get there: the best way to reach Aosta is by car or train as the city is located along the state road 26 which crosses the entire region and close to the A5 motorway which connects it to Turin, the main city to be taken as a reference. . In fact, from Turin there are several daily train connections to Aosta, in fact even the most convenient airport is that of Turin as it has a direct service to the railway station from which you can then continue by train to your destination.
- How to get around : to visit Aosta it is sufficient to walk around its small historic center which, among other things, begins right in front of the station, so once you get off the train you will already be in the center
- Where to park : the historic center of Aosta is surrounded by car parks, among which the most convenient are the Carrel Underground Parking (Get directions) for a fee but with cheap prices, the Arco d’Augusto parking area (Get directions) with blue stripes at payment or with parking disc, the Lereve car park (Get directions) and the Piazza della Repubblica car park (Get directions) always for a fee but also these with moderate prices
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
- What to see in the surrounding area: Val d’Aosta boasts many castles and not far from the city are the Royal Castle of Sarre and the Castle of Fenis located respectively 9 and 20 minutes by car. Another interesting place is the Natural Reserve of Gargantua 10 minutes away