Aosta is the capital of the Aosta Valley and one of the most surprising art cities in the Alps. Founded by the Romans in 25 BC as Augusta Praetoria, it preserves an extraordinary archaeological heritage at the heart of a compact, pedestrian old town surrounded by mountains. It’s the ideal base for those who want to combine culture and nature without changing hotel every night. In this guide we look at what to see in the city, the best areas to stay, what each one offers, and a selection of properties for every need.
Aosta at a glance
Nicknamed the “Rome of the Alps”, Aosta was born as a Roman camp after the victory over the Salassi and still preserves the urban layout of ancient Augusta Praetoria, with streets that follow the cardo and decumanus. The historic centre is largely pedestrian and easily walked: in a few hundred metres you pass from the Roman era to the Middle Ages, along lively streets such as Via Sant’Anselmo and Via Croix de Ville. It’s a liveable, well-kept city, with excellent restaurants serving the dishes of Aosta Valley tradition, and with the mountains literally within reach: from the city a cable car climbs in a few minutes to Pila, a ski resort at around 2,000 metres.
Roman Aosta: the “Rome of the Alps”
The tour usually starts at the Arch of Augustus, built in 25 BC to celebrate the victory over the Salassi, and continues along Via Sant’Anselmo to the Porta Praetoria, the ancient monumental entrance with three archways, among the best-preserved Roman gates in the world, which today also houses the tourist office. Nearby stands the Roman Theatre, the city’s symbol, with its imposing southern facade 22 metres high and a cavea that could hold thousands of spectators; the monument has undergone a long restoration and full access to the area is expected from summer 2026, but the facade remains visible and spectacular, especially with the mountains behind it.
Below street level lies the Cryptoporticus, an evocative horseshoe-shaped underground gallery that surrounded the sacred area of the forum: one of the most fascinating and unexpected spots in the city. Outdoors you’ll find the Roman walls that still encircle the centre, the towers punctuating them, the remains of the amphitheatre and, further down, the Roman bridge. For those who want to go even further back in time, the megalithic area of Saint-Martin-de-Corléans tells the prehistory of the site with a large covered archaeological park, while the Regional Archaeological Museum holds the finds of ancient Augusta Praetoria. It’s worth knowing that entry to several sites (Theatre, Cryptoporticus, megalithic area, museum and the early Christian church) is often covered by a single combined ticket, handy if you want to see a lot.
Medieval and religious Aosta
Alongside the Roman city lives another, medieval one, just as rich. The jewel is the Collegiate Church of Saints Peter and Ursus (Sant’Orso), with its Romanesque bell tower and, above all, the splendid cloister, whose storied capitals and frescoes are considered among the best-preserved Romanesque sculptural cycles in Europe. A few steps away is the early Christian church of San Lorenzo, which preserves late-antique remains. On the religious side, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta also stands out, with its Treasury Museum, a trove of sacred art. Completing the picture are the medieval towers scattered through the urban fabric, such as the Tour Fromage and the Tower of the Leper, now exhibition spaces. It is precisely in the Sant’Orso quarter, between the Porta Praetoria and the Arch of Augustus, that the city’s most famous event comes to life each year.
The Sant’Orso Fair
If one event is worth a trip to Aosta, it’s the Sant’Orso Fair (Foire de Saint-Ours), the “Millenaria”: one of the oldest and most important craft fairs in the Alps, with origins traced back to around the year 1000. It’s held every year on 30 and 31 January in the historic centre, where over a thousand artisans from across the valley exhibit their work: wood carvings, wrought iron, stone objects, leather, linen and hemp textiles, traditional tools and masks. For two days the city turns into a great open-air museum. The most magical moment is the veillà, the night between the 30th and 31st, when the streets fill with choirs, folk groups and mulled-wine tastings. If you travel during that period, it’s best to book your accommodation well in advance: it’s the busiest weekend of the year. Aosta remains a lively city all year round: in 2025 it celebrated the 2,050th anniversary of its founding with a rich calendar of exhibitions and events.
The areas to stay in
The historic centre
It’s the most convenient and atmospheric choice: staying in the pedestrian centre means having monuments, restaurants and shops just steps away, and being able to get around on foot. It’s the ideal area for a cultural stay or a weekend, with an intimate atmosphere and many properties set in historic buildings. Perfect for those who want to experience the city without using the car, and essential if you’re coming for the Sant’Orso Fair.
The hills and panoramic surroundings
Climbing towards the hills around Aosta you’ll find properties with open views over the city and the Alps, often with gardens, pools and spas. It’s the right area for those seeking quiet and a view, while still being just a few minutes by car from the centre. A good choice for those travelling by car who want to combine relaxation and sightseeing.
Outside the centre and near the cable car
The outer areas and those near the Pila cable car are convenient for those after softer rates, easy parking or quick access to the mountains. They’re practical solutions for those using Aosta as a base to explore the valley, the castles and the ski resorts, returning to the city in the evening.
3 recommended properties in Aosta
A balanced selection across different ranges and types, from a four-star hotel with spa to a charming bed & breakfast in the historic centre.
If you’d like to know how we choose the properties, we explain it on our about us page.
Hotel Milleluci
A family-run four-star on the hills of Aosta, with a full spa, seasonal outdoor pool, panoramic views of the Alps and free parking. Ideal for those seeking relaxation and a view a few minutes from the centre.
Maison Bondaz & SPA privé
A charming bed & breakfast in an 18th-century building in the historic centre, with a private spa, Turkish bath, massages and the Bondaz family’s homemade breakfasts. Perfect for a cultural stay with a touch of pampering, always on foot.
Hotel Mon Émile
A three-star in the eastern part of Aosta, with soundproofed rooms, an apartment with kitchen, a terrace with mountain views and free parking. A practical, welcoming choice with excellent value for money.
Want to see all the options? Browse all the properties in Aosta, to compare by area, type and price.
Aosta as a base for the region
One of the best reasons to stay in Aosta is its central location: from here you can quickly reach the side valleys and some of the most beautiful castles in the region, such as Fénis, Sarre and Saint-Pierre, perfect for day trips. The city is also a gateway to the mountains: the Pila cable car connects it in a few minutes to a resort at around 2,000 metres, handy in winter for skiing and in summer for hiking and mountain biking. Staying in the centre, you can therefore see a great deal without changing hotel every night, alternating days of culture in the city with excursions in the surroundings.
If you’re using Aosta as a base, you can read more on where to stay in the nearby valleys: Cogne and Gran Paradiso, Courmayeur and Mont Blanc, or Champoluc and Monte Rosa.
When to go to Aosta
Aosta is a year-round destination. Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting the city at a relaxed pace in a mild climate; summer is perfect for combining culture with mountain hikes, with the Pila cable car available; winter brings the atmosphere of the Christmas markets among the Roman monuments, proximity to the slopes and, at the end of January, the great Sant’Orso Fair. Between visits, it’s worth stopping in the centre’s eateries to taste the local products: Fontina DOP cheese, polenta concia, mountain cured meats such as Jambon de Bosses, and Aosta Valley wines. For the city alone, one or two days are enough, but used as a base it lets you explore much more.
How to get to Aosta
By car, take the A5 Turin–Aosta motorway to the capital’s exit; the city is well connected to the main resorts of the valley. By train, Aosta is reachable on the line climbing from Chivasso/Ivrea. The reference airports are Turin Caselle and Milan Malpensa. Once in town, the historic centre is fully walkable: it’s best to leave the car in one of the parking areas just outside the pedestrian zone. To compare properties by area and price, take a look at all the properties in Aosta in our listing.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best area to stay in Aosta?
The pedestrian historic centre is the most convenient choice: monuments, restaurants and shops are just steps away and you get around on foot. The hills around the city instead offer views and quiet, with properties featuring gardens and spas, a few minutes by car from the centre.
How many days do you need to visit Aosta?
For the historic centre and the main Roman monuments one day is enough, but with two days you can visit the city at a relaxed pace. Used as a base, Aosta lets you explore castles, side valleys and ski resorts over several days, returning to sleep in the city.
Can you visit the Roman Theatre of Aosta?
The monumental facade, 22 metres high, is always visible from the outside. The Theatre area has undergone a long restoration and full access is expected from summer 2026: it’s best to check the current status and opening hours before visiting, also because the ticket is often combined with other archaeological sites in the city.
When is the Sant’Orso Fair held?
The Sant’Orso Fair is held every year on 30 and 31 January in the historic centre of Aosta. It’s a thousand-year-old craft fair with over a thousand exhibitors; the weekend is very busy, so it’s best to book accommodation well in advance, preferably in the centre.
Is Aosta a good base to visit the Aosta Valley?
Yes, it’s one of the best. It’s compact and central, well connected to the side valleys and to castles such as Fénis and Sarre, and the Pila cable car departs from the city. It lets you see a lot without changing hotel every night, combining culture, gastronomy and mountains.
How do you get around Aosta?
The historic centre is largely pedestrian and entirely walkable. For the hills or excursions outside the city a car is handy; alternatively, the Pila cable car departs from the city and there are connections to the main resorts of the valley.
