Aosta is located in the northwestern corner of Italy, in the center of the Aosta Valley, bounded by Switzerland to the north and France to the west. The Valle d’Aosta region is the smallest of the 20 regions of Italy. Aosta is approximately one hour from Turin (Torino), 30 minutes from Milan and Malpenso Airport, and 1.5 hours from Geneva, Switzerland.
Get there
The Autostrada A5 connects Aosta with Milano, Torino and Courmayeur. There is a bus service twice a day from Aosta to Caselle Airport in Turin. There is also a shuttle service from Milan Malpensa airport with all ski resorts in Valle d’Aosta (call +39 0165.77.32.40)
Train station
There is a train station in Aosta – Stazione de Aosta. It’s easy to walk to the shops and the historic center from the train station. Right in front of the station is Piazza Innocent Manzetti, where you will find connections to most of Aosta’s city bus lines.
A very concise history of Aosta
Aosta dates from approximately the third millennium BC, when it was a megalithic settlement. Around 25 a. C. became a Roman military colony that housed the troops of the Emperor Augustus. Its strategic position made it a magnet for invading hordes: Burgundians, Ostrogothes and Franks, among them. In 1302 Aosta became a Dutchman of the kingdom of Savoy. The historic center of Aosta contains some fairly well preserved Roman structures.
Skiing near Aosta
Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn, Gran San Bernardo, Gran Paradiso are the ski giants near Aosta, but there are many other ski resorts nearby (see the map link in the link box below).
The historic center
Aosta is presented in a grid pattern thanks to the Romans who inhabited it. Walking through the historic center is easy: cars are not allowed.
Where to stay
The Hotel du Pont Romain Cecchin in Aosta was built on a Roman bridge. If you go, ask to see the canteen at breakfast, it’s actually part of the bridge. It was also reasonably priced and very clean. Mr. Cecchin, whom you will see when you sign up, was an Italian boxing champion in the 1950s, and the dining room has proof in the photos.
Aosta has many great places to ski in winter so there are plenty of holiday properties available. See: Vacation rentals in Valle d’Aosta (Direct book).
Aosta Festivals
Battle of the Queens:
Regional heifer headshot championships have been held here since the 17th century. It is a great event held in Aosta on the third Sunday of October at the Croix Noire stadium. The owners of the winning cow feast and are presented with barrels of wine.
Festival – Sant’Orso Fair:
A large Aosta handicraft fair with music, plays and dances held in the last two days of January since the year 1000.
Things to do in Aosta
Aosta is an interesting city that tourists have yet to discover. We drove for a while without finding the historic center, and then we found out that you really have to get out of the car to find it. Once inside, Aosta takes a fascinating walk where you will find a huge central square, lots of evidence of Romans interwoven with more modern (medieval) buildings, and many cafes to quench your thirst or hunger.
Roman remains of Aosta – Highlights
The Arch of Augusta honors Augustus, who gave his name to Augusta Pretoria, the original name of the city.
The Roman Theater was restored from 2003, while the Roman Forum, below ground level, can be visited.
The Tour Fromage (the Cheese Tower) is adjacent to the Amphitheater and currently houses art exhibits. Other Roman ruins are scattered around Aosta as in Rome.
Aosta’s main square is home to one of Italy’s main historic cafes, the Caffe Nazionale (closed on Monday), in operation since 1886. A long time ago there was a church on this site, and there is actually a chapel inside, built as a private sanctuary for the Dukes of Aosta.
Aosta in pictures
See our Aosta photo gallery for photos of Aosta.
