Aosta is known as the “Rome of the Alps,” a compact town where massive Roman gates stand against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. If you are looking for the best things to do in Aosta, the historic old town is flat, pedestrianized, and easy to explore on foot. Follow this self-guided Aosta walking tour to see ancient ruins and alpine lanes at your own pace, complete with a practical route map.
We arrived in Aosta Valley on a rainy day after a busy trip through Verona, and the crisp alpine air was exactly the reset we needed. To help you navigate the historic center without getting turned off by generic travel guides, I’ve mapped out a clear, step-by-step Aosta walking tour route. This guide covers the absolute best things to do in Aosta if you only have a few hours to explore, taking you from ancient triumphal arches straight into the heart of the alpine old town.
Self-Guided Aosta Walking Tour: Route Overview
We arrived in Aosta Valley on a rainy day, after our Verona walking tour on a very busy day. Aosta Valley, even though very wet, was very relaxing for us. We loved our short stop in Aosta as we were surrounded by mountain views and clean air since it just rained in the morning. Stop in Aosta if you like old history and mountain charm.
Aosta 1-Day Route
- Total Walking Distance: ~1.5 km (1 mile). Takes about 20 minutes walking.
- Time Needed: 2–3 hours at a very leisurely pace.
- Difficulty: Completely flat and easy to walk.
- Best Starting Point: Arch of Augustus
Are you planning to visit Italy and you are thinking to stop in Aosta? Are you coming to Aosta Valley for the first time? In this article I will give you specific information about planning your own self-guided Aosta walking tour itinerary.
Self-Guided Aosta walking tour map
Yellow: Start, Red: Sights, Blue: Route
With our self-guided Aosta walking tour map in our hands we’re starting to explore some of the cool things to do in Aosta and the surrounding Aosta Valley.
Stop 1: Arch of Augustus – Start of the Aosta Walking Tour
The Roman Arch of Augustus, dating back to 25 BC.
See my photos from Aosta
We start our Aosta walking tour way back in history. Situated at the eastern entry to the town, the Arch of Augustus is one of the oldest Roman arches dating all the way back to 25 BC. Along with the nearby statue, this arch is dedicated to the first Roman emperor and the conquering of the local tribes. The Arch of Augustus is one of oldest triumphal arches across Europe.
We cross River Buthier and cross over the very old Roman Bridge. We take a few extra minutes to explore the old stone houses and head back to the Arch of Augustus. This is where we actually start our self-guided Aosta walking tour itinerary.
Once you’ve finished photographing the arch, walk directly west toward the cobblestone street of Via Sant’Anselmo to continue the loop.
Stop 2: Walk on Via Sant’Anselmo
Via Sant’Anselmo, the main pedestrian lane to shop for local Fontina Val d’Aosta cheese.
See my photos from Aosta
From the Arch, we continue our loop on the main pedestrian street: Via Sant’Anselmo. As you walk along the cobblestones, look for local specialty shops where you can sample authentic Fontina Val d’Aosta cheese, a rich alpine classic produced right here in the valley.
Look for the narrow alleyway on your right just after the shops—this leads you straight to our next historical gem, San Lorenzo.
Stop 3: Church of San Lorenzo
The historic Church of Saint Peter near the San Lorenzo complex.
See my photos from Aosta
Now we take a narrow side street to the right and come to a small piazza connected to the old Christian saint of Saint Orso (or Saint Ursus). On the left we find the old church of San Lorenzo. Labeled a Paleochristian church (means that it was built an important cemetery), this building dates from the 5th century AD. If you are interested in early Christian history, this will be an interesting stop.
On the other side of the piazza, we find more impressively old things. A 500-year-old tree, a tall and impressive tower and the church dedicated to Saint Peter. We find lots of history in this very small place and we take our time on a bench to look again at these impressive stone structures.
After visiting the church, walk back out to the main street and continue heading west for a few minutes until you see the massive stone gate.
Stop 4: Porta Praetoria
Porta Praetoria, the primary Roman entry gate into the old town.
See my photos from Aosta
At the end of this beautiful street, we walk under the imposing Porta Praetoria. Dating from 25 BC, the Praetorium Gate was the official entry gate to the old Roman town of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum (known as Aosta today). The feeling of old history is apparent in Aosta, and this amazing arch makes us feel insignificant.
From Porta Praetoria, it is a 2-minute walk to the Roman Theater. Head north immediately after passing through the main gate.
Stop 5: Roman Theater
The remains of the ancient Roman Theater.
See my photos from Aosta
We continue our self-guided Aosta walking tour with a glimpse at the old Roman Theater ruins which we find right next to the imposing Roman gate. While the site is currently closed and undergoing renovation, we can still see the tall theater remains. We are impressed by how much history keeps coming our way just by simply walking in Aosta.
Once you’ve explored the ruins, head back toward the main street and walk west for three blocks to reach the heart of the city, Piazza Emile Chanoux.
Stop 6: Piazza Emile Chanoux
Our walking tour of Aosta keeps us walking until we come the large Piazza Emile Chanoux. This is where we find Aosta City Hall along with hotels and many restaurants. A beautiful place, Piazza Emile Chanoux proves to be very relaxing and enjoyable and it’s one of the favorite things to do in Aosta Italy. Even though we’re in Italy, we notice lots of French names in Aosta. This make sense since this beautiful place is right over the border from Chamonix France and Martigny Switzerland.
From the city hall, walk to the southwest corner of the square to find the historic City Cross.
Stop 7: Aosta City Cross
We linger longer in this place and later we casually stroll to see the Aosta City Cross which represents another piece of Aosta’s history. This monument is located at the crossroads of two streets that have been turned pedestrian. We enjoy walking up and down the street as we take in all the shopping and restaurants along the way.
Best Day Trips from Aosta
If you have more than one day in the valley, these spots are the perfect follow-up to your self-guided Aosta walking tour. While the town center is Roman-focused, these nearby castles showcase the medieval side of the region.
Fenis Castle
Fenis Castle, a preserved medieval fortress located a 20-minute drive from town.
See my photos from Fenis
Located a short 20-minutes’ drive from Aosta, the small village of Fenis is home to the impressive medieval Fenis castle. We spent the night in Fenis and visited the castle the following morning, just to experience a true medieval castle complete with thick walls and lookout towers. Visiting Aosta Valley castles is one of my favorite things to do in Aosta Italy.
The walk from the parking lot to the castle is short but slightly uphill—wear comfortable shoes!
Bard Castle
Located another 20-minutes’ drive from Fenis (so a total of 40 minutes from Aosta), Bard is a very impressive fortress. You can access the parking lot to Bard castle right from the main road. If you happen to visit on a sunny day, the views from the fortress are amazing.
Ancient Roman Road
Section of the ancient Roman Road in the nearby village of Pont-Saint-Martin.
See my photos from Fenis
We’re driving another 5 minutes from the village of Bard, and we come to another tiny French-named village: Pont-Saint-Martin. Here we follow the main road to the end, which is an obscure parking lot. However, after walking under the road we come to a history treasure which we found amazing. Here you can walk on a portion of the ancient Roman Road, which was connecting Northern Italy, over the Alps into France. There is even a portion of a small Roman arch along this pathway.
As a bonus, you can walk past the Roman arch and the old church of Saint Orso into the village and go across the small bridge over Dora Baltea River and enjoy the amazing mountain views all around you.
Pont d’Ael
Driving about 20 minutes the other way from Aosta, towards France, a winding road takes you to Pont d’Ael, another French name. Also connected with the Roman Empire, Pont d’Ael provides amazing views of the river below as well as allowing you to walk on an old Roman aqueduct as you cross the very deep gorge below. This is a great experience in Aosta if you have the time and a rental car.
To visit Pont d’Ael follow the road up the hill to the end. If you want to visit this unique historical spot, read more visitor information on the Aosta Valley website.
Plan Your Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Aosta
Where to stay in Aosta?
You can find many options for budget hotels in Aosta and surrounding Aosta Valley.
Where to park in Aosta?
For convenient Aosta parking, we left our car in the public lot right next to the Roman Gate. If that lot is full, you can also easily find parking spots right by the Arch of Augustus.
How to get to Aosta by train?
Aosta is accessible via a scenic train ride. From Turin (Torino Porta Nuova), you can take a direct regional train or one with a quick change in Ivrea (approx. 2 hours). If you are coming from Milan, you will typically change at Chivasso. The Aosta Railway Station is located just south of the historic center, about a 5-minute walk from the start of the tour.
How to get to Aosta by car?
Driving is the most flexible way to explore the wider Aosta Valley. However, make sure you purchase the correct highway pass for each country. Usually you can purchase it at the first gas station after entering in each country.
- From Italy: Take the A5 motorway (Autostrada della Valle d’Aosta) from Turin or Milan.
- From France: Use the Mont Blanc Tunnel from Chamonix.
- From Switzerland: Take the Great St Bernard Tunnel or the mountain pass during summer months.
Is Aosta Worth Visiting?
We found both the Aosta Valley and the town of Aosta absolutely beautiful to visit. If you’re wondering if Aosta is worth visiting, the answer is a resounding yes. The stunning mountain vistas, coupled with world-class Roman ruins, give this town a unique appeal you won’t find anywhere else in Italy. For us, discovering such an abundance of history tucked away in the Alps was the highlight of our trip, making Aosta a must-see stop for any independent traveler.
