Things to Do in Aosta, Italy in Summer

daniellabarnes

Jul 29

5 min read

I found myself with a few days to spend in Aosta after hiking the Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek and before summiting Gran Paradiso. Although the Aosta Valley is most popular during the winter for snow sports, I visited in the middle of July, so here are some of the best things to do in Aosta, Italy in summer.

Aosta is the capital of the Aosta Valley and sometimes referred to as Little Rome of the Alps due to its large collection of well preserved Roman heritage. Surrounded by mountains and with ancient ruins scattered throughout the city, it is the perfect mix of Italian history and Alpine scenery.

I stayed in the Gressan area at a lovely apartment called Villa Kate. The host was incredible and could not have done anything more to help, there was epic mountain views from your window and only around a 30 minute walk into the capital city, Aosta.

I would definitely stay there again if I find myself back in the area.

Things To Do In Aosta:

These are the things I managed to squeeze in to my short stay in Aosta, and the places I'd recommend during a summer visit.

Explore Aosta Old Town

The first thing I would suggest is simply taking a walk around Aosta's historic centre to familiarise yourself with the city. The cobbled streets are lined with little cafes, bakeries, traditional shops and colourful buildings. Reminders of Aosta's Roman past seem to pop up around every corner. The old town is very compact and easy to explore on foot, while the mountains provide a pretty impressive backdrop.

Discover Aosta's Roman History

Teatro Romano - One of Aosta's most impressive Roman sites, Teatro Romano was built shortly after the city was founded as Augusta Praetoria. The Southern side of the theatre still stands at an impressive 22 metres high which shows the grand scale of the building, and you can see the remains of the seating area, orchestra pit and stage. The theatre is thought to have held around 3,000 - 4,000 spectators which gives you an idea of just how important Aosta was during that period.

Entry fee applies - please check current opening times and prices before visiting.

Porta Praetoria - Standing for over 2,000 years, Porta Praetoria was the grand entrance

to Augusta Praetoria - modern day Aosta. Built in 25 B.C, this massive gate once had three archways, a fortified corridor and marble-clad walls. Today you can walk straight through it whilst exploring the old town, which is slightly surreal as this Roman gateway just casually sits amongst modern cafes and shops.

Arco di Augusto - Built in 25 B.C. to celebrate a victory over the Salassi, the Arch of Augustus is now one of Aosta's most recognisable landmarks. Found at the eastern end of the old town, it is an impressive introduction to the city and another reminder of just how much of Roman Aosta remains today.

Pont de Pierre (Stone Bridge) - Continue past the Arch of Augustus and you'll find Aosta's ancient Roman stone bridge. It once crossed the Buthier river, although later the river changed course, leaving the bridge sitting over dry land - oops. It's a quick stop that should only take you a few minutes, but a great reminder of the Roman footprint that is still visible throughout the town of Aosta.

Church of Saint Stephen

I actually stumbled across this beautiful little church by chance, whilst I was exploring. The church sits just outside the walls of the city and I ended up wandering inside. I am not religious in the slightest, but throughout my travels there is something that always draws me inside. This one was nothing short of spectacular, with a number of alters and even an underground crypt that you could access. I am always in awe of the beauty of the interior in the churches I have found on my adventures across Europe, and there is always such a calming feeling. I always like to light a candle for my mum when I find myself inside a church somewhere new, so this became an unexpected little stop that meant a lot more to me than planned.

Piazza Émile Chanoux

Piazza Émile Chanoux is main square in the heart of Aosta that gives you a nice natural stopping point between sightseeing. Surrounded by historic buildings, cafés and restaurants. It is perfect for grabbing a coffee, gazing at the mountain views and people watching before you carry on exploring.

Stop for Coffee & a Sweet Treat

Italy needs no introduction when it comes to coffee and pastries, and Aosta's old town is full of bakeries and pasticceria that look and smell incredible. There is a high chance you'll get sucked in, so make sure you leave some room for a sweet treat. As amazing as the bakeries were, my greatest discovery was crema al caffe - I'm genuinely not sure why these aren't a thing all over the world. Picture a cold, whipped, creamy espresso that's somewhere between an iced coffee and a dessert - lush. You'll find them in cafés around Italy during the summer, usually served in a little glass, and they are insanely good.

Take the Cable Car from Aosta to Pila

One of the easiest ways to swap the city for the mountains is to take the gondola from Aosta up to Pila. Better known as a ski resort during winter, Pila becomes an outdoor playground in summer, with hiking trails, mountain biking and huge Alpine views over the Aosta Valley. Even if you don't have a big hike planned, the journey up is worth it for the scenery and it's an easy way to add a mountain day to a stay in Aosta - it was so windy when I was in the cable car on the way up which definitely made my heart flutter a bit. There are some cafe's up the top with outdoor seating areas where it is nice to take a break and admire the city views.

2026 price: €8 return for adults.

Prices and seasonal opening dates can change, so check before travelling.

Visit Gran Paradiso National Park

If you have some extra time in the Aosta Valley, it would be criminal not to head into the mountains to explore. Gran Paradiso National Park is a dream for hikers, with more than 500km of trails running through five valleys and routes ranging from accessible day walks to challenging multi-day adventures. Expect dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls, alpine meadows and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including ibex, chamois and marmots. I spent several days hiking the Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek before returning to the area to climb Gran Paradiso itself, so this part of Italy deserves far more than a quick day trip if hiking is your thing.

Is Aosta Worth Visiting in Summer?

Aosta offered me a lot more than just a few days to spend resting between hikes. I loved the contrast of being surrounded by Roman ruins but looking up to see the mountains towering in the background. If you are visiting the Aosta capital in the summer then I would definitely give yourself a day or to to explore the city instead of bypassing on your way to the mountains.