Things to Do in Aosta

The main Roman gate to the city, with three arches and two defensive towers still intact. It marks the original entrance on the decumanus maximus.

🕐 Always open

💡 Walk through the central arch and look up at the intricate stonework. The gate is also the start of the pedestrianised Via Porta Pretoria – great for a morning stroll.

The ancient Roman city gate from 25 BC, with three arches still in use as a pedestrian passage. The original stone pavement and defensive towers flank the entrance to the old town.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Walk through at night when the arches are lit; you can see the Roman road level is about 1.5 metres below the modern street. No entry fee as it is always open.

The original eastern gate to the Roman town, preserved as three arched passages flanked by twin towers. You can walk through both pedestrian arches and see the Roman road pavement underneath.

🕐 Always open

💡 Stand under the central arch at midday — the light hits the Roman inscription on the keystone. The gate connects to the Decumanus Maximus, the main Roman street, still lined with shops.

Best-preserved Roman city gate from 25 BC, with two archways and a central courtyard. You can walk through it freely.

🕐 Always open

💡 Stand in the middle of the courtyard and look up—the stonework is original. The adjacent Via Porta Praetoria has cheap bakeries for a snack.

Grand 1st-century BC gate with three arches, part of the intact Roman city walls that encircle the old town.

🕐 Always accessible (external structure).

💡 Walk through the gate and follow the wall path along Via San Anselmo for a free self-guided Roman tour.

A subterranean Roman gallery from the 1st century BC, part of the ancient forum. You can walk through the vaulted corridors beneath Piazza Giovanni XXII, seeing original stonework and inscriptions.

🕐 Monday to Saturday 9:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00

💡 Go in the late afternoon when the low sun lights up the arches; the entrance is in the crypt of the cathedral, so it can be easy to miss. No ticket needed.

The original eastern gate of the Roman walled city, built in 25 BC. Three arches under a stone pediment remain, with sections of the Roman road visible through glass panels in the pavement.

🕐 Always accessible, via public street

💡 Stand under the central arch and look south to see the alignment with the Roman forum.

Romanesque crypt beneath the 4th-century cathedral, with mosaic floors, carved capitals and a quiet, atmospheric feel. Free to enter during church opening hours.

🕐 Mon-Sat 07:00-12:00 & 15:00-19:00, Sun 07:00-20:00

💡 Visit mid-morning for best light filtering through the small windows.

Ruins of a 1st-century Roman theatre, originally seating 4,000. The 22-meter-high south facade is still intact; you can walk among the lower tiers and backstage areas.

🕐 Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-19:00; closed Mondays and public holidays

💡 Enter through the free Archaeological Museum next door — the theatre ticket is included in that museum's entry, but the grounds are open and you can see the facade from the street for free.

Well-preserved Roman-era theatre ruins with a striking 22-metre-high southern facade, located near the city centre.

🕐 Always accessible externally; interior access via paid site (€5) but exterior views are free.

💡 Visit late afternoon for good light on the stone; the adjacent Roman walls and Porta Pretoria are also free to walk around.

Ruins of a 1st-century Roman theatre, with the southern facade still standing. You can walk around the perimeter for free; paid entry for the interior.

🕐 Exterior always accessible

💡 Visit from Via Porta Praetoria for the best view of the facade without entering. The site is lit at night.

Remains of a Roman theatre from the Augustan era, with a surviving southern wall over 20 metres high. You can see the cavea (seating area) and stage foundations from the public walkway.

🕐 Always visible from outside; interior opens for special events.

💡 Stand at the far end of Via Sant'Anselmo for a clear view through the fence; the site is often open for free during summer events or open house days.

Medieval complex with a Romanesque cloister featuring 40 carved column capitals depicting biblical scenes and mythical creatures. The church interior has a 12th-century wooden choir.

🕐 Cloister: Tue-Sun 09:00-12:30 & 14:00-18:00, church free entry during daylight

💡 Look for the carved bear on the side of the cloister pillars — it's a local symbol.

Museum inside a former convent displaying Roman artefacts, medieval stonework, and the famous 'Aosta Treasure' gold coins.

🕐 Tue-Sun 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; closed Mon.

💡 Free on the first Sunday of each month; otherwise €3. Allow 1 hour. The entrance is next to the Roman cryptoporticus.

Free entry to the cathedral proper – a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The 12th-century floor mosaics and luminous stained glass are the highlights.

🕐 Daily 07:00-12:00, 15:00-19:00

💡 Check the cloister behind the church; it's often unlocked and has beautiful carved capitals. Leave a small donation if you use the audio guide app.

Medieval cathedral with a Baroque facade, Romanesque bell tower, and a treasury museum. The main nave and crypt are free to enter.

🕐 Daily 07:30–12:00, 15:00–19:00

💡 Check the crypt beneath the altar—it has 11th-century frescoes. The treasury costs €5 but skip it unless you're keen on reliquaries.

A 12th-century Romanesque church with a carved wooden ceiling and an adjoining cloister. The cloister's 38 marble columns have intricately carved capitals depicting biblical scenes and monsters.

🕐 Church daily 8:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00; cloister open same hours (free entry)

💡 Visit on weekday mornings when the cloister is quiet — the light through the arcades is best between 10am and 11am. The church's crypt has frescoes from the 9th century.

Medieval church with a Romanesque crypt, 12th-century cloister with 40 carved capitals, and an annual January fair.

🕐 Church and cloister open daily 9:00-12:00, 14:30-18:00 (winter until 17:00).

💡 The cloister is free; wander through to see the unusual carved figures — best in late morning when sunlight hits the pillars.

Free access to the park's lower trails starting from near the suburb of Arpuilles. Gentle paths through beech forest with views over the valley.

🕐 Always open

💡 Walk the 'Anello di Arpuilles' loop (2 hrs) for the best effort-to-reward ratio. Park at the free lot near the church in Arpuilles. Keep quiet at dawn for ibex sightings.

A hillside public park with a wide lawn, mature chestnut trees, and a small lake with ducks. From the top bench you get a clear view across the valley to Mont Blanc in good weather.

🕐 Always open; gates open sunrise to sunset

💡 Pack a picnic from the market on Piazza Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto (Saturdays 8am-1pm). The park's playground has a slide built into the slope.