Things to do & places to visit in Valle d'Aosta, Italy

The peaks of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and their fellow snow-capped giants make Italy's Valle d'Aosta region a haven for serious skiers and hikers. The Courmayeur resort offers year-round icy adventures, thanks to its Giant Glacier. The country's oldest national park, Gran Paradiso, is also located in Valle d'Aosta, as are numerous castles. A cable car ride from La Palud carries passengers over the mountains all the way into Chamonix, France, offering a bird's eye view of the breathtaking scenery.

Valle d'Aosta #16 destination in Italy 2023. The average rating score is 4.41 based on 54.2k traveler reviews, of 647 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Rome, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 19:23.

Valle d'Aosta Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

52°F - 34°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Cold, humid but cool

Feels like

55%

Chance of rain

304.0 millimeters

Amount

7.3 mph

Wind speed

91%

Humidity

14.9

Daylight length

6:00 AM

Sunrise

8:53 PM

Sunset

40%

Cloud cover

Jacket, rain coat and rain boots

What to wear

Top things to do (35)

Top destinations in Valle d'Aosta 90

See more 78 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Skyway Monte Bianco (4.656 reviews) from $177.72
- Breathtaking, do not miss it!
Monday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Trams • Lookouts

Skyway Monte Bianco is much more than a cableway to reach 3,466 meters. It’s an idea: drawing man closer to the mountain and sky, broadening our horizons, overcoming boundaries. Beautiful landscapes to explore and the sky to meet. See more..
5.0 Rafting Mont Blanc - Rafting Valle d'Aosta (1.190 reviews)
- Very nice!
Monday: 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing

One of the best attractions around! Really nice guiders, adventure for all the family! Really nice drafts too! See more..
5.0 Charbonnier Mongolfiere (1.140 reviews)
- Amazing experience
Monday: 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM Adrenaline & Extreme Tours • Balloon Rides • Sightseeing Tours • Private Tours • Air Tours

A great experience hot air ballooning with these guys, Nello and Diego, great hosts. Made us feel at ease, explained everything and fed us prosecco and foccacia See more..
5.0 Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso (673 reviews)
- Hike from Cogne to Lillaz
Nature & Wildlife Areas

Cogne turned out to be a hidden gem in the Gran Paradiso. We walked around the vibby town before starting the hike. Unfortunately the directions to the funicular are not at all clear, so we asked 3 people for help and eventually a king gentleman took us. Wow!!! What a beautiful hike. It is not at all difficult and it is well marked. We stopped for photos and snacks before walking down the valley to Lillaz. We continued through to the waterfalls, which were amazing. Caught the free bus back to Cogne. See more..
5.0 Totem Adventure (433 reviews)
- Incredible Rafting Experience
Monday: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM Water Sports

On Saturday, July 10, my fiance and I had the most wonderful experience at Totem doing a magnificent white water rafting. The Team, Alex, Ivan and so many others taught us how to raft, provided thorough safety details. The gear they give you keeps you warm (enough) and the training of the boat captains is immense, Ivan had 4 years of training and we felt very secure. The scenery is beautiful and the team is so helpful with a great photographer. As an American, we felt very comfortable and welcomed by Totem and I recommend the rafting to beginners/children through to advanced adults as there is something here for everyone! See more..
5.0 Rafting.it (368 reviews)
- Passionate, professional and fun
River Rafting & Tubing

An easy going, professional team made of kayaking and rafting lovers. With two 12 years old girls we had a great time. Drifting and paddling through the glacier water river is adrenaline Rapids and turbulent waters are awesome but never really frightening. Safety and fun at top level See more..
5.0 Rafting Republic (333 reviews)
- Excellent Rafting
Monday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

Rafting with Rafting Republik was definetly 5 star experience. We rafted on the Dora Baltea river near Aosta on April 2019, it was my first experience. I have been given a fast track training before going on the water ( basically how to stay safe on the raft as well in the water if fell by accident). the suits and every thing else is provided, think of a towel, a pair of socks and a tee shirt to wear underneath the suit (for hygiene). before starting the experience you can just relax in the centre base which is a beatiful green area surrounding a lake; you can swim or have a snack in the foodbar. an hour rafting is 40 euro per person for the classic type (for kids age 8 years and more). I have become addicted to rafting since then. Thank you Rafting Republik. See more..
5.0 Rafting Booking - Rafting Valle d'Aosta (224 reviews)
- Super activity for all family:)
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM River Rafting & Tubing

It was fantastic-real adventure, quality rafting in a challenging river, professional guidance with the highest security! Our family (2 adults and 2 children) experienced a fantastic ride in a lively river: at first we did it with our guide - 2 adults and our older daughter (13 years old) while our little one (6 years old) started with us later (safety reasons). All the time our superb guide and 2 more “body guards” in their own rafts were ready to assist us. We would highly recommend this team and activity to all... believe, you'll love it! Thank you! See more..
4.5 Forte di Bard (2.788 reviews)
- The fort to protect the Aosta valley
Monday: Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

Fortress of Bard complex is the protagonist of a wide project aimed at the creation of a cultural pole in the Western Alps of Italy. From impregnable defence for the valley the Fortress has been transformed into a gateway to the Alps’ culture and traditions, with a museum centre in the forefront of the international scenery dedicated to the mountain. Nowadays the Fortress offers only a part of the several activities planned by the project, whose purpose is to bring together innovative cultural spaces, services and accommodation in one single structure. To complete the project, in addition to the Museum of the Alps, The Children’s Alps, and the space for temporary exhibitions, Fortress of Bard will host two other museums (Frontiers Museum; Fortress Museum), an info-point to promote the cultural artistic heritage of Valle d’Aosta Region (already working); a school area provided with a lecture room for lessons, meetings and film projections; two conference rooms; a media centre; historical and thematic paths; a small refined hotel, a restaurant and a café (already working). See more..
4.5 Cervino Breuil-Cervinia Ski Area (2.049 reviews)
- Top week's skiing
Ski & Snowboard Areas

An infinite snowy area that begins at 1,524 metres, in Valtournenche, embraces Breuil-Cervinia, rises up to 3,480 metres of Plateau Rosà, touches the 4,000 m peak of Piccolo Cervino, climbes up to 4,478 m to the top of the Cervino. An area where the infinite snow continues on the Swiss side to Zermatt. An area where the snow is the setting of sport, holidays and fun. The tourism vocation of Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche had it’s beginning more than two hundred years ago. Excursionists and academics were the pioneers of a tourism that united sport, scientific study and intellectual exchange. In 1936, a new Breuil-Cervinia was created. The construction of the first cable car was a cutting-edge work of engineering excellence. The Hotel Gran Baita situated at the foot of the slopes, with the cable car departure station annexed to it, anticipates by over half a century the concept of an integral complex for skiing. Breuil-Cervinia became the Queen of the snow. From sport to cinema, politics and commerce, those who count meet here. Innovation, in Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche, is the key word. New ways to practice sport, new ways to enjoy a holiday, new services to allow more free time. The technology is not limited to the rapid lift systems, but also to the territorial fibre optic network that allows the information to be transmitted in real time. Time and space dimensions have changed thanks to the e-skipass, to the keycard and to the hotel reservation system via the internet. 350 thousands web navigators every month visiting the site to check out the webcams, weather reports, lift status and snow conditions. In Breuil-Cervinia Valtournenche, collaboration between the operators in the area guarantees guests quality and state of the art solutions. See more..
4.5 Castello di Fénis (1.825 reviews)
- Fascinating castle
Monday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Castles

Among the most famous of the castles in the Aosta Valley, Fenis strikes visitors with its triumph of towers and crenellated walls. The castle sits on flat ground, which is unusual; Aimone de Challant improved it by building an impressive defensive system, which also features double curtain walls. However, more than being a fortress, the Fenis castle was a prestigious and refined residence: the courtyard and the rooms inside are rich in frescoes - the result of a decorating campaign started by Aimone’s son, Bonifacio in all likelihood. Not to miss is the famous St. George slaying the dragon by Jacquerio and his school, on the stone semicircular courtyard staircase. Many of the furnishings present, which are not original to the castle, were purchased by Alfredo d’Andrade, then Superintendent of Fine Arts, who supervised the restoration work at the end of the nineteenth century thus restoring the castle to its former glory. See more..
4.5 Teatro Romano (1.789 reviews)
- Incredible
Monday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Ancient Ruins

The Aostan Roman Theatre stands out for its straight southern facade measuring 22 meters in height. Its majesty is punctuated by a series of buttresses and arches and is lightened by three orders of windows with different width. The masonry is characterized by large rectangular blocks of conglomerate and of local limestone. This suggestive part was originally longer than 60 m. The east and west sides were about 38 m long. The cavea is easily recognisable, as a semicircular structure where the public sat. Only the last six steps remain visible, in addition to the two, lower and wider, where the most important people used to sit. The radial substructures on which laid the rest of the terraces are still in their original place. The stage was located in front of the cavea, of which only the foundations are still visible. Small rooms behind served as dressing rooms for the actors, while the sides of the stage were used as deposits for equipment. The entire structure was then completed by arcades that stood against the perimeter wall on the shorter sides. The theatre was not built at the same time when the city was founded (25 BC), but rather a few decades later, in the Julio-Claudian era, as some previous buildings were found in this very area. See more..
4.5 Lillaz Waterfalls (1.404 reviews)
- Nice hike with view of several waterfalls
Waterfalls

We (family with two teenagers) hiked from Cogne to Lillaz but you can also drive to Lillaz. From the town it is a short hike up along the waterfalls. You can cross at the bridge above the waterfall and walk down the other site of the river. But it can be recommended to turn right just before the bridge and walk a bit further up for and extra water fall. The trip around the waterfall is under an hour and it’s about a hours walk to and from Cogne. See more..
4.5 Castel Savoia (1.122 reviews)
- really impressive!
Monday: Spent < 1 hour Castles

With its pointed turrets standing out from the surrounding woods, the castle of Queen Margarita of Savoy looks straight out of a fairy tale. Though it was built on models of the late Middle Ages, it dates from the early Twentieth century. It was then equipped with the latest technical equipment of that time, and it is surrounded by a large park with all the dependencies and a rocky Alpine garden with many botanical species. The interior still shows part of the original furnishings: paintings, stained glass, wood panelling, coffered ceilings and furniture made according to the taste of the Queen, she is evoked in all its parts by the flower bearing her name. The tour includes the ground and the first floor, connected by a spectacular wooden staircase with griffins and eagles. See more..
4.5 Val Ferret (1.107 reviews)
- Amazing valley with spectacular views
Valleys

What an amazing valley with amazing views on the valley and of course Mount Blanc. We did a hike here of approx. 17 km. Make sure you start from the Courmayeur side. It is not always am easy walk. We took the skycar from Courmayeur and straight after, the skilift and started the walk from there. On the way you have incredible views. Every second the view is different and (more) spectacular. After the highest point it is all the way down. See more..
4.5 Porta Prætoria (948 reviews)
- The door to Augusta Praetoria Salassorum
Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks

The beautiful ancient town of Aosta was named by Romans : Augusta Praetoria Salassorum The Romans founded it in 25 BC This beautiful massive marble door was the main entrance to the town See more..
4.5 Castello di Issogne (768 reviews)
- Worth a visit!
Monday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Castles

The famous pomegranate fountain in the courtyard and the frescoes of the portico are of an extraordinary expressive power. Here are two reasons for this apparently humble building to be one of the most significant and fascinating castles of the Aosta Valley. Rebuilt at the end of the fourteenth century, after the Challant family bought it, its magnificent halls and rooms were conceived by George of Challant in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth century, at the turn between the last splendours of the Middle Ages and the innovations of the Renaissance. Thanks to the restoration of late nineteenth century all the richness of the original paintings and furniture has come to us in perfect conditions. See more..
4.5 Criptoportico Forense (716 reviews)
- Amazing preservation
Monday: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Ancient Ruins

The way leading to the Cryptoporticus is located in the garden on John XXIII square. It is a monumental building marking a sacred area for cult. It is a basement building with a series of windows. It was horseshoe-shaped and is formed by two parallel tunnels with barrel vaults, supported by sturdy pillars. The Cryptoporticus dates back to the Augustan age: it served mainly as a supporting structure of the land level that in that part of the city formed a slight slope from North to South, therefore creating a gap between the sacred area and the adjacent legal area. The colonnade above him served as a cornice for the two temples that stood side by side on a single podium, which could be reached by a staircase. The long east side of the Eastern Temple is well-preserved, and it can be seen nowadays, under the archdeaconry building. The Cryptoporticus therefore formed a covered walkway surrounding the sacred buildings. Its galleries represented an extension of the Forum colonnade, whose main function was to protect from rain and snow in winter and from sun in summer. During the third and fourth centuries, it probably turned to be used for goods storage. See more..
4.5 Castello di Verrès (616 reviews)
- The cube over the hill
Monday: Spent < 1 hour Castles

Majestic, essential, powerful: these are the three adjectives that best describe this castle. A stone cube built in the late fourteenth century by Yblet of Challant on the rock overlooking the town of Verrès, in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape. The military character of this building perfectly melts with elegant carved stone details decorating its windows, doors and shelves of monumental chimneys. A stunning staircase with flying buttresses reaches the upper floors. Every year the halls of the castle hosts the traditional carnival characters of Verrès, in a blend of history and legend. See more..
4.5 Aosta Old Town (588 reviews)
- Amazing
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Walking Areas • Architectural Buildings

The old Aosta is beautiful, with Romans building , churches, Doors and classical palaces. Many museums also can be visit. It’s a really nice and good living city. See more..
4.5 Lago Blu (577 reviews)
- Perfect view of Matterhorn
Bodies of Water

We went on a short family hike starting on the parking "perreres" which also offers an extraordinarily pittoresque and well equipped picnic area. Upon arriving at Lago Blu we enjoyed the superb view of the Matterhorn. The lake itself is very cold due to the glacier water, so swimming in it is not really an Option. We can recommend hiking there nevertheless! The lake is also easily accessible by car with a small parking area nearby. See more..
4.5 Sentiero panoramico lungo l'Orrido di Pre-Saint-Didier (447 reviews)
- Great short hike
Hiking Trails

This short hike only takes about 40 minutes to get to the top from Pre Saint Didier. I took a 5 year old and he did it with no problems. The view from the top is fantastic See more..
4.5 Lago d'Arpy (408 reviews)
- Superb mountain walk
Bodies of Water

The hike to and fro Lago d'Arpy is a perfect, refreshing way to spend half a day in the region during the summer. The shady path is about 75 minutes long in each direction with ascents which aren't too strenuous but provide decent exercise for three out of shape midlife buddies such as ourselves... The wooded scenery is lovely and the hidden lake against the backdrop of the Alps is magnificent. Take a picnic lunch to eat on the shore. Circling the lake is an option as well. How to get there: the trail starts at the parking lot outside the La Genzianella hotel in Morgex. See more..
4.5 Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Orso (391 reviews)
- a must see in Aosta
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

The cloister with its medieval capitals are a must see not only for art historians but for anybody who is interested in medieval sculpture! See more..
4.5 Cascate del Rutor (367 reviews)
- Really nice excursion!
Waterfalls

If you are looking for a nice mountain trekking and amazing views this one is really good and easy. If you are not used to trekking you can do this one, so don't worry. There are 3 waterfalls to see, and I recommend to do the whole route so you enjoy many different views. You will see three different waterfalls, and cross the last one. When you are on the top you will have amazing views of Montblanc and all the valley. See more..
4.5 Alpine Botanical Garden Saussurea (343 reviews)
- Beautiful gardens! Nice stop on the way to Helbronner.
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Gardens

The Saussurea Foundation is a non-profit organization (NPO), with headquarters in Loc. Pavillon du Mont Fréty, Courmayeur. The foundation aims to promote, encourage and disseminate studies about nature, specifically in relation to the Aosta Valley region and the Mont Blanc area. See more..
4.5 Val Veny (339 reviews)
- GO GO GO.
Valleys

If you're in Courmayeur, HIKE. Then the next day, HIKE some more. It's gorgeous. The trails are well groomed. Yes, some are steep but not undoable. And we didn't use poles. We did have good hiking boots which I recommend. We hiked to Rifugio Elisabetta with a detour to Lago Combal. I will never forget it as long as I live. Beautiful. See more..
4.5 Salumificio Maison Bertolin (316 reviews)
- Not a restaurant, but a great food experience
Monday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

This is a small osteria focusing on local cold meats, cheeses and specialties, served in a bare-bones environment with no-frills service. It serves terrific quality food, fresh and tasty, in abundant quantities. The alcohol list is very limited and should not be a reason to visit. If you know what you are going for, there's very few that do it better! See more..
4.5 Rifugio Vittorio Sella (306 reviews)
- A pretty arduous climb!
Hiking Trails

We started from Valnontey which we reached thanks fo the free bus from Cogne. The altitude difference is 900 metres and it is quite a steep climb. Worth it though. If you are lucky, you will see wild animals that are typical of the area. Food etc available at the large "rifugio". See more..
4.5 Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo (286 reviews)
- Beautiful Mountain Landscapes
Mountains

Summer or Winter this is a great location - In the winter the road is closed and you have to ski. Fantastic views - and some good places to stop for a meal or a drink (summer and winter). See more..