Valle d'Aosta
Alpine valleys under Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, Roman ruins in Aosta, and hiking in Gran Paradiso National Park.
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Valle d'Aosta is a mountain region in northwest Italy and the smallest of the country's regions by area and population. Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, sits on its border with France, and the Matterhorn lies on the border with Switzerland. The regional capital, Aosta, has Roman remains, including a theater and the Arch of Augustus. The train line from Turin ends in Aosta, and Turin and Geneva are the nearest large airports.
The region suits hikers and skiers. Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's oldest national park, has high-alpine valleys and marked trails, and the Mont Blanc side has ski areas and lifts around Courmayeur. The main valleys are far apart, so pick one base and plan a few days there, or add more time if you want to move between them. For hiking, plan on summer, roughly June through September. For skiing, plan on winter, roughly December through March.
Valle d'Aosta in five
- Pick your valley before your hotelCourmayeur faces Mont Blanc, Cogne opens onto Gran Paradiso and Cervinia sits under the Matterhorn. They are one to two hours apart by road, so choose one or two bases.
- Ride the Skyway Monte Bianco in clear weatherThe cable car climbs from Courmayeur toward Punta Helbronner. Check operating days and book on the official site, and carry warm layers because it is cold at the top.Compare tours
- Drive into the valleys with winter tires or chainsWinter driving rules apply in the region, and snow chains or winter tires can be required on some roads. Check the rules and your rental terms before you set out.
- Visit Aosta for the Roman gate and theaterThe city has a Roman gate, an arch, a theater and a good old center. It makes a one-day stop on the way to Courmayeur or Turin.
Things to do in Valle d'Aosta
See all attractions in Valle d'Aosta
Need to know
- Airport
- Turin (TRN), about 1.5–2 hours; Milan Malpensa about 2.5 hours; Geneva also used
- Getting there
- Train to Aosta via Ivrea from Turin, about 2 hours; bus or car beyond
- Getting around
- Car, or buses along the main valley; trains reach Aosta only
- Best base
- Courmayeur for Mont Blanc, Cogne for hiking, Aosta for culture
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Ski seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-1°Ski seasonFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- MarchRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh8°Low0°Late snowMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Mud, trails closedAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mud, trails closed
- MayRain16 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Thaw, wildflowersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 180 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, wildflowers
- JuneRain17 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh22°Low13°Trails openJuneRain
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Trails open
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Peak hikingJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak hiking
- AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Peak hikingAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Peak hiking
- SeptemberRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low11°Clear, quietSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Clear, quiet
- OctoberRain11 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Larch colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Larch color
- NovemberRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh8°Low1°Snow, closuresNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 157 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, closures
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-2°Ski, ChristmasDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski, Christmas
Average daily high and low in Aosta, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Valle d'Aosta
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
-2
- Feels like
- -6°
- Humidity
- 60%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Aosta
11:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°1°0%Monday: Partly cloudy. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue7°1°0%Tuesday: Rain. High 7°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed4°0°3%Wednesday: Rain. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu5°1°3%Thursday: Rain. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri4°2°15%Friday: Rain. High 4°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Sat5°2°11%Saturday: Drizzle. High 5°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun4°1°29%Sunday: Rain. High 4°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 29%.
Updated 09:32 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- SepPalio di AstiPiedmont, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Aostaabout 30–45 min from most valley basesRoman gate, theater and a small old center.Read the guide
- Chamonixabout 30–45 min through the Mont Blanc Tunnel from CourmayeurA major French alpine town; check passports and road conditions.
- Gran Paradiso National Parkabout 1 hour from AostaItaly's oldest national park, with ibex and day walks from Cogne.
Before you go to Valle d'Aosta
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Rules for Valle d'Aosta, checked
- Most non-EU visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. Check entry rules on the Italian visa site before you book.Source
- Dial 112 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Italy.
- Declare cash above the EU limit when you enter or leave Italy. Check the current amount with the Agenzia delle Dogane before you travel.
- Cover shoulders and knees before entering churches, including the cathedral in Aosta.
Plan around Valle d'Aosta
Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs
Read the guideAostaThe Roman city and valley gateway
Read the guideTurinThe nearest big city and airport, 2 hours southeast
Read the guideMilanA 3-hour transfer to the Mont Blanc side
Read the guideBest time to visit ItalySeasons, crowds and snow
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 ruleCrossing into France or Switzerland by road
Read the guideValle d'Aosta FAQ
Is Valle d'Aosta worth visiting?
Yes, for Alpine peaks, Roman ruins and castles in a small region. It suits hikers in summer and skiers in winter, and it is quieter than the Dolomites.
How do you get to Courmayeur?
By bus or car from Aosta or Turin, with transfers from Turin airport. The Mont Blanc Tunnel connects to France, so some travelers arrive from Geneva.
When is the best time to visit Valle d'Aosta?
July to September for hiking and lifts. December to March for skiing. Spring and early autumn are quiet, with some lifts and huts closed.
How many days do you need in Valle d'Aosta?
Three days cover Aosta and one valley. Five days allow Courmayeur and Gran Paradiso. A week allows hut-to-hut hikes.
Do you need a car in Valle d'Aosta?
Buses and trains run along the main valley, but side valleys and trailheads are easier with a car. Check winter tire rules.