Italy is made up of 20 regions total. You’re likely familiar with the popular ones like Sicily and Tuscany, and maybe not as familiar with foodie-forward Piedmont and the wildly underrated Le Marche region. But, out of all 20 Italian regions, the smallest and least populated title goes to Valle d’Aosta or “Aosta Valley.” So, is the smallest Italian region worth visiting? The answer is an astounding yes–here’s why.
Where is Valle d’Aosta?
Located in the northwest corner of the country, just north of Piedmont and just west of Lombardy, Valle d’Aosta borders both France and Switzerland. Because of its geographical context, you’ll be greeted to incredible views of Mont Blanc, and will see many French translations on train stations, menus, and general signage.
Valle d’Aosta’s capital: Aosta
If you choose just one place to visit in Valle d’Aosta, Aosta is a good bet. It’s the region’s capital and is the easiest to access via public transportation (more on that below). For context of just how small Aosta is, the population of the region’s largest city is around 33,000 people–in comparison to, let’s say, Milan, Lombardy’s capital just next door, is around 3.1 million. What I especially love about Aosta is that, despite it technically being a “city,” it’s small enough that you can really just kick back and relax. It’s the ideal place for slow travel, and the stellar views of being completely surrounded by mountains certainly don’t hurt!
How to Get There
To get to Aosta, or Valle d’Aosta in general, despite it being geographically somewhat close to places like Torino or Milano, the commute takes a little longer than expected thanks to the mountainous curvy roads. The only way to get to Aosta via public transit is by taking a train to Ivrea (where most trains connect via Torino), and from there, taking a direct bus from Ivrea to Aosta. While Aosta does have a train station, it is currently under construction, predicted to last a few years, so busses have taken place of the trains in the meantime. The bus ticket to Aosta is included in your Eurail Pass should you choose to travel with one (which I’d recommend for any trip through Europe!).
Aside from taking a train/bus combo, renting a car is certainly not a bad idea for properly exploring Valle d’Aosta. The roads are well-paved like the majority of Italy–just make sure you feel comfortable driving along a lot of curves!
What to Do in Aosta
Aosta is home to many ski resorts, so visiting in winter is ideal for those who want to hit the slopes. Since Aosta flies so far under the radar in comparison to the nearby Swiss and French Alps, it is generally a much more affordable ski break. Aside from winter sports, you’ll want to check out Aosta’s Roman Theatre, the Aosta Cathedral, and Porta Pretoria. One of the best ways to see the city is to rent a bike and ride around.
Where to Stay
I last-minute booked a room at Hotel Miage, which I LOVED thanks to the views from my own private balcony (plus, it was only 55 euro for the night). However, it was a little outside of the city center and almost a 20-minute walk from the train/bus station, so if you’re looking for something more central, I would not recommend this place.
Next time, despite the scenic views of Mont Blanc from my room, I would choose to stay somewhere more in the heart of the city. here are some good options:
What to Eat
Like all of Italy, the food here is absolutely incredible. You MUST eat Fontina cheese. I tried Fontina Griglia, a literal brick of grilled Fontina cheese served alongside roasted root vegetables, and that alone was enough of a reason for me to come back to Aosta. I also tried Carbonade, not to be confused with carbonara, a beef or veal stew served alongside polenta.
- For a true taste of the proper cuisine of Aosta, book a guided food tour.
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