Aosta Roman Theater

The basics

Aosta’s Roman Theater is a highlight of most private or small-group walking or cycling tours of the old town attractions. You can also join an archaeological tour focused on the city’s ancient sights, including Porta Praetoria, the Arch of Augustus, and the Roman city walls. Tours take in the 1st-century theater’s massive southern facade, with its three levels of arched windows, plus the seating area (that once fit up to 3,000 spectators), orchestra, and remains of dressing rooms and other areas for performers and theater workers.

Things to know before you go

• You can view the southern facade from afar, but you must purchase a ticket to enter the site and see the rest of the ruins.

• Admission to the Roman Theater is included in the Aosta Archeologica pass.

• There is little shade in the archaeological ruins, so wear a hat and sunscreen when visiting.

• The site is fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to get there

The Roman Theater stands inside the ancient Roman walls of Aosta’s old town, within walking distance of the city’s other main sights and its train station. You can catch a direct train to Aosta from Turin or drive from Milan in less than 2 hours.

When to get there

The Roman Theater is open all day from spring to fall, but closes over the lunch hour from October to March. To tour the entire site, including the seating area and dressing rooms, visit during opening hours. Otherwise, you can admire the preserved southern facade day or night from the outside.

The Aosta Archeologica pass

Aosta makes it easy to visit its ancient sites with an all-inclusive pass that grants admission to four headliners with a single ticket. Called “Aosta Archeologica,” this pass is good for six months from the date of purchase for a single entrance to the Roman Theater, MAR (the Regional Archaeological Museum), the Roman Cryptoporticus, and the early Christian Church of San Lorenzo. It also includes discounted entrance to the Megalithic Museum and Archaeological Park. Purchase tickets online or at the theater, museum, or cryptoporticus ticket offices. The Church of San Lorenzo does not have a ticket office.