Free walking tours in Courmayeur and what to see

Must-sees

Courmayeur is at the north-western end of the Aosta Valley, at the foot of the Italian side of Mont Blanc. The village revolves around Via Roma, its pedestrian street, with shops, cafés and houses of stone and wood. On the square by the church of San Pantaleone is the headquarters of the Società delle Guide di Courmayeur, with its alpine museum, which tells the story of mountaineering on the massif.

The big visit is the Skyway Monte Bianco, the cable car that leaves from Pontal d'Entrèves and climbs to Punta Helbronner, at over 3,400 metres, with rotating cabins and a terrace with views of the glaciers and peaks. Lower down, two valleys share the landscape: Val Veny and Val Ferret, with meadows, forests and trails. In winter the village lives from skiing, and a few minutes away, in Pré-Saint-Didier, there is a hot-spring spa.

Free tours and guided visits

Courmayeur has no regular free walking tours. What you can book is a ticket for the Mont Blanc cable car, the star attraction. For the mountains, people usually go out with high-mountain guides, who lead hikes, traverses and climbs to suit each person's level. Day trips also arrive from Aosta or from Chamonix through the tunnel.

How long to spend

A day is enough for the village and the cable car: in the morning, the ride up to Punta Helbronner, best under clear skies, and in the afternoon a stroll along Via Roma. With two or three days you can walk in Val Ferret and Val Veny and spend an afternoon at the spa. If you are coming to ski or do long routes, a week will feel short. Always check the weather before going up, as it changes fast up there.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the centre of Courmayeur, near Via Roma, with hotels and apartments a few steps from restaurants and shops. Entrèves and La Palud are next to the cable car station and quieter. Dolonne is next to the slopes. If you prefer nature, Val Ferret and Val Veny have simple mountain accommodation, open mainly in season.