Susa and the Susa Valley

Susa is an Alpine town about 55 km (34 miles) west of Turin at the mouth of the Susa Valley in Piedmont, Italy, near the French border. It was an important Roman and medieval crossroads on the road over the Alps, and its monuments include the Arch of Augustus, built in 9-8 BC, the Roman amphitheatre, the remains of the Porta Savoia and the Romanesque Cathedral of San Giusto in Piazza San Giusto. The Susa Valley is also the gateway to ski areas such as Bardonecchia and Sestriere.

The trip is easy by train. A Trenitalia regional train (SFM3 towards Bardonecchia) from Torino Porta Nuova or Porta Susa takes about 55-70 minutes, with a fare around EUR 4-6 (~$4.60-6.90) one way. Driving on the A32 motorway takes about 50 minutes. The same line passes Avigliana, with its lakes and medieval centre, and stops near the Sacra di San Michele, so Susa can be combined with a second stop.

A suggested one-day arc is to arrive in the morning and walk from the station to the Arch of Augustus, then to the Roman amphitheatre and the nearby Roman aqueduct remains. The cathedral of San Giusto and the medieval streets come next, followed by the Castello della Contessa Adelaide and the Museo Diocesano. Lunch typically features mountain food such as polenta, local cheeses, cured meats and chestnut-based sweets, plus wines from the valley. In the afternoon, visitors can walk the surrounding trails or visit a nearby village before taking an early evening train back.

The best season is May to October, when the weather is pleasant for walking and the monuments are open. In winter, Susa works as a base for ski days in Bardonecchia and Sestriere, though the town itself can be cold. Visitors should check opening times of the museums with the tourist office at turismotorino.org, as hours can be limited outside summer. The compact town centre makes this a relaxed, low-cost day out.