Itineraries for Your Trip to Bergamo
3 Days in Bergamo for First Timers
I first came across Bergamo on a weekend trip. With cheap flights from the United Kingdom to Bergamo’s own international airport, it was easy and economical but still had the culture and food that you’d expect from a better-known destination.
Many years after that weekend, this unsung city still delights. If your budget allows, stay in Bergamo città alta—the hilltop medieval city—which Bergamo is really all about. Otherwise, basing yourself in the città bassa—the sprawling, modern new town—has its own benefits; not least, you get to ride the funicular up and down to the old town. Here’s a round-up of tips for things to do in Bergamo.
Hot summers and rainy spring months punctuate Bergamo’s pleasant year-round climate.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the view from the Venetian walls of the città alta.
Walk the city’s Venetian walls, which were built between the 16th and 17th centuries and are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The route around the perimeter is around 4 miles (6 kilometers), and includes ramparts and historic gates. On weekends the walls are closed to traffic and more pleasant for pedestrians.
Exercise done, head to Bergamo’s historic Piazza Vecchia for lunch, dinner, or even just coffee. The higher prices are offset by the chance to sit in one of the loveliest squares, soaking up the history and Renaissance architecture that abounds.
Nestled at the foothills of the Bergamasque Alps, Bergamo has some beautiful countryside around it. Today, I’d recommend going further afield to get your fill of photos and exercise. If you have your own car, nearby Lake Iseo or the slate-roofed medieval village of Gromo offer opportunities for photography, walking, cycling, fishing, and more.
If you don’t have transportation, you can still explore beyond the city walls. Bike tours showcase sights like the Monastery of Astino and the ruined Castle of San Vigilio, as well as the Parco dei Colli di Bergamo—the green hills around the city.
While the upper town is home to architectural highlights such as the 12th-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the lower town is home to Bergamo’s most prestigious collection of artwork. The esteemed Accademia Carrara, due to reopen after renovations, offers art lovers a wealth of medieval and Renaissance canvases by Raphael, Botticelli, Titian, Canaletto, and more.
If you linger in the lower town, you might stumble on its growing street art scene. The underpass at Boccaleone is worth a detour, along with a stroll past the sprawling mural at Via David—a collaborative piece by international and Italian artists.
