What to Do in Bergamo (Our Top Picks)

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We've recently visited Bergamo, the picturesque city in Lombardy Region of Italy and truly loved it. It seamlessly combines history, culture and modern vibrancy. Bergamo is often missed by those visiting the region, but if you happen to be here, be sure to explore this charming city.

You'll be surprised that the city of Bergamo consists of two parts: the Città Bassa (lower town), where its civic center lies; and the Città Alta (upper town), clinging to rocky slopes on top of a hill.

An ideal visit to this enchanting city spans 2 to 3 days, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in its offerings. In this text we'll cover the best things to do in Bergamo, plus our suggestions for eating and shopping.

1. Ride the funicular to Città Alta (and the one to San Vigilio)

Taking a funicular ride is one of the ways to get to Città Alta, the upper part of city, situated on a hill (there are also stairs you can take, but we recommend leave them for your return back).

Hop onto a funicular car (that runs since 1887) and enjoy a pleasant and scenic ride. Buy your tickets from the ticket window or ticket machine next to it (it's super easy; can be paid in cash or by credit card). A single ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 75 minutes. When we've been there, there was a long line for embarking the cable car, but it moved really quickly! So don't give up on this great experience!

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Not everyone knows that there is another funicular, the second level, that connects Città Alta with San Vigilio Hill. Up there, in one of the quieter corners of the city amid terraced fields with thick chestnut forest, there are views across Lombardy, and a network of hiking trails taking in Parco dei Colli. Both are not to be missed!

👍 Explore the best of Bergamo's Città Alta on Tuk Tuk tour (ideal for those who are short on time). Starting point is the lower funicular station!

2. Explore Città Alta (sights and hidden corners)

Exploring Bergamo's upper town was one of the most adorable experiences on our visit. It holds numerous historical treasures and boasts a lively atmosphere with cafés, artisan shops, and cosy trattorias.

Don't skip tasting the local cuisine, which features traditional Lombard dishes like polenta and casoncelli (filled pasta). The neighbourhood also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, adding to its dynamic appeal. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or simply looking to soak in the local culture, Città Alta promises an unforgettable experience.

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The fucinular will drop you off at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, the heart of the upper town. Start to walk along Via Gombito, dotted with small trattorias and pasticcerias, until you reach Piazza Vecchia. Just a few steps away you'll find Piazza Duomo, packed with amazing sights of Bergamo. Spend time here exploring them!

Helpful tips! Wear comfortable shoes, as the cobblestone streets can be uneven and it's not easy to walk on them. Also, try to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and enjoy a relaxed and calm atmosphere. Plus, check the opening times of the sights and any events, so you can plan your time there!

👍 Get an overview of Bergamo’s scenic Città Alta on this private 2.5-hour guided tour (choose the time that best suits you)!

Cappella Colleoni

Once you reach Piazza Duomo, you'll notice the beautiful building with red and white marble façade. At first, we thought that this was the Cathedral (which is across), as it's the most beautiful sight there.

This is the Cappella Colleoni, the mausoleum of Bartolomeo Colleoni and is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the city. From the outside you can admire it's beautiful exterior, but inside, you'll find an incredible concentration of works of art. The entrance is free, but check the opening hours before visiting.

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Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Next to the Cappella Colleoni, stands the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. This sacred building hides beautiful frescoes, tapestries, wood carvings by Lorenzo Lotto, baroque decorations and the tomb of Bergamo's great composer Gaetano Donizetti. You need to pay for the entrance (€5 for adults; 14-25 years old pay €2). If you don't want to pay for a visit, take a peak from the entrance door! 👉 Explore Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore by listening this digital guide!

The Duomo di Bergamo (Bergamo Cathedral)

Don't miss visiting the Duomo - Bergamo's Cathedral (Cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro Martire). You'll recognize it by white façade! The entrance is completely free and it's not crowded at all. Once inside, admire the altars, the sculptures and enjoy the silence of this beautiful building. Snap a couple of photos, including those of the dome above you (painted by Francesco Coghetti). In a room to the right of the main altar is a room containing relics of Pope Saint John XXIII (Papa Giovanni XIII). We thoroughly enjoyed discovering the beauty of Bergamo's stunning cathedral.

Helpful tip! The Cathedral is an excellent spot to take a break from sightseeing, thanks to its peaceful atmosphere and lack of crowds. 

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Climb the Campanone (the Civic Tower)

You can't miss the Campanone, the 56-meter high tower that stands proud at the center of Bergamo (it holds the biggest bell in Lombardy). From the top, it offers some of the most fabulous panoramic views of the city and the surroundings. 

Climb the 230 steps, or opt for the more comfortable option of the elevator to reach the top. Even today, every evening at 10pm, the bell kicks off its nightly routine, ringing out 100 times. You'll pay the entrance to Campanone and Palazzo del Podestà (museum about the history of Bergamo) €5. 👉 Explore history of Bergamo with your private guide!

3. Walk the Venetian Walls (Mura Veneziane)

Once you want to go back to the lower town, take Via San Giacomo from Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (street to the right). Walk all way down until you reach Porta San Giacomo (one of 4 main gates to Città Alta) and the impressive Venetian Walls, that stretches all around the upper town (6 km in length). 

You can walk all around them and snap amazing photos of the city in distance. The area beneath the Porta San Giacomo, is one of the best spots for capturing stunning photos of the city below and surrounding countryside. Take a walk down Via Salita della Scalletta to reach the lower town. We loved taking these stairs - it's a special experience!

4. Taste appetizing cuisine of Bergamo

When you find yourself in Bergamo, make sure to visit one of those charming trattorias. They serve up some amazing traditional dishes like casoncelli alla bergamasca, pasta shaped like candy and stuffed with a savoury meat filling, either pork or beef. And it's typically served with a delicious pancetta, sage, and butter sauce. You can find it in most restaurants around the city, but for the very best, we would recommend checking out Trattoria Parietti or Da Mimmo.

Oh, and you absolutely have to try "polenta e osei", dome-shaped dessert, made with sponge cake and a light chocolate-hazelnut cream, all topped with an adorable little chocolate bird. The best spot for this sweet treat is Nessi pasticceria - you'll find it at upper town, as soon as you step outside the funicular. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!

Don't skip also tasting stracciatella, the famous gelato made with fresh milk and cream studded with dark chocolate (we love the one from Gelateria La Romana - Via G. Tiraboschi, 42). Their salted caramel gelato with crunchy pecans is marvelous!

For a quick and yummy snack, head to Forno Liento (Via Sant'Alessandro, 30) - we adore their panzerotti (choose from ham and mozzarella, tomato and mozzarella and vegetable fillings). They are so addictive, especially when warm!

👍 Taste a variety of rustic and refined dishes at 5 different stops on this 3.5-hour guided food tour of Bergamo (choose from mid-day and evening departure)!

A couple of great places to eat:

• Mòrso Pizzeria Bergamo (Via Sant'Orsola, 31/B) - nice pizzeria in the lower tower, serving fabulous tasty pizza which is also affordable. They'll prepare also your pizza for takeway if you feel like eating at your apartment/hotel. Additional plus is super kind staff!
  
• Sweet Irene (Via Sant'Orsola, 22) - Fabulous cosy café in the lower town, serving a range of vegan and gluten-free food, cakes and pastries. Try here a cappuccino with oat milk, vegan flan and vegetarian quiche. Great teas and lovely service. Nice and warm atmosphere!
• Antica Trattoria La Colombina (Via Borgo Canale, 12) -  highly recommended place for anyone who is in the upper Bergamo and wants to have a nice meal of typical, quality food without spending too much.  You'll love their casoncelli and the braised meat. Fast and precise service, super welcoming atmosphere.
• La Scagna (Via Gianbattista Moroni, 31) - Fabulous restaurant at lower town, serving authentic dishes. Try their cured meat and cheese platter and polenta gnocchi with cheese and sage. Portions are very generous! Book well in advance, as it's very popular! 

5. Go shopping in Bergamo

We done a little bit of shopping in Bergamo and can tell you about the best spots. We started across the Viale Papa Giovanni XXII (the street leading from train station to funicular station). This street is brimming with a variety of shops and restaurants, making it a great start.

Take a left onto Via Tiraboschi, and you’ll discover plenty of shops offering clothes, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry, and home goods. You can't miss the OVS department store here, which has a large supermarket on the -2 level, perfect for picking up groceries.

Just a stone's throw away on Via Zambonate, you’ll find the Coin, an upscale department store featuring homeware, clothing, shoes, accessories and cosmetics.

If you swing into Largo Cinque Vie and then into Via XX Settembre, you’ll encounter an array of fantastic shops for clothing, cosmetics, and pharmacies, not to mention a plethora of dining options. Another two shopping streets in Bergamo are Via Sant’Alessandro and Via Sant’Orsola.

Città Alta boasts small cute shops specializing in polenta, candy stores, toy shops, handmade crafts, antique books... Best places to do a little souvenir shopping!

Read also: What to buy in Italy (great ideas)

Visiting Bergamo for Christmas holidays

We've visited Bergamo during the holiday season and adored the festive atmosphere, and decorated city. The highlight for us was the bustling market at Piazza Matteotti in the lower city. We loved browsing the inviting wooden stalls, sampling delicious food, and discovering unique handcrafted items. Nearby, there was 30-meter-tall Ferris wheel and carousel across the street, ideal for those visiting with children.

One thing to note from our visit is that unfortunately, many wonderful family-run restaurants and shops were closed during this period, typically until the 7th or 15th of January.

Staying in Bergamo

The city of Bergamo is easy to reach by train from Milan. But if you choose to stay in the city, you'll find plenty of options for all tastes and budgets. Keep in mind that the Città Alta is more picturesque and therefore a bit more pricey than the Città Bassa, which has more shopping hotspots and nightlife. If you want to be closer to the train station, choose the accommodation at lower town.

You'll love staying at Casa Vacanze Gombito, the beautifully decorated apartment with excellent hosts in the centre of Città Alta. Or choose to stay at Ginevra Rooms, modern and comfortable accommodation, located halfway between Città Alta and Città Bassa. If you are looking for super comfortable place to stay for your family, consider Domus Bergam boutique apartment, at great location.

How to get to Bergamo by plane (Orio al Serio airport)

If you are arriving by plane to Bergamo, you'll be landing to Orio al Serio International Airport. Getting to the city is a breeze, as the airport is only 5km from the city. 

If you want to get directly to your hotel or apartment, take one of the taxis you can find outside the airport building (costs around €20-35; depending on company). Just next to the taxi stand, you'll find bus stop, from where you can take bus no.1 riding to the city of Bergamo. The buses run to Bergamo train station, and then stop off at Porta Nuova, the lower funicular station, and the Città Alta. It takes between 15 and 20 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport. 

Tickets for the airport bus can be bought from the ticket machines on the bus stop. Choose 3-zone ticket marked with the letter C that costs €3. Once you are on the bus, validate the ticket at green machine (it's valid for 90 minutes). If you’re going to spend less than 24 hours in Bergamo, consider buying 24-hour ticket, valid on all modes of transport in the city (including the airport bus and the funicular), that costs €8.50.

If you want to get straight from Bergamo Airport to your Milan hotel/apartment, book ahead this reliable car transfer (excellent reviews!).

If you are flying out from Bergamo Airport with Ryanair, rest assure that everything will be super easy. Just be sure to arrive at least 2 hours before your flight, as this is among the most busiest Italian airports.

Once you arrive to the airport, first look for the kiosks for printing the bag tags. Next, go to self-drop baggage area, scan the boarding pass and baggage tags and you'll get a baggage receipt printout. If you have some doubts, the helpful staff is there to help you.

Afterwards, go through the security which is pretty fast and you'll find yourself among great shops and eateries. This is the last change to have a cup of yummy Venchi gelato!

👉 Useful tip! Print your Ryanair boarding pass or just have it in the app (or make a screenshot so it's available offline).

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Getting to Bergamo by train

Bergamo can be easily reached by train from elsewhere in Italy. A train ride from Milan to Bergamo takes only 48 minutes (one-way ticket costs €6; Io Viaggio Ovunque in Lombardia pass covers these trains).

Trains between Milan and Bergamo run regularly throughout the day (operated by Trenord). These are regional trains offering good service, but there are no seat reservations, meaning you'll need to catch the seat, once the train platform (binario) is announced. However, the trains are not overcrowded!

Useful tip! Be sure to validate your tickets at green validating machines you can find at the platform before boarding the train!

👉 For a completely hassle-free visit of Bergamo from Milan book this 6-hour private guided tour!

You can also get to Bergamo by train from:

• Verona in 1h 30minutes
• Venice 2h 50 minutes (via Brescia or Milan)
• Florence 2h 40 minutes (via Milan)
• Rome in 4 hours (via Milan)
• Bologna in 2 hours (via Milan)
• Genoa in 2h 30 minutes (via Milan Lambrate)
• Como in 1h 40 minutes (via Milan)
• Brescia in 57 minutes.

Places to visit from Bergamo

The city of Bergamo makes a great base for visiting the area. From there you can easily travel by train to other cities and villages, such as Brescia, Lake Iseo and Lake Idro, Lake Como, Valtellina, Lake Garda, Val Camonica, Verona, Mantova, Cremona, Parma, Milan, Vicenza, Padova, Venice and Ferrara.

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