Your full guide to the cities of the Northern…
Bergamo: things to do and see in one day
Bergamo is often called a hidden gem of the Northern Italy. Even though it’s gaining popularity now, the streets are still not overcrowded with tourists and you can experience the calm and authentic athmosphere of this ancient town. It’s a great place to visit and easily accessable from Milan (by train) or other cities (by plane).
The city has two parts: the Upper Town (called Città Alta) and the Lower Town (Città Bassa). The Upper Town is old and full of narrow streets, old buildings, and pretty churches. It sits on a hill and has big stone walls around it. The Lower Town is newer, with shops, restaurants, and parks. It’s a perfect mix of old and new.
Città Alta
Città Alta (Upper town) is the old part of Bergamo located in the hill and surrounded by Venetian walls. Most of the historical sights can be found there: churches, gates, narrow streets, old buildings, nice cafes and small shops. This is where Bergamo was founded back in Roman times. However, most of its preserved buildings are from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
You can get there by funicular or by foot. The funicular is not only an easy way to get you up, but also a fun and cheap experience.
However, walking by foot is amazing too: the climb is quite easy and short (about 15 minutes), but it offers nice views and cozy cobblestone road.
Porta San Giacomo
The old town of Bergamo was a fortified city surrounded by defensive walls with four gates. The most beautiful of them is Porta San Giacomo built in the 16th century. This stunning marble city gate was once the main entrance to the upper town. You can see it walking by foot to the Upper town.
Venetian walls
Vemetian walls surrounding the Upper town were built by the Republic of Venice in the 16th century to protect the city from invasion.
You can walk along portions of the wall for stunning views and a real sense of the city’s strategic importance in medieval times.
Piazza Vecchia:
After getting to the Upper town you can’t miss Piazza Vecchia (Old Square) – the heart of Città Alta. It was the political and social center of Bergamo in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Here you will see the most important historical sights.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore with Colleoni Chapel
This Romanesque church was begun in 1137 and was built as a votive offering to the Virgin Mary for saving the city from the plague. The exterior is austere, but the interior is filled with Baroque splendor: golden stuccoes, tapestries, wood carvings, and an inlaid choir by Lorenzo Lotto. It’s considered one of the most beautiful churches in northern Italy.
The entrance isn’t free but is worth to buy a ticket. However, you can see a little bit of the interior right at the doors without paying.
Colleoni Chapel
Next to Santa Maria Maggiore stands the private chapel of Bartolomeo Colleoni, a 15th-century mercenary captain who served the Republic of Venice. This Renaissance masterpiece is striking with its multicolored marble façade.
Bergamo Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Alessandro)
Opposite the Basilica is the Duomo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Alexander. It was originally built in the 9th century and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current neoclassical interior dates from the 17th–18th century. Inside you’ll find the saint’s relics and several important artworks.
Campanone (Civic Tower)
Campanone is a massive medieval civic tower, which name means “big bell”. It was built between the 11th and 12th centuries by the powerful Suardi family. The tower bell still rings 100 times every night at 22:00. It’s a tradition from the Venetian era to signal the closing of the city gates.
Palazzo della Ragione
Next to the tower you can see the oldest municipal building in Lombardy, used for civic and judicial purposes. It was built in the 12th century and modified later. Today the beautiful building hosts exhibitions and cultural events.
Church di San Pancrazio
After visiting the sights of Piazza Vecchia, you can walk around in the narrow cobble streets and explore the city. Not far from the Piazza you can find a beautiful church di San Pancrazio that is dedicated Saint Pancras, a young Roman martyr from the 4th century. It dates back to the early Middle Ages and was once a part of a Benedictine monastery, playing a role in the spiritual life of medieval Bergamo. The entrance is free.
Rocca di Bergamo
A short walk from Piazza Vecchia, this hilltop fortress offers insight into Bergamo’s military history. Originally built in the 14th century by the Visconti family, it was later reinforced by the Venetians. Today, it houses a small museum and offers panoramic views of both the upper and lower towns.
Città Bassa
Città Bassa (Lower Town) began significant development in the 19th century, especially after Bergamo became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1859. The city quickly expanded outside the walls due to industrialization and urban planning, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It’s very different from the Upper Town but also a very nice place to explore.
Porta Nuova
On the main street viale Papa Giovanni XXIII you’ll see another gate – Porta Nuova. The gate was built in 1837, during Austrian rule, as part of a major urban renewal plan. It wasn’t meant as a defensive gate, but a symbolic entrance to the modern city and an architectural statement of progress.
Monument to the Partisan
Next to the gate you’ll see a Monument to the Partisan created in 1977, as a tribute to the Italian partisans who fought against fascism and Nazi occupation during World War II. The monument symbolizes the brutality of war and sacrifice for freedom.
Church di Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie
You can’t miss one of the largest and most beloved churches in Città Bassa is known for its elegant Renaissance and Baroque features.The church was originally attached to a Franciscan convent, which played a major religious and social role in the city. It contains works by notable local artists, including some from the Lotto school.
Basilica di Sant’Alessandro in Colonna
You can also visit a basilica that you’ve probably seen from the Upper Town. Basilica di Sant’Alessandro was built on the traditional site of Saint Alexander’s martyrdom, believed to be around 303 AD during Roman persecutions. A Roman column is still standing in front of the church and marks the martyrdom site.
Best things to do
Visit Accademia Carrara
Accademia Carrara is one of Italy’s most prestigious art galleries, founded as both a museum and fine arts academy. The collection consists of over 1,800 paintings, from the Renaissance to the 19th century and includes works by Botticelli, Pisanello, Titian.
Try Stracciatella
Stracciatella Gelato was invented in Bergamo in 1961 at the La Marianna café in Città Alta. It’s a creamy milk-based gelato with fine shards of chocolate mixed in. You can still try it in the cafe where it was invented.
Find the places from “Call me by your name”
A film with Timothée Chalamet that became a cult classic was also filmed in Bergamo. You can easily identify places from the movie just walking around the Upper City.
Climb Civic Tower
The 52-meter Civic Tower offers the best panoramic views of Bergamo. You can take an elevator or stairs to the viewpoint.
Go shopping to Via XX Settembre
Order polenta in a restaurant
Another local dish – and something different than a pizza or a pasta. Polenta is a staple northern Italian dish made from coarsely ground cornmeal, cooked slowly in water or broth until thick. It’s often served with: braised meats, cheese or mushrooms.
Where to stay
B&b Hotel Bergamo City
Best value for money – a nice hotel in the Lower City with good reviews, spacious room and affordable breakfasts.
Best Western Hotel Cappello D’Oro
The perfect location if Bergamo is one of the points of your trip. The hotel is located right next to the train station and the bus stop you need to get to the airport. We actually stayed in this hotel and loved everything: the room was big and the stuff was nice.
Petronilla Hotel
Petronilla Hotel’s location is the best to get to all the sightseeings. The rooms are tastefully decorated and the service are highly praised by the tourists.
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