11 Best Things to do in Bergamo, Italy

Things to do in Bergamo City

1. Piazza Vecchia

Located at the very center of the old historic district of Bergamo lies the city’s main square, Piazza Vecchia. This grand area is surrounded by some of Bergamo’s best architectural highlights, each from a different era.

Tip: We personally loved the alleys leading to the square itself. Have your camera ready!

Close to the square is the most delicious takeaway pizza place and bakery: Il Fornaio. The burrata options were out of this world!

2. Basilica of St. Mary Major

Bergamo is actually known as the city of churches! One of our favorites was Santa Maria Maggiore, sandwiched between the Cappella Colleoni and Bergamo’s cathedral.

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The exterior of the Basilica is incredible, though it was really the inside that impressed us (there’s some beautiful artwork on display).

3. Colleoni Chapel

Almost attached to the Santa Maria Maggiore stands the ornately designed Colleoni Chapel. It’s one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in the city, and it’s free to enter!

The exterior really blew us away with its red-and-white marble embellishments on the front. We also looked at the artwork inside the chapel, but most of the collection is private, so we couldn’t take any photos.

4. Campanone

The eye-catcher of Piazza Vecchia is most definitely the Civic Tower, also known as Campanone. This 56-meter-high tower stands proud at the center of Bergamo, and you can climb to the top for the most incredible panoramic views of the city and its surroundings.

Scale the 230 steps, or opt for the elevator for a more comfortable ride to the top. Here, you’ll find the largest bell in the whole Lombardy region, which rings 100 times every night at 10 PM. Entry fee: 8 EUR/9.50 USD (combi ticket that includes the museum)

5. Rocca Museum, Bergamo

The Rocca fortress on the Sant’Eufemia hill is a local favorite:

• 360-degree views of the old district, the surrounding countryside, and the Alps
• You can even spot Milan’s skyline in the distance on a clear day! 
• Walk along the patrol walkway and discover the museum inside
• Entrance fee: 5 EUR (6 USD). Buy tickets and see opening times here

To get there, we took the Upper City funicular, a 100-year-old ‘sky train’. It only takes a few minutes and ascends about 85 meters. There’s a ticket machine right next to the entrance (1,70 EUR one way).

6. Tempietto di Santa Croce

Hidden in plain sight, tucked between the much larger buildings of the upper city, lies one of Bergamo’s hidden gems: a stunning Romanesque chapel. Unfortunately, the interior wasn’t open when we visited, which is a shame as we wanted to see the beautiful frescoes and medieval paintings.

7. Streets of Bergamo Città Alta (Old Town)

Bergamo’s Città Alta sits atop a hill and dates back thousands of years. This was our favorite part of the city, and it’s easily accessible via the funicular railway. 

It’s divided into two parts, the first being the tourist center full of medieval buildings and delicious restaurants. The second is the Rocca di Bergamo area, where you’ll find the ancient fortress and many beautiful terraces.

We really enjoyed just wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets, stopping off at all the cute bakeries and boutique shops. The Venetian walls or the central medieval tower are both great spots to look over the city and its surroundings. 

Tip: If you’re looking to dive a bit deeper into the city’s rich history or into the culinary highlights of the town, you can also book a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. 

8. Walk Bergamo’s Venetian walls

Stretching roughly 5.5 kilometers around Bergamo are the impressive Venetian walls, which we walked along for the best views of the city. These very walls were historically used to protect the city from advancing enemies.

We stayed in Bergamo for three days and found ourselves returning to these walls throughout the trip. Our favorite moment was definitely at sunset, when all the locals come here too.

Bergamo City Gate

The Venetian walls are accessed through a couple of gates for road and foot traffic between the upper and lower parts of the city. Note: We came by funicular, so we missed these gates, but if you’re traveling between the two districts on foot, you’ll definitely pass through this structure.

9. Visit Lake Como

We visited Bergamo before heading off on a holiday in Lake Como, but you could also just do a day trip if you’re short on time. This upscale resort area, set against some of the world’s most romantic and picturesque scenery, is one of the most popular locations on our Italy itinerary. 

Spend your day hopping around the various lakeside towns or soaking up the sun on the small beaches. We actually hired a boat that we could drive ourselves, and it was well worth the money! Here’s the location we rented from.

Getting from Bergamo to Como: It took us about 1 hour to drive to Como. However, you could also take the train to Milan and continue by bus (or join an organized day trip from Milan). 

10. Bergamo City Cathedral

Just next to Piazza Vecchia and the other highlights of Bergamo’s old town stands the Bergamo Cathedral. The city originally had two, but only this one survived. We really enjoyed the inside, which was full of incredible frescoes and intricate decor. It’s not a must-do, but definitely worth a stop as you’re wandering around, particularly as it’s free to enter.

11. Watch the Sunset from Belvedere S.Vigilio viewpoint

After a long day of sightseeing, we took the higher funicular straight up to San Vigilio, the very top of the city, where Bergamo’s beautiful position in the Alpine foothills really shows. From here, you get a view of both districts at sunset, which is really magical.

Roam around the ancient walls of the Castello di San Vigilio or enjoy a bite in one of the restaurants, like we did (most are on the edge of the rocks).

Best Cafes and Restaurants in Bergamo

Città Alta was our favorite spot for more traditional Italian food. Local specialties include risotto alla Milanese, made with saffron, and casoncelli, a stuffed pasta dish with an incredible butter sauce.

Though Northern Italian cuisine heavily focuses on butter and meat-based dishes (a bit tricky for us as vegetarians), a few places also offer alternatives. Some of our favorites were:

Where to Stay

We stayed in this holiday home with some friends (located in the upper district), and we loved the views! You’ll find the more luxurious options in this part of the city, but there are cheaper ones in the newer part below. Search all hostels in Bergamo here.

Our favorite hotels in Bergamo 😴

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Gombit Hotel

Bergamo

Le Funi Hotel

Bergamo

Bergamo Alta Guest House

Bergamo

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How many days in Bergamo?

Though you could easily see Bergamo’s highlights in a day, we spent 3 nights in town to get the best taste of the city. We were so happy we did this, as once the daytrippers left, the city was really at its most magical. We particularly loved the street lamps illuminating the alleys.

How to Visit Bergamo, Italy

The easiest way to get to Bergamo City is to fly into Milan Bergamo International Airport, which is only 5 kilometers from the city and has connections with over 100 destinations in Europe. 

By Car

We traveled in our own car from the Netherlands, but you can also rent a car at Milan Bergamo Airport, and it’s a short 12-minute drive into the city. We recommend this option if you plan to explore other parts of Italy after your visit.

By Bus

Once you arrive at the airport, it takes about 15 minutes by bus to get to the city center. Bus 1 and 1A take you to the upper part of town, and you can opt for a tourist transport ticket that allows unlimited travel during your stay.

By Train

Alternatively, if you’re starting your Italy itinerary somewhere else, you can travel to Bergamo by train. During the day, there are frequent train connections between Bergamo and Milan or Brescia.

Best Time to Visit Bergamo 

We visited Bergamo in late August, which is probably one of the busiest times. It didn’t matter, though, as after the daytrippers left, the streets became super quiet! The shoulder seasons (spring/fall) would probably be nicer if you prefer milder temperatures.