Tucked away in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Bergamo is a city that often surprises visitors. Many travellers know it only as the home of Orio al Serio Airport (popular with budget airlines), yet this hillside city offers an enchanting blend of medieval charm, Renaissance architecture, and vibrant modern culture.
Located northeast of Milan and just west of Brescia and Verona, Bergamo sits against the backdrop of the Alpi Orobie (Bergamo Alps). These peaks provide a dramatic northern horizon and fantastic hiking routes for those who venture beyond the city walls.
Roncobello in the Alpi Orobie (Bergamo Alps).
Orientation: Upper and Lower Towns
A map of the Upper City in Bergamo.
Bergamo is famously divided into two main sections:
Città Alta (Upper Town) – the medieval heart, perched high on a hill and encircled by 16th-century Venetian walls. With its cobbled streets, ancient gateways and sweeping views, this is the historic jewel of the city.
Città Bassa (Lower Town) – the modern, bustling centre, with elegant boulevards, shopping streets, museums and theatres.
Although the metropolitan area is the fourth largest in Lombardy, Bergamo still feels intimate, particularly within the walls of the Upper Town.
The cobbled streets of Città Alta in Bergamo.
Getting There and Around
By Air: Most visitors arrive at Orio al Serio International Airport, just 15 minutes by bus or taxi from the city.
By Train: Frequent services connect Bergamo with Milan (around 50 minutes), making it an easy day trip.
By Car: If driving, park outside the Upper Town near Funicolare S. Vigilio. From here, you can either walk through Porta Sant’Alessandro or take the funicular. Beware of one-way systems and congestion charges, especially if you’re not in a hybrid or electric car.
The funiculars are part of Bergamo’s charm. One links the Lower and Upper Towns; another climbs higher still to San Vigilio Castle.
We found parking here was a convenient option to explore the Upper City area in Bergamo.
Exploring the Upper Town
Entering via the Porta Sant’Alessandro gateway feels like stepping back in time. Beyond lies Piazza della Cittadella, a handsome square that introduces visitors to the medieval heart of Bergamo. From here, winding lanes lined with terracotta-roofed houses beckon you further in.
The gateway into Bergamo Upper City: Torre della Campanella.
Via Bartolomeo Colleoni
This is the Upper Town’s main artery, connecting Piazza della Cittadella with Piazza Vecchia. Along its narrow route:
Torre della Campanella: A historic clock tower decorated with the Lombardy coat of arms.
Shops and cafés: Perfect for browsing or enjoying a pastry.
Palazzo Nuovo visible peaking through the back streets in Bergamo.
Latteria Caffetteria di Zia Manu: Great for unique gifts – especially tins of Spritz-flavoured sweets.
Carmen Gelato: Serving irresistible gelato, a must on a sunny afternoon.
Bugan Coffee Lab: Known for some of the best coffee in town, worlds apart from the average cappuccino.
getting a brew in Bugan Coffee Lab.
Il Fornaio: A bakery famous for its focaccia, ideal for a quick snack as you wander.
A small selection of some of the available focaccia in the bakeries of Bergamo.
Tip: Keep an eye out for little side chapels, restaurants and quiet courtyards hidden along the way – Bergamo rewards slow exploration.
Piazza Vecchia – The Heart of Bergamo Alta
Often described as one of Italy’s most beautiful squares, Piazza Vecchia is framed by grand Renaissance buildings:
Palazzo della Ragione – with its porticoed arches.
Looking out from under the arches.
Palazzo Nuovo – the former city library.
Palazzo Nuovo
Campanone (Torre Civica): Climb this 12th-century tower for panoramic views of rooftops, spires and the surrounding hills.
The historic Campanone (Torre Civica) in the corner of Piazza Vecchia.
The square is lined with cafés where you can sip a spritz or espresso and watch daily life unfold – from students to locals chatting in the sun.
Piazza Vecchia.
Piazza Duomo – Bergamo’s Spiritual Centre
Through the arches of Piazza Vecchia lies Piazza Duomo, where some of Bergamo’s most impressive churches stand side by side:
The incredibly detailed interior of the Bergamo Cathedral.
Bergamo Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Alessandro): Dedicated to the city’s patron saint.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore: A Romanesque gem, richly decorated inside with tapestries and gilded detail.
Cappella Colleoni: Built by mercenary captain Bartolomeo Colleoni, this chapel’s polychrome marble façade is breathtaking.
Stepping back into history in Piazza Duomo.
Most are free to enter, though donations are welcome. The frescoes, painted ceilings and sheer artistry make this a highlight of any visit.
Eating and Drinking in the Upper Town
Via Gombito: Packed with restaurants and bars, perfect for a relaxed lunch.
Local specialities: Try casoncelli alla bergamasca (stuffed pasta with sage and pancetta) or polenta taragna (polenta with buckwheat and cheese).
Sweet stops: Beyond gelato, bakeries offer polenta e osei – a sponge cake covered in marzipan and chocolate.
Classic scenes in the backstreets of Bergamo.
Venetian Walls and Panoramic Walks
Walking on the UNESCO Venetian walls.
Bergamo’s Venetian walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretch for over 6 km around the Upper Town. Strolling along Viale delle Mura offers stunning views over the Lower Town and the plains beyond. At sunset, this is one of the most atmospheric spots in the city.
Castello di San Vigilio
For the best views of all, take the funicular to San Vigilio Castle, perched above the city. The site has been a lookout since Roman times, and the current remains date from the Middle Ages.
A view of Upper and Lower Bergamo looking down from the turret of Castello di San Vigilio.
The castle grounds are often quieter than the bustling streets below, making it a serene place to soak up the scenery. Volunteers sometimes offer informal tours – a rewarding way to learn about the castle’s role in Bergamo’s defences.
Historic doorways showing just how old the fort is.
The Surrounding city and suburbs of Bergamo.
Final Thoughts
Bergamo is more than just a stopover on the way to Milan or Lake Como. Its Upper Town, with winding cobbled streets, hidden churches, Venetian walls and lively piazzas, captures the essence of a historic Italian city while remaining refreshingly untouristy.
Whether you’re indulging in gelato, exploring medieval fortifications, or gazing out over Lombardy from San Vigilio, Bergamo is a destination that charms at every turn.