Bergamo is two cities in one: the modern Città Bassa (lower town) on the plain, and the Città Alta (upper town), a perfectly preserved medieval and Renaissance hill town wrapped in 16th-century Venetian walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A funicular climbs between them in a couple of minutes. Up top, Piazza Vecchia is one of the loveliest squares in Italy, the Colleoni Chapel and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore are dazzling, and the lanes are full of pastry shops and polenta restaurants; down below, the Accademia Carrara is one of the country’s great picture galleries. Many travellers only see Bergamo’s airport, Orio al Serio, but the city is worth at least a full day, and it makes a calm, good-value base for Milan and the lakes.
Right now in Bergamo
- Wed10–21°C51–69°F16 mm rain
- Thu15–18°C58–65°F30 mm rain
- Fri11–19°C52–66°FMostly clear
Top tours in Bergamo
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Bergamo at a glance
- Best for: a walled hill town, Renaissance art, views over the plain and the Alps, hearty Lombard food, and a first or last night near Milan Bergamo airport.
- How long: 1 day for the Città Alta and the Accademia Carrara; 2 days with the walls, San Vigilio and the lower town; add days for the lakes.
- Best time: April to June and September to October. November brings the Donizetti opera festival; summers are hot and humid.
- Book ahead: rooms in the Città Alta, which are few; opera tickets in November.
- Getting in: the airport is 5 km away, with the Airport Bus every 20 minutes; trains from Milan take about 50 minutes.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, trains and general safety are on our Italy travel guide.
Bergamo’s areas and who each one suits
Bergamo sits where the Lombard plain meets the first Alpine foothills, about 50 km north-east of Milan. The lower town is laid out along wide avenues; the upper town crowns the hill above it; and the green hill of San Vigilio rises behind both.
Città Alta, the upper town
Inside the Venetian walls: the Via Gombito and Via Colleoni lanes, Piazza Vecchia, the cathedral and the Rocca. Unforgettable in the early morning and evening, when the day-trippers have gone. Hotels and B&Bs are few and pricey, and it is car-free for visitors.
Città Bassa: the centre around Porta Nuova
The modern centre, with the Sentierone promenade, the Teatro Donizetti, shops and cafés on Via XX Settembre, and the station a short walk away. Practical, lively and well connected by bus and funicular to the upper town.
Borgo Santa Caterina and the Accademia Carrara
An old suburb below the walls on the north-east side, with a long street of bars and restaurants, the Accademia Carrara and the GAMeC modern art gallery. Local, characterful and walkable to both towns.
San Vigilio and the hills
Above the upper town, reached by a second funicular, a green hill with a ruined castle, villas, restaurants with views and walks into the Colli di Bergamo park. Quiet and romantic, a little out of the way.
Top things to see in Bergamo
Prices and hours were checked on the official sites in October 2026; check again before you go. Churches close to visitors during services.
The funicular and the Venetian walls
The funicular from Viale Vittorio Emanuele, opened in 1887 and rebuilt since, lifts you to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe in the upper town; it is part of the ATB city network, so a normal city ticket or a 24- or 72-hour tourist ticket covers it. At the top, walk the Venetian walls, built by the Republic of Venice from 1561 and more than 5 km around, with four great gates such as the white Porta San Giacomo. Since 2017 they have been part of the UNESCO site “Venetian Works of Defence”. The tree-lined walkway along the top has views across the plain; on clear days you can see the Apennines.
Piazza Vecchia and the Campanone
The heart of the upper town, framed by the arcaded Palazzo della Ragione, the Contarini fountain and the white Angelo Mai library. Above it rises the Campanone, the civic tower, whose bell still rings 100 times at 22:00, the old signal that the gates were closing. A lift and stairs take you to the top. As of October 2026 a ticket for the Campanone, the Palazzo del Podestà and the Museo del Cinquecento costs €9 (€6 reduced; €2 for ages 11–17 for the tower only), and the tower is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and at weekends and on holidays from 10:00 to 19:00.
The Colleoni Chapel and Santa Maria Maggiore
Behind Piazza Vecchia, the Colleoni Chapel is a jewel box of pink, white and black marble built in the 1470s as the tomb of the mercenary captain Bartolomeo Colleoni, with ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo; entry is free. Next to it, the Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore hides a riot of baroque stucco, Flemish tapestries, Lorenzo Lotto’s inlaid wooden choir panels and the tomb of the composer Gaetano Donizetti. As of October 2026 entry to the basilica costs €5 for visitors from outside the province, €2 for ages 14–25 and over-70s, and is free for children up to 13.
The Accademia Carrara
In the lower town, just below the walls, this gallery holds about 1,800 paintings, with a superb run of Italian art from the 15th to the 19th centuries: Pisanello, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Lotto and Moroni, Bergamo’s own great portrait painter. As of October 2026 a ticket costs €10 (€8 reduced, €5 for ages 18–25), under-18s go free, and it is open from 9:00 to 17:30 on weekdays and 10:00 to 18:00 at weekends, closed on Tuesdays. Allow at least two hours.
More classic sights
- The Rocca: a 14th-century fortress on the highest point of the upper town, with a park and views; its 19th-century museum is closed for maintenance from September 2026.
- San Vigilio and its castle: take the second funicular from Colle Aperto for the ruins, a lookout and dinner with a view.
- The cathedral and the Baptistery: next to Piazza Vecchia, with a richly decorated interior.
- The Astino monastery and valley: a restored former monastery in a green valley below San Vigilio, a lovely walk from the upper town.
Other things to do in Bergamo
Food and wine
Bergamo is a polenta city: try it with braised meats or mushrooms, as polenta taragna with buckwheat and melted cheese, or as polenta e osei, a domed yellow cake that only looks like polenta. The local pasta is casoncelli, stuffed half-moons with butter, sage and pancetta. The valleys around make some of Italy’s great cheeses, including Taleggio, Branzi and Strachitunt, and Bergamo is said to be the home of the stracciatella ice cream flavour. For wine, the Valcalepio hills are nearby and the sparkling Franciacorta is about 40 minutes away; see our wine tasting guide.
Walks and cycling
Walk the full circuit of the walls, then follow the old stepped lanes (scorlazzini) that link the upper and lower towns, such as the Scaletta del Paradiso. The Colli di Bergamo park behind the city has easy trails to San Vigilio and Astino. Cycle paths follow the Brembo and Serio river valleys north into the mountains; see our cycling guide.
Music and culture
Bergamo is the birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti, and his opera house in the lower town hosts the Donizetti Opera festival each November. The Bergamo Jazz festival takes place in spring.
Day trips from Bergamo
Bergamo is close to Milan, three great lakes and the Alpine valleys, and trains and buses make day trips easy.
Milan
Trains from Bergamo reach Milan in about 50 minutes, and coaches from the airport go straight to Milano Centrale in about an hour. See the Duomo, the Last Supper and the Galleria: see our Milan guide.
Lake Como
The eastern arm of Lake Como begins at Lecco, about 40 minutes from Bergamo by train or road. From Lecco, boats and trains go on to Varenna and Bellagio: see our Lake Como guide.
Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
The smallest of the big lakes, about 40 minutes away, with Monte Isola, the largest lake island in southern Europe, a short ferry ride from Sulzano. Combine it with the vineyards of Franciacorta.
Lake Garda
Sirmione and Desenzano, on the southern shore of Lake Garda, are about an hour by car on the A4 motorway, or by train via Brescia: see our Lake Garda guide.
Nearby destinations
- Milan45 km
- Lake Como46 km
- Lugano65 km
- Lake Garda78 km
- Lake Maggiore86 km
- St. Moritz90 km
- Verona107 km
- Zermatt153 km
Getting there and getting around
From Milan Bergamo airport (Orio al Serio)
Milan Bergamo airport (BGY), at Orio al Serio, is only 5 km from the city and one of the busiest low-cost airports in Italy. The ATB Airport Bus runs every 20 minutes, from about 4:50 until about 1:30, to Bergamo railway station, with some runs and quick changes to bus line 1 and the funicular for the upper town; it uses a three-zone ticket, and the 24- and 72-hour tourist tickets also cover it. A rail link from the airport to Bergamo and Milan is under construction; it was meant to open in December 2026, but as of October 2026 it was reported delayed to 2027 or later.
By train
Bergamo station, in the lower town, has trains to Milan in about 50 minutes, and to Brescia, Lecco and Lake Iseo. From the station, bus 1 or 1A takes you to the lower funicular station in a few minutes, or straight up to Colle Aperto in the upper town; walking to the funicular takes about 20 minutes.
By car and parking
Bergamo is just off the A4 Milan–Venice motorway. Do not try to drive into the Città Alta: it is a camera-controlled limited-traffic zone (ZTL) and the lanes are tiny. Park in the lower town or at the car parks at the edge of the upper town, and use the funicular or bus 1. If your hotel is inside the walls, ask it how to reach it and register your number plate.
Getting around
Both towns are walkable, but the hill is steep: use the funiculars and bus 1 to go up and walk down the stepped lanes. ATB tourist tickets for 24 or 72 hours cover the buses and both funiculars.
When to go and how long to stay
Bergamo has a humid, continental climate: hot summers with thunderstorms, cold winters with fog on the plain (the upper town often rises above it), and plenty of rain in spring and autumn. The table uses the WMO 1991–2020 climate normals for Bergamo Orio al Serio (238 m), the Italian Air Force station at the airport: long-term average daily highs and lows, and days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Season | Average high / low | Rainy days per month | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 8–9 °C / about 0 °C | 5–6 | Cold, often foggy in the lower town, clear views on bright days | Museums, cosy restaurants, Christmas in the upper town |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 14–23 °C / 4–12 °C | 6–10 | Mild, green, with showers in May | Walking the walls and hills, day trips to the lakes |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 27–30 °C / 16–19 °C | 5–8 | Hot and humid, with thunderstorms | Evenings in the upper town, early-morning walks |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 24 °C falling to 12 °C / 15 °C falling to 5 °C | 6–8 | Warm September, colourful hills, wet November | Food, the opera festival, quieter sights |
These are long-term averages; recent summers have been hotter. November is the wettest month, with about 150 mm of rain, and May and September have about 100 mm each.
Events worth planning around
- Donizetti Opera (13–29 November 2026): the city’s opera festival, with three productions of Donizetti operas at the Teatro Donizetti and the Teatro Sociale in the upper town, plus free events around the city.
- Feast of Sant’Alessandro (26 August): the city’s patron saint, with a fair and celebrations in the lower and upper towns.
- Bergamo Jazz (spring): concerts in theatres, clubs and squares.
How long to stay: 1-, 2- and 3-day plans
1 day: the funicular up to the Città Alta, Piazza Vecchia, the Colleoni Chapel and Santa Maria Maggiore, the Campanone, then lunch; walk along the walls and down the steps to the Accademia Carrara in the afternoon.
2 days: add San Vigilio by funicular, the Rocca, the Astino valley and an evening on Borgo Santa Caterina. 3 days: add a day trip to Lake Como from Lecco, Lake Iseo and Franciacorta, or Milan.
Where to stay in Bergamo and the tourist tax
- The Città Alta: the most magical, with few rooms; book early and pack light, because of cobbles and no cars.
- Lower town centre: practical hotels near the funicular, shops and station.
- Borgo Santa Caterina: local bars and restaurants, near the Accademia Carrara.
- Near the station: handy for trains to Milan and the airport bus.
- By the airport: chain hotels for very early flights, but little to see.
Bergamo tourist tax (imposta di soggiorno): charged on each night for up to 5 consecutive nights and paid at your accommodation. Unlike most Italian cities, Bergamo charges a percentage of the room price (7% since 2025), up to a maximum of €5 per person per night. Under-18s are exempt. Ask your host for the exact amount.
Practical tips for Bergamo
- Go up early or late: the Città Alta is busiest from late morning to late afternoon.
- Buy a tourist ticket if you will use the funiculars, bus 1 and the Airport Bus on the same day.
- Remember Tuesday: the Accademia Carrara is closed on Tuesdays.
- Allow time before your flight: the airport is close, but buses fill up at busy times.
- Wear good shoes: cobbles, steps and steep lanes.
- Stay out of the upper town’s ZTL with a car.
- Emergencies: call 112.
What to pack for Bergamo
Comfortable shoes with good grip for cobbles and the steep stepped lanes. In summer, light clothes, a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle, plus a scarf to cover your shoulders in the churches. In spring and autumn bring layers and a compact umbrella; November is the wettest month. In winter, a warm, waterproof coat, since fog and damp make the lower town feel cold. If you stay in the upper town, a backpack or small wheeled case is easier on the cobbles.
Bergamo travel FAQ
Is Bergamo worth visiting?
Yes. Its walled Città Alta is one of the most beautiful old towns in northern Italy, with superb churches, views and food, and the Accademia Carrara is a world-class gallery. It is well worth a day or two, not just a night before a flight.
How do I get from Bergamo airport to the city?
Take the ATB Airport Bus, every 20 minutes from about 4:50 to about 1:30, to Bergamo station in about 15–20 minutes, then the funicular or bus 1 to the upper town. Taxis wait outside the terminal.
Is there a train to Bergamo airport?
Not yet. A new rail link from Orio al Serio to Bergamo and Milan is being built; it was planned for December 2026, but as of October 2026 it was reported delayed to 2027 or later. Use the Airport Bus or coaches to Milan.
How do you get to the Città Alta?
Take the funicular from Viale Vittorio Emanuele, in the lower town, or bus 1 to Colle Aperto. Both are covered by ATB city and tourist tickets. You can also walk up the old stepped lanes in about 20–30 minutes.
How far is Bergamo from Milan?
About 50 km. Trains take about 50 minutes, and coaches from Bergamo airport to Milano Centrale about an hour.
How many days do you need in Bergamo?
One full day covers the upper town and the Accademia Carrara. Two days let you add San Vigilio, the walls and the hills at a slower pace, and three let you add Lake Como, Lake Iseo or Milan.
Is the Colleoni Chapel free?
Yes, entry to the Colleoni Chapel is free. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore next door charges €5 for visitors from outside the province, as of October 2026.
Can I drive into the Città Alta?
No. The upper town is a camera-controlled limited-traffic zone. Park in the lower town or at the car parks at the edge of the upper town and take the funicular or bus.
How much is the tourist tax in Bergamo?
7% of the room price per night, up to a maximum of €5 per person per night, for up to 5 nights in a row. Under-18s are exempt.
What food is Bergamo known for?
Polenta in many forms, casoncelli pasta, Taleggio and Strachitunt cheeses, the polenta e osei cake and, the city says, stracciatella ice cream.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Airport Bus and funicular information comes from ATB Bergamo; Campanone prices and hours from the Museo delle Storie di Bergamo; Santa Maria Maggiore prices from VisitBergamo; Accademia Carrara prices and hours from the museum (lacarrara.it); Donizetti Opera dates from the Teatro Donizetti; climate from the WMO 1991–2020 normals for Bergamo Orio al Serio (Italian Air Force station, archived by NOAA). The airport rail link delay and the tourist tax percentage come from news reports, and train times are typical; check them before you travel. Prices, timetables and opening hours change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and safety, see our Italy travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)