Top 15 Amazing Things to Do in Bergamo (Italy)
The many amazing things to do in Bergamo make this city a true gem in northern Italy. Particularly fascinating is the Città Alta, the historic old town of Bergamo perched on a hill, and also accessible by the iconic funicular railroad. Furthermore, Bergamo’s enchanting charm is truly unique, captivating countless visitors from around the world every year. There are so many things to see! Among the most famous places to visit are the imposing Venetian City Walls, the stunning Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, and the stunning Piazza Vecchia. With so many great attractions and places, for sure you’ll never be bored while sightseeing in Bergamo.
In this travel guide, you’ll find the best things to do in Bergamo and the must-see attractions summarized at a glance. On top, we also reveal exclusive insider tips and useful information to help you plan your next trip!
Good to know!
If you’re still looking for a fantastic place to stay in Bergamo, then we highly recommend the super chic boutique hotel GombitHotel located inside the charming old town.
Spending 1–2 days in Bergamo is the perfect amount of time for a perfect vacation. However, if you also want to go on some excursions, plan for more days.
There are many great excursion destinations around Bergamo, such as Lake Garda, and beautiful northern Italian cities like Verona, Milan, and Brescia are also nearby.
Did you know that stracciatella ice cream originated in Bergamo in 1961? You can try the original, delicious ice cream at the “La Marianna” ice cream parlor.
The Best Things to Do in Bergamo
On a city trip to Bergamo, you can look forward to a range of attractions worth seeing. The upper town of Città Alta is particularly interesting for sightseeing, where you can explore the best attractions just by walking around. To help you keep track, we’ve summarized the best things to do in Bergamo, including insider tips:
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
A visit to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the best things to do in Bergamo. Built in 1137, this magnificent church was originally erected as a thanksgiving for the end of the plague. The interior features precious frescoes, huge tapestries and detailed wood inlays by the famous Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto. The tomb of composer Gaetano Donizetti is also located in the basilica. Furthermore, the majestic red and white marble lions guarding the entrances are a wonderful highlight.
Tip: Admission to the church currently costs 5 euros, and a visit is highly recommended. The interior is absolutely magnificent, making it a must-see for every visitor to Bergamo!
Colleoni Chapel
A must-see in the historic center of Bergamo is the 15th-century Colleoni Chapel. This beautiful chapel serves as the mausoleum for the famous condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni and is located next to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Lombardy, with a magnificent white and pink marble façade adorned with ornate decorations and sculptures. Inside, you can see frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and a magnificent golden latticework. The tombs of Colleoni and his daughter Medea are also noteworthy.
Tip: This attraction can be visited free of charge, but keep in mind that photography inside the Colleoni Chapel is strictly prohibited.
Porta San Giacomo
The Porta San Giacomo is considered the most iconic of the four city gates in Bergamo and is one of the most famous attractions in the old town. Built at the end of the 16th century as the main entrance to the upper town, it is part of the Venetian fortifications and has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2017. The white and pink marble from Zandobbio is impressive, glowing spectacularly in the sunshine and providing a magical backdrop for the city. The gate and bridge can be visited free of charge, and the magnificent view of Bergamo is also spectacular.
Tip: Porta San Giacomo is one of the gates to the old town. If you want to stay in the historic center, we recommend the chic boutique hotel GombitHotel.
Piazza Vecchia
The Piazza Vecchia is probably the most beautiful square in Bergamo. This picturesque main square is the beating heart of the old town of the Città Alta. Surrounded by Renaissance buildings, historical attractions, and numerous restaurants, visitors can expect a picture-book atmosphere. At its center is the beautiful Contarini Fountain, donated by Alvise Contarini in 1780. Also worth seeing are the Palazzo della Ragione, the oldest municipal building in Italy, the Biblioteca Civica Angelo Mai, and the imposing Campanone city tower.
Tip: In the historic Caffè del Tasso, which has existed since 1476, you can experience the wonderful atmosphere of the square up close over a coffee or apéritif.
Funicular Railway
A ride on the Funicular Railway is one of the best things to do in Bergamo and is at the top of every traveler’s list. It covers a height difference of 85 meters over a distance of only 240 meters. During the ride through the gardens and past the medieval buildings, you’ll have a wonderful view of Bergamo. For over 120 years, it has connected the lower town with the upper town, particularly with the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe, which was once an important trading center. Much earlier, in 1430, the square was dedicated to the shoe trade, and today’s cable car station was the shoemakers’ guild house.
Tip: The nostalgic California Bakery is an insider tip. It is located in the upper station, and you can enjoy a magnificent view from the café’s veranda.
Bergamo Cathedral
One of the most beautiful attractions in the city center is the Bergamo Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of St. Alexander. It is located in the upper town of Città Alta and was built on the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 5th century. The snow-white marble façade and the interior of the cathedral, which can be visited free of charge, are impressive. You’ll be amazed by the ornate frescoes, impressive stucco work, and important works of art, including pieces by Carlo Ceresa, Giovan Battista Moroni, Andrea Previtali, and Giambattista Tiepolo. The simple crypt, often overlooked, is also worth a visit.
Rocca di Bergamo
The Rocca di Bergamo is an imposing 14th-century fortress located on the hill of Sant’Eufemia in the upper town of Bergamo. On a walk through the grounds, you can discover numerous remains from the city’s military history. Also of interest is the Risorgimento Museum in the Bomber House, which offers more in-depth insights. On display are paintings, documents, uniforms, weapons, medals, and propaganda leaflets. A special highlight is the 360-degree panoramic view from the castle tower to Bergamo, included in the entrance fee for the museum.
Tip: Just a short walk away is the FORESTERIA di PALAZZO RADICI accommodation, which is a real insider tip for a vacation in Bergamo.
San Vigilio
One of the best things to do in Bergamo is an excursion to San Vigilio, a picturesque hill above the old town. The best way to reach it is with the San Vigilio cable car, which takes visitors up to a height of around 500 meters in just a few minutes. The legendary view is definitely a special feature of this attraction. From the hill, you have probably the most beautiful view of Bergamo and the surrounding area. You can also visit the medieval fortress Castello di San Vigilio, and there are some charming restaurants and cute bars to enjoy and linger in.
Tip: If you buy a day ticket or a multiple days ticket for public transport in Bergamo, the cable car rides are included in the price.
Civic Museum of Natural Science
The Civic Museum of Natural Science in Bergamo, founded in 1861, is an insider tip for anyone interested in zoology, entomology, geology, and paleontology. It is located next to the Archaeological Museum in Piazza della Cittadella, between the center of the old towni n Bergamo and the San Vigilio cable car station. The small museum houses some interesting exhibits, including a giant mammoth, an extensive collection of arthropods, a large whale skeleton, and a collection of precious stones and minerals. For dinosaur fans, there is a life-size cast of an Allosaurus skeleton.
Tip: With your admission ticket, you can also visit the adjacent archaeology museum free of charge. A nice experience, also when it is rainy weather in Bergamo.
Campanone Tower
Climbing the Campanone Tower is a must for every visitor to Bergamo! The Civic Tower, at 52.76 meters high, is the highest tower in the city center of the old town. Dating back to the 12th century, it was the residence of the Suardi family. Today, visitors can reach the top either by climbing 230 steps or taking the elevator. At the top, you can see the largest bell in Lombardy, and from the viewing platform, you have a stunning panorma of the old town of Bergamo. The entrance fee for the tower also includes a small museum.
Tip: Every evening at 10 pm, the bell of the Campanone chimes a hundred times, a tradition dating back to the Venetian rule when it signaled the closing of the city gates.
Venetian Walls
The Venetian Walls are one of the most important attractions in Bergamo. The fortifications, built between 1561 and 1588 by the Republic of Venice, were designed to protect the city from attacks. Today, they are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The walls stretch over 6 kilometers and include 14 bastions, 2 platforms, 100 embrasures, and 4 gates, including Porta San Giacomo, Porta Sant’Alessandro, Porta San Lorenzo, and Porta Sant’Agostino. A walk along the well-preserved walls is one of the best things to do in Bergamo, especially at sunset.
Municipal Archaeology Museum
The Municipal Archaeology Museum is a gem for all tourists interested in Bergamo’s history, from prehistory to the Lombard domination in the Middle Ages. Furtermore, there is also a worth visiting room dedicated to ancient Egypt. Since 1960, the exhibition of the Municipal Archaeology Museum has been housed in the Palazzo della Cittadella, an impressive 14th-century building built by the Visconti, the lords of Milan. The exhibition was recently expanded and modernized as part of the Bergamo-Brescia 2023 Capital of Culture.
Accademia Carrara
One of the best museums in Bergamo is the Accademia Carrara. This important art museum, founded in 1796 by Giacomo Carrara, houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and works of art from the Renaissance to the 19th century. The museum comprises 16 rooms where more than 350 works are beautifully illuminated and presented. Highlights and main attractions include works by outstanding artists such as Botticelli, Bellini, Raphael, Titian, and Mantegna. A must-see museum in Bergamo for every art lover!
Tip: Another recommendation is a visit to the Museum of Modern Art opposite, the GAMeC – Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery of Bergamo.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden, also known as Orto Botanico Lorenzo Rota, is one of Bergamo’s insider tips. It is somewhat hidden on a hill on the edge of the upper town of Città Alta and can be reached on foot via a staircase with 141 steps. Founded in 1972, this garden extends over 2,400 square meters and is home to more than 1,200 plant species, including rare and endangered plants from around the world. Many of these plants are housed in special micro-habitats that replicate their natural living conditions. There is also a beautiful view of the city from the top.
Lower Town (Città Bassa)
A tour of the lower town, the Città Bassa, is a wonderful experience not to be missed on any vacation in Bergamo. Here you can experience the modern part of the northern Italian metropolis. There is a fascinating mix of old and new, magnificent shopping streets, beautiful 17th-century and neoclassical buildings, and a diverse nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants. The best sights include the Torre dei Caduti, the Sentierone promenade, the Donizetti Theater, and Via XX Settembre.
Tip: There are numerous good accommodations in the Città Bassa, and many hotels also have parking. We recommend the Hotel Piemontese near the train station.
Bergamo: Walking Tours, Entrance Tickets & Day Trips
If you don’t want to explore Bergamo on your own, you have the option of joining a guided tour. On the online portal GetYourGuide, you’ll find recommended city tours, inexpensive admission tickets, cooking classes, excursions to tourist attractions and interesting places in the Bergamo area, and much more.
The reviews, which you can compare before making a booking, are also fantastic. They provide valuable insights and help you choose the perfect tour.
Where to Stay in Bergamo
The range of places to stay in Bergamo is magnificent. From budget-friendly backpacker hostels and cozy city hotels to chic boutique hotels and absolute luxury hotels, everything is available and so everyone is sure to find their perfect place to stay. If you are still looking for a recommended accommodation in Bergamo, we can offer you these hotel tips… It’s worth a look!
- Chic Boutique Hotel: The charming GombitHotel is a great choice for a vacation. Guests love the chic atmosphere and also the central location is top.
- Dreamlike Palace: The FORESTERIA di PALAZZO RADICI is an accommodation like something out of a fairy tale and is a real insider tip for a special vacation in Bergamo.
- Affordable Hotel: The popular Hotel Piemontese, located near the train station, offers good value for money and has a parking garage for its guets.
- Fabulous Vacation Apartments: The beautiful ReGo Apartments offer a variety of vacation apartments in a fantastic location. Parking spaces are available for a fee!
Find the best accommodation in Bergamo:
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