Bergamo

Travel Guide

Bergamo
Torre di Gombito
Bergamo
Citta Alta
Rocca
Bergamo is famous for its clear division into two parts: the modern lower part and the higher walled upper part on top of a hill. Our holiday in Bergamo tells the story of the city through its buildings, boroughs and squares, as well as through the beauty of its churches that showcase art from different periods. An ancient city made for walking, it's lovely to stroll amidst its attractions, but Bergamo is also a modern city with an international airport and avant-garde buildings. This city is a perfect mix to be discovered thanks to our reasonably priced holiday offers to Bergamo.

As mentioned before, Bergamo unfurls on two levels: Bergamo Alta, on the hilltop, enclosed by mighty stone walls, and Bergamo Bassa, spread across the surrounding flatlands. The best way to see everything is to begin at the bottom, gradually ascending towards the ancient noble heart of the city. In the northern part of Bergamo Bassa stands the Accademia Carrara, a Neoclassic building commissioned by Giacomo Carrara that houses one of the most important art galleries in Italy. Leaving the Accademia, you head onto Via San Tomaso, which at one time was the main road leading to Val Seriana and Val Brembana. You can admire sixteenth and seventeenth century buildings along Via Pignolo and glimpse their quiet elegant courtyards. Continuing straight on, you'll find the Church of Sant'Alessandro della Croce, the Church of San Bernardino and the fourteenth century Church of Santo Spirito. If you happen to get hungry, definitely take the opportunity to stop in at the renowned Ristorante Vittorio, whose food merits its fame. In the summer, you can enjoy lunch in the open air.

After a delicious feast, the itinerary continues onto Piazza Matteotti. To its southern side (Largo Porta Nuova), the Sentierone boulevard runs through the opening in the city walls. Created in the seventeenth century to open up communication between between the eastern and western parts of the city, it was renovated in the 1920s, becoming the best place in Bergamo for a stroll. The Sentierone culminates with the Baroque façade of the Church of San Bartolomeo, which houses the Madonna with Child and Saints by Lorenzo Lotto. On the nearby Via Sant'Alessandro, the Church of Sant'Alessandro in Colonna houses masterpieces by Lotto, del Bassano and del Romanino. Further along, you have the chance to visit Artificio, an unusual novelty shop full of unique pieces created from recovered and recycled materials. From there you can make your initial approach into the ancient heart of Bergamo, taking a precursory stroll through Piazza Duomo and Piazza Vecchia. It's worthwhile stopping off at the historic Bar del Tasso on Piazza Vecchia, a special place considering the fact that it's been around for five hundred years.

So prepare to get to know the heart of Bergamo, which pulses in its most celebrated squares. Piazza Vecchia and the even older Piazza Duomo are just a stone's throw away, heading down Via Donizetti, which boasts an authentic example of a Renaissance home: the Casa dell'Arciprete, with its decorative marble façade. In the distance, you can glimpse the Piazza del Duomo, with its elegance and surprising asymmetry embracing the Duomo, symbol of religious power and witness to intrigue and disputes. To the side, stands the Colleoni Chapel, commissioned between 1472 and 1476 by the Bergamasco leader Bartolomeo Colleoni to be a mausoleum for himself and his daughter, Medea. In the square you can see the left side of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which has conserved its primitive Romanesque form on the outside. On Piazza del Duomo, in the garden of the Vescovado, stands the octagonal Baptistery, built by Giovanni da Campione in the mid-fourteenth century.

Next to the Piazza del Duomo is Piazza Vecchia, age-old headquarters and symbol of civic power. There's a fountain at its centre, donated by the Venetian mayor, Contarini. The oldest building on Piazza Vecchia is the Palazzo della Ragione (dating back to the 12th century) with a central balcony and a window topped by the Lion of St. Mark, the work of Pietro Isabello, a master Renaissance architect from Bergamo. To the right of the Palazzo della Ragione is the Torre del Comune, which has been modified multiple times, especially at the top. Here, too, you'll find the sixteenth century Palazzo Nuovo, today home to an important library and the Palazzo del Podestà Veneto, which houses the University of Bergamo.

Where to stay in Bergamo

Cinta Muraria di Bergamo showing landscape views and a city

Città Alta

Unique features of Città Alta include the historic sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Rocca or Piazza Vecchia while you're exploring the area.

Città Alta
Bergamo

Citta Bassa

Shopping, historic sites, and lake views are just a few things travelers enjoy about Citta Bassa. Check out Largo Porta Nuova or Via XX Settembre while you're exploring the area.

Citta Bassa
Rarely have I tasted gelato this good! 
Our favourite was pear. 
#Trovember #delicious

P.S. There are so many simple pleasures to make us happy. And they are out there, waiting to put a big smile on our faces.

Stazione

If you're spending some time in Stazione, Centro Congressi Giovanni XXIII and Monumento al Partigiano are top sights worth seeing.

Stazione
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Borgo San Leonardo

While visiting Borgo San Leonardo, you might make a stop by sights like Piazza Pontida and Via XX Settembre.

Borgo San Leonardo
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Villaggio degli Sposi

Though Villaggio degli Sposi might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Piazza Pontida and Via XX Settembre.

Villaggio degli Sposi
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Grumello Del Piano

While Grumello Del Piano isn't home to many top sights, Piazza Pontida and Chiesa di San Bernardino are some notable places to visit nearby.

Grumello Del Piano
Hotel Excelsior San Marco
Hotel Excelsior San Marco
4 out of 5
Piazzale della Repubblica 6, Bergamo, BG
The price is P6,225 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
P6,225
P7,470 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 20 - Mar 21
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bergamo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"The airport bus drops you right at the door of the hotel, the funicular to the old town is an easy five minute walk and the hotel is well-placed between the old and new town. Breakfast was lovely, there is a restaurant on the roof, it is pricey but the views are really fantastic and the food was ..."

Reviewed on Mar 3, 2025

Hotel Excelsior San Marco
Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci
Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci
4 out of 5
Viale Papa Giovanni Xxiii 100, Bergamo, BG
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P5,546 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
P5,546
P6,723 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 15 - Mar 16
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bergamo. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (989 reviews)
"Flight arrived from Bergamo airport past midnight, only 10 mins to get an Uber to the hotel but it is on the pricey side €42 for a short journey but considering not having to drag my luggage all the way to Milan, that was an ideal solution. The hotel staff was very helpful with late check in. Room ..."

Reviewed on Feb 9, 2025

Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci
Hotel Città Dei Mille
Hotel Città Dei Mille
3 out of 5
via Autostrada 3/c, Bergamo, BG
The price is P4,516 per night from 17 Mar to 18 Mar
P4,516
P5,238 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 17 - Mar 18
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bergamo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (501 reviews)
"for only 1 night is ok"

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2025

Hotel Città Dei Mille
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residenza Del Borgo
Residenza Del Borgo
Via Borgo Santa Caterina 41, Bergamo, BG
Stay at this aparthotel in Bergamo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (223 reviews)
"We stayed here one night - mainly to go see Atalanta v Juventus - 5 mins from Gewiss stadium - also only a 15 min walk to Citta Alta so great safe location. Room / Shower great and a fresh (self service) breakfast delivered to your room - Recommended."

Reviewed on Jan 15, 2025

Residenza Del Borgo
Domitys Quarto Verde
Domitys Quarto Verde
Via Pinamonte da Brembate 5, Bergamo, BG
Stay at this apartment in Bergamo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Centro Congressi Giovanni XXIII and Caprotti Park ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (64 reviews)
"Excellent value for money. Clean spacious rooms. Readily accessible parking on-site. Friendly and professional staff. I would definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2025

Domitys Quarto Verde
AR Suites&Art
AR Suites&Art
Via Geremia Bonomelli 9, Bergamo, BG
Book a stay at this spa aparthotel in Bergamo. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a sauna. Popular attractions Centro Congressi Giovanni XXIII and Largo ...
10/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
Excellent!
"We very much enjoyed our stay! Everything made excellent"

Reviewed on Nov 5, 2024

AR Suites&Art
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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