Ultimate Itinerary For 1 Day In Bergamo, Italy 2026

Perched on the foothills of the Alps, the beautiful medieval city of Bergamo is one of northern Italy’s best kept secrets. Here you’ll find epic marble cathedrals, UNESCO recognised sprawling city walls, unique Lombardy flavours and panoramic views.

If that sounds pretty good to you too, then this is the blog for you! I’m sharing my tried and tested itinerary for the best day in Bergamo. Including the must-see sights, tastiest restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops, and inside tips and tricks along the way.

Read on from the top for all the juicy details or use the options below to jump to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s dive in!

• Is Bergamo worth visiting & is one day enough?
• Where is Bergamo?
• How to get to Bergamo
• When to go
• Best things to see & do
• Best places to eat & drink
• Where to stay in Bergamo
• What to pack & know before you go
• How much a trip to Bergamo costs

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Bergamo at a glance:

• Train tickets from Milan to Bergamo (from just £5.50)
• Best budget hotel (from £58 per night)
• Best mid-range hotel (boutique feel from £109 including breakfast)
• Easiest Italy eSIMS

Is Bergamo worth visiting & is one day enough?

First things first, if you haven’t heard much about Bergamo before, you might be wondering if it’s actually worth a visit? For me, the answer is 100% yes! While I didn’t know much about this beautiful city before, it’s now one of my favourites in northern Italy. Here’s why…

For starters, it’s incredibly pretty. Classic Italian cobbled streets and leafy piazzas meet sweeping mountain views and panoramic promenades. It’s also a foodie haven. Here you’ll find traditional sweet and savoury dishes that are unique to the region and unlike anything you’ve tasted before. Then there’s the history. The upper town was first settled by a Ligurian tribe in the Iron Age before becoming a Roman municipality in 49 BCE and later under control of the Republic of Venice. It was then that the now UNESCO recognised Venetian city walls were built in the 1560s. So in short, there’s a whole lot to see and do in this small but perfectly formed city!

Plus, if you’ve been to Sicily and loved Taormina, you’re likely to love Bergamo too. It reminded me a lot of Italy’s other hill-top city with mountain views!

When it comes to deciding how long to stay, I think one day is perfect. It is a relatively small city and the major sights are pretty close to each other so you can see a lot in just a few hours. Having said that, if you do have time to spend the night in Bergamo that would be a great option. It’s such a beautiful city, especially at sunset and sunrise so staying the night would give you more time to soak it all up!

Visiting Milan too? Find my ultimate itinerary for one day in Milan here.

Where is Bergamo?

As you can see from the map below, Bergamo is located in northern Italy in the Lombardy region. It’s sheltered by the Alps on the edge of the foothills which makes it a great stop if you’re headed further into the mountains.

Compared to its more famous neighbour, Milan it’s a pretty compact city split into an upper and lower district connected by stairs and a funicular railway. While lower Bergamo has some historic buildings it’s mainly the commercial centre where there’s more shops and residential properties. Which is why for the purposes of this blog, we’re mostly going to be focusing on the older upper city, Bergamo Alta.

How to get to Bergamo

Another factor that makes Bergamo a brilliant one day trip is how well connected it is. Depending on your budget, preferences and travel direction there are multiple transport options. Here’s what you need to know…

By air: One of the easiest and quickest ways to get to Bergamo is to fly. Milan Bergamo International Airport (BGY) is just 5km outside of the city and flies to countries all over Europe. As it’s so close to the city centre, this is an ideal option if you’re short on vacation time. Just hop on the airport bus when you land to be in Bergamo Alta (or lower) in 15 to 30 minutes respectively. Plus, it’s super affordable at around €4 one way and you can buy tickets on board the bus with cash or card.

Click here to find the best prices for flights to Bergamo

By train: If you’re travelling from another Italian city like Milan, the train is a brilliant option. I think Italian trains are some of the best in Europe with super clean and modern carriages and an efficient service (but maybe I’ve just been lucky so far)! But either way, the train from Milan couldn’t be easier – the direct option takes just 48 minutes and tickets cost around €6 one-way to Bergamo. We took the train as we landed in Milan first and then flew out of Bergamo to get home and everything was seamless!

TOP TIP: Book your tickets in advance with Trainline. Find Milan to Bergamo train times and buy tickets here.

By car: Of course, if you have your own car or are renting one for your trip, you can also easily drive to Bergamo. From Milan, the drive takes around an hour following E64 and from Como it’s about 1.5 hours on SS342.

When to go

Now let’s talk timings. As you can see from the table below, the temperature in Bergamo changes quite dramatically with the seasons. The winter months of December to February can be magical with the chance of snow but less practical to get around and bitingly cold. While the summer months of June, July and August can be super sunny, but they can also be super hot and crowded.

With that in mind, I’d recommend visiting Bergamo in either spring or autumn when the temperatures are still mild and you can explore easily without the crowds! We visited in November and had beautiful blue skies and sunny days.

Month	Average High Temperature	Average Low Temperature	Average No. Rainy Days
January	8°C	-2°C	8 days
February	10°C	0°C	6 days
March	15°C	4°C	8 days
April	17°C	6°C	14 days
May	23°C	11°C	14 days
June	25°C	14°C	13 days
July	28°C	17°C	9 days
August	27°C	17°C	10 days
September	24°C	14°C	10 days
October	17°C	9°C	12 days
November	10°C	3°C	11 days
December	7°C	0°C	10 days

Best things to see & do

Now that’s the logistics of your visit covered, let’s get into the fun bit. Here’s what I’d recommend seeing and doing for the ultimate Bergamo day trip…

Ride the funicular to Città Alta

Start your morning by heading to Bergamo’s iconic funicular railway. This is the most fun and relaxing way to get from lower Bergamo up to the high part of the city (Bergamo Alta). Of course you can also climb the 162 stairs of Salita della Scaletta if you’d rather get a little morning workout in!

But either way I think the funicular is a must-do experience during your time in Bergamo. It’s been in operation for over 120 years bridging the 85-metre gap between upper and lower towns and you can feel its Italian heritage. Plus, you get some lovely views over lower Bergamo on the way and can experience its maximum slope of 52% which almost feels vertical in the tiny carriage.

During the week, the funicular opens at 7am with final ascending journeys at 8:20pm and descending journeys running until midnight. On Saturdays it opens at 7am and runs until after midnight and on Sundays it opens at 7:30am until midnight. A single journey up to or down from Bergamo Alta costs €1.70 and you can pay with card or cash at the kiosk. You can also buy return tickets and tickets that continue on up into other areas. Find all of the options here.

TOP TIP: If there are two or more of you, split yourselves between the two queues. There’s one queue to buy your funicular tickets and one queue for the funicular itself and you’ll see the smart locals will have one person waiting in each queue so that when you have your ticket, you can join them in the other queue ready to get on! Don’t make the mistake we did in essentially queuing fully twice! Alternatively, you can download Bergamo’s transport app and buy your tickets in advance there too, find the link here.

Spot Antico Lavatoio

Once you’ve arrived in the high town, you want to head to the major sights first before they fill up. But there’s some lovely things to spot on the way! One of them is Antico Lavatoio which is the ancient washhouse built in 1881 to provide a clean and hygienic place to wash clothes and get fresh drinking water.

After bouts of cholera and typhus fever in the 1880s, the local government decided to take action and build this beautiful system which was actually still in use until the 1950s. Today there’s still water running through it and you can take a moment in pretty via Lupo.

Admire Duomo di Bergamo

Now it’s time for the big hitter – Bergamo’s famous cathedral. The incredibly ornate and opulent Duomo di Bergamo was first founded in the 9th century dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo. Built in the shape of a Latin cross it holds many precious artworks as well as a tiara that belonged to Pope John XXIII and the remains of Bergamo’s patron saint, Saint Alessandro Martyr.

The duomo is free to enter so head in to marvel at the unique white and gold interior and head into the underground passages to explore further. There is some information on the various artworks and areas in multiple languages including English. It’s open on weekdays from 7:30am to 12:30pm and then again from 3pm to 6:30pm. On weekends this extends to 7am to 7pm with no closure over lunch.

Enter the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Just across the narrow street, you’ll find the basilica. Built in the early 1100s, from the outside it looks to be a simpler Romanesque building but once you step inside you’ll discover its incredible Baroque interior.

It was built as a dedication to the Madonna in the hopes she would provide the city with protection against the plague that was sweeping Europe at the time. Today you can explore its beautiful frescoes and tapestries.

Entrance tickets are €5 or €2 for those under 25 or over 70. The church is open on weekdays from 10:30am to 12:30pm and 2:30pm to 6pm. On Saturdays it opens 10:30am to 6pm and Sundays it’s 9am to 10:30pm and then 1:30pm to 6pm.

Marvel at Colleoni Chapel

Just next door to the basilica, you won’t be able to miss the spectacular Colleoni Chapel. This is one of the most striking buildings in Bergamo with its facade of red and white marble, incredible art and golden sculpture of the Bergamasque leader, Bartolomeo Colleoni riding his horse. It is him the chapel was built for as his final resting place alongside his daughter. Colleoni was one of Italy’s most famous warriors waging battles for the Venetian Republic as well as building castles and overseeing the creation of the canal network in the region. He was and still is a very loved figure in Bergamo.

This chapel is also completely free to enter – just wander through the doors and explore. It’s open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9:30am to 12:30pm and then 2pm to 6:30pm. Just note the hours are slightly shorter during November to February with the chapel closing at 4:30pm each day.

TOP TIP: Local legend says that touching the heraldic symbol on the chapel gates at midnight brings good luck. So if you are staying the night in the city, it’s a great excuse for a picturesque midnight stroll!

Climb Campanone for panoramic views

Just opposite Colleoni Chapel you’ll also be able to spot Campanone. This is the city’s highest tower standing at nearly 53 metres high and offering panoramic views across the city and housing the largest bell in Lombardy.

To get up there, you can climb the 230 steps to the top or take the very convenient elevator. Tickets for adults cost €7, 11 to 17 year olds can enter for €1 and children under 11 go free. It’s open on Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and 10am to 7pm on weekends.

Included in your ticket is also access to the Palace of the Podesta, a renaissance residence built in the 12th century with Roman ruins excavated on the ground floor. The entrance to this is just next to the tower.

TOP TIP: Again, if you are staying in Bergamo for the night, don’t miss the incredible 100 strikes of Campanone’s bell which happens every night at 10pm. This is a tradition that’s continued for centuries and used to mark the closing of the city gates each night during the Venetian rule.

Wander the winding lanes & shop for unique souvenirs

After a morning of history, you’re probably ready for a little break. For this, take your time exploring the pretty lanes of Bergamo and grab a coffee and pastry from some of the best spots in town (find them in the next section!). There’s also lots of lovely unique shops to visit with plenty of different souvenirs if you’re in the market for a keepsake.

I personally also love spotting all the flower boxes in the classically Italian windows and seizing the chance to take some great photos.

Explore the hidden botanical garden

Towards the back of Bergamo Alta, you can find a little calm oasis – the city’s botanical garden. Now I have to say if you’re expecting grand glass houses and perfectly manicured lawns, you may need to reset your expectations… Like Bergamo, this is a much more relaxed and rustic garden set on tiers that climb the surrounding hill. With a koi pond, 1,200 different types of plants and some incredible views across the landscape, it’s the place to come for a break from the crowds and a moment of peace.

Plus, it’s completely free to enter and open every day from 1st March to 30th November. The opening hours do vary by month so check the full schedule here before you head over.

TOP TIP: On the expanse of greenery that slopes away down the back of Bergamo Alta you can spot a little herd of goats, some horses and even some donkeys. They love to run along the fence so keep an eye out if you’re an animal lover!

Stroll the stunning Venetian city walls & San Giacomo gate

Now it’s time to head back around the ‘front’ or south side of Bergamo Alta to see one of the most famous sights. It’s the UNESCO recognised Venetian city walls. Built in 1561 by the Republic of Venice to protect against enemy attacks, they run for 6km around upper Bergamo.

But thankfully, the sight must have been so intimidating, they never came under fire which is probably why they’ve survived so well up to today. Now you can stroll the romantic paths along the top for sprawling views across lower Bergamo, the alps and even Milan on a clear day. Along the way you’ll also spot ancient openings for gun ports, tunnels and passages.

You’ll also come to the most beautiful of the city’s four gates. This is the pearly white marble San Giacomo gate which was built slightly later and is the end (or start) of one of the routes to lower Bergamo. This was one of my favourite spots in the city – it’s just stunning with incredible views!

Plus, as these walls and the gate are just part of Bergamo Alta’s main roads, there’s no entrance fee and they’re always open. So you can explore completely freely!

Scale Torre Castello San Vigilio

Now I would say those are the must-see sights in Bergamo, these next two spots are extra bonuses. The first is star-shaped Castello San Vigilio which is nearly 500 metres further up the hill. Here you’ll find the ruins of the grand castle that was first built in a simpler form in the 6th century before being expanded and restored over the years by the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice.

Today you can see the four towers that still stand surrounded by the ancient moat which incredibly survived multiple French and Spanish attacks. After the construction of the city walls, it wasn’t so vital for protection and became a popular spot for locals to relax and enjoy the views. On your visit, you can do the same! Wander up the leafy path 30 minutes to the castle from the centre of Bergamo Alta or take the second (and less known) Funicolare di San Vigilio up to the top.

The site is free to enter and always open.

Walk the picturesque path to Monastero di Astino

If you still have the time, daylight (and energy) to walk a little further, your final stop of the day should be the pretty Astino Monastery. It’s set on the rural southwestern hills of Bergamo after being built in 1070 by Vallombrosan monks and has since served various purposes.

When Napoleon arrived in 1796 it was turned into a psychiatric hospital and then later a farm. But in 2007 it was restored to its former glory and became a church and monastery once more. Today, you can wander down pretty cobbled streets to get to the monastery from Castello San Vigilio in just 30 minutes or from the centre of Bergamo Alta in 40 minutes. Admire the views along the way and then enjoy a rest at the monastery to take in this special spot surrounded by nature.

Just note, the monastery is only open on weekends from 9:30am to 12:30pm and then again from 2:30pm to 6pm.

Best places to eat & drink

To fuel your day of adventure, you need the tastiest treats the city has to offer. Luckily for you, Bergamo is actually the birth place of many incredible foods. Here are the bakeries, coffee shops and restaurants I think are must-visits…

Try Polenta e Osei at Nessi

One of the foods Bergamo is most famous for is polenta. Both savoury and sweet forms of polenta have made their way into the heart of Lombardy but probably the most well-loved is the cake Polenta e Osei. Essentially this is a bright yellow domed cake made to look like shaped polenta but is actually a delightfully soft and light sponge cake with a chocolate, hazelnut and liqueur centre covered with a layer of yellow marzipan and decorated with chocolate almond paste.

If that sounds pretty good to you, stop by Nessi where they’ve been serving them since 1946. This was such a treat and I loved trying a cake that’s completely different to anything I’ve had!

Drink artisanal coffee at Bugan Coffee Lab

For the best coffee in the city, head to Bugan. Here their experienced baristas will take you through the different types of coffee they have on offer and their various flavours before crafting the perfect cup.

Grab pizza at Il Fornaio

For the best pizza in the city, choose Il Fornaio. You’ll be able to spot this place by the queue outside alone! It’s incredibly popular for a reason – it’s brilliant! Just make sure you get here before the lunchtime rush, grab a ticket at the door and then choose your pizza which is charged by weight when your number is called. Expect to spend about €8 on a good sized slice packed with fresh ingredients and the most delicious dough.

TOP TIP: Not great at judging weight? You can always ask the staff for a certain value of pizza i.e. “I only want to spend around €8, please could you cut to that price?”

Sip Aperol + nibble snacks at Al Donizetti

For an afternoon break, stop by Al Donezetti for an obligatory aperitivo – a sparkling drink like an Aperol Spritz accompanied by light snacks like salted almonds, olives and crisps. Arguably one of the best things Italians have ever invented! 🤤

Feast on traditional Bergamo dishes in former prison, Circolino

For more tastes of Bergamo, head to local favourite, Circolino. Not only is this place packed with history as a former prison but it serves tasty and affordable dishes from the region including polenta, casoncelli (traditional stuffed pasta) and rabbit. Plus, they have a very pretty terrace that gives you views across the area. Just try to book a table in advance as this place fills up quick!

Enjoy stracciatella gelato at La Marianna

Lastly, no trip to any Italian city is complete without gelato. For the best scoop, head to famous La Marianna where they invented the flavour, stracciatella after having too much leftover dark chocolate one year. They took inspiration from mint chocolate chip to add hot melted dark chocolate to vanilla ice cream which froze into the perfect shards.

If ice cream isn’t your thing – they also have a whole range of other sweet treats and pastries so it’s worth a stop.

Where to stay in Bergamo

If you do want to extend your stay and enjoy a night in beautiful Bergamo then here are some of the most-loved hotels in the city. All of these are in Bergamo Alta so you won’t have to take the funicular or hike up and back each time!

Budget: La Casetta Nei Colli (from £58 per night)

For a super comfortable night on a tighter budget, choose La Casetta Nei Colli. This is a beautiful spot up in the hills of the higher town. Here you can stroll down to the main historic sights in minutes, relax on the terrace with a coffee and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.

Mid-range: Il Sole (from £109 per night including breakfast)

For more amenities, classic rustic Italian design and some of the best food on your doorstep, choose Il Sole. This hotel is actually attached to a restaurant in the heart of Bergamo Alta. It features beautiful light and airy rooms with views of the terrace below where you can sip a glass of local wine and feast on wood-fired pizza. I can’t think of many things better… 😂

Luxury: Gombit Hotel (from £150 per night including breakfast)

For a truly luxurious escape, choose the beautiful Gombit Hotel. Their sophisticated single and double rooms offer views over a gorgeous leafy square and Antico Lavatoio, the ancient laundry fountain.

This really is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring and just a couple of minutes walk from all the major sights in Bergamo Alta!

What to pack & know before you go

As with any new destination, there are always tips and tricks it’s helpful to know in advance for the best possible experience. Here are my recommendations from my experience…

Avoid the late afternoon crowds: For the best experience, I’d really recommend starting your day exploring Bergamo as early as possible. Particularly, try to take the funicular train first thing and then head straight into the heart of the city to visit the duomo and wander the winding streets before they fill up. Not only does the queue for the funicular grow longer into mid-morning but the crowds really start to fill the narrow streets from about 2pm onwards. So see those sights first and spend your afternoon in the parks and along the Venetian walls where there’s a little more space!

Be aware of pickpockets: Like many cities in Europe (and across the globe), opportunist pickpockets can be a problem and we did spot a couple of near misses during our day in Bergamo. So just keep an extra eye on your valuables, only take out what you need to and where possible use zipped pockets or bags. Plus, if you’re taking the bus, try to keep your belongings in front of you as this was where we spotted one incident!

Wear comfy shoes: As Bergamo is set on the top of a hill with winding cobbled streets, you’re going to be doing a lot of walking on uneven ground. So make sure you opt for comfy trainers, boots (or sandals in summer) for blister-free exploring!

How much a trip to Bergamo costs

Now you know how to spend the best day in Bergamo, your final question is probably – okay, how much do I need to budget? The good news is, Bergamo is a surprisingly affordable city. Most of the best things to see and do are free and the food and drink is really quite affordable too.

So for day travellers on a tight budget, expect to spend as little as £30 on your trip to Bergamo with a coffee, pizza, sweet treat and the funicular. For those wanting more luxurious dining experiences or to enter more of the museums, expect to spend over £50.

There we have it – that’s a wrap on my ultimate itinerary for the best day in the beautiful Italian city of Bergamo. I hope you enjoy your time here as much as I did and if you have any other questions about visiting the city, let me know in the comments box below. Happy travelling!

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