Best Things to do in Bergamo Italy: the city with 2 sides

Bergamo is a Lombard city located at the foot of the Alps.

A big peculiarity of Bergamo is that the city is divided into two parts: Bergamo Alta and Bergamo Bassa.

Bergamo Bassa is the city’s newer and more commercial part where you can find more shops.

Bergamo Alta, on the other hand, is the most historic and perhaps interesting part of the city, the one that makes the city of Bergamo truly unique.

Why Bergamo Alta?

The historic center of Bergamo is called Bergamo Alta precisely because this part of Bergamo is located on a hill.

The center of Bergamo therefore stands out in the middle of the city.

Even from afar while arriving in Bergamo by car you can see Bergamo Alta.

Introductory video of Bergamo

In the following video you see some images of Bergamo that help you better understand what the city of Bergamo is like.

You can watch the video directly here or on YouTube at the following link: https://youtu.be/W7t2DAB3xGE. If you are reading this article from your smartphone, scroll to the bottom of the page and exit the mobile mode to view it directly on this page.

Useful information relating to Bergamo

Here is some useful information relating to Bergamo and your visit to Bergamo.

How to get to Bergamo Alta?

How to get to Bergamo Alta? You can go up to Bergamo Alta by car, paying attention to the ZTL zone (an area where you cannot access by car without permission) or you can go up comfortably with the funicular.

Below is the Google Maps position of the funicular that takes you from the lower city of Bergamo to the upper city: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nwsd4qR9na8RgXom6. To use the Bergamo funicular you must purchase a ticket.

If you are an athletic person you can think about going up to Bergamo Alta on foot. In fact, there is precisely the street that takes you directly to Bergamo Alta on foot.

What type of shoes should I wear to visit the upper city?

To visit the upper city I recommend comfortable shoes. For women, perhaps it is better to avoid heels because there is a lot of walking and the pedestrian pavement is not smooth in all places.

What are the best things to do in Bergamo Italy?

What are the best things to do in Bergamo? Here are the best things to see in Bergamo Alta and Bergamo Bassa.

Bergamo Alta (Upper Bergamo)

To see and discover Bergamo Alta the best way is to visit it on foot. Furthermore, the center of Bergamo Alta is pedestrianised. In the center of Bergamo Alta you will find many characteristic shops, some of which have a slightly ancient flavor but with style, places where you can have a drink and an aperitif and also many restaurants where you can taste the excellent cuisine of Bergamo.

Let’s now see together what the attractions, streets and areas to visit are in Bergamo Alta.

Via Gombito

One of the main pedestrian streets to walk is Via Gombito. Via Gombito is the street that takes you from the funicular to the main square of Bergamo Alta: Piazza Vecchia.

Piazza Vecchia (Old Square)

As soon as you arrive in Piazza Vecchia you cannot help but appreciate the beauty of this square waiting to be discovered. In Piazza Vecchia the main monuments and buildings to see are the Palazzo della Ragione, the Campanone, the 16th century museum, the baptistery, the Colleoni Chapel, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Duomo and the Treasure Museum of the Cathedral.

Near Piazza Vecchia there is also an ancient wash house, the social theater and the Angelo Mai civic library.

Piazza Vecchia was fully formed in the mid-15th century with the demolition of some buildings and the incorporation of a smaller and older square where the grain and fodder market was held.

Over the centuries, Piazza Vecchia has been the representative center of the city government. In fact, you can see to the south the Palazzo della Ragione which was the ancient Town Hall and to the north the Palazzo Nuovo, seat of the municipality from 1614 to 1873 which today is home to the Civic Library. To the west there is the residence of the Podestà Veneto. The square is dominated by the Civic Tower.

In the center of the Piazza Vecchia there is the Contarini Fountain. The Contarini Fountain was donated to the city by the Venetian mayor of Bergamo Alvise Contarini. The fountain was made of local marble from the Zandobbio quarries towards the end of 1780.

Civic Tower (Campanone)

Among the buildings in Piazza Vecchia, the most prominent is the Civic Tower, commonly known as the Campanone (Big Bell). Built in the 12th century, this imposing structure is the tallest tower in the city. It owes its nickname to its large bell, which continues to mark the city’s life, ringing every evening at 10:00 PM to commemorate the ancient ritual of closing the city gates.

You can ascend to the top of the tower via elevator or stairs to enjoy a 360-degree view of the Lower Town, the Orobie Pre-Alps, and the Lombardy Plain. The combined ticket for the ascent and the cultural experience at the Palazzo del Podestà is €8 per person.

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👉 Looking for the full experience? We’ve created an entire article dedicated to climbing the Civic Tower and visiting the Palazzo del Podestà, including the best time to visit and how to make the most of your trip!

Via Arena

Via Arena is one of the oldest streets in the city and owes its name to the presence of a Roman amphitheater in the western part of the city.

Venetian walls

The Venetian Walls are certainly one of the major attractions of the upper city of Bergamo. The Venezione Walls are an important construction from a historical and architectural point of view but not only. The Venetian Walls are also an excellent panoramic point to see the lower city and also the Po Valley from above. Given that the main characteristic of Bergamo is that of having the historic center in an elevated position, it is certainly worth going to the Venetian walls to see the panorama below.

A walk along the Venetian Walls is therefore a must during your visit to Bergamo.

The panorama along the Venetian Walls is very beautiful both during the day and in the evening. During the day you can see the entire plain below illuminated by sunlight. You can get an idea by watching this part of the video: https://youtu.be/W7t2DAB3xGE?si=bvVd1HuuFIOnO2Ox&t=86.

Instead, in the evening it is the plain itself that is illuminated by the expanses of lights from the houses and buildings. Another very beautiful time to enjoy the view is sunset time. If there are ideal conditions, observing it is exciting as you see the sky painted with the colors of yellow and red and the illuminated plain below you. Here is an example: https://youtu.be/UVVbziECYzs?si=0S6XnPfsNGZSe3_J. The video was recorded on October 15, 2023 at 6.55 pm and the place where it was recorded is the following: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wRquA1ve98Gh3KLv5.

In some points of the Venetian Walls near small gardens and especially near the Porta San Giacomo there are benches on which to sit and admire the view in relaxation.

Porta San Giacomo

Walking along the Venetian walls we arrive at Porta San Giacomo. Here’s where it is: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9exArX8tj4chMuRx7.

Porta San Giacomo is an impotent ancient gate of the upper city of Bergamo. An ancient bridge road passes through Porta San Giacomo and is therefore supported by ancient stone arches.

Crossing Porta San Giacomo and following this pedestrian street you arrive in Lower Bergamo. On the elevated stretch of road near Porta San Giacomo you can admire the Venetian Walls and the plain below from a different perspective.

Castle

Going up from San Vigilio you can also visit the Bergamo Castle.

Via Porta Dipinta

Via Porta Dipinta is another street worth seeing in Bergamo Alta because it is very characteristic. What is so special about Via Porta Dipinta? The peculiarity is that the facades are painted. The name of the street derives from the ancient medieval entrance door. This door was completely frescoed but unfortunately it was destroyed and is now no longer present.

Bergamo Bassa (Lower Bergamo)

Although the most characteristic part of Bergamo is made up of Upper Bergamo, Lower Bergamo also has squares and streets to visit.

Dante Alighieri Square

One of the main squares of Lower Bergamo where you can spend an evening is Piazza Dante Alighieri. This square is very nice as there is a beautiful fountain in the center and furthermore events or fairs are periodically organized in this square.

For example in October 2023 there was a flower fair and stalls with all the lights.

Piazza Dante Alighieri is an important square from a historical point of view as it is the square where the Sant’Alessandro fair took place. The fair took place every year at the end of August and had a fundamental importance for the development of the Bergamo economy until the mid-nineteenth century. The square was rebuilt by Piacentini in 1700 who preserved Callegari’s triton fountain, a fountain that has existed since the Sant’Alessandro fair was created.

Bordering the square there are some beautiful porticoes under which there are shops and restaurants.

Piazzetta Piave

Bordering Piazza Dante Alighieri we have Piazzetta Piave. Piazzetta Piave gives a nice glance if we look at it with Piazza Dante Alighieri in front of us.

Sentierone

The Sentierone is a garden with the appearance of a pedestrian street where you can walk and relax on the benches. Events and demonstrations are also organized in this area. For example, in October 2023 there was street food in this area.

Via XX Settembre

Via XX Settembre is the pedestrian street with shops and bars.

10 Faqs about Bergamo Italy

Here are 10 interesting answers to the same number of questions about Bergamo.

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