How to get to Bergamo Alta: all the ways

The City

25 March 2024

Bergamo, a city full of history and charm, is characterised by its dual soul: Città Bassa – the Lower Town, modern and dynamic, and Città Alta – the Upper Town, a medieval jewel that stands on a hill, with a proud magnificence and ancient beauty.

There are several ways to reach Bergamo’s Upper Town, and each one offers a unique and evocative experience.

So, let’s find out how to get to the Upper Town of Bergamo using different means of transport and also by taking a nice walk. Below you will find a list of all the options:

Funicular,
On foot,
Stairs,
Bus,
Tuk Tuk,
Taxi,
Tourist Train (ATB),
Electric Bus (ATB).

How to get to Città Alta in Bergamo

Funicular

The funicular is certainly one of the most attractive ways to get to the Upper Town, and it is also the method tourists prefer in order to get up there. It starts near the Galleria Conca D’oro, more precisely from Viale Vittorio Emanuele II at no. 64 in the Lower Town, and it arrives directly in the heart of the Upper Town, in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe – Shoe Market Square, just above Porta San Giacomo – San Giacomo Gate.

This is a fast and efficient way of moving, offering passengers the convenience of reaching their final destination effortlessly and with a beautiful view along the way. The journey is short but unforgettable, giving a panoramic preview of what the visitors will find in the Upper Town.

The funicular is an important element in the history of Bergamo, having been inaugurated in 1887 with a steam-powered model that then switched to electricity at the beginning of the following century. At the time, the aim of this form of transport was to stop the depopulation of the Upper Town.

Today, over a century later, it can climb a 52% gradient in just a couple of minutes, allowing groups of up to 50 people to overcome 85 metres of altitude difference. A second funicular takes you even higher, being the one that connects Bergamo’s Upper Town with the Colle di San Vigilio.

On foot

For those who wish to have an authentic and relaxing experience, there is the possibility of reaching the Upper Town on foot.

Crossing the ancient streets and alleys that climb up the hill, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the magical and evocative atmosphere of this timeless place.

Stairs

Among the itineraries that can be done on foot, for the more athletic ones and for those wishing to completely immerse themselves in the lifestyle of the people of Bergamo, there is the possibility of climbing the evocative stairways that connect the Lower Town to the Upper Town.

The ‘stairways’ leading up are many, and all of them exciting, as they allow visitors to appreciate the historical architecture and breathtaking views along the way. These footpaths are made up of steps and cobbled alleys, often bordered by drystone walls dating back to another era.

Among the most famous staircases there are Via Salita della Scaletta, the Scaletta Scorlazzone with its 162 steps, the Scaletta della Noca and the Scalinata della Ripa Pasqualina, which is less popular and less famous, but beautiful nevertheless.

These paths are a true symbol of the city, to the point that there is a dedicated event called Millegradini – a thousand steps – that takes place in September and invites locals and visitors to experience the city on their own skin and feet, to really discover how many steps there are in Bergamo.

Bus

For those wondering how to get to the Upper Town of Bergamo from the railway station, there are several bus lines connecting the Lower Town to the Upper Town, offering a convenient and accessible option.

Bus line 1 arrives right at Largo di Colle Aperto, near San Alessandro Gate. In addition to trains connecting it with Milan, Venice and other important cities in northern Italy, another way to get to Bergamo is by coach, with the Flixbus company.

Tuk Tuk

Another original and fun way to get to the Upper Town of Bergamo is by Tuk Tuk. Ape Calessino revamped in an electric and completely eco-friendly form, making it possible to enjoy your ride in total relaxation, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Lower Town. A new frontier of ‘made in Bergamo’ sightseeing has begun!

How to get to Bergamo Alta by car

For those who choose to reach Bergamo by car from Milan or from another city in northern Italy, it should be considered that the Upper Town is a restricted traffic zone that only residents can access.

The advice is therefore to find out about the pay car parks in the municipality of Bergamo and choose to park your car near a bus stop, then get on the bus to reach the Upper Town.

NEW ZTL (LTZ, Limitated Traffic Zone) in THE UPPER TOWN OF BERGAMO from May 2024: rules and parking areas will change

If you actually decide to drive there, here are some useful tips regarding the introduction of the new ZTL (LTZ, Limitated Traffic Zone) in Bergamo’s Upper Town from May 2024.

The first useful thing you will need to consider is that there are no more blue lines up there and it is only possible to use the paid parking areas.

Access will be permitted from Viale Vittorio Emanuele where, at the roundabout, near the Galleria Conca D’oro, there will be control cameras, numerical signs indicating the places available in the three car parks in the Upper Town above, and the luminous indication for the ZTL – LTZ, indicating whether it is active or not.

The ZTL – LTZ will be active at the following times:

Access forbidden on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. all year round,
Access forbidden on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (during the standard time period),
Scooters and motorbikes can access the area without any restriction.

Access by car during active ZTL – LTZ times is only possible to go to one of the car parks with a numerical ‘space available’ indication – this can be checked at the Lower Town Gate. Within 30 minutes the access to the selected parking area must take place, otherwise you will be sanctioned for unauthorised access to the ZTL – LTZ area, with a fine ranging from 80 to 332 EUR.

ZTL (LTZ) Bergamo – Access and Visual Indications of Free Parking Spaces

New LTZ (Limited Traffic Zone) activations from the 30th of October and from the 14th of November 2024

From the 30th of October 2024, these important new extensions will be added to the already existing LTZ (Limited Traffic Zone) area.

In the downhill section, either arriving from Porta Sant’Agostino or coming up from Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, taking Via Pignolo in the direction of the Lower Town, there will be a ban on transit from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. with the activation of surveillance cameras at the gates.

It will be the same also in the opposite direction, going up from Via Verdi towards Via San Tommaso and Masone. This measure is primarily aimed at protecting the night-time peace and quiet of the residents, so as to avoid any disturbance caused by the noise of passing vehicles.

Another restriction will be in place from the 14th of November for those going to the parking area in Piazza Mercato del Fieno. Therefore, access to Via San Lorenzo will be prohibited 24/7 in the direction of the Upper Town, with active camera surveillance at the gates.

Furthermore, please remember that the areas of Via Pignolo Basso and Piazzetta Santo Spirito are also affected by the enforcement of the 24/7 LTZ zone, from the entrances in Via Contrada dei Tre Passi (in the direction of Piazzetta Santo Spirito) and between Via Verdi and Via Camozzi.

How to get to Bergamo Alta from the airport

The Orio al Serio international airport is connected to Bergamo’s Upper Town by the Airport Bus line, which runs this route every 20 minutes, allowing national and international tourists to quickly reach the city’s main touristic attractions.

Whichever way you choose, reaching Bergamo’s Upper Town is always an unforgettable experience.

With its narrow cobbled alleys, ancient walls and charming squares, the Upper Town enchants and fascinates visitors, taking them back through time and giving them a taste of Bergamo’s enchanting history and culture.