Seeing Bergamo in one day: 8 attractions not to be missed

The City I più letti

13 August 2024

Whether you are planning a day trip from Milan or a stop on the way to other tourist attractions, such as Lake Garda, here you have an itinerary to find out what to see in Bergamo in one day and how to make the most of your time, without missing anything of this little treasure.

One of the greatest qualities of Bergamo is its size: it is a relatively small city, but full of beauty at the same time, perfect to be explored in a day, either on foot or by tuk tuk.

Places to visit in Bergamo in one day

The city of Bergamo attracts visitors from all over the world, who are able to explore and admire its architectural beauties and squares, and its ancient and picturesque cobbled streets.

It is a photogenic city that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017 – it is also close to Italy’s third most visited airport. It welcomes a large number of visitors, but it is not overrun by hordes of tourists like many other Italian cities such as Venice or Florence, thus maintaining its style and excellent quality of life even during peak tourist season.

Overview of Bergamo Alta and Bassa

Upper Town and Lower Town

For those who are visiting Bergamo for the first time, it is important to know that the city is divided between the historical Upper Town, known as Città Alta, and the Lower Town, which includes more modern buildings. In this article we will focus in particular on what to see in Bergamo Alta in one day, without forgetting of course the most important attractions.

If you are coming to Bergamo by car, you can leave your vehicle in the multi-storey car park in Piazza Libertà or in the adjacent San Marco car park in the Lower Town – from there, it takes less than 10 minutes to walk along Viale Vittorio Emanuele II to the funicular, which will take you to the Upper Town in just 3 minutes.

If you decide to come to Bergamo by train, the walk from the station to the funicular is approximately 20 minutes, or alternatively you can take the bus. A bus service also connects the Città Alta with the Orio al Serio international airport in just 20 minutes.

You can also use one of our Tuk Tuks for a relaxing tour connecting the two souls of the city. In any case, you can check out the following article to learn How to get to Bergamo Alta.

Sant’Agostino Gate to Bergamo Alta

Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe

The funicular stop in Città Alta is located in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe – Shoe Market Square – and you can start your itinerary there, but before that, do not forget to enjoy a coffee in the small Botticelli bar with its outdoor tables in the adjacent square.

From here, on the left, you can take the steep Via Donizetti (which takes its name from the famous opera composer from Bergamo) to Piazza Duomo, where several churches and historic buildings are located.

Duomo di Bergamo

The Cathedral of Saint Alexander the Martyr, better known as the Duomo di Bergamo – Bergamo Cathedral – is an architectural masterpiece originating from a harmonious combination of Romanesque and Baroque styles, which shows the evolution of the city’s artistic expression over the centuries.

The inside of the cathedral is decorated with a series of paintings, sculptures and elaborate artworks. Among the several paintings we can find artists such as Giovan Battista Moroni, Sebastiano Ricci, Giambattista Tiepolo and many others.

Bergamo Cathedral

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

On the other side of the square you will find the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, with a breathtaking façade covered in intricate details and sculptures. The interior of the basilica is just as impressive, decorated with magnificent frescoes, elaborate carvings and ornate altars.

The Basilica dates back to the 12th century. Originally built in Romanesque style, it has undergone several restorations and extensions over the centuries, incorporating elements of different architectural styles such as Baroque and Neoclassical.

Piazza Vecchia

Just two more steps and we are already in Piazza Vecchia, the Old Square, the real beating heart of Bergamo, overlooked by the city’s most important historical buildings, such as the Palazzo della Ragione (which hosts several exhibitions throughout the year), the Palazzo Nuovo and the Torre Civica or Campanone.

The tower reaches a height of about 53 metres, and by climbing its 230 steps you can reach its top and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Bergamo. The tower is open to all visitors, thanks to its lift. In the centre of Piazza Vecchia you will also find the famous Contarini Fountain, which captures the charm and the magnificence of Bergamo’s historic centre.

Piazza Vecchia – the Old Square

The Palazzo del Podestà Sundial

Piazza Vecchia is also overlooked by the Palazzo del Podestà, which has an ancient sundial in its inner courtyard, made in 1780 using marble slabs. It is one of the favourite spots for visitors to take a photo.

Lunch in Via Colleoni

It is already time to stop for a break during this itinerary dedicated to seeing Bergamo on foot in one day. Walking along the central Via Colleoni, you will find plenty of options for something to eat.

For a quick slice of pizza you can stop at Il Fornaio – The Baker, or you can enjoy one of the many typical trattorias and restaurants in the Upper Town of Bergamo, such as the former monastery and prison Il Circolino Città Alta, and the famous Da Mimmo Restaurant, for an authentic experience of traditional Bergamo cuisine.

Via Bartolomeo Colleoni

Piazza della Cittadella Viscontea

At the end of Via Colleoni you will find the Cittadella Viscontea, which overlooks the square bearing the same name. The Fortress was erected by the Visconti family in the 14th century as a strategic point for the defence and protection of the city.

Venetian Walls

In the afternoon, to relax after your lunch, you can continue your itinerary of Bergamo in one day – and there is nothing better than exploring the impressive Venetian Walls surrounding the Città Alta. Walking along their ramparts offers a fascinating journey back in time, and breathtaking views of the Città Bassa below.

The walls extend over a perimeter of about 6 kilometres, so a pleasant walk around them will take about an hour, depending on how often you stop to admire the wonderful views.

Along the walls you will find the famous gates, San Giacomo Gate, Sant’Agostino Gate, San Lorenzo Gate and Sant’Alessandro Gate – and also the peculiar Porta Dipinta – the Painted Gate, located along the eastern section of the walls, which owes its name to the frescoes it used to be decorated with centuries ago.

San Giacomo Gate

Cocktail or Ice Cream

After this intense tour of Bergamo in one day, it is time to relax and enjoy a cocktail or an ice-cream in one of the bars and ice-cream parlours that overlook Bergamo’s beautiful little squares, to end this wonderful day in the best possible way.

Just to mention a few, there are the Gelateria Cherubino, Carmen Gelato Colleoni, the Gelateria Domus, the Gelateria dei Mille, or the historic ice-cream parlour LA MARIANNA on Colle Aperto, where the famous stracciatella ice-cream was invented. All of them deserve a refreshing visit!