Bergamo is a cute small town in Lombardy, Italy that has become increasingly attractive to tourists from all over the world. The town is close to Milan and is thus the destination of choice for curious visitors who want to experience something different. Since the town is so small, not too many people know about it. If you want to get there from Milan, you will have to take a bus, buy a train ticket, or rent a car to visit this heavenly place. Bergamo is very much worth it because it offers so many beautiful sights and stories, and its museums, ancient churches, palaces and monuments are some of the oldest in the world. Yes, your one day in Bergamo is going to be a great one!
Plan your trip to Bergamo
1. What’s the Best Time to Visit Bergamo?
2. A few facts about Bergamo
3. One Day in Bergamo Itinerary
3.1. Start your day by exploring Bergamo’s Upper Town
3.2. Visit the Castles
3.3. Don’t miss the Lower Town Bergamo
3.4. Check out Bergamo’s Liberty Style
3.5. Shop and have some fun
3.6. Visit the Churches
3.7. Take a Walk to Remember
4. Where to Stay in Bergamo?
5. Day Trips from Bergamo
6. Extra Tips for Visiting Bergamo
What’s the Best Time to Visit Bergamo?
The busiest month for traveling to Bergamo is May; followed by June and March. Depending on your preferences, you should pick this time for visiting if you are planning your trip ahead. The prices will be lower if you book your tickets and accommodation ahead of time, so if you don’t mind crowds, May is definitely the best time to visit Bergamo. July and August can get very hot but they’re also good, too.
A few facts about Bergamo
Bergamo’s architectural structure is divided into two planes; the first is the lower city, the other is the upper town. One of the best places to visit is Citta Alta or the upper town. Getting here can be a bit exhausting if you haven’t exercised in a while (the hike is quite steep), but it is totally worth it. You can also reach this point by funicular if that’s easier for you, but the hike, even though exhausting, is magical.
Since you only have one day in Bergamo, let me help you get the most out of this wonderful place. Once you reach Citta Alta, you should check out the following.
One Day in Bergamo Itinerary
Follow this guide to make the most of your trip, even if your trip won’t last longer than a day. These are some of the best places to see in Bergamo. Check them out and don’t forget to take good pictures!
Start your day by exploring Bergamo’s Upper Town
The first thing you want to do is explore what Bergamo has to offer. You are not rushing to do anything, you’re simply taking it in. Trust me, even if you have only one day, you’ll have more than enough time to see everything, so enjoy it while it lasts.
The city center is for pedestrians and exploration purposes only. That means no cars are allowed here, so the medieval streets you see in the pictures can be easily explored by foot.
There are so many amazing buildings to check out here, each one with its own rich history. Also, the towers and palaces stand out as well, while the local restaurants seduce you with their smell.
- Walk along the Venetian Walls
- Take pictures in Piazza Vecchia
- Check out Palazzo della Ragione & Palazzo Scamozziano
- Admire Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
- Visit Piazza del Duomo and Capella Colleoni
Must do: buy polenta e osei. This is a traditional sugar cake that is served as a local dish, so you must try it!
Visit the Castles
Pagazzano Castle has the best Italian beer in town and is worth the trip. It is situated by the river and is one of the must-sees of the town.
Don’t miss the Lower Town Bergamo
The lower part of the town is beautiful but is less diverse when it comes to tourist attractions. The best places to see will be palaces and churches, so stay excited! The lower town is spread around via Pignolo and is bordered by amazing buildings.
Check out Bergamo’s Liberty Style
Lower Bergamo has a liberty style that most artists and art connoisseurs would admire. Check it out by taking a walk through downtown lower Bergamo. Sip on a cappuccino while at it!
Shop and have some fun
Sentierone and Centro Piacentiniano are ideal places to shop the Italian way! They are both amazing architectural sites, perfect for checking out the town’s art history, elegance, and fair trades.
Visit the Churches
The Church of Saints Bartolomeo and Stefano, the Church of S. Spirito, and the Church of S. Alessandro Della Croce are some of the best ones to see. Make sure you are respectful when walking inside. You’ll be amazed by their history.
Take a Walk to Remember
On your walk, make sure to cover Porta Nuova, the Donizetti Theatre, and the Dolphi Fountain. You can book a room in the middle of the town and walk to all these sites later – that would be your best bet since you’re only staying one day. This brings me to my next point.
Where to Stay in Bergamo?
Upper Bergamo should be your place of choice for accommodation. The lower town is newer and spread out, so you won’t get as much access to the tourist areas. Citta Alta offers tourists impressive views and amazing art to check out (even from their window!). In this part of town, there are more restaurants and cafes as well. The highest point here is Torre del Campanone, which is a tower worth visiting. The tower’s bell still rings at 10pm!
Here are some of the best places to stay in the beautiful town of Bergamo.
Day Trips from Bergamo
There are many places you can visit from Bergamo, because the town is situated in the central area of Lombardy. Here are some of the best day trips to check out while you’re there:
A nice trip to Milan. Milan is the Italian capital of glamour, so you should definitely check this city out. Don’t forget to visit da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and the Duomo. Have some gelato while you’re at it.
Lake Como. The scenic town surrounding a lake and also the new home of Hollywood actor George Clooney. Check out Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna.
Lake Garda. A freshwater lake located in northeast Italy. Visit this beautiful wine region and explore its 14th-century castles. Major sights include Riva del Garda and the Varone waterfalls, as well as the town of Sirmione.
Lake Iseo. Not very well known but amazing location. Have a coffee by the lake surrounded by fewer tourists.
Extra Tips for Visiting Bergamo
Here are some of our bonus tips on how to visit Bergamo. Hope you’ll enjoy this!
- Pack comfortable shoes. Even though Bergamo is quite fashionable, you don’t want to hurt your feet. Prepare to walk a lot and even climb!
- If you can, stay for an extra day. Since Bergamo offers such amazing views, cathedrals, churches, monuments, and museums, one day might not be enough for you.
- Prepare for an extraordinary culinary experience. Bergamo offers traditional food and local beverages – you’ll love it!
- Most restaurants and cafes close before, during, and after lunch. They will reopen somewhere between 7-9 pm, so be prepared for that! Get some supplies at the supermarket each day.
- Check the weather before you travel. Italy is supposed to be sunny but that is not always the case. You should check the weather to ensure that your trip is worth making. You can’t miss walking in Bergamo.
- If the weather is good, you should take your sunscreen with you. Springs and summers here are hot and very sunny!
- Leave extra space in your luggage for souvenirs and gifts, as well as food items and perfumes. Nothing can beat Italian fashion.
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Michael Gorman
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The busiest month for traveling to Bergamo is May; followed by June and March. Depending on your preferences, you should pick this time for visiting if you are planning your trip ahead.
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