Photo: Steffen Schmitz · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bergamo
A walled hilltop old town reached by funicular.
A medieval hill town inside huge Venetian walls, reached by funicular from the modern lower town. Its airport makes it many travellers' first or last stop in Italy, and it deserves a day of its own.
Places to see
- Piazza VecchiaSight · One of the most beautiful squares in Italy: a fountain with stone lions, the arcaded town…Free
Santa Maria MaggioreChurch · A plain Romanesque outside and an astonishing inside: gilded stucco, Flemish tapestries…Free
Venetian wallsWalk · Six kilometres of massive bastions wrapped around the upper town, with a tree-lined walk…Free
When to go
- Jan6° / -2°Some rainQuiet
- Feb9° / -1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar14° / 3°Some rainBusy
- Apr18° / 7°Often wetBusy
- May23° / 12°Often wetBusy
- Jun27° / 16°Some rainBusy
- Jul30° / 18°Some rainBusy
- Aug29° / 18°Some rainBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
Città Alta. The walled upper town: squares, churches and views; lovely to stay in, a little dearer.
Città Bassa. The lower town by the station and the airport bus: cheaper beds and good food.
Flying in
Milan Bergamo (Orio al Serio) (BGY): Airport bus to the station and the upper town, about 15 min, ≈ A$5.
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Bergamo; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$3. The funicular climbs from the lower town to Città Alta on an ordinary bus ticket (about €1.70, check); the upper town is small and car-free.
Tourist tax
Bergamo's city tax: usually about €2–3 a person a night in hostels and B&Bs, more in hotels, for the first nights; under-14s don't pay. Paid at check-in (check).
Day trips
Milan, about 50 min by regional train. The Duomo, the Last Supper and a good night out.
