//
Bergamo is a city in Lombardy, a region of Italy, and the capital of the namesake province. One of the most scenic cities in Italy, it is located on and around a steep hill, green in the summer and white in the winter, complemented by pastel-coloured architecture, against the backdrop of nearby Alps. Its appeal to tourists is enhanced by the nearby Orio al Serio airport. Looking at its beauty, it is hard to believe Bergamo is also one of Italy's most industrialized cities, from which it derives its relative wealth.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The heart of the old town, displaying a mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture: Palazzo della Ragione, Torre del Comune, Palazzo Nuovo and Contarini Fountain.
Duomo di Bergamo, Cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro
The surviving one of the two cathedrals once existing in the city, dedicated to Saint Alexander of Bergamo. Incidentally, this cathedral was originally devoted to Saint Vincent, but once the original Saint Alexander cathedral was torn down by the Venetians, the dioceses were merged under Saint Alexander's name. The cathedral has a classic Latin Cross layout, and has seen many renovations and refurbishments, the latest being the addition of the 19th-century neoclassical facade.
A 12th-century church with later alterations.
Cappella Colleoni
It is a church and mausoleum built in the 15th century with richly decorated polychrome marble façade.
A tower-house, built in the 12th century. It played a role in the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. Its name likely comes from the Latin "gombito", meaning crossing.
A walled stronghold which houses a museum.
With Madonna Enthroned with Saints by Moretto da Brescia.
Founded in the 8th century, much of its interior belongs 1400s with frescoes in Byzantine style. There are also some frescos of 16th century by Lorenzo Lotto, Giovan Battista Guarinoni d'Averara and painting Madonna and child with Saints Peter and Paul by Giovanni Paolo Lolmo.
It was built between 1783 and 1791 in neoclassical style — a typical example of bourgeois palace of the late 18th century.
Museo Archeologico
Museo Civico di Scienze Naturali Enrico Caffi
The museum has more than 55,000 artifacts, fossils, animal and plant specimens. It was founded in 1918 and, after multiple moves, is in Piazza Cittadella. The museum also hosts a library and provides education activities for schools in the region.
Museo Donizettiano
Devoted to one of Bergamo's most famous sons, the composer Gaetano Donizetti.
San Francesco di Bergamo
A former convent now housing the museum of the history of the city of Bergamo.
A small hilltop village that can be reached on foot or by a second funicolare from Città Alta. It offers walks with spectacular views, and a ruined castle. Entry into the castle is free, and is part of a public park. Climb all the way to the top of the castle for more views.
One of Northern Italy's most important collections of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque paintings, reopened after a long renovation.
The city's gallery of modern and contemporary art, which usually hosts several interesting exhibitions.
San Bartolomeo
Baroque church built in the 17th century adjacent to the convent of the same name. Its interior has had many lush decorations added in the 18th century, as well as the chorus of the former church of San Stefano, which was torn down in the same period and by way of that merged into one parish.
Opera house.
Theatre.
formerly Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia
Football stadium. Home of Atalanta BC.
An outdoor go-kart track not far from Bergamo, with karts available for rent.
Fast food place on the main drag in Bergamo. Delicious, fast and inexpensive.
Near the train station
KFC
Near the city center.
Under the stadium
Under the stadium
Great kebab, popular and fast prepared.
High quality Chinese dishes, very helpful, kind, and also very nice staff. The service is very fast, once you get to the table a towel is delivered, the napkins are placed like origami, also at the time of the meal for certain dishes you will be advised how eat it. There is a great variety of dishes to choose from, even if you are vegetarian or vegan.
Very good authentic Indian restaurant. Good service, friendly staff. Tasty food. Good ventilation.
Good kebab and fried chicken. Good service and cleanliness.
Regarded between locals as one of the best kebab places in town
A great kebab place, open till late, ideal for a midnight meal.
Original Italian cuisine with specialties from Bergamo. Very welcoming environment, menu focused on a few dishes and of a high standard. The food is delicious and the staff is super nice.
This deli serves delicious daily fresh dishes that you can also eat on site. Friendly service and choice of meat, fish and vegetarian. Perfect for a healthy quick lunch. Great meal, just like home. The welcome is warm, the dishes are numerous and of high quality.
Try it for lunch or an evening meal.
More than just a pizzeria. Worth a visit for the quality of food and service.
The restaurant of this hotel is amazing. Discreet and very stunning restaurant. Delicious food, really excellent pizza. Beautiful scenery and an amazing service.
A very good place to eat.
A good value restaurant/pizzeria in the cellar of a building and worth a mention.
A good restaurant/pizzeria.
Traditional restaurant serving lomabrdy cuisine is worth a visit if you fancy having an Italian meal not just pizza and pasta. Family run business is a well kept secret between locals.
Locals here play bocce and drink lanterna (a huge drink made of white wine and campari rosso).
A cool bar/restaurant with a long wine & cocktail list, including champagne.
A traditional Irish pub.
Old-fashioned beer hall, frequented by locals.
A spot for a coffee or cocktail.
Not accepting guests as of Oct 2023. But seems like it will again.
This design hotel is squeezed into a tall stone building. The simplicity of the design may not be to everybody's liking, especially when the design surprisingly gets in the way of practicality, and it turns out that the owners' idea of simple design is IKEA. Still, it is perhaps the most centrally-located hotel in the Città Alta.
In a 14th century building, this hotel has minimalist rooms and free WiFi.
Welcoming family-owned hotel complete with a restaurant
Informal hotel with minimalist modern rooms. Free WiFi. LGBTQ+ friendly
Bed & Breakfast and residence with comfortable double rooms or apartments for 2-4 people.
B&B/hostel with great atmosphere, modern and comfortable rooms, courtyard, WiFi, flat screen and Playstation.
Occupying a beautiful palazzo, the Mercure is a few steps from the train station and is quite modern on the inside despite the historic facades. The rooms are simple and most are painted deep blue, while the bathrooms are large and modern. The hotel generally earns good reviews and provides a good standard for a reasonable price.
Great location offering a beautiful view of the Citta Alta from the breakfast terrace. Not exactly new, yet tons of character. Comfortable rooms, very clean, Wifi, flatscreen and a wide range of services. Great for business travel.
Near Bergamo, with access to the motorway linking Milan and surroundings.
The NH is hidden behind the Mercure, in a modern building slightly recessed from the street. The rooms are slightly worn and dated, and their windows are small, but this is compensated by the commendable NH breakfast buffet and the location a few steps from the train station.
The boutique hotel earns great reviews thanks to the commitment of the family running it, even if one can find their taste in decor a bit too eclectic.
A three-style hotel created by owners having a peculiar sense of style, but if you are looking for a decent and dependable accommodation in the centre of Bergamo, you can reply on the Arli.
The other NH in Bergamo is an airport hotel across the autostrada from the Il Caravaggio airport, which you can reach via an underground passage. The huge Oriocenter shopping centre is also adjacent. The hotel features simple rooms, large glazed lounge (if you want to pass time watching the cars on the autostrad). Breakfast is usually included in room rates and starts at 04:00, a shuttle to the airport is available for €5. To get to the city centre, take bus line 1 from the airport. It is a good option for those arriving on late or departing on early flights.
This hotel’s name is an homage to Bergamo, proclaimed the “City of the Thousand” because it provided the highest number of volunteers for Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign. The penthouse rooms have a terrace with nice views. The hotel hall has many authentic prints and a lock of Garibaldi’s hair. The hotel's motto is: “a Garibaldian rest before the daily battle”.
Beautiful four-star hotel at a price much lower than in the city centre. Modern rooms, television, mini-bar, leisure centre, spacious bathrooms
Another quality four-star hotel with prices lower than city accommodation. Good decor, well equipped rooms.
One of the main shopping streets in the city centre, many shops and bars.
Via Corsarola
A very scenic street, here you can find more traditional shops and family owned restaurants, but in the 2020s a few touristy places have opened.
By train
There are regular trains to Milan (50 min), Lecco and Brescia, where you can change to trains towards Verona and Venice.
By bus
Regular buses to Milan. You can check schedules and fares on the website of Autostradale. The trip takes approximately one hour, depending on traffic conditions.
By funicular
By tram
By bike
Bergamo has a public bike system called La BiGi. It is run by Nextbike. Bikes are available for rent for €1 for the first 30 minutes then one additional euro every 15 minutes.
On foot
The town is not large, and most of the sights can be seen comfortably on foot.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Orio al Serio (BG) · International · BGY
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Bergamo and Italy.
Travel tipsUnderstand travel insurance for a Schengen visa in 2026. Learn mandatory €30,000 medical coverage, zero deductible rules, and embassy-approved policies.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind out how much does a trip to Italy cost in 2026. Compare realistic daily budgets for hotels, food, trains, and museum entry across three travel styles.
8 min read
Travel tipsEstimate your Europe trip cost for 2 weeks in 2026. Compare realistic budgets for lodging, Eurail trains, dining, and sightseeing across three styles.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.