This is a tale of two cities. Enjoy the bustling excitement of the lower, more modern city. And then marvel at the medieval charm of the ‘Citta Alta’, the city on the slopes. There’s a funicular railway linking the two, so you can give your legs a rest as you explore both. Or don some skis and head to the slopes – Bergamo is the perfect base camp for exploring the Alps.
LANDMARKS
Head for the Piazza Vecchia to see 12th-century buildings, an ancient fountain, and the Civic Tower. Here, the bell rings 180 times every night to mark an ancient curfew. The serene church of Santa Maria Maggiore is an important landmark and well worth a visit too.
CULTURE
As soon as you step outside of your luxury hotel you’ll notice one name keeps cropping up. Donizetti was born in Bergamo, and the theatre is named after the city’s great son. There’s also a museum dedicated to him, with lots of period musical instruments.
DAY TRIPS
The Alpine views are breathtaking from Bergamo, but for an even better vantage point, take another funicular from the Citta Alta and escape to San Vigilio. This is a small village with a captivating castle. Entrance is free, and you’ll enjoy truly spectacular views.
Travel back and forth using a Bergamo Card. You can ride on everything from buses and trains to airport shuttles – and it includes free entry to many museums, too.
