Is Bergamo Worth Visiting? Northern Italy's Hidden Gem (2026 Guide)

Q: How many days do you need in Bergamo?

We'd recommend 2-3 days. This gives you enough time to explore Città Alta, walk the Venetian walls, enjoy the local food scene, and soak in the medieval atmosphere without feeling rushed. If you're using it as a base for Milan, two nights is plenty.

Q: What is Bergamo special for?

Bergamo stands out for its UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, the beautifully preserved medieval old town (Città Alta), its incredible food scene (it's the birthplace of stracciatella ice cream), and its dramatic location in the Lombard foothills near the Alps. The New York Times named it one of the 52 places to visit in 2023.

Q: What is the best time to visit Bergamo?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal. Mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful light. Summer can get hot and humid, and winter is cold but atmospheric, especially in Città Alta.

Yes, Bergamo is worth visiting. Two to three days gets you the medieval Città Alta, the UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, and excellent food, all 50 minutes from Milan by train.

When we booked a budget flight into Bergamo and decided to stick around before heading to Milan for a house sit, we didn't expect much. Just a quick layover before the big city. A place to sleep, maybe grab a pizza, and move on.

Instead, we found ourselves captivated by this charming medieval town perched in the Lombard foothills. Over the next few days, we explored its UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, indulged in authentic Italian cuisine, and discovered why the New York Times named it one of the 52 places to visit in 2023.

Here's our story of discovering whether Bergamo is truly worth visiting (spoiler: it absolutely is).

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Detour to Bergamo: A Cute Village in North Italy

Planning a trip to Milan we found out a cheaper way to go by landing at the airport of Bergamo (BGY), so we decided to spend some days in this North-Italian city less than 50 km away from Milan. Reaching the city from the airport is easy. It's only 6 kilometers, and the bus takes about 15 minutes.

For inexpensive flights to Bergamo (BGY), we used Skyscanner, but if you are already close by, booking trains through Omio is the way to go.

Città Alta vs. Città Bassa

Bergamo (for the origin of the name or the story of the city, check it out on Wikipedia) is divided into two parts. The upper part, Città Alta, is a beautifully preserved medieval hilltop town. The lower part, Città Bassa (or Nuova), is the modern city where people live, work, and go out.

The two are divided by the Venetian Walls (Mura Venete), which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergamo was under the dominion of the Venetian Republic for over 350 years, and those walls are one of the most impressive remnants of that era. If you're interested in Venice itself, check out our Gay Venice Guide for more on the region's history and queer life.

Where to Stay in Bergamo

We checked into the quite glamorous but affordable Capello d'Oro, which is in the lower part of the city but has very easy access to Città Alta. We highly recommend it for a charming stay.

For a slightly more upscale option, the Hotel Excelsior San Marco is perfectly positioned between the two cities, with a rooftop restaurant and views over the old walls. It's Travel Proud certified and a great base for exploring. We cover it in more detail in our Gay Bergamo Guide.

What Is Bergamo Famous For?

Bergamo is also famous for the Città dei Mille (named for the thousands of volunteers who joined Garibaldi for the unification of Italy in the 19th century) and as the birthplace of stracciatella ice cream at Pasticceria La Marianna. You have to try it.

A person stands at dusk in Bergamo's quiet stone plaza, facing an illuminated clock tower and historic buildings of the medieval old town under a blue evening sky. A streetlamp glows, with distant figures enjoying the views. — *Twilight in Città Alta (the upper city) is truly enchanting.*

The Fancy Side: Day and Nightlife in Bergamo

Evening in Città Alta

The day after arriving, we had to work, so we only got to the old city in the evening. Città Alta still preserves a medieval village feel. It is gorgeous and feels like you are time traveling back several centuries. But it is also very small, and there is not a huge offer in terms of food that isn't touristy. So we went down to the new city and had a good enough pizza at a pizzeria.

In reality, we wish we had had time to take this tour of Bergamo. Wandering around by ourselves was beautiful, but gaining a deeper knowledge of a place is always the best way to go!

A man in casual clothes stands on a stone pathway beside an old, weathered house with vine-covered walls, in Bergamo's medieval old town, on an overcast day. — *Some of the structures you'll encounter on the way up to the upper city.*

Pizza in Città Bassa

A man in a black leather jacket eats a french fry at an outdoor restaurant in Bergamo, with a pizza topped with french fries in front of him. — *Savoring a delicious and somewhat rare (outside of Italy) American pizza with fries... Italians may oppose pineapple on pizza, but french fries? Apparently fair game.*

A man with a surprised expression sits at an outdoor table with a vegetable pizza in front of him. — *Savoring a delicious and somewhat rare (outside of Italy) American pizza with fries... Italians may oppose pineapple on pizza, but french fries? Apparently fair game.*

A Drink at Mamo's, Bergamo's Gay Bar

On the way back we stopped at Mamo's, the only gay bar in the city (you'll encounter a lot more in Milano, though). Here you can drink and eat for perfect prices, and they also do some weekly events like karaoke and single nights. It's a small, friendly spot that feels like a living room.

For a deeper look into Bergamo's queer scene, check out our Gay Bergamo Guide.

Day 2: Home Cooking in Bergamo

Day 2 was rather chilled out. I went to an Italian discount supermarket (I also missed these a lot) and got a bit carried away buying so much food, wine, and cakes. I bought all the ingredients to make a carbonara for lunch and a torta salata (savory cake) for dinner. I will let the pictures below speak for themselves 😜 (I should be a chef).

A plate of pasta topped with cheese sits on a table outdoors in Bergamo, with a fork resting on the plate. In the background are more pasta, glasses, a wine bottle, and views of the medieval old town beyond a balcony railing. — *My Italian roots showing through with a carbonara.*

If food is what intrigues you about this city (and why wouldn't it, you're in Italy), go for a food tour that simultaneously takes you around beautiful Bergamo.

Working Out at McFit

We also had a nice workout at McFit in Bergamo. It is just outside the city but easily reachable with an electric ride-share scooter, which are becoming more prevalent in the city.

Two men taking a selfie in a Bergamo travel guide parking lot, one standing with an electric scooter and making a face. — *Scootering our way around Bergamo's Citta Bassa.*

Getting from Bergamo to Milan: Quick and Easy Transportation

The Venetian Walls and Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

After checking out, we walked back into the old city to explore more. At first, we walked across the old walls. It was quite foggy, but we could still see the amazing landscape around us, right at the foot of the Alps and some vines. Then we went to the cathedral, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. We had to pay the entrance (which is very rare in Italy), but it was worth it to sit there in solitude and enjoy the unbelievable design and detail. The interior is like a casket decorated inside. The color of the Baroque bas-relief roof reminded us of a mandala.

A stone bridge leads to a cluster of buildings on a hillside overlooking a road with cars in Bergamo, set under a cloudy sky. — *One of our favorite things about Bergamo was scaling the city's Venetian-era walls.*

The illuminated stone facade of the Porta San Giacomo gate in Bergamo at night, featuring a carved lion sculpture above the archway. — *One of our favorite things about Bergamo was scaling the city's Venetian-era walls.*

Intricately decorated, vaulted ceiling with gilded carvings and frescoes inside a historic cathedral in Bergamo. — *The absolutely breathtaking Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, inside and out.*

People gather in front of the ornate stone facade of the Colleoni Chapel in Bergamo. — *The absolutely breathtaking Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, inside and out.*

Bergamo to Milan by Train

The regional train from Bergamo to Milan takes about 50 minutes, and you can buy tickets right at the station.

After we ate two huge pizza focaccias at the old city's Il Fornaio for the not-modest price of 10 euros each, and numerous Campari spritzes to kill the time, we finally took a 6:00 pm regional train to Milan.

If your next destination is Milan, check out our favorite aperitivo places in the city and our exclusive gay guide to Milan.

Two rectangular pieces of flatbread, one topped with prosciutto, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes, and the other with roasted eggplant and cheese. — *Glorious pizza at Il Fornaio.*

So, Is Bergamo Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Bergamo is a hidden gem that punches above its weight. The medieval old city is genuinely charming, the Venetian walls are stunning, and the food scene, especially if you explore beyond the tourist traps, is excellent. Plus, it's perfectly positioned as a base for exploring the Milan area without the Milan price tag.

If you're landing at BGY for a cheap flight anyway, spending 2-3 days here is a no-brainer. Just don't expect a huge nightlife scene (unless you're into intimate queer bars like Mamo's), but if you're there for architecture, history, food, and wine, you'll have a fantastic time. We certainly did! 🍷

For LGBTQ+ travelers: Bergamo is quietly welcoming, with a small but genuine queer scene. Check out our full Gay Bergamo Guide for bars, saunas, safety tips, and where to stay.

A Quick Bergamo FAQ

How many days do you need in Bergamo?

We'd recommend 2-3 days. This gives you enough time to explore Città Alta, walk the Venetian walls, enjoy the local food scene, and soak in the medieval atmosphere without feeling rushed. If you're using it as a base for Milan, two nights is plenty.

Is Bergamo better than Milan?

It depends on what you're looking for. Bergamo offers charm, history, and a slower pace with lower prices. Milan is larger, with more nightlife and fashion appeal. Both are worth visiting. Bergamo is perfect if you want to escape the big city energy and still be close enough for a day trip.

What is Bergamo special for?

Bergamo stands out for its UNESCO-listed Venetian walls, the beautifully preserved medieval old town (Città Alta), its incredible food scene (it's the birthplace of stracciatella ice cream), and its dramatic location in the Lombard foothills near the Alps. The New York Times named it one of the 52 places to visit in 2023.

Is Bergamo a walkable city?

Yes, very much so. The city is compact and easily navigable on foot. Città Alta is pedestrian-friendly, though it's built on a hill. You can reach most attractions by walking, and electric scooter shares are also available for getting around quickly. The funicular connects the lower and upper cities.

How do I get from Bergamo Airport to the city center?

The airport is only 6 kilometers from the city. Buses run frequently and take about 15 minutes. Tickets cost around €2-3. You can also take a taxi, but the bus is cheap and easy.

What is the best time to visit Bergamo?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal. Mild weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful light. Summer can get hot and humid, and winter is cold but atmospheric, especially in Città Alta.

Is Bergamo safe?

Yes, Bergamo is generally very safe, including for solo travelers and LGBTQ+ visitors. Use common sense around the train station at night and watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, as you would in any European city.

A pedestrian plaza in front of a historic building with arched walkways and storefronts in Bergamo's Città Bassa. — *Until next time, Bergamo.*