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Day Trips · Lombardy, Lombardy

Bergamo

Medieval upper city with Italy's most beautiful piazza

  • Travel time47 minutes by Trenord train

Bergamo is one of Northern Italy's finest cities, split between a modern lower town and a UNESCO-listed medieval upper city (Città Alta) encircled by spectacular 16th-century Venetian walls. The Piazza Vecchia, cathedral, Cappella Colleoni and Palazzo della Ragione are highlights of a superb ensemble described by Le Corbusier as the most beautiful square he had ever seen.

Practical information for Bergamo
Travel time 47 minutes by Trenord train
Getting there Type: Train; Details: Trenord from Milano Centrale or Milano Lambrate to Bergamo; every 30 minutes; Cost: €5.60; Duration: 47 min; Type: Bus; Details: SAB bus from Milan; slower; Cost: €5; Duration: 1.5hr

Suggested itinerary

  1. Take the funicular to the upper city. Walk to Piazza Vecchia and climb the Torre Civica. Visit the Cathedral and Cappella Colleoni. Walk a section of the Venetian walls. Lunch in the upper city. Explore Via Colleoni and the craft shops. Return to lower city and train station.

Weather through the year in Italy

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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.

Highlights

  • Bergamo Alta medieval upper city
  • Piazza Vecchia and Torre Civica bell tower
  • Cappella Colleoni (Bergamo's most ornate building)
  • Walk the Venetian walls
  • Funicular ride from lower to upper city
  • Try casoncelli pasta and polenta taragna

Tips for visiting

  • Bergamo is also Milan Orio al Serio airport's city — convenient on arrival/departure days
  • The funicular is €1.30 each way
  • The walls walk is free and outstanding