Bergamo in a Day: A Step-by-Step Walking Guide to the Upper and Lower Towns
Bergamo is a city of two distinct, beautiful souls, a place that reveals its charms layer by layer. There is the modern, elegant Città Bassa (Lower Town) on the plain, and the ancient, walled Città Alta (Upper Town) perched majestically on its hill. To truly experience Bergamo is to journey between these two worlds, and the perfect way to do so is on foot, allowing the city’s history, culture, and flavours to unfold at a natural pace. A single day is just enough to capture the essence of this Lombard treasure, to climb its towers, wander its cobbled streets, and taste its unique cuisine. This step-by-step walking guide is designed to immerse you in the very best of Bergamo, from the first sip of morning coffee to the last, lingering glass of evening wine.
The Morning: A Modern Start and a Historic Ascent
The day begins in the elegant heart of the modern city before making the magical journey up to the ancient town on the hill.
A Grand Bergamasque Breakfast
Your day starts not in the old town, but in the sophisticated heart of the Città Bassa. Head to the grand Balzer, a historic café and pasticceria on the Sentierone that has been a chic meeting point for the people of Bergamo since 1850. Find a table and order a classic Italian breakfast: a cappuccino and a freshly baked cornetto. This is the perfect spot to ease into your day, watching the city’s residents go about their morning business against a backdrop of elegant 19th-century architecture.
The Journey Upwards: The Funicular
From the Sentierone, it is a pleasant stroll up Viale Vittorio Emanuele II to the station for the Funicolare Città Alta. This charming, historic funicular is more than just transport; it is a key part of the Bergamo experience. As the small carriage clanks its way up the steep incline, the modern city gives way to the formidable sight of the 16th-century Venetian Walls. Stepping out at the top station into the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe feels like arriving in another world, a world of stone, silence, and centuries of history.
The Heart of the Upper Town: Piazza Vecchia
From the funicular station, a short walk along the main artery of Via Gombito leads you directly into Piazza Vecchia, one of Italy’s most perfectly preserved and beautiful Renaissance squares. Take a moment to simply stand and absorb its harmonious beauty. The square is framed by the city’s most important historic buildings, including the arched Palazzo della Ragione and the elegant Palazzo Nuovo. It is the true heart of the Città Alta, a place of breathtaking architectural harmony.
A View from the Top: The Campanone
To truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the Città Alta, you must see it from above. Dominating one side of Piazza Vecchia is the Campanone, the city’s civic tower. A convenient lift will take you most of the way up, saving your legs for the final few steps to the belfry. The reward is an unforgettable 360-degree panorama. You can look down upon the intricate details of the square, trace the maze of cobbled streets, and gaze out over the Venetian Walls to the plains of Lombardy.
A Trio of Sacred Wonders
Pass through the arches of the Palazzo della Ragione to discover a smaller square containing Bergamo’s most important religious treasures. Here you will find the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, with its plain Romanesque exterior giving no hint of the lavish Baroque spectacle that lies within. Next to it is the city’s main cathedral, the Duomo di Bergamo, and attached to the basilica is the stunning Cappella Colleoni, an ornate Renaissance masterpiece of multi-coloured marble. Exploring these three interconnected buildings is a fascinating journey through centuries of art and faith.
A DAY SPENT WALKING THROUGH BERGAMO IS TO TRAVEL BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: YOU ASCEND INTO THE MEDIEVAL PAST AND DESCEND BACK INTO THE ELEGANT PRESENT, WITH EVERY STEP A DISCOVERY AND EVERY BITE A TASTE OF ITS LOMBARD SOUL.
Midday: A Taste of Lombardy
After a morning spent exploring history, it is time to indulge in the hearty, delicious flavours of the region.
A Traditional Bergamasque Lunch
For an authentic taste of local cuisine, head to Trattoria La Colombina. Located just outside the Sant’Alessandro gate, this beloved restaurant offers stunning views and a menu dedicated to the traditional dishes of Bergamo. This is the perfect opportunity to try the city’s signature pasta, casoncelli alla bergamasca, served in a classic butter and sage sauce with crispy pancetta. The warm, welcoming atmosphere and the delicious, honest cooking make it an ideal spot for a memorable lunch. For more ideas on where to find the best local dishes, you can explore our dedicated guide, A Taste of Lombardy: Discovering Bergamo’s Best Restaurants.
A Sweet Local Icon
After lunch, take a stroll back along Via Gombito and stop at a historic pastry shop to try Bergamo’s most famous cake: Polenta e Osei. This whimsical creation, a sponge cake dome covered in yellow almond paste and topped with chocolate birds, is a delicious local speciality and a perfect sweet treat to enjoy with a post-lunch espresso.
The Afternoon: Views, Walls, and Art
The afternoon is for exploring the higher reaches of the city and then descending to discover the artistic treasures of the Lower Town.
The Highest Point: A Trip to San Vigilio
From the Porta Sant’Alessandro at the top of the Città Alta, another funicular, the Funicolare San Vigilio, awaits. This second, steeper funicular takes you up to the tranquil hill of San Vigilio. At the top, you will find the ruins of the Castello di San Vigilio. The main reason to make the journey is for the view: from here, you have the most spectacular, commanding panorama of all, looking down over the entire Città Alta, the Città Bassa, and the distant Alps.
A Walk on the Venetian Walls
Descend back to the Città Alta and take a leisurely stroll along a section of the magnificent Venetian Walls. These UNESCO-listed fortifications are now a beautiful public park, and the wide, tree-lined ramparts offer wonderful views and a peaceful escape. It is the perfect way to begin your transition back towards the Lower Town. You can walk down from the walls via one of the many scenic paths.
An Artistic Masterpiece: The Accademia Carrara
Once back in the Città Bassa, make your way to the Accademia Carrara. This is one of Italy’s most important art galleries, housing an incredible collection of masterpieces by Italian artists like Raphael, Botticelli, and Bellini. It is a world-class museum with a surprisingly intimate and uncrowded atmosphere, making for a truly enjoyable artistic interlude.
The Evening: A Modern Stroll and a Final Toast
As the day begins to wind down, it is time to embrace the modern elegance of the Città Bassa and its vibrant social rituals.
The Evening Passeggiata on the Sentierone
Join the locals for the traditional evening stroll, or passeggiata, along the Sentierone. This wide, elegant promenade is the main social artery of the Lower Town. Lined with shops and bars, it is the perfect place to see the modern city come to life. The stroll is a cherished Italian ritual, a moment to see and be seen before the evening’s main event.
A Classic Aperitivo
Your day in Bergamo concludes with the classic Italian aperitivo. Find a stylish, modern bar like Tassino Café, a local favourite known for its excellent drinks and generous accompanying snacks. Order a classic Aperol Spritz or a glass of local Valcalepio wine, find a table, and relax. It is the perfect way to toast a day spent exploring the many layers of this beautiful city.
A City Experienced, A Journey Completed
A day spent walking through Bergamo is a journey through time, culture, and flavour. It is a day of contrasts, from the medieval silence of the Upper Town to the modern buzz of the Lower Town, from the hearty flavours of a traditional trattoria to the chic sophistication of an aperitivo bar. By exploring both of its worlds on foot, you do not just see Bergamo; you experience its unique rhythm, its captivating history, and its warm, welcoming soul. It is a city that reveals its treasures to those who take the time to wander, a perfect Italian story told in two magnificent parts.
