Is Bergamo Worth Visiting? 12 Reasons That’s a Yes

Despite being one of the largest and most important cities in the region of Lombardia, Bergamo does not have the kind of reputation that some of its neighbors do. Why is that?

And is Bergamo worth visiting for foreign travelers at all?

That’s going to be our topic for today. As a former resident of the Bergamo area, I’ll try my best to describe what makes this city so special.

From history to the climate and from the unforgettable medieval skyline to the local culture, language, and more, let’s explore Bergamo together and see if it deserves a spot on your travel shortlist!

Why some travelers skip Bergamo

I won’t try to hide the fact that I grew really fond of Bergamo during the couple of months that I spent there. But I know that that can’t be true for everyone.

Truth be told, there are a few things about Bergamo that make it less enjoyable for some travelers than it was for folks like me. And that’s totally fine, of course! Let’s take a look at a few of those reasons so you can decide for yourself whether Bergamo is worth it.

1. It’s not Milano

This one might be a hard pill to swallow, especially if you, dear reader, happen to be Bergamasque yourself. But alas, it’s true: for all its virtues, its beauty, its richness, and atmosphere, Bergamo just is not Milano.

You might be scratching your head at the point of that comparison — obviously, a city of 100,000 can’t measure up equally to a city of one and a half million!

But there’s one good reason why Bergamo “fails” this test in the eyes of many travelers: the two are barely half an hour away from each other, which leads plenty of people to write Bergamo off as an unnecessary detour when the main attraction of the Lombardia region is so closeby anyway.

While I think that this is unfair and doesn’t do poor Bergamo justice, it’s a fair point if you can only afford a short stay in Italy and consider the big, famous metropolitan city of Milano a more essential experience than the old-fashioned, more quaint Bergamo.

2. It’s not the most accessible city

Part of Bergamo’s beauty and uniqueness is unfortunately also one of its greatest cons, at least for a certain fraction of travelers.

While people like me absolutely love how pedestrian-friendly and vertically oriented the very medieval streets of Bergamo are, others will not have as much fun exploring those cobblestone walkways and stairs (so many stairs!).

Simply put, if you have a hard time walking for long periods of time, need to use a wheelchair, or have any other kind of mobility-related impairment, then Bergamo is probably not the best travel destination for you.

There are workarounds if you’re really dedicated. Recently, a few alternative modes of transportation have popped up, and some parts of the city (especially the more modern downtown) are pretty easy to navigate by bus or private car.

However, I still have to stress that there are plenty of cities in Italy alone that are much easier on the legs and knees than Bergamo, so beware!

3. It can get a bit full during peak season

While (thankfully) incomparable to the kind of stuffy mess that Milano can become depending on the time of day and year, Bergamo still has a problem with tourist overflow during the late summer, and sometimes during early autumn and spring as well.

Especially the fabulous città alta (more on that later) can get really overcrowded if you show up at the wrong time!

Why you should visit Bergamo

Now that we have those disclaimers out of the way, here are a few reasons why you should consider Bergamo on your next trip to Italy. Whether it’s only a night over or a whole summer escape you’re planning, come and take a look at some of my best reasons why Bergamo is worth visiting!

1. It’s a gorgeous place to be

This first point might sound a bit simplistic, but honestly: just look at it. Bergamo is hands-down one of the prettiest cities I have ever been to. Almost every corner radiates a kind of rare beauty that is quintessentially Italian, with a unique clash of modern and ancient that is hard to describe.

Much of that has to do not just with the layout of Bergamo as a settlement, but with its geography, too. Most of the city lies at a pretty high altitude — that means amazing views in every direction, more snow in the winter than you might think, and extremely clean air to breathe in.

All in all? It’s just a joy walking through streets this pretty.

2. There is excellent cuisine at fair prices

All of Italy is known for its amazing food, sure. But can you name any of the big, hotshot cities where you can actually get a meal as cheaply as at home? I doubt it.

It’s hard to swallow, but much of Italy these days — both the cities and a number of smaller towns with an international reputation — has centered itself around catering to tourists.

On the one hand, it keeps their local economy chugging along, but on the other, it’s a major downside for budget-conscious travelers.

Thankfully, Bergamo bucks that trend, for now at least. Prices here are mostly reasonable, in line with the rest of Lombardia — which is to say, the roughly 90% of Lombardia outside of Milano that most foreigners never get to see.

The most notable aspect of Bergamasque cuisine is its traditional baked goods. Believe me, you need to try the bread and pastries there!

3. Città Alta

This is the biggest reason most people I know ended up going to Bergamo. It’s the Bergamo you see in postcards, in pictures online like the one above, and the one that nomads from the world over like to rave about.

Città Alta is Bergamo’s Old Town. Like most, it’s smaller than most of the remainder of the city, but unlike the majority of Old Town districts in Europe, it’s not located smack dab in the middle of Bergamo proper.

Instead, it is somewhat on the outside, towering above the rest of the city — literally!

Città Alta was built entirely on top of a large hill. This made sense in the middle ages, where fortifications were just as essential an aspect of urban planning as roads or plumbing.

Being high up gave old Bergamo excellent defenses and a perfect view over the whole area, something that you can still appreciate today.

Città Alta is full of relics of that magical time period, from the majestic city walls, the armored gates, the array of defensive cannons and lookout posts on the perimeter – and of course the pristine medieval buildings all throughout!

4. Bergamo is a living, breathing Italian history museum

It’s not just pretty facades, though. Bergamo is actually a monumentally important city in Italian history, and plenty of its sights testify to key events that shaped the country as we know it today.

Much of this has to do with the man who has become Bergamo’s unofficial patron: Bartolomeo Colleoni. A mercenary general and patron of the arts straight out of legend, Colleoni helped build many of the most memorable buildings and monuments in Bergamo’s Città Alta and led the city through an age of prosperity and recognition.

To this day, his mausoleum is a major centerpiece of Bergamo’s Old Town, and a surprisingly huge number of people from the Bergamo area still bear the surname Colleoni!

More recently in history, Bergamo was also conquered and rejuvenated at the hands of Giuseppe Garibaldi, another military man from the 19th century. Garibaldi is one of the most important and most admired figures of the independence movement that brought down the monarchy and basically founded the Italian state that exists today!

5. It’s got plenty of traditional museums, too

Not only is Bergamo itself a kind of exposé on Italian history.

There is also a wide variety of galleries and exhibits to explore throughout the city, including in the Città Bassa, the lower part of the city.

Il Museo delle Storie di Bergamo is a treasure trove for those who want to learn more about the origins of the city – it’s also got a great view, being located in an old watchtower in Città Alta.

There’s also the Academia Carrarra, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, and others that offer the more traditional experience of a classical art gallery.

Unlike plenty of other Italian cities, the majority of Bergamo’s museums specialize on the life and work of one specific artist – something that I actually found very endearing and learned to appreciate a lot.

6. The Alps are a hop and a skip away!

Bergamo is situated somewhat to the northeast of Milano, making it one of the northernmost Italian cities outside of the Alpine region of Trentino-Alto Adige.

This makes it one of the absolute best destinations to mark on your map if you would like to be equally close to mainland Italy as to the beauty of the Alps (as much as that’s possible, at least).

The Alpi Orobie, the closest mountain range, starts just outside the city limits and can easily be seen from the Città Alta on a clear day!

7. Italy (and the world) is at your fingertips

Lombardia famously features some of Italy’s best public transport (talk to anyone from a different region and prepare for swoons, both sarcastic and honest), and in Bergamo, this really shows.

While large, the city’s main railway station is clean, stupidly easy to navigate, and connects you with all of Italy, nearby France, Switzerland, Germany, and even Austria fairly cheaply.

Bergamo’s international airport rounds out the few gaps you may find, especially for longer hauls.

Hardly anywhere else are international and regional transfers from Italy this easy to come by. Whether you are in need of a stopover on a long cross-Europe trek or you’re wanting to explore the magical Lombard countryside without relying on private transport, Bergamo’s got you covered!

8. The periphery is just as worth it as the city proper

On that note: I highly recommend visiting some of Bergamo’s outskirts and small towns if you have the time for it on your trip. The regional trains cost nothing, the views are breathtaking, and you’ll feel an even more authentic connection to the area!

The river Po and its valley make for an ideal marker to base your bearings on. Others travel along a different river instead of in the opposite direction, the Adda. Yet others will go north, towards the Alps of course – to towns like Como and Lecco.

9. It’s not a tourist magnet

I spoke earlier about how food prices in Bergamo are a refreshing change from what travelers to other famous Italian cities like Venice, Milan, or Rome might be used to.

The secret to that lies in one simple fact: Bergamo is just not nearly as popular with international tourists as any of those magnetic metropolises.

10. Architecture lovers will have a treat in Città Alta

In terms of architecture, Bergamo is quite simply a treasure. Sure, that counts for most of Italy, too – but there are some standout sights that really make Bergamo special.

I already mentioned Colleoni’s mausoleum; if you’re visiting there, you might as well stretch your legs a bit more and head to any of the Città Alta’s beautiful churches – the baroque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is on most people’s favorite lists, and I have to say it left a great impression on me, too.

11. …and in Città Bassa, too!

Contrary to the local stereotype among the Bergamasque stating that Città Bassa is an unsightly, boring concrete jungle not worth seeing, I beg to differ and implore you to explore the “modern”, larger side of Bergamo just the same!

If you take your time and take it slow, you’ll likely end up discovering even more romantic cobblestone alleys and ivy-covered classical facades than me.

It goes without saying that almost all modern amenities – any clothing store larger than a one-person boutique, contemporary restaurants, hotels, and such – will be located in Città Bassa, so you’ll likely end up spending enough time there anyway to warrant a closer visit.

12. Bergamo’s culture displays a different side of Lombardia

Most explorers only ever get to see one side of the Lombardia region, and that’s Milano. That’s fine and all by itself, but it doesn’t really go to show the cultural diversity of the region – you might not be aware of how much you’re missing out on!

Bergamo, despite its geographic proximity, offers a hint at some of that diversity. Starting with the language, Bergamasque people speak differently than the Milanese and vice versa.

I don’t just mean accents and use of language (though that is markedly distinct if you have a good ear for Italian), but the native dialects of the Bergamo region and the Milano region are entirely different languages! The further you travel outwards from the two cities, the more radical those differences get.

You will also notice that many of the smaller towns in the Bergamo province feature totally different architecture from that further west. Different traditions in design and construction prevail in the different regions, as do different road layouts, different habits…

In short, each province in Lombardia has its own subculture, and Bergamo is an excellent starting point for exploring that further!

Conclusion

So… is Bergamo worth visiting?

Bergamo is one of the places that left the greatest impression on me out of everywhere I have been to in Italy. That runs counter to a lot of preconceptions people may have – but it just goes to show that you can’t always trust your gut!

I would recommend a visit to Bergamo for anyone who enjoys history, culture, language, architecture, and the less excessive, dreamier kinds of cities that often get neglected in travel itineraries.

No, it’s no Milano — but it’s Bergamo, and that’s a really great thing!