On the last day in Italy, transfer from Milan to Bergamo airport and enjoy a visit to this charming historic city, exploring its picturesque Città Alta, medieval architecture, and stunning hilltop views. And don’t forget to try some of Bergamo city’s restaurants serving traditional food.
Leaving Italy – Transfer to Bergamo Airport
The check out from Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center is at 12:00 am. Leave earlier in order to have time to visit Bergamo, and then get to the airport in time for the departure flight at 7:10 pm.
From the accommodation, go left on Via Aristotile Fioravanti. Then at the intersection, go left on Via Giovanni Battista Niccolini. And at the next intersection, take tram no. 10 for 11 stops, from Via Procaccini di Via Bramante to Via Filzi 22 prima di Via Galvani – a 20 minutes ride. Get to Piazza Duca d’Aosta in front of Milan central train station. Take the train from Milan central train station to Bergamo train station – 1 hour trip. You can storage the luggage at the train station (the alternative is to go from Milan to the airport and storage the luggage there and then get to Bergamo to visit the city. For the airport storage options visit their Milan Bergamo Orio al Serio International Airport, Italy, the price is €5 per item per day).
A 2nd class train ticket in Italy from Milan to Bergamo central train station costs around 5 – 6 euros per person. Storage the luggage at the train station, there are several options. Bergamo city Italy official tourism website recommends an option of storage at the left exit of Bergamo train station that costs 6 euros per bag for 5 hours. Another option is Radical Storage – 5 euros a day per bag. And another option is Stasher – 6 euros per day.
Bergamo, Italy
As you get out of Bergamo train station you will see a round fountain which is in Piazzale Marconi. Also you may notice Bergamo Ufficio Turistico – Città Bassa on the left and a McDonalds on the right. Continue ahead towards north on the street in the middle, Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII. Further, on the left, there are 2 restaurants where you can eat: Vox Restaurant and Lounge Bar at the first intersection and La Ciotola Restaurant & Pizza, both restaurants listed on The Fork app.
The “Lower City” is more functional and yet is still charming. It is a 1.5 km distance from the train station to the cable car station that gets to Upper Bergamo. You can walk this distance in 30 minutes.
Lower Bergamo – Città Bassa
Cross Lower Bergamo on your way to medieval Upper Brrgamo. Then go forward on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII and find on the right the Chiesa Prepositurale di Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie. It is open daily from 7:15 am to 11:45 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm. On the street to the left there is Spizziculiu restaurant – listed on The Fork app, 20% discount.
Back to the main street, continue straight, arrive at a big intersection, see Porta Nuova on the right. Then go left on Largo Porta Nova street, there is a beautiful restaurant Taverna Valtellinese on the left – listed on The Fork app but with no discount, but with a very nice interior. Continue forward towards west on Via G. Tiraboschi and at the first intersection you will arrive at Largo Medaglia d’Oro. There you will find the Chiesa della Madonna dello Spasimo. This is where the relics of Saint Lucia are kept. It is worth taking a look inside for the mint green vault with a dome.
Afterwards, cross the square to the other end, then after the church turn right on Via XX Settembre – a shopping street. and finally arrive back at the big intersection. On the right, you will see Torre dei caduti – Tower of the Fallen. It is a memorial tower in honor of WWI soldiers. The tower has frescoes and a viewing deck. It is open from Friday to Sunday between 10 am to 1 pm, 3 pm to 6 pm, the visiting price is 5€ – including the visits to Campanone and Palazzo del Podestà, free with Abbonamento Musei Lombardi. It offers a beautiful 360 ° panorama, it is like a postcard that takes as background the Città Alta.
Shops and Restaurants in Lower Bergamo
Across the street, on the right see Quadriportico del Sentierone. It is a trade center with history. You can stroll through the corridors and gardens. You can also visit the interior. And there is also Centro Piacentiniano. You can take a walk on the Sentierione stopping street. Have a look at the luxurious shops. You will also notice the old Bar Balzer.
From the Tower of the Fallen continue forward towards north on Viale Roma and at the first intersection keep forward on Viale V. Emanuele II. See Bergamo’s Piazza San Marco with its garden on the right; there you can eat at Ai Giardini restaurant – listed on The Fork app, 20% discount.
Get back to Viale V. Emanuele II, then continue further north, keep forward at the next intersections, and reach a roundabout; there go right on Viale V. Emanuele and you will finally arrive at the Funicolare Città Alta. Take the cable car and arrive in Città Alta, or Upper Bergamo, a medical city famous in whole Italy. The ticket costs 1.3 euros one way.
Upper Bergamo – Città Alta
Get off at Funicolare Città Alta Stazione Superiore, arrive in Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. Go right on Via di Porta Dipinta and walk for 3 minutes in order to get to Palazzo e Giardini Moroni. This is an art museum, a 17th century noble palace, the entry price is 8 euros. Visit it to admire the frescoed walls, the paintings, the art collections, the original furnishings, and the also the beautiful terraced Italian gardens offering a spectacular view of the Bergamo area. Unfortunately the museum it’s closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Afterwards, get back to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. Go forward on the arched way, climb the stairs and get to Piazzetta Luigi Angelini. Get through the parking lot, then pass through another arched way, see Antico Lavatoio on the right, continue forward and finally pass through Portone di San Vincenzo.
Piazza Vecchia and Piazza della Cittadella – Bergamo Restaurant Options for Lunch
Continue forward on Passaggio Ca Longa and arrive in Piazza Vecchia – one of the main squares in Bergamo, with many restaurants nearby. See Caffè del Tasso 1476 on the left – beautiful interior, restaurant listed on TheFork app, 35 euros set menu. And on the right it’s Trattoria Sant’ Ambroeus restaurant with the Fontana di Piazza Vecchia in front of it and on the left you will find the Palazzo della Ragione, built in the 12th century, former Bergamo town hall, courthouse, theater etc. It’s closed on Tuesday.
If you want to eat in a good restaurant in Bergamo Alta, besides the restaurants in Piazza Vecchia, Caffè del Tasso 1476 or Trattoria Sant’ Ambroeus, you also have other options nearby. Exit Piazza Vecchia through the north exit, turn left on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni. You have Il Sole restaurant and hotel on the right just at the intersection when the street begins. This restaurant is listed on TheFork app, but has no discount, and is average looking.
Continue forward on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni and just before the second intersection there is on the left Vineria Cozzi – restaurant listed on TheFork app, but no discount, quite expensive food, nice interior. Then continue forward, pass the intersection, keep ahead and finally get to Piazza della Cittadella, the second notable square in Bergamo Alta, where you will find on the left Il Dispensario Beer Garden – restaurant with modern interior, listed on TheFork app. And a better option is the restaurant on the right. Bernabo restaurant is listed on TheFork app, has a superb interior and also a garden terrace, with a 20 euros discount menu offering traditional Bergamo specialties.
Exploring Upper Bergamo Streets
Afterwards, get back to Piazza Vecchia on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni. After Palazzo della Ragione turn left, arrive in Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani. See the Campanone on the right. This is a 12th century tower offering panoramic views. It is open Tuesday – Friday between 9:30 am – 1 pm, 2:30 pm – 6 pm, Saturday – Sunday between 9:30 am – 6 pm and closed on Monday. The entry price is 5 euros, but it’s free with Abbonamento Musei Lombardi. There is a lift, but you will have to climb the last flight of stairs to reach the top of the tower.
Then, in the back of Palazzo della Ragione there is Meridiana del sole. This is a former astronomical instrument used to measure the altitude of the Sun.
Also, don’t miss the Battistero di Bergamo in front of the Campanone, Cappella Colleoni, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Bergamo Cathedral.
Upper Bergamo’s Religious Sites
Battistero di Bergamo is also part of the Cathedral. It has an octagonal base that recalls the 8 days of Creation. There are statues outside the dome, at the corners, representing the Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, Justice, Prudence, Fortress, Temperance, Patience. Unfortunately the monument is almost always closed. The only way to visit it is to join the guided tour that starts on Saturday at 3:30 pm in front of the cathedral door at a cost of 3 euros. Baptisms are held behind closed doors and you can visit between a baptism and another.
Capela Colleoni is a 15th-century funerary chapel, it has beautiful colored marble exterior and frescoed ceiling, columns and statues. It is open daily from 9: 00-12: 30, 14: 00-18: 30, the entry is free.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore has beautiful wall and ceiling paintings. Taking pictures inside is only allowed without flash. Entry price is from 3 euros.
Bergamo Cathedral – Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro has an amazing interior, multicolored marble. Entry is free with Abbonamento Musei Lombardia. It is open Monday – Friday between 7:30 – 12:30 and 15:00 – 18:30.
Go in the back of Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and find Tempietto di Santa Croce. It is a small temple built in the 12th century in the Romantic style.
Mura Veneziane and Bergamo Views
Go south on Via Arena and arrive in Piazza Rosate. Go left on Via Rosate and then a little left and get to Piazza Terzi. Visit Terzi Palace – possible only as a guided visit upon booking at the price of 8 euros. It offers a breathtaking view of the lower city and from its wonderful terrace. The interiors are also beautiful, with stuccos, frescoes. It has a mirror sitting room, a miniature version of the one in Versailles. Booking can be made at their email address: info@palazzoterzi.it, or on their Facebook page.
Get back to Piazza Rosate. then go to the back of Tempietto di Santa Croce and turn left towards south on the narrow alley Via Simone Mayr, then turn right on narrower Vicolo Bettami, continue right and then go left and cross the street and go left towards south-east on Viale delle Mura. See Mura Veneziane – Patrimonio mondiale dell’UNESCO. Continue forward on Viale delle Mura. When the road turns left there is Baluardo di San Giacomo from where you can have the most beautiful view of Porta San Giacomo, which is the entrance to Bergamo Alta. From there you can also have a beautiful view on the city. Continue towards the gate and there across the intersection see beautiful Medolago – Albani Palace – private villa from late 1700. Unfortunately it’s not possible to visit inside. It is a noble palace with classical figure bas-relief.
Descend to Lower Bergamo and Get to the Airport for Your Italy Departure
Get through the gate Porta San Giacomo and then continue down towards Lower Bergamo on Via Sant’Alessandro. At the intersection go left and descend the stairs. Then at the crossroads go left on the Scale per Bergamo Alta and finally arrive at the Funicolare Città Alta. Going down on the Funicolare may be less exciting than going up. I think it’s better walking down if the weather permits and not in a rush.
Go back walking the same way to Bergamo train station for 20 minutes or from the bus station in front of the Funicolare – STAZIONE INFERIORE FUNICOLARE viale Vittorio Emanuele 60 – take the bus no. 1 for 5 stops and in 10 minutes get to the train station. Get the luggage from the storage and then head to Bergamo airport.
From Stazione Autolinee, near the train station take ATB bus no. 1 for 2 stops to Bergamo airport; the trip lasts 15 minutes and costs 2.4 euros.
Read On
Once at Bergamo airport you have to say goodbye to Italy, for now! In order to plan your next visit to Italy, make sure you also read Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 1 and 2. So, start the next chapter of our Italian journey — from hidden corners to breathtaking views, there’s so much more to discover. You can find all our posts on Bergamo on this page. Also, for more inspiration and practical travel tips, don’t miss our maps and travel guides. Visit our Italy Travel Hub and Italy Bucket List — your go-to resources for exploring Italy in depth. Want to discover more? Don’t miss our posts on Venice!
Thanks for reading!
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