Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 7

On the last day in Italy, for the transfer from Milan to Bergamo airport we took the train from Milan Central Station to Bergamo, first we wanted to visit both Lower Bergamo and Upper Bergamo (Citta Alta), and then we took the bus to the airport.

We checked out from Leonardo Hotel Milan City Center early, around 9:00 am in order to have time to visit Bergamo and then get to the airport two hours before our flight at 7:00 pm.

Transfer from Milan to Bergamo Airport, Italy

From the hotel we went on Via Aristotile Fioravanti, then at the intersection we turned left on Via Giovanni Battista Niccolini and we took tram no. 10 for 11 stops, from Via Procaccini di Via Bramante to Milano Centrale, a 20-minutes ride.

Then, from Milan Train Station we took the train to Bergamo and got there in an hour. So, first we left our luggage at a storage just outside of the train station on the left. It costed us 12 euros to storage 2 bags for 5 hours. We found it more convenient to leave the here instead of leaving the luggage at Bergamo airport. And then without our luggage to carry around we could happily start to visit Lower Bergamo – Città Bassa and then also visit Upper Bergamo – Citta Alta.

Discovering Lower Bergamo, Italy – Città Bassa Visit

From the train station to the cable car station that reaches Bergamo Citta Alta we made around 20 minutes.

So, as we kept straight on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII , we found Chiesa Prepositurale di Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie and then Largo Porta Nuova with its nice fountain.

Then, at the intersection we got to see both Porta Nuova and Torre dei caduti – Tower of the Fallen – the memorial tower in honor of WWI soldiers.

Then we also took a look at Quadriportico del Sentierone old trade center with its nice corridors and garden.

Also, from the Tower of the Fallen we continued forward towards north on Viale Roma, and then at the first intersection we kept forward on Viale V. Emanuele II.

Also, we got to a small park – Piazza San Marco where we filled our bottles with fresh water from a fountain.

Afterwards, we got back to Viale V. Emanuele II and continued further, then we turned right at the roundabout and then finally arrived at Funicolare Bergamo Citta Alta. We got in line and waited a little to get into the cable car and then finally reached Bergamo Città Alta. The one – way tickets costed 1.3 euros each.

Exploring Upper Bergamo, Italy – Citta Alta Land

We got off at Funicolare Città Alta Stazione Superiore, and so we were in the middle of Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe.

We went forward on the arched way, climbed some stairs and then arrived in Piazzetta Luigi Angelini.

Then we passed through another arched way and found the interesting Antico Lavatoio on the right.

Then we continued forward and passed through Portone di San Vincenzo.

Again, we continued forward on Passaggio Ca Longa and then finally reached Piazza Vecchia, the central square of Upper Bergamo.

There were some good restaurants in the area: Caffè del Tasso 1476 on the left, and also Trattoria Sant’ Ambroeus on the right, with the Fontana di Piazza Vecchia in front of it.

Then, on the left we saw the Palazzo della Ragione, built in the 12th century, former town hall, courthouse, also theater etc.

And the Campanone was rising to the left of the Palazzo della Ragione.

On the other side of the piazza there was Palazzo Nuovo – a white building, contrasting with Palazzo della Ragione.

Walking Through the Heart of Upper Bergamo – From Piazza Vecchia on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni

So, we exited Piazza Vecchia through the northern exit and then turned left on Via Bartolomeo Colleoni. The narrow pedestrian street was full of people browsing the many shops and restaurants.

Then we kept ahead and we finally got to Piazza della Cittadella, with its imposing Torre della Campanella.

There were also some nice restaurants in the piazza, like Trattoria Del Teatro.

Lunch in Piazza della Cittadella – Traditional Menu

Il Dispensario and also Trattoria Bernabò had terraces outside in the square.

We had lunch at Trattoria Bernabò, where we sat at a table in their nice courtyard. The interior was also very beautiful, rustic and also intimate. We had a reservation made via The Fork and we opted for a Traditional Bergamo menu: Casoncelli del Bernabò e Coniglio arrostito al Valcalepio – Typical homemade meat ravioli with crispy bacon, butter and sage, and also some delicious rabbit. And we also had some delicious Creamed cod with, pea creamed and crispy Grana Padano. The total price was around 50 euros.

Afterwards we got back to Piazza Vecchia, walked through the archway of Palazzo della Ragione and then arrived in Piazza Padre Reginaldo Giuliani. Also, in the back of Palazzo della Ragione we found Meridiana del sole, a former astronomical instrument used to measure the altitude of the Sun.

Churches and Heritage Sites – Cultural Gems of Bergamo, Italy

Then we photographed both the beautifully decorated Capela Colleoni and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore next to it. The chapel has a beautiful colored marble exterior and frescoed ceiling, columns and also statues. And Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore also has a beautiful heavily decorated façade.

We could also see the Battistero di Bergamo from the outside. Unfortunately the monument is almost always closed, so it can only be visited on Saturdays with a guided tour. Or it can also be visited between baptisms which are held in there. The octagonal base recalls the eight days of the Creation. Moreover, statues placed outside at the corners represent the virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, Justice, Prudence, Fortress, Temperance, Patience.

Then, after having a look at the Baptistery, we directed towards south, passing by the Campanone and Palazzo della Ragione.

Bergamo Cathedral – Cattedrale di Sant’Alessandro is an impressive vast building.

We continued along the Cathedral’s walls.

Then from Piazza Duomo we turned right on Via Arena and then left to get to Piazza Rosate.

Afterwards, from Piazza Rosate we turned left and we eventually reached Piazza Terzi, as we wanted to visit Terzi Palace but it was closed. We knew that the palace could be visited only on a guided tour upon booking, at the price of 8 euros. So, we emailed them a week before arriving in Italy in order to schedule a visit, but didn’t receive an answer.

But the terrace of the palace offered a breathtaking view of the lower city. We could catch a glimpse of the wonderful terrace from behind the gates though.

Scenic Views from the Venetian Walls – Mura Veneziane

Afterwards, from Terzi Palace we turned left on the narrow Via Rosate and then on Via Simone Mayr and we finally reached Mura Veneziane.

Mura Veneziane – Patrimonio mondiale dell’UNESCO, is the walls of the fortress build in the 16-century. From Viale delle Mura we could enjoy sweeping views of lower Bergamo and also of the surrounding hills.

Therefore we strolled on Viale delle Mura and we finally reached the Baluardo di San Giacomo where we sat on a bench and admired the view.

Then we walked a little towards the famous gate – Porta San Giacomo and we glimpsed the beautiful Medolago – Albani Palace across the intersection.

Also, from Baluardo di San Giacomo we had the most beautiful view of Porta San Giacomo, the old entrance to the upper town.

Then we approached Medolago – Albani Palace to have a closer look at its beautiful façade decorated with classical figure bas-reliefs, because unfortunately it’s not possible to visit inside this private villa from the late 1700.

Afterwards we got through the San Giacomo gate to continue our way down towards Lower Bergamo on Via Sant’Alessandro. We decided to walk instead of taking the cable car to enjoy the beautiful views of the city while descending the steps.

From Via Sant’Alessandro we turned left and descended the stairs, and then again left at the crossroads and went on the stairs – Scale per Bergamo Alta. So, in a few minutes we finally reached the Funicolare Città Alta station.

Returning to Milan Airport

We still had plenty of time before our flight. So we walked at a slower pace the same way back to the train station. Moreover, we stopped at the Quadriportico del Sentierone and strolled on the Sentierione stopping street and had a look at the luxurious shops and also admired old Bar Balzer – a superb café dating from 1850 and still most famous in town.

Then we headed to Bergamo train station to get our luggage back from the storage and also prepared to get to the airport.

From Stazione Autolinee, across the street from the train station, we finally boarded the ATB bus no. 1 for two stops to Bergamo airport. The trip lasted 15 minutes and costed 2.4 euros per person.

Read On

You can find all our posts on Bergamo on this page. And for more inspiration and practical travel tips, don’t miss our maps and travel guides, and also 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!

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• Italy Travel — All Our Posts and Guides for Italy
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• Destination Italy: Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo – Day 7
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• Our Lake Como, City of Milan and Bergamo Italy Visit: Day 4

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