How to Spend ONE to TWO DAYS in Bergamo, Italy: The Best 1 to 2-day Itinerary

Planning a quick escape to Bergamo, Italy? You’ve found the experts!

Bergamo offers just the right mix of old and new. With its Venetian walls, medieval vibes, views over the surrounding plains and mountains, and a rich food tradition, it’s easy to see why it’s one of Italy’s most visited spots that isn’t a major city. 

Split between Città Alta (the historic city) and Città Bassa (the more modern part), it might seem small at first, but there’s actually a lot to see and do, which can feel a bit overwhelming when you’re planning a short trip. That’s where we come in. We’ve put together this easy-to-follow, 2-day itinerary so you can make the most of your time here without rushing around. 

Itinerary Overview

Bergamo is divided into two areas: Città Alta (the Upper Town), the historic center, and Città Bassa (the Lower Town), which is more modern and better connected. The Lower Town has more hotel options and is usually more budget-friendly, but it lacks some of the charm. If you’re here mainly for the history, you’ll likely spend most of your time in Città Alta, so we recommend staying in Città Bassa and taking the funicular up.

Best of all, you don’t really need a car here, which means saving on rental and parking. Most sights are walkable, with buses and the funicular connecting everything. 

Here’s a quick look at what your 2 days in Bergamo will look like:

Day 1: Start the day at a relaxed bakery, then hop on an e-bike for a tour around Bergamo (or opt for a tuk-tuk city tour). Wrap things up with a walking food tour, eating your way through the city.

Day 2: Head out on a full-day trip to Verona and Lake Garda, then, for the grand finale, enjoy a local dinner at one of the best trattorias in town.

Day 1

Breakfast – Il Fornaio

Start your morning in Bergamo with a proper Italian breakfast at Il Fornaio. It’s a chain bakery, but a well-loved one with solid quality. The inviting front window draws you in, and once inside, the welcoming atmosphere makes you want to stay rather than grab something to go.

Even better, it’s just around the corner from Piazza Vecchia, right in the heart of the Old Town, which makes it easy to pop in any time! There might be a line, but it moves quickly, and there’s plenty of seating upstairs. We recommend a cappuccino and cornetto (just like the locals), and maybe grab a slice of pizza or some focaccia to take with you for your upcoming e-bike tour.

It opens at 7 am, so you have plenty of time before your tour starts at 10 am. After breakfast, spend some time wandering along the Venetian walls, which offer some of the city’s best views and are stunning! The bike tour offers hotel pickup, so you can select a hotel in the center (near Piazza Vecchia) even if you aren’t staying directly there.

Morning – Explore Bergamo on an e-bike 

The morning continues with this e-bike tour around Bergamo, easily one of the best ways to get a feel for the city without worrying about logistics (and without completely exhausting yourself). Starting around 10 am, either from a central meeting point just a short walk from breakfast or with hotel pick-up, you’ll set off on a 3-hour ride (the tour ends around 1 pm) that weaves through the city’s hills, viewpoints, historic villages, and quiet streets.

Most of the route focuses on Città Alta. You’ll ride past top sights like Piazza Vecchia, the beating heart of the Upper Town, then make a quick stop at Palazzo della Ragione, the oldest medieval town hall in Lombardy. Next up is the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore on Piazza Duomo, where you can admire its Romanesque architecture before heading up to Castello di San Vigilio (ticket included) for some of the best panoramic views around. 

Don’t worry, the electric bikes make the climbs manageable, so it works for all levels, even with Bergamo’s hills. Keep in mind that this isn’t your typical tour going inside museums or churches; you’ll come back to those later. It’s more about seeing Bergamo from the outside, with photo-worthy views opening up at every turn. 

Even better, riding alongside locals with Franco (our guide) leading the way makes it feel a bit more special, and you pick up plenty of history along the ride. This tour is the perfect introduction to Bergamo, before you properly dive into it.

Alternate option: Tuk tuk city tour 

Alternatively, if an e-bike tour sounds too ambitious, you can take this 1-hour tuk-tuk tour of Bergamo. Your meeting point is in front of the lower funicular station (in the small lay-by out front) at 9:30 am and ends at the same spot at 10:30 am.

The route takes you past the Gaetano Donizetti Theater and along Viale del Sentierone (unless it’s market day), then through cobbled streets and past baroque-style churches. There’s a short stop along Via degli Orti, a quieter street most tourists miss, with a great viewpoint over the city and Astino Abbey. 

The driver shares some info in English if you ask, but it’s not a guided tour in the traditional sense, so it’s best to keep that in mind before booking. After that, you can spend the rest of your morning wandering through Bergamo Citta Alta at your own pace. 

Lunch – Circolino Città Alta  

After cruising around Bergamo, head back to the Old Town for a relaxed lunch. This time, we chose Circolino Città Alta, a longtime favorite with a neighborhood feel and charming old decor, exactly our kind of place. It’s set inside a former monastery and prison, which makes it even more interesting!

The menu here is built around Bergamo and Italian classics, and we went for casoncelli (a Bergamo pasta specialty) and a plate of polenta, both local specialties. The daily lunch offer is a great deal; you get water, a glass of wine, and both a first and second course. If the weather’s good, try to grab a table outside; it’s especially nice in the sun, but there’s plenty of seating indoors, too.

Either way, it’s definitely one to keep on your list if you’re looking to try proper local food in Bergamo Alta.

Afternoon – Your choice! 

This is one of those afternoons where you don’t really need a plan. You can either head to Città Bassa or explore Città Alta at your own pace for a more chilled afternoon. 

Città Bassa

Città Bassa is the Lower City or the modern part of Bergamo, with long tree-lined avenues and wide squares. It’s where everyday life happens, cafes, restaurants, and shops packed with people, and with cultural events popping up now and then, there’s always something going on. To ease into it, start by wandering along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII (the main street), stopping here and there as you go.

Explore side streets like Via XX Settembre or Via Sant’Alessandro for smaller, historic shops, admiring window displays at every turn. If you’re in the mood for something cultural, we suggest a visit to Accademia Carrara, especially if you like works by artists like Botticelli and Titian. Or keep it simple: grab a cappuccino and brioche at a nearby cafe, then sit for a while, watching locals go about their day.

Città Alta 

This part of Bergamo is also known as the Upper Town, and it’s all about history and views. It’s perched on a hill, surrounded by Venetian walls and cobbled streets, with that proper medieval feel, if that’s your thing. To make the most of your time here, head up the Campanone (Civic Tower), climb it or take the elevator, and take in those sweeping city views.

You can also check out the Rocca di Bergamo, a fortress complex with a museum, a park, and more great views. Or do it our way, just explore on foot, pop into little shops, and stop for a coffee or gelato along the way.

Aperitivo – Botèp Bergamo 

Aperitivo before dinner is one of our go-to traditions in Italy, one we never skip, and after you hear about Botèp Bergamo, you probably won’t either. This place is just down the road from the meeting point of your upcoming food tour, right by the funicular exit, so if you’ve got even a little time, make sure to pop in!

Inside, it stands out with beautiful antiques, red brick vaulted ceilings, and it’s not overly crowded. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a bit of live music or karaoke to get things going. Before dinner, we like to warm up with an Aperol spritz or prosecco with a few light bites, just enough to ease into the evening. Please don’t overdo it, as you’ve got a great food tour coming up at 6 pm!

Evening – Taste your way around historic Bergamo

For your first evening in Bergamo, this is when you really get a taste of the city, quite literally, with this gastro tour led by a local foodie guide. While there’s no shortage of restaurants here, you’ll find the most rustic, traditional flavors in Città Alta, and this tour takes you straight to the best trattorias, no planning needed, just show up and walk from one delicious stop to the next.

The tour starts at 6 pm in front of the arched fountain at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe in the historic center, making it an easy next step after your aperitivo. It runs for about 3.5 hours, usually wrapping up around 9:30 pm. 

Along the way, our guide Yuliya led us to several local spots, where we got to try anything from bruschetta to polenta with lard and cheese, before finishing with a scoop of gelato stracciatella (which originated from here) and, of course, a proper espresso to round things off the Italian way. Beyond the food, Yuliya mixed in bits of history as we went, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable. Plus, we were lucky to have such a beautiful sunny day too!

Come hungry, this one’s filling, and easily one of the tastiest ways to experience Bergamo beyond the views. We enjoyed every bite of it, and judging by the HUNDREDS of 5-star reviews, we’re not the only ones!

Day 2 

Full-day – Day trip to Verona 

If you want a bit of romance on the side, this walking tour of Verona and the shores of Lake Garda is a great fit. Verona is such a charming medieval city, best known as the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and it makes for an easy day trip from Bergamo.

The tour departs at 8 am and returns around 6 pm; just keep in mind that dates vary, so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time. We suggest grabbing breakfast near your hotel before heading to the meeting point on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, and arriving about 15 minutes early.

After a 1.5-hour ride on an air-conditioned coach, you’ll arrive in Verona. The first stop is Casa di Giulietta, where you can see the famous balcony and take a photo with Juliet’s statue. Legend says that if you touch the right breast of the statue, you’ll have luck, especially in love. 

Just a short walk away is the Arena di Verona, where you’ll have an hour to explore this impressive ancient Roman amphitheater, still used for concerts in summer. You’ll also pass by Piazza Bra or Verona’s main square before heading to Sirmione on Lake Garda. The optional boat tour here is a highlight (just watch out for those €10 ice creams!), which, when you think about it, can feel totally worth it on a hot day.

By sunset, you’ll have wandered Juliet’s streets, climbed ancient arenas, and dipped your toes in Lake Garda, all packed into one amazing day trip that makes Bergamo feel even closer to the heart of northern Italy.

Dinner – Trattoria Da Adriano

After you get back from your tour, give yourself a quick reset at the hotel, then head out for dinner. For a true local experience, we picked Trattoria Da Adriano, where you can easily soak in Bergamo’s laid-back nightlife without overdoing it. 

Located in the lower town, this is a classic trattoria serving all the staples, mostly house-made pasta and wood-fired pizza, along with some great seafood (we’d always go for the mussels). You can even get a Neapolitan pizza with gluten-free dough, which isn’t that common around here. On weekends, it gets quite busy, but that only adds to the lively atmosphere and gives you a glimpse of how locals dine, which, for us, is always better than empty tables.

Portions are generous, and at the end, you’re treated to a surprise round of digestives in all sorts of flavors and colors (we’re still not sure what half of them were). It’s hard to think of a better way to wrap up your time here. The trattoria opens at 7 pm and stays open until midnight, so there’s plenty of time to settle in and enjoy it.

Related Read: Thinking about renting a car for your trip? Check out our guide to renting a car in Italy, with tips on costs, driving rules, and whether you actually need one.

 Where to Stay in Bergamo, Italy

Choosing where to stay in Bergamo can really shape your trip, especially with so many good options to choose from. Whether you’re after a 5-star stay, something comfortable in the mid-range, or a more affordable spot a little further out, there’s something to suit every style and budget.

We’ve pulled together three fantastic picks for all budgets. Just keep in mind that places in the historic center tend to fill up quickly in peak season, so if you find something you like for your dates, it’s best to book it in advance. While Citta Alta is charming and cute, there aren’t many accommodation options here, so we’d recommend staying in Città Bassa instead.

Palazzo Santo Spirito – $$$

Palazzo Santo Spirito is everything you’d want from a stay in Bergamo: spacious, clean, modern, and high-end, set inside a converted monastery with stunning frescoes. It’s about 15 minutes from the airport and an easy walk to the city center, with beautiful buildings naturally popping up along the way. The location is close to Città Alta but still tucked into a quieter part of Città Bassa, perfect if you want to be near the action but still enjoy a good night’s sleep. 

There’s also a small spa, an indoor pool, and a courtyard that occasionally hosts live music in the evenings. Traditional Italian meals are served in a super fancy restaurant, and the bar is a great spot for an aperitivo before heading out. Prices here range from around €155 to €230 per night, depending on the season and room type. Check availability and book Palazzo Santo Spirito here! 

Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci – $$

Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci is a great mid-range pick, especially if you want quick and easy access to Orio al Serio Airport, Milan, and the lakes, as it’s just a short walk from Bergamo Train Station. It’s set in a historic building, but the rooms are modern and come with all the comforts, including flat-screen TVs, soundproofing, city views, and kettles for an easy morning coffee.

Breakfast is a delicious spread of pastries, fruit, eggs, and even gluten-free options, ideal if you don’t feel like heading out early. It’s also just a 5-minute walk from Donizetti Theatre, and with good bus links to the airport and Città Alta, getting around couldn’t be easier. Prices start at around €90 per night, making it a great-value option for what’s included. See if there’s a room available for your trip here!

B&B Hotel Bergamo City – $

B&B Hotel Bergamo City is a budget-friendly spot, near the train station, with Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral within easy walking distance. It’s modern, bright, and has that easy, no-fuss feel, plus a few nice extras like bike rentals and free Wi-Fi throughout. You can tell some thought has gone into the little things that make a stay more comfortable. 

It’s also pet-friendly, which is always a win! Overall, we think it’s a great fit for families or anyone after something more affordable without feeling like you’re cutting corners on what matters most. Prices start from around €70 per night, which is a steal for the location and comfort you get. Check availability and book your budget hotel in Bergamo in advance!

For even more great options, check out all the hotels listed for Bergamo here!

Thanks for reading!

Bergamo might be a smaller city, but it really packs a lot into a short stay. Between the medieval streets of Città Alta, the relaxed feel of Città Bassa, and all that incredible food, it’s the kind of place that’s easy to fall into for a couple of days. With this itinerary, you’ll get a little bit of everything without feeling rushed, which is exactly how a trip here should feel.

And if you’re continuing your travels, be sure to check out our other Italy guides for more ideas on where to go next. Or scroll through some of our most popular blogs below!

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