15 Things to Do in Bergamo, the Hidden Gem of Northern Italy

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Is Italy all crowds and chaos? It can be if you stick to the typical places on the Grand Tour. But, let me introduce you to Bergamo—my favorite hidden gem in Northern Italy.

Less than an hour from Milan, this under-the-radar city blends medieval charm with modern flair. I spent 30 days living here, sipping aperitivo in nearly every piazza, wandering its cobblestone alleyways, and watching the sun dip behind the mountains from centuries-old city walls.

Bergamo isn’t just “off the beaten path”, it’s got an important history and a vibrant modern life with an old fashioned funicular connecting its two parts.

If you love culturally rich spots with fewer tourists, hearty food, and the kind of views that make you question why you ever booked a return flight—this post is for you.

Here are my top 15 things to do in Bergamo, including panoramic viewpoints, a secret garden, and where to get the best stracciatella gelato in town.

Piazza Vecchia with tourists looking at the architecture. Exploring Piazza Vecchia is the best thing to do in Bergamo. — Tourists looking at the architecture in Piazza Vecchia.

Explore the Historic Heart of Bergamo

1. Explore Città Alta

The medieval part of the city is the most interesting for tourists so this gets the number one spot on my list.

This city has some serious history. Originally a Celtic settlement, then a Roman outpost, next taken over by the Lombard and Milan duchies, and finally ruled by the Venetian Republic, it has some layers!

It’s nearly impossible not to pause every few steps to snap a photo—the cobblestone streets, arched passageways, and jaw-dropping views across the Lombardy countryside are stunning.

Tourists walking up and down Via Donizetti in Bergamo — Tourists strolling along Via Donizetti in the heart of Città Alta

Tourists and locals stroll back and forth along Via Donizetti, the main street lined with artisan boutiques, cafes, and gelaterias like they are taking laps in a pool. Italians have a name for this unhurried ritual of strolling and people-watching: fare le vasche—literally, “doing laps”—and there’s no better place to do it than in Città Alta.

Funicular approaching the top of San Vigilio. — The funicular arriving at the top of San Vigilio

2. Ride the Funicular (twice)

To reach Città Alta, walk, take the bus, or step into one of Bergamo’s most charming features: the funicular railway. This historic cable car glides up the steep hill from the lower town, easing you into the medieval world above.

It lets you off at the Piazza del Mercato delle Scarpe. Here you can stop at the California Bakery for amazing views or start walking up the main drag to Piazza Vecchia.

Woman sitting in the bakery at the top of the funicular with a view of the lower town of Bergamo in the distant. — Don’t miss the stunning views from California Bakery

Once you’ve explored the upper city, you can catch a second funicular—tucked away just beyond the old walls near the famous gelateria La Marianna—that climbs even higher to San Vigilio Hill.

At the top, you’re rewarded with sweeping views, peaceful corners, and the atmospheric remains of Castello di San Vigilio, a former Venetian fortress. On a clear day you can see the Alps.

View of Bergamo at night from San Vigilio

On our last night we caught the second funicular and sat along the stone wall at the top. As the clock struck 10 PM, the Campanone (the big bell) rang 100 times—a tradition that dates back to Venetian rule, when the city gates would close at that hour. Its hauntingly beautiful sound was a great ending to our trip.

The funiculars are small, efficient, and still very much a part of daily life here. They’re also an easy way to experience how Bergamo’s geography shaped its layout, with layers of history built into the hillside.

Two women walking along the Venetian Walls in Bergamo. — Walking the Venetian Walls toward Porta San Giacomo

3. Walk the Venetian Walls

Massive stone walls form a 6 km perimeter around Citta Alta. In 1561, the Republic of Venice built these walls to defend Bergamo against Milan.

It took almost 30 years to complete the project, demolishing many homes in the process. Luckily they weren’t attacked (by either resentful locals or a foreign enemy) during construction. In fact, Bergamo was never attacked after they were built.

Porta San Giacomo in Bergamo with view of the Pre-Alps in the distance. — Porta San Giacomo with view of the Pre-Alps

Because of this, the walls and the 4 monumental gates, or porte, that lead into the medieval city, are still in fantastic condition and are now a UNESCO site. Each gate is magnificent but the real joy is walking along the walls.

You walk along shaded paths lined with benches and sweeping views of the Lombardy plain below, the Alps rising in the distance, and rows of 16th century palazzi rising above.

Two women walking down cobblestone staircase in Bergamo. — Walking down one of the secret staircases

4. Discover the Secret Staircases

Before the funicular made it easy to glide up the hill in minutes, the only way to reach Bergamo’s upper city from the surrounding hamlets was on foot. Long before the Venetian walls were built, stone paths wound their way up the hillside, gradually becoming the staircases you can still walk today.

They’re not technically secret—but they feel that way.

You might spot a small sign like “Salita della Scaletta” engraved into a stone wall and wonder where it leads. Follow it, and you’ll find yourself walking between old garden walls, under ivy-draped arches, past hidden villas and shady groves where it feels like time slows down.

These staircases offer a quiet, peaceful way to move between Città Bassa and Città Alta, and a totally different perspective on the city—one that locals have used for centuries.

I’m not sure how many secret staircases there are, but there are at least 5 well known ones that you can find on Apple or Google maps:

Salita della Scalletta
Scaletta dello Scorlazzino
Scaletta dello Scorlazzone
Scaletta delle More
Via della Noca

💡Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. Some of the paths are uneven or steep, but the unexpected views and tucked-away corners are absolutely worth the climb.

Case of typical foods and drinks of Bergamo — Some typical ingredients we had a chance to buy on our food tour

Savor Bergamo’s Food and Drink

5. Take a Food Tour

Whenever I start planning a trip to a new city, I try to book a food tour for the first or second day. This is the best way to get the lay of the land, learn some history, and of course, eat the best local food.

Bergamo was no different. We did the Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better, which I included in my guide to the best food tours in Bergamo. The meeting point for our food tour was right where the funicular lets you off at the Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe.

Old brown buildings in Bergamo a Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe — Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe was the meeting place for our food tour

From there, our guide, a Bergamo local, took us to the top spots in Città Alta for aperitivo, pub food, traditional lunch, gelato, and caffe all the while telling us historical tidbits . With just seven people in our group, it was like hanging out with new friends over multiple courses.

If you’re short on time in Bergamo, or just want a crash course in what (and where) to eat, this is one of the best ways to start.

Red wine and snacks for aperitivo at Bar Torquato Tasso in Bergamo — Aperitivo at Bar Torquato Tasso on our food tour

6. Enjoy Aperitivo in Local Piazzas

This is my favorite thing to do in Bergamo (and all of Italy) – hangout in a piazza and people watch with a Spritz and some snacks of course. Here are some of my favorite piazzas:

Piazza Vecchia (Cafe Flora for the classic vibe)
Largo Niccolò Rezzara for a younger, buzzier scene
Via Sentierone (actually an elegant tree lined promenade with many cafes)
Piazza Santo Spirito if you want to blend in with locals
Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe (right where the funicular drops you off)
Piazza Pontida (connected directly from Largo Rezzara)

Ice cream on a cone in front of La Marianna restaurant — Stracciatella gelato was invented here at La Marianna

7. Try Stracciatella Gelato

Did you know stracciatella was invented in Bergamo? The first scoop was served at La Marianna, a charming gelateria right near the funicular entrance to San Vigilio.

It’s creamy, rich, and flecked with thin ribbons and big chunks of dark chocolate. You can get it elsewhere—but why not taste it at the source?

Three women at a table in the street outside a restaurant in Bergamo — Dining outside in Borgo Pignolo

8. Dine and Chat with Locals

Another great thing about Bergamo is that it doesn’t have many “tourist-trap” restaurants like Rome or Venice. Most restaurants focus on authentic local cuisine in a laid-back atmosphere.

The stereotype of people from Bergamo is reserved, cautious, and hardworking. Some would say cold. We heard, however, that there is a conscious effort to welcome people back after being hit so hard by Covid. It’s definitely working. In our experience, the Bergamaschi were always friendly and welcoming.

So try a neighborhood pizzeria or linger over cappuccino at a café and strike up a conversation with the workers and owners. For a full guide on what to eat (and where to eat it), check out my post: What to Eat in Bergamo and Where to Try Best Local Dishes.

Portrait of Giuliano de Medici on a rose wall at Accademia Carrera in Bergamo — Famous portrait of Giuliano de Medici by Sandro Botticelli at Accademia Carrara

Experience the Culture and Creative Side

9. Visit the Museums (Accademia Carrara & GAMeC)

These two side-by-side museums span centuries of art. A perfect rainy day activity or cultural deep dive for art lovers.

The Accademia Carrara houses Italian art from the Renaissance to the 19th Century featuring hundreds of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and decorative arts from masters like Botticelli, Raphael, Mantegna, Bellini, and Titian.

Across the street you’ll find GAMeC which houses modern and contemporary art. Quite the opposite experience. And very thought provoking.

Girl dancing in front of the church doors from the church in Call Me By Your Name. — Re-enacting the dancing scene from *Call Me By Your Name*

10. Visit Movie Filming Locations

Since Città Alta feels like you are walking around in a historical movie set, it is no wonder that it is a popular location for period dramas and romantic films.

Call Me By Your Name is the most famous movie filmed in Bergamo and has helped draw significant tourism to the Lombardy region. While most of the film took place in Crema, some key scenes were shot in Bergamo.

Hotel Agnello where Elio and Oliver stayed is now closed, but you can visit public squares where they shared moments and the church steps in Piazza Rosate where they filmed the dancing scene.

Outside of Palazzo della Liberta in Bergamo — Palazzo della Libertà in Lower Town

Slow Down and See the City Differently

11. Stroll the Sentierone and Shop in the Lower Town

While Città Alta gets most of the attention, modern Bergamo—known as Città Bassa—is known for its shopping and 19th century architecture. Walk down the Sentierone, a wide, tree-lined promenade and feel the contrast from the narrow passageways of the upper town.

From there, explore the surrounding streets like Via XX Settembre, lined with high-street brands, independent boutiques, and bookstores tucked between Neoclassical and Art Nouveau buildings. If you’re visiting in winter, this whole area lights up with festive decorations and Christmas markets.

Step inside Palazzo della Libertà for a glimpse of Rationalist architecture, or just grab a table at one of the sidewalk cafes nearby and people watch. It’s a great spot to unwind and soak in the energy of contemporary Bergamo—especially after a day of climbing staircases and ancient walls.

View of Borgo Santa Caterina with hills in the distance and a yellow car in the foreground — The view down Borgo Santa Caterina on a Sunday

12. Explore Underrated Neighborhoods

To really get a feel for Bergamo beyond the tourist routes, venture into its lesser-known neighborhoods. There are 5 historic villages or “borghi” that were developed outside the Venetian Walls as the population of Bergamo grew. Borgo Palazzo and Borgo Santa Caterina are the two biggest.

Borgo Palazzo has a split identity. Start at Piazza Sant’Anna and walk up Via Pignolo. Although this is not part of Città Alta, it is still old, filled with traditional restaurants and artisan stores. Go the other way down Borgo Palazzo to experience contemporary multicultural local life.

Borgo Santa Caterina is a lively neighborhood with colorful shops, historic cafes, and vibrant nightlife. It is also home to many art galleries and museums including the Accademia Carrara and GAMeC .“Fridays of the Borgo” are evenings held in the summer filled with music, street food, and fun.

Woman crouched at the edge of a pond looking at a swan — Parco Caprotti is worth finding

13. Relax in a Secret Garden

Parco Caprotti really is a secret garden right in the heart of lower town. The entrances are barely visible from the streets. It’s hidden between palazzi (wealthy homes) off of Via Tasso and Via Verdi. A path meanders by a small lake that is home to a pair of swans in this lush hidden urban park.

Parco Suardi is another peaceful green escape that most visitors miss. It feels like stepping back in time into a lush oasis with walking paths, benches, a pond, fountains, and even some go-carts and a train for children. We discovered this park in Borgo Santa Caterina on our way to the Accademia Carrara.

💡Keep your eyes open: Bergamo has fountains everywhere—great for impromptu photo ops.

Horses in a green field with trees in Bergamo — Nature is everywhere around Bergamo

14. Take a Hike from Bergamo into the Hills

Whether you start from San Vigilio or grab a trail map from the Visit Bergamo office, the surrounding hills offer peaceful escapes and incredible views. A few minutes from the funicular and you’re in open countryside—it’s one of the easiest ways to see another side of the region.

Various maps with things to do in Bergamo from Visit Bergamo — There are so many things to do in Bergamo and beyond

15. Stop by the Visit Bergamo Tourist Office

Stop by the Visit Bergamo tourist office in either Citta Alta or Citta Bassa to get maps, brochures, and to sign up for activities like food tours and cooking classes, or grab trail info to explore nearby nature.

Three women with view of Lower Town of Bergamo behind them — The Trio of Ciao Italianista

Bergamo Surprised Me

When we booked a full month in Bergamo, I honestly wasn’t sure if there would be enough to do. I figured we’d check off the must-do items and from there use it as a base for more exciting day trips by car or train.

But the longer we stayed, the more layers unfolded. There’s way more to see, eat, and experience than I expected—from little moments like catching the 100 bells at night, to big ones like exploring the vibrant nightlife of Borgo Santa Caterina.

After 30 days, I still feel like I only scratched the surface. I left with a growing list of things to do next time (like catching a performance at Teatro Donizetti). And there will definitely be a next time, because Bergamo earned a spot on my “this could be home” list.

Part of that pull, for me, is personal. My great-grandfather was born in Bergamo, and after searching my entire life for my Italian family roots, it truly feels like a home I never knew, but one I want to keep coming back to.