Bergamo

Bergamo is the perfect place to stroll through its charming cobbled streets and enjoy its architecture.

Hidden among the charming narrow streets of the upper part of the town are some buildings that are still preserved as treasures today. Examples include Piazza Vecchia, the ancient heart of the city’s political and administrative life, which is home to important buildings such as the Palazzo del Podesta and the Campanone, the symbol of medieval Bergamo. The latter offers a unique experience: contemplating the city from the top of its 52 metres. If you’re afraid of heights, pluck up the courage, the memory of this place will be well worth it!
With its unpretentious and unique atmosphere, Bergamo is the perfect place to stroll through its charming cobbled streets and enjoy its medieval, baroque and renaissance architecture, thanks to the different civilisations that have passed through here. This is also where you’ll find one of the ten most important Italian art galleries, the Accademia Carrara, which, after several years of being closed for renovation, is once again one of the city’s major tourist attractions.
Located at the base of the hill upon which the Cittá Alta rises, the CittáBassa has expanded over the centuries and is the modern part of the city. One of its most iconic areas is the Sentierone, an elegant tree-lined promenade that is a favourite place for locals to relax. Its architectural beauty can be seen in its elegant buildings with their blend of styles, housing shops and theatres. Here, for example, you’ll find the Donizetti Theatre, named after Bergamo’s famous composer, Gaetano Donizetti.

Bergamo is a paradise for the palate and has no shortage of typical Italian cuisine.

There is no shortage of cafés and terraces in this social hub, the perfect place to sample some of the local delicacies. And as evening draws in, the establishments fill with life, beckoning you to experience the modern vibrancy of the city. Sentierone hosts various events, fairs and festivals throughout the year, as well as seasonal markets, open-air concerts and street performances. It is also worth noting that although it is located in the modern part of the city, Sentierone still has a lot of history, as this is where the city elite used to gather and socialise, showing off their wealth.
Bergamo is a paradise for the palate and has no shortage of typical Italian cuisine: pizzas with fresh ingredients, homemade ravioli and delicious risottos. But eating in Bergamo is all about polenta! Here you’ll find polenta taragna, a more traditional version, to which different fresh Alpine cheeses and butter are added when the dish has finished cooking. Another suggestion is Casoncelli, a fresh pasta ravioli filled with a blend of cheese, day-old bread, egg, meat, amaretto and sometimes sultanas. Casoncelli is served with a sauce made with melted butter and sage, pancetta, garlic and a generous sprinkling of grated cheese.
As you walk along the streets, you’ll often find polenta e osei, another sweet typical of the region, in the pastry shop windows. This fluffy, round, yellow cake is filled with cream, chocolate and liqueur, topped with brown sugar and a little chocolate marzipan bird.
Bergamo experiences cold, grey winters and hot, humid summers, so the best times of year to visit the city are spring and autumn. But whatever the season, don’t miss out on sampling the traditional ice-cream parlours. It was here, at La Marianna pastry shop, that stracciatella ice cream was created! Have a taste, take a stroll and enjoy this enchanting city!