The medieval village on the mountain, as hinted at by the name of Bergamo which reveals the ancient origins of the city, has gradually become through the centuries one of the most interesting touristic venues in Italy. To begin with, the city comprises two distinct parts, the upper town (Bergamo Alta) and the lower town at the foot of the mountain (Bergamo Bassa), each with its own specific features. The former, which was under the control of Venice, still preserves within its ancient walls, squares, streets and palaces of refined elegance; the latter includes paved streets, houses and palaces from the 16th and the 17th centuries. It is a pleasant walk around both, to discover art works and architecture as well as to taste the city's gastronomic delights: cheeses, wines, polenta flour, mushrooms, and cured meats, of which the local territory is justly proud. And you can take these delicacies home with you, stopping by any of Bergamo's small shops!

DON'T MISS

Art and Culture

Take a leap into the past with a funicular, and find yourself right in the maze of streets that unfolds from the amazing Piazza Vecchia enclosed by the Venetian walls of Bergamo Alta. Here you can see the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Palazzo della Ragione, the Torre Civica, and the Palazzo del Podestà which hosts the Museo Storico dell'Età Veneta. In the lower city, don't miss Teatro Donizetti and the famous Accademia Carrara. ...read on

Food Trails

Bergamo's culinary history is frank, made of traditional dishes and genuine ingredients. Just like casonsèi, scarpinocc de Par (ravioli filled with Parmesan cheese, dried bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, butter and spices sautéed in butter and sage sauce), or polenta e osèi (a sponge cake dessert with custard, yellow marzipan and chocolate birds). Today the territory of Bergamo ranks first in Italy for its nine varieties of PDO cheeses; moreover, it is known for the excellence of its wines: red and white Valcalepio DOC and Moscato di Scanzo DOCG. ...read on

Shopping

Bergamo is the ideal venue for shopping tours. In the small shops of the city, you can find Lake Sebino olive oil, cheeses, like Branzi, Formai de mut from Val Brembana, or strachitunt, the round cheese from Val Taleggio (the home of the famous Taleggio cheese, of course), red and white Valcalepio DOC and Moscato di Scanzo wines, as also polenta flours, cured meats, grappa and honey. ...read on

Offers

Offers and deals to discover local culture. Numerous theme packages designed for families, couples, elderly people, and children are available. ...read on