Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: August 2026 | Bergamo is a charming city in Lombardy in northern Italy, known for its historic Città Alta district, which is perched high above the more modern Città Bassa. Narrow alleys, beautiful squares, historic churches and stunning views of the surrounding area await you here. We visited Bergamo by camper van and quickly fell in love with the atmosphere of the old city.
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Bergamo – historic city in Lombardy
Bergamo is located in Lombardy in northern Italy, about 50 km northeast of Milan and at the foot of the Alps. The city is best known for its historic upper town, Città Alta, which is located on a hill above the more modern Città Bassa.
Bergamo has a long history, having been a Roman city and part of the Republic of Venice. Today, it is mainly the old alleys, squares, churches and Venetian walls that give Città Alta its special character.
Città Alta – the historic heart of Bergamo
Most of the things to see and do in Bergamo are concentrated in or around Città Alta, making the city easy to explore on foot. Piazza Vecchia, the historic churches, the city walls and the views are among the highlights.
We took the funicular up to the beautiful Città Alta, the upper and original city. This part of town is full of charming old alleys and beautiful views. Here we started by taking in the views before strengthening ourselves with a lovely and really tasty lunch, with bresaola and chèvre on an outdoor terrace in the sun.
Piazza Vecchia
Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Città Alta and a natural stop when strolling through Bergamo's historic quarter. The elegant square is surrounded by historic buildings and in the middle of the square stands the beautiful Fontana Contarini. There are also cafes and restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy the atmosphere.
The square is home to Palazzo della Ragione and the medieval Campanone bell tower. Those who want to see Bergamo from above can climb the tower and enjoy the view of the old city and the surroundings.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Cappella Colleoni
Right next to Piazza Vecchia are two of Bergamo's most impressive buildings. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, which began construction in the 12th century, has a relatively austere exterior that contrasts with the richly decorated interior with paintings, tapestries, stucco and gilded details.
Next to the basilica is the Cappella Colleoni, a magnificent 15th-century Renaissance chapel. Built as a funerary monument for the famous military commander Bartolomeo Colleoni, the chapel is easily recognizable by its detailed facade in colored marble.
The Venetian walls
Città Alta is surrounded by mighty defensive walls built by the Republic of Venice in the 16th century. The walls extend around the old town and are complemented by bastions and monumental city gates, with Porta San Giacomo being one of the most photographed.
Today, the walls are a nice place for a walk, with views of Città Bassa and the countryside around Bergamo. Since 2017, Bergamo's Venetian walls have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with other Venetian defenses in Italy, Croatia and Montenegro.
Ride the funicular between Città Bassa and Città Alta
A nice way to get to Bergamo's old town is to take the funicular, Upper Town Funicular. It connects the more modern Città Bassa with Città Alta and makes it easy to avoid the steep walk uphill.
The funicular has transported passengers between the city's districts since the late 19th century and is today both a practical means of transport and part of the Bergamo experience. We rode the funicular in both directions and got great views of the city.
Bergamo – short facts
- Country: Italy
- Region: Lombardy
- Location: Approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Milan
- Best known for: Città Alta, the Venetian city walls and funiculars
- Historic center: Upper Town
- UNESCO: The Venetian fortifications have been a World Heritage Site since 2017
- Don't miss out: Piazza Vecchia, Santa Maria Maggiore and the view from Città Alta
- Suitable for: Weekend, history, food and walks
- Time consumption: 1–2 days
Bergamo by motorhome
When we arrived in Bergamo, we parked the camper in a regular parking lot and set off on our exploration of the city. Afterwards, we started looking for one of the parking spaces that were supposed to be available in Bergamo, but for some reason we couldn't find one, and since it's always a bit of a hassle to get around cities with a camper, we instead set off towards Lake Lago d'Iseo.
There it turned out that all the campsites were occupied. It was getting late to look for more, so it would simply have to be a night in a simple parking lot.
More to see in the neighbourhood
There is a lot to see and experience in this part of Italy. Here you will find more tips and reports:
FAQ – frequently asked questions about Bergamo
Where is Bergamo located?
Bergamo is located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, about 50 kilometers northeast of Milan. The city is located at the foot of the Alps and is easily accessible from both Milan and Bergamo's Orio al Serio International Airport.
What is Bergamo famous for?
Bergamo is best known for its Città Alta, the historic district located on a hill above the more modern city. It is home to medieval alleys, beautiful squares, churches, historic buildings and the impressive Venetian city walls.
What is the difference between Città Alta and Città Bassa?
Città Alta is Bergamo's historic upper town, surrounded by old defensive walls. Città Bassa is the more modern lower part of Bergamo, with shopping, restaurants and residential areas. The two districts are connected by a funicular railway, among other things.
What is there to see and do in Bergamo?
Stroll through the alleys of Città Alta, visit Piazza Vecchia, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Cappella Colleoni and walk along the Venetian city walls. It is also an experience to ride the funicular between Città Bassa and Città Alta and enjoy the views of the city and its surroundings.
Is Bergamo worth a visit?
Yes, Bergamo is well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy historic city centers and small-town Italian settings. The Città Alta is compact and perfect for exploring on foot, and Bergamo can be a nice alternative or complement to the much larger Milan.
How much time do you need in Bergamo?
A day is enough to discover the main sights of Città Alta, but a night or two will give you more time to experience the city at a leisurely pace. Bergamo also works well as a starting point for excursions in Lombardy.
How do you get up to Città Alta?
You can walk up to the Città Alta or take the Funicolare di Bergamo Alta funicular from the lower town. The funicular is an easy way to get up and is a little experience in itself.
What is special about Bergamo's city walls?
The Venetian Walls were built in the 16th century when Bergamo was part of the Republic of Venice. The walls surround large parts of the Città Alta and offer nice walks and views. Since 2017, they have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with other Venetian defenses.
Can you visit Bergamo by campervan?
Yes, Bergamo is a good place to visit during a motorhome trip through northern Italy. However, it is easiest to park or stay overnight outside the historic city center and continue to Città Alta on foot or by public transport. Check current parking and traffic regulations before visiting.
What is there to see near Bergamo?
Bergamo is well located for discovering northern Italy. Milan is about fifty kilometers away and to the west and east of the city are several of the northern Italian lakes. Lago d'Iseo is relatively close and is a great place to combine with a visit to Bergamo.
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