Bergamo a beautiful Italian city nested in the northeast of Milan is a hidden gem attracting many visitors of late. Embracing medieval Renaissance and baroque architecture, this pretty town has the most breathtaking vistas. Located in the foothills of Alps, Bergamo boasts of rare natural beauty and artistic treasures. The beguiling city of Bergamo is divided into Città Alta (Upper Town) and Città Bassa( Lower town) giving it a blend of ancient Roman charm and a modern facade. Northeast of Milan, on the edge of lake district this city fascinates many travellers. Just an hour away by train from Milan to Bergamo, it makes a perfect half a day trip destination.
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Bergamo - The City of Thousands
Milan to Bergamo - The Day Trip Experience
- Visit the delightful city of Bergamo with enchanting natural beauty and amazing architecture
- Comfortable transfer from Milan to Bergamo and back in an air-conditioned coach
- Cover the top attractions of Bergamo with a professional guide to fill you up on interesting stories and historical facts
- Enjoy the exclusivity of a small group size of 8-12 people
Set yourself on an enthralling journey to Bergamo! As you approach this paradise, the mesmerising view of the mountains and valley down below is sure to leave you spellbound. The Venetian wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands tall demarcating the tiny medieval streets on one side from the contemporary town on the other side. Also known as “Città dei Mille”, or City of the Thousand, Bergamo has unification history of Italy peeping from every nook waiting to be explored. The cobbled streets dotted with works of art, historical buildings, museums and stunning landscapes are all masterpieces waiting to be rejoiced.
Bergamo tourist attractions leave you spellbound. You are guided through a multitude of them like the Cittadella, Colleoni Chapel, Piazza Vecchia, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Lion of Saint Mark facade etc. to discover this hidden gem of a city. Carrying the memories of this incredible Milan Bergamo expedition, you reach back Milan well in time for dinner.
What to See in Bergamo
With an area of just about 40 sq. kms, Bergamo is a tiny city packed with so many things to do. In half a day, one can easily savour the beauty and discover the historical prominence of this amazing city. A walking tour of a couple of hours takes you through the incredible monuments and picturesque countryside of Italy. Some of the Bergamo tourist attractions you cannot miss are,
Citta alta
The massive Venetian wall surrounds the old historical core of Bergamo called the Citta Alta. Also known as the Upper Town, this part holds the charm of Renaissance period as well as the remodelled medieval town. Cobbled streets wielding natural beauty and rich history are bound to win hearts!
Piazza vecchia
At the heart of Città Alta lies the Piazza Vecchia in between the harmony of the geometrical layout of the buildings around the square. You can enjoy the view over a drink or a cup of coffee at one of the numerous cafes around the historical Contarini Fountain in the middle of the square.
Cappella Colleoni
The chapel cum mausoleum of Cappella Colleoni in Bergamo is definitely the most impressive building around. Bergamese mercenary commander Bartolomeo Colleoni lies buried inside a magnificent tomb here. The red and white marble facade reminding you of Italian Renaissance has interiors laden with unique works of art.
Santa Maria Maggiore
The most magnificent church of Bergamo, Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica is located in Piazza del Duomo, Upper Town. It is a beautiful amalgamation of various eras of architecture. Designed by the renowned artist Lorenzo Lotto, this masterpiece is adorned with frescoes, stuccos, tapestries and wooden marquetry.
Mura Venete
The Venetian walls of Bergamo built for defence in the 16th century is one of the top attractions of Bergamo. This iconic wal more than six kilometres wall has been a well preserved fortress. Providing an awesome view of marvellous sunsets and romantic walks Mura Venete's imposing structure is a salient part of Upper Town.
Accademia Carrara
A landmark for the city of Bergamo this academy is the mecca of art lovers.It is housed in a grand neoclassical building just besides an extensive cobblestone square. Accademia Carrara holds scores of masterpieces by many renowned artists such as Moroni ,Pisanello, Titian, Botticelli, Canaletto, Hayez etc.
Things to consider before booking your Bergamo Day Tour
When in Milan one should not miss the opportunity of visiting Bergamo. Even though Milan Bergamo distance is just about 60 kms, it offers a completely different countryside landscape experience to the visitors. Brimming with art,culture and history this picturesque location can be easily covered in just about 5 hours. Exploring Milan in the morning, you can simply set off post lunch for this amazing half a day trip to Bergamo.
One of the most preferred way to explore this beautiful place, despite the cost, is to book yourself on a guided tour. The fully equipped air-conditioned coaches take you through a picturesque route. What to do in Bergamo is entirely taken care of by by a professional guide accompanying you on the trip.
Bergamo has its own charm throughout the year, however April to November (barring July-which can be warm) is best suited for a comfortable tour.
How to get to Bergamo
There are multiple ways to go from Milan to Bergamo using modes like the bus, train and taxi. While bus and train options are quite reasonable (about EUR 5 each way) you get constrained by their timings and you are left to figure out the place on your own. Taxies are a an expensive option (about EUR 85) to choose. Without someone to guide you, being clueless in a new place you may end up wasting time. A guided tour from Milan to Bergamo is a desired option with many as it takes care of all your hassles and gives you a stress free experience of this scenic town. We think it's completely worth the EUR 49 spent!
Tips
- Not many people can speak in English in Bergamo. An Italian phrase book or a professional guide would be helpful.
- One needs to be careful with one’s valuables and money while walking around Bergamo.
- For a meal in Bergamo, set out looking for a modest outlet as the fancily decored ones can create quite a hole in your pocket. The local Bistros are a good option for budget travellers.
- A comfortable pair of shoes are recommended as this half day trip to Bergamo involves extensive walking.
- Travel light with a small sized backpack so as to enjoy the long walks on a light shoulder.
Other Day Trips from Milan
Milan to Lake Como & Bellagio
You can breakaway from the hustle bustle of busy Milan to the charming countryside of Italy. Just an hour away from Milan, Como and Bellagio offer the most breathtaking visuals. A pre-booked tour from Milan to Lake Como is a good choice as it includes transfers in comfortable air-conditioned coaches and a professional guide to assist you with an exclusive experience. Located in the foothills of Alps, Como presents the mesmerising view of the mountains and quaint surroundings. The two hour long panoramic cruise on Lake Como takes you to beautiful Bellagio, popularly called ‘The Pearl of Lake Como’. A picture perfect trip indeed!
Recommended Experiences
• Lake Como and Bellagio Guided Day Trip with Coach Transfers from Milan
Milan to Swiss Alps
Enjoy a day trip from Milan to the Bernina pass, a UNESCO World Heritage site travelling to it by the famous Bernina Express and back by an air-conditioned coach. Bernina Express also known as ‘ The Little Red Train’ takes you on surreal journey through the Swiss Alps. The most picturesque Rail route takes you to the famously called ‘ The Top Of the World’ town of St.Moritz, Best known for its cafes and chocolates besides its rare natural beauty, this town offers you an unforgettable experience. The professional guide accompanying you adds to the fun many folds! If you'd rather go by yourself, find everything you need to know on this one-stop guide for your day trip from Milan to Switzerland.
Recommended Experiences
• Day Trip to the Swiss Alps by Bernina Express from Milan
Milan to Venice
A day trip from Milan to the Floating City, Venice offers an impressively scenic drive through the countryside of Italy in the comfort of an air-conditioned coach. Venice rightly called the tourism capital of the world has a number of tourist attractions to enjoy. A two hour walking guided tour gives you an introduction to some of the most amazing attractions of Venice like St. Mark's’ Square, the Basilica, the Grand Canal, Il Fenice Opera House, Doge’s Palace and more. You can avail yourself of the charming gondola ride around the Venetian lagoon. Discover the glorious city at your own pace for the remaining time before you head back to Milan.
Recommended Experiences
• Day Trip to Venice from Milan
Milan to Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Italian Riviera is a must-visit from MIlan. Comprised of 5 lazy towns, namely, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, Monterosso and Vernazza, there is quite a bit to explore, requiring at least a day's time. What's most intriguing about this city is that there are no cars on the streets: so leave behind your traffic woes and explore this joyous city, filled with friendly locals and tourists.
Read more about Day trips from Milan to Cinque Terre .
Recommended Experiences
• Cinque Terre Day Tour from Milan
