- The Venetian Walls surrounding Città Alta were built in the 16th century by the Republic of Venice and have remained largely unchanged for over 400 years.
- Bergamo is the birthplace of the Commedia dell'arte character Harlequin (Arlecchino).
- The city's 'Campanone' bell in the Civic Tower still strikes 100 times every night at 10:00 PM, a tradition dating back to the time of the city gates' closure.
- Bergamo features a unique linguistic sub-dialect, Bergamasque, which is distinct from standard Lombard and Italian.
About Bergamo
Bergamo is uniquely defined by its division into two levels: the hilltop Città Alta, enclosed by the historic Mura Veneziane, and the modern Città Bassa. This UNESCO World Heritage site architecture is best exemplified by the ornate facade of the Colleoni Chapel and the intricate interior of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Visitors can trace centuries of regional history through the extensive collections at the Accademia Carrara Museum. The city's dual-character layout is connected by a steep funicular railway, separating the medieval core from the bustling lower urban center.
Highlights of Bergamo
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Historical places
Walk along the 16th-century perimeter for panoramic views across the Po Valley.
Temples
View the remarkable 14th-century tapestries and intricate marble inlay floors.
Temples
Observe the Renaissance funerary architecture dedicated to the condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni.
Historical places
Enter the upper town through this monumental gate, an iconic example of Venetian defensive military engineering.
Museums
View masterpieces by Renaissance painters like Botticelli, Mantegna, and Raphael.
Temples
Explore the central religious site featuring a 19th-century facade and historical relics.
Venues
Visit the namesake theater of composer Gaetano Donizetti, a cultural landmark for opera performances.
Parks
Enjoy expansive green space designed for recreation near the city outskirts.
Top things to do in Bergamo
The 492 highest-rated places in Bergamo, ranked by travellers.
1
Historical places
Porta San Giacomo is a monumental 16th-century gateway located in the Venetian Walls of Bergamo, a UNESCO World Heritage...
2
Temples
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is a 12th-century Romanesque church located in the heart of Bergamo Alta, characterized...
3
Venues
The New Balance Arena, officially known as Gewiss Stadium, serves as the home ground for the Serie A football club Atala...
4
Museums
Accademia Carrara is one of Italy's premier art galleries, originating from the private collection of Count Giacomo Carr...
5
Parks
Parco della Trucca is a large green space located in the western periphery of Bergamo, situated directly adjacent to the...
6
Museums
The E. Caffi Civic Museum of Natural Sciences is housed in the historic Cittadella complex in Bergamo Alta, dating back...
7
Historical places
The Mura Veneziane are a 16th-century fortification system encircling the Città Alta of Bergamo. Commissioned by the Rep...
8
Temples
Bergamo Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Alexander, is the principal place of worship in the city and ser...
9
Natural attractions
The Val Vertova waterfalls are a series of natural cascades and crystal-clear limestone potholes carved by the Vertova s...
10
Venues
The Teatro Gaetano Donizetti is a historic opera house located in the Lower Town of Bergamo, named after the city's most...
11
Places of interest
The Fanzago Planetary Clock, located in Clusone, is a 16th-century horological masterpiece mounted on the facade of the...
12
Venues
Creberg Teatro Bergamo is a modern multipurpose performance venue situated in the Borgo Palazzo district of Bergamo. The...
13
Temples
The Colleoni Chapel is a Renaissance masterpiece commissioned by Bartolomeo Colleoni, a famous condottiero, as his priva...
14
Parks
Redona Park is a modern urban green space located in the northeastern district of Redona in Bergamo. The park was redeve...
15
Museums
The Rocca di Bergamo is a 14th-century fortress situated on the Sant'Eufemia hill, serving as a panoramic lookout point...
16
Amusement parks
Bergamo Adventure Park is an outdoor aerial obstacle facility located in the municipality of Roncola, nestled in the Ima...
17
Historical places
Piazza della Cittadella is a historic square located in the upper town of Bergamo, Città Alta, serving as the entrance t...
18
Museums
GAMeC is housed in the restored 15th-century complex of the former Dimesse e Servite monastery in Bergamo. It functions...
19
Museums
The Bergamo Botanical Garden 'Lorenzo Rota' is a scientific institution perched on the upper slopes of Città Alta, occup...
20
Historical places
Porta San Lorenzo, also known as Porta Garibaldi, is one of the four historic gates piercing the 16th-century Venetian W...
21
Parks
Sant'Agostino Park is a public green space located along the Venetian Walls of Upper Bergamo (Città Alta). The park is s...
22
Places of interest
Ponte di Attone is a historic pedestrian bridge located in Clanezzo, where the Imagna stream flows into the Brembo River...
23
Historical places
Porta Sant'Agostino serves as the primary eastern entrance to Bergamo's Upper Town, known as Città Alta. It was commissi...
24
Amusement parks
Parco Avventura Torre Boldone is an outdoor high-ropes course located on the outskirts of Bergamo in the Seriana Valley....
25
Historical places
The Monument to the Partisan is located in Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, serving as a focal point in the lower city of Berga...
26
Historical places
Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe serves as the primary gateway into the heart of Bergamo Alta, the city's historic upper town...
27
Museums
The Convento di San Francesco is a 13th-century Franciscan monastery complex located in Bergamo's Città Alta that now ho...
28
Temples
The Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie is a prominent Neoclassical church located in the lower city of Bergam...
29
Historical places
The Antico Lavatoio, or Ancient Wash-house, is a preserved 19th-century public laundry facility located in the heart of...
30
Parks
Parco del Volontariato is a significant green space in Villa di Serio, managed as part of the Parco del Serio North regi...
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Bergamo on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Bergamo
May to June or September to October, when the weather is mild for exploring the steep, cobblestone streets of the Città Alta on foot.
2-3 days to fully explore the historic upper town and the museums of the lower city.
The lower city is navigated by bus and foot, while the funicular is the primary method for reaching the historic Città Alta.
Stay in Città Alta for immediate access to historical sites and narrow medieval lanes, or choose Città Bassa for better transport links and modern dining.
Mid-range; while accommodation and dining are generally affordable, costs rise in the historic center during peak tourist months.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 492 curated attractions in and around Bergamo, ranked by traveller ratings.
Porta San Giacomo is the highest-rated place to visit in Bergamo right now.
The largest category is temples, with 207 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
Explore more of Italy
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
