About 45-60 minutes outside of Milan (traffic-depending or train schedules), you’ll find Bergamo. Bergamo is a unique medieval town that has since expanded into quite a modern city as well, depending if you venture to Citta Alta or Citta Bassa. Given it’s prime location, it is easy to take a day trip from Milan and spend one day in Bergamo, Italy.
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With only one day to spend, I recommend heading to Citta Alta first, the more interesting and historic section of the city. With any leftover time you can also visit Citta Bassa. Citta Bassa is where the train station is so this also means you won’t need to rush from the upper portion of the city to make your train later on.
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Arrive at Citta Alta
There are several ways to get to Citta Alta. One is to take the funicular. The ride is fairly short (3 minutes) and not necessarily scenic. In order to double-check operating dates and times, check out the link here.
I prefer to walk as I promise the route looks more daunting/steep than it is. As a self-proclaimed speed walker, it took me maybe 10-minutes maximum to reach the top. Taking this route, you’ll enter the city through Porta San Giacomo, the marble gate and former main entrance to the city of Bergamo.
Stroll down Via Bartolomeo Colleoni
This is the main drag within Citta Alta. Here, you’ll find many local shops and restaurants. If you’re looking for larger retail chains, you’ll need to venture back to Citta Bassa. Piazza del Duomo is located directly off of the street, where you can visit the following locations:
Visit the Basilica
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is well-worth the 5 Euro entrance fee. The story behind the basilica is quite touching. During the years of the plague, citizens of Bergamo prayed to Mary and asked her to protect them from the plague and keep them healthy. If so, they would build a church to dedicate to her and honor her. Once the plague passed, and many people in the town of Bergamo were spared illness, they began to build the basilica in 1137. Upon entering, you can see just how grand they made this church!
Inside you’ll find frescoes, tapestries, and an incredible ornate and colorful space. Take the time to walk around and take in the space. And, like I always say, don’t forget to look up! Image #3 below is actually the ceiling!
If you visit the basilica on the weekends, the Treasury may be open for visitation. Here you can find historical items from the church’s history such as vestments, chalices and other decorations. If you enter, be sure to pay attention to the unique frescoes you can see on the way up the stairs.
NOTE: Remember to check the hours!!! The church and many shops in the town maintain tradition of closing for a few hours during the lunch period, make sure you plan accordingly!
Capella Colleoni
Attached to the basilica, you can also enter this 15th century chapel, Capella Colleoni. It was constructed in the late 1400s and is dedicated to St. Mark, St. Barthomelu, and John the Baptist. Entrance here is free, but make sure you don’t take pictures or videos inside (albeit the small sign near the entrance, many visitors do not see it, and the volunteer inside WILL call you out and yell).
Head Next Door to the Cathedral
Given you only have one day in Bergamo to explore, it’s lucky the next site is right next door to the basilica! The Cathedral of Bergamo is free to enter and is another must-see while in Bergamo.
Enjoy an Authentic Bergamo Meal
I truly believe food is one of the best ways to learn about and immerse yourself in a culture. Now, don’t be surprised when I tell you one of my favorite stops for food is actually at a beer place: La Birerria Bergamo Alta. Don’t fret, beyond having an incredible beer selection, they also serve up delicious and traditional dishes from Bergamo and Lombardy.
However, with only one day in Bergamo I plead with you to order the casoncelli, a specialty from this region. It is a pasta stuffed with a mixture of meat, breadcrumbs, and sometimes cheese served with . It is presumed the original recipe dates back to the 1300s and once you taste it you’ll understand how this has remained a city staple for hundreds of years.
If you have a big appetite, you may want to indulge in booking a Guided Food Tour. Don’t worry – you will definitely try casoncelli on this tour! With a food tour, you’ll have the flexibility to sample more items.
Eat the Original Stracciattella Gelato
It’s easy to be confused on knowing what stracciatella is. Is it a type cheese? Yes. Is it a gelato flavor? Also, yes. Today we are focusing on the gelato. Stracciatella is better known as chocolate chip.
A must-visit during a day trip to Bergamo should include a stop at the iconic La Marianna. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll be overjoyed once you try their world-famous stracciatella gelato. I consider myself a fair-weather gelato snob. After so much time in Italy, my taste buds can definitely recognize the so-so from the great. But let’s be honest, is there really such a thing as bad gelato? Maybe not. BUT after my day trip to Bergamo I learned there is such a thing as mind-blowing gelato.
Their stracciatella was smooth and flavorful with large chunks of chocolate chips packed inside. I understand how the rest of the world quickly wanted to copy this recipe. I can truly say this was THE best cup of stracciatella gelato I’ve ever had in Italy (and the world!).
Walk the Medieval Walls
If time permits, golden hour is the perfect photo opportunity on the old Bergamo city walls. The vantage points are incredible and you have a magnificent view of sunset over Citta Bassa and the surrounding area.
Walk Around Citta Bassa
With any leftover time during your day in Bergamo you can head back to Citta Bassa and explore the streets here. Keep in mind, this section of the city is much more modern and not necessarily as charming as the medieval portion.
Overall, I hope you enjoyed your day trip to Bergamo, Italy!
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