A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Siena vs. Bergamo for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Siena or Bergamo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Siena and Bergamo can help you decide which place is right for you.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bergamo

Bergamo is a under-rated, historical, and fascinating city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Siena and Bergamo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Siena or Bergamo?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Siena than Bergamo. While Bergamo is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Siena is more touristy than Bergamo and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. It is also well known for Piazza del Campo. Bergamo is famous for its historical buildings and beautiful squares.

How is Siena different from Bergamo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bergamo and Siena. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Siena or Bergamo?

Siena is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bergamo. There are historical buildings as well as fascinating museums that are worth checking out. Highlights include the Basilica of St. Mary Major, Colleoni Chapel, the Accademia Carrara, and the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro.

Is the Food Better in Siena or Bergamo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Siena and Bergamo offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Siena makes for a great culinary experience. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Bergamo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. You'll find traditional restaurants around town that serve the local specialties, many of which have their roots in peasant dishes. The flavors are humble but high quality and the food is fresh and masterfully prepared.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Siena and Bergamo.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bergamo. Despite not being high on the itinerary of many travelers, the city has a great nightlife scene that includes many local bars and clubs. You can enjoy a local brew or sip some Italian wine while you enjoy the atmosphere of the old town.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Bergamo has an old town worth visiting. Since the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has become more popular with visitors. Still, you can enjoy the authentic and less touristy vibe of this beautiful city.

Is the Shopping Better in Siena or Bergamo?

Both Siena and Bergamo are nice shopping destinations.

Siena is a great destination for shopping. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bergamo. There are a number of shopping areas around town including shopping malls and shopping streets. You'll find most of the major brands as well as some interesting boutique shops.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Families?

Most people don't think of either Siena or Bergamo as a family destination.

Siena is not the most family-friendly destination. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Bergamo is not always a place people visit with their families. It's a beautiful city that is filled with history, and for kids there are pedestrian streets to explore and great Italian food. There's also the Museo di Scienze Naturali, which is worth checking out.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Bergamo is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will appreciate the beautiful architecture and impressive squares. There are also great restaurants and pedestrian streets that are fun to wander through.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Siena and Bergamo are nice destinations for backpackers.

Siena is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

It's common for backpackers to visit Bergamo. While it's not the most popular backpacker city in Italy, it does have a couple of hostels and guesthouses that offer affordable rates and a young vibe.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Students?

Siena is notable for students. Also, Bergamo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

Plenty of students visit Bergamo. The university attracts international students and the city makes a great base for learning and exploring.

Is Siena or Bergamo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Siena and Bergamo offer nice public transit options.

Siena has a few public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Bergamo has some public transit options. There are buses around town as well as two funiculars, one connecting Città Bassa with the Città Alta and the other connecting Città Alta to San Vigilio.

Is Siena or Bergamo a more walkable city?

Siena and Bergamo both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

Bergamo is a very walkable city. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Siena Worth Visiting? and Is Bergamo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bergamo or Siena?

How long in Siena or Bergamo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Siena and Bergamo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bergamo than in Siena. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Siena, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bergamo.

Families should spend more time in Siena than Bergamo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Siena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Bergamo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Siena that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Siena than Bergamo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Siena.

One day in Siena or Bergamo?

In Siena, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Bergamo, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fascinating destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Siena or Bergamo?

In Siena, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Siena has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bergamo. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Siena or Bergamo?

Siena is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Bergamo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bergamo. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Siena or Bergamo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Siena. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bergamo. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Siena and Bergamo, we can see that Bergamo is more expensive. And not only is Siena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Siena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Siena and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bergamo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bergamo than you might in Siena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Siena Expensive? and Is Bergamo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Siena or Bergamo?

Bergamo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Siena and Bergamo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Siena or Bergamo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Siena or Bergamo in the Summer?

Both Bergamo and Siena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Siena this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bergamo for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Siena is around the same temperature as Bergamo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Siena in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bergamo averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Bergamo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Siena. Siena usually receives more sunshine than Bergamo during summer. Siena gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Siena usually receives less rain than Bergamo. Siena gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Siena or Bergamo in the Autumn?

Both Bergamo and Siena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bergamo in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Siena is generally a little warmer than Bergamo. Daily temperatures in Siena average around 16°C (61°F), and Bergamo fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In the autumn, Siena often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Siena gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 137 hours of full sun.

Bergamo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Siena usually gets less rain in October than Bergamo. Siena gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Siena or Bergamo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Siena and Bergamo. Many visitors come to Siena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bergamo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bergamo can be very cold during winter. Siena is much warmer than Bergamo in the winter. The daily temperature in Siena averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Bergamo fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Siena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bergamo during winter. Siena gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Bergamo receives 98 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Siena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bergamo. Siena gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Siena or Bergamo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Siena as well as Bergamo. Most visitors come to Siena for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bergamo because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Siena is around the same temperature as Bergamo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Siena in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Bergamo averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Siena often gets more sunshine than Bergamo. Siena gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bergamo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Siena usually gets less rain in April than Bergamo. Siena gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bergamo receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bergamo and Siena