Is Bergamo expensive to visit?
Bergamo is a charming destination that draws in visitors with an array of travel preferences, spending habits, and budgetary choices. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
If you're not cautious, Bergamo can become costly, but you can save with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and taking public transit.
On average, budget travelers spend $85 (€81) per day, mid-range travelers spend $195 (€185) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $419 (€398) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Bergamo.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Bergamo is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Mont-Saint-Michel or Cadiz.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Bergamo Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Bergamo?
The average Bergamo trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Bergamo travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Bergamo cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
When planning your trip to Bergamo, it's important to have realistic expectations about your budget. Many believe they can travel on a shoestring, but that often leads to either uncomfortable travel experiences or some surprisingly high expenses. Consider your vacation style. Do you enjoy staying in hostels, resorts, regular hotels, or vacation rentals? Are attractions and dining experiences a priority? These factors will affect how much you spend and your itinerary.
What is a budget traveler, anyway?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $85 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Fortunately, you'll find plenty of hostels in Bergamo, such as Grem Bike Hostel. These hostels provide inexpensive dormitory lodging and a friendly atmosphere, but amenities are quite limited. Dining is a highlight for all types of visitors in Bergamo, but budget travelers typically settle for street food or hostel meals, meaning they may not fully enjoy the delightful local cuisine.
Are You Considered an Average Traveler?
As a couple or family looking for fun, you're likely to choose a mid-range hotel, dine at popular restaurants, and explore the major museums and attractions with entry fees. Most visitors to Bergamo will want to visit San Vigilio Castle, Teatro Sociale, or the Civic Museum of Natural Sciences. After all, most activities do cost money. Therefore, it's sensible to expect your daily budget to be approximately $195 per person, per day.
There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Bergamo. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. B&B San Lorenzo is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Petronilla - Hotel In Bergamo is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Bergamo here.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If you're looking for an all-encompassing vacation filled with luxurious amenities and higher-level service, prepare your budget for around $419 per day. Selecting nicer hotels, savoring meals at award-winning establishments, indulging in lavish adventures, and traveling around the city with taxis or private drivers will call for a luxury budget. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as 2.5-hour Private Bergamo Walking Tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Bergamo
Bergamo has a wide range of hotel prices. Luxury hotels come with higher price tags and better amenities, and prices are much steeper during peak season. On average, a room costs $96 in the off-season and averages $179 during peak summer season. Overall, you can expect prices from $71 to $265. Hostels, especially dorms, are cheaper alternatives. You can save by traveling in the low season, booking in advance, or looking for special offers.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Bergamo for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $172 (€167). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $86 (€83) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Bergamo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Bergamo include:
- Relais San Vigilio al Castello starting at $200
- Petronilla - Hotel In Bergamo starting at $160
- GombitHotel starting at $165
- Le Funi Hotel starting at $115
- Hotel Piazza Vecchia starting at $138
While Bergamo has a good public transit system that allows for staying farther from the city, cheaper accommodations could lead to more expensive and time-consuming commutes.
By skipping summer and traveling during the low or shoulder season, you'll enjoy lower accommodation rates and fewer crowds.
Walking is a favorite way for many to see Bergamo, so look for lodging in a prime location. Keep in mind, though, that this can raise your expenses.
The city's alluring old town pulls in numerous visitors. Although hotels in this area can be more expensive, they typically offer plenty of charm and convenient access to nearby attractions.
Transportation Budget in Bergamo
The public transit in Bergamo is quite good and serves many major spots. 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. Public transportation is a great money-saving choice if it's accessible to where you're headed. Taxis and rideshares are also widely available in town.
For those who enjoy foot exploration, this destination is perfect. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.
Public Transit: (good)
Walkability: (great)
Calculated from travelers like you
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On average, past travelers have spent $33 (€32) per person, per day, on local transportation in Bergamo. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Bergamo is significantly more than public transportation.
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Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$33
€32
When driving, confirm that your hotel has convenient parking options.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private transfer from Orio al Serio for $121 details
- Private Transfer from Milan Bergamo Airport to Bergamo hotels for $109 details
- Bergamo to Bergamo Airport (BGY) - Departure Private Transfer for $109 details
How much does it cost to go to Bergamo? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Bergamo will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Bergamo
You'll find that the food in Bergamo is wonderful. Be sure to spend time enjoying all the local flavors. 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.
Calculated from travelers like you
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While restaurant and meal prices in Bergamo can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Bergamo is $75 (€73) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
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Food2
Meals for one day
$75
€73
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Bergamo is around $77 (€73) per person, with previous travelers spending from $32 to $171. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Bergamo are as follows:
- Breakfast: $8 to $23
- Lunch: $12 to $31
- Dinner: $23 to $54
- Coffee: $6
- Fast Food or Street Food: $12
Fifteen years ago, Trattoria Camozzi Claudio opened its doors to fellow inhabitants of Bergamo and has not looked back since. Owned by the Canji family, Trattoria Camozzi Claudio seeks to bring the flavors of the Mediterranean into the mouths of Northern Italians. A first-rate eatery, Trattoria Camozzi Claudio provides an intimate setting for the friends, families, and followers of the restaurant with its fusion of classic and modern design. Comprising mostly of seafood, the menu features meats carefully selected by the best of Italian producers, allowing for only the freshest ingredients to even touch a plate at Trattoria Camozzi Claudio. Some of the restaurant's meals include fillet of sea bream in a potato crust, tuna steak with rocket in balsamic sauce garden, filleted sea bass with asparagus and prawns, and ravioli blacks bass of homemade fresh tomato and basil.
Many hotels include breakfast in their pricing structure, while some charge additional fees for it. The quality and cost can vary significantly by hotel. Knowing this in advance can help you decide whether to allocate more money. It might be worth paying for the delicious hotel buffet, or you could go to a local bakery or cafe that's less expensive.
Carry your own water bottle instead of spending on drinks. It's also a positive step for the environment.
While planning your tour, it's essential to know which meals are included. You may find yourself paying for some meals, which can add to your travel budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Bergamo, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Walking and Food Tour Varenna in Lake Como for $189 details
- Private cooking class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Bergamo for $152 details
- Varenna Walking Tour and Cooking Class for $278 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Bergamo
It's easy to see why people visit Bergamo, given its food, museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights.
Calculated from travelers like you
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Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Bergamo typically cost an average of $34 (€33) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$34
€33
Some of the most popular sights include:
- San Vigilio Castle (Free)
- Teatro Sociale for €6
- The Civic Museum of Natural Sciences for €3
- Rocca di Bergamo for €5
- The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore for €5
- Accademia Carrara for €15
- The Donizetti Museum for €5
Undoubtedly the most majestic construction found throughout the elegant Bergamo, the Cappella Colleoni is a significant landmark that gives the city distinction. Built between 1472 and 1476, the church was originally built as the personal shrine for the condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni, the most famous captain of Italian venture, and his beloved daughter Medea. A masterwork from the Italian Renaissance, the design was entrusted to Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. Cappella Colleoni was designed in an octagonal tambour dome and in the lantern cusp with the usage of polychrome marbles. Within the church, an endless amount of art awaits you. From the nine plaques that refer to the Biblical stories to statues of the three saints John, Mark and Bartholomew, Cappella Colleoni is truly a work of artistic genius. The tomb of beloved Bartolomeo is also found within the church and can be viewed by the public. Cappella Colleoni is open from Tuesday to Sunday, but the times vary depending on the time of the year. Admission is free, so get a taste of Italian culture at the Cappella Colleoni!
Enjoy the natural beauty of Bergamo as well and explore the eighty kilometer-long mountain range of the Orobie Alps. Throughout the mountains, lush, bountiful ecosystems allow the Orobie Alps to attain a distinct biodiversity. Consisting of peaks, ridges, valleys, fields, forests, woods and natural environments of extraordinary value, the Orobie Alps also are spotted with quaint farmhouses and cottages. Covering half the provincial territory of Bergamo, the Orobie Alps have held a special cultural and historical significance to its people. Relish in its pristine countryside and untouched woodlands by hiking on one of the well-marked footpaths. If you are feeling adventurous, you can continue to follow this path until it reaches the mountain's peak, where a once-in-a-lifetime view awaits you. However, it should be stated that while mountains like Coca, Redorta, and Scais are beautiful, these mountains can be quite treacherous and are normally only reserved for expert mountaineers. The remaining mountains and surrounding land, however, is open to the general public. Be sure to prepare yourself fully for an amazing expedition across the Orobie Alps!
A nice way to explore destinations in Bergamo is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- 2.5-hour private walking tour of the Upper Town for $115 details
- ADVENTURE TOUR QUAD 2.5H | MORENIC HILLS and LAKE GARDA for $208 details
- Private Half Day Canyoning Tour in Gordona for $217 details
Nightlife Budget in Bergamo
While Bergamo offers some nightlife options, they aren't as bustling as those in other more popular locations. 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.
Calculated from travelers like you
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The average person spends about $24 (€23) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Bergamo per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$24
€23
While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.
While enjoying a night out, remember to stay alert. If you're drinking, you might become an easy target for thieves, so it's best to stay with friends you trust.
Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Bergamo. A few favorites from other travelers include:
- E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting from Salò for $88 details
- Wine Tasting Experience in Oltrepò for $41 details
- E-Bike and tour from Lonato del Garda with Wine Tasting for $88 details