Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bergamo?

Q: Is one day enough time in Bergamo?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the beautiful city of Bergamo, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the cuisine, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the nightlife. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bergamo?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Bergamo, Italy? Most people spend two to three days in Bergamo during their visit. After all, the beautiful city will let you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and grab some drinks at a bar.

Bergamo is a beautiful city to the north of Milan. It's divided into two parts - Città Alta and Città Bassa. Most of the points of interest are found in the Città Alta, which also has cobblestone streets and a charming atmosphere. Although many travelers don't make time for Bergamo, those that do will enjoy a beautiful Italian city without the huge crowds.

Do you have one or two days to visit Bergamo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Bergamo?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the beautiful city of Bergamo, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the cuisine, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the nightlife. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to three days for their visit to the mountains here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Bergamo

Perhaps the most famous place in Bergamo is Piazza Vecchia, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. 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.

A few tour suggestions include:

Do Eat Better Experience - Bergamo Traditional food tour ($100)
Cesarine: Home Cooking Class & Meal with a Local in Varenna ($159)
Tour and Tasting of 3 Lugana Wines ($35)

Bergamo is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. There are many pedestrian streets and the best way to explore the city is on foot.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bergamo?

Bergamo is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to experience the ambiance of the town as well as the surrounding vistas and hiking trails. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the beautiful city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have two to three days to fully enjoy the activities in the area. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

Bergamo, Italy

How to spend 2 days in Bergamo

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Bergamo will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

This city offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. 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.

A few tour suggestions include:

HIKING TOUR: VARENNA, Castle of VEZIO Villa MONASTERO, FIUMELATTE ($143)
Bergamo Old Town Scavenger Hunt and Landmarks Self Guided Tour ($7)
Walking tour in an ancient private tower house in the historic center of Bergamo ($22)

This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. 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.

Public transit in Bergamo is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. 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.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Bergamo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.