Bergamo’s youthful vibe—embodied in the city’s third-wave coffee shops and hip boutiques—belies its medieval roots. The atmospheric old town (Città Alta), connected to the modern city below via funicular, is encircled by 16th-century city walls; its compact tangle of winding lanes, pretty squares, and elegant churches and palazzi is easy to tour on foot. Many travelers use Bergamo as a base for exploring nearby A-listers like Lake Como and its villas, Lake Garda and Sirmione, the cities of Verona and Venice, and the Franciacorta wine region.
Down in Bergamo’s sprawling Città Bassa, La BiGi Bergamo bike-sharing scheme is a low-cost and eco-friendly way to get around. You can sign up online and add multiple bikes to one account. If you’re feeling energetic, you can reach the Città Alta by foot or bike, or skip the steep climb by taking the funicular instead. Once there, the narrow and car-free old town streets are best explored on foot.
Many visitors skip past Bergamo when traveling around Northern Italy, so the city rarely feels overrun with tourists, even in the peak summer season. A big date for the city calendar is in March when the Bergamo Jazz Festival entices an international crowd with live music at the Donizetti Theater (Teatro Donizetti) and many city bars. Another popular date is the Bergamo Historic Gran Prix in May when vintage cars converge on Piazza Cittadella in the Città Alta.
Many Italian cities have symbols of blessings, and Bergamo is no different. In this city, you’ll need to head to the Colleoni Chapel in Città Alta and look for the well-worn coat of arms on the chapel’s gate. The Colleoni family crest bears three testicles—another story in itself—and rubbing them with your right hand is believed to bring good luck.
