The 30 best Hotels in Bergamo region

About Bergamo

The name Berghem, of Celtic origin, means "dwelling on the mountain." A very particular city, is divided into two parts, Bergamo bassa (lower Bergamo), economic and commercial centre, and Bergamo alta, (upper Bergamo) the old town, elegant and with Roman and Venetian elements (and not only), connected by a convenient funicular which offers a splendid view over the city and the immense "Parco dei Colli" (a huge green area) and its surroundings.
A few miles from the ski slopes and the thermal spas in the area: a city for all tastes.

Moving around

The Airport Milan - Orio al Serio is easily accessible from all over Lombardy and is characterized by a particularly favourable geographical position, both for its central location in an heavily industrialized area and its proximity to places of particular interest.
There are two bus companies that connect Milan with Orio al Serio: Autostradale, and Orio Shuttle. The bus leave from the Central Station. The ticket price is almost the same (about 10 euros) and buses leave every 15 minutes: the journey takes about an hour.
From Bergamo instead, you can reach the airport from the railway station. There are three types of tickets, which include the use -on the same day- of all the lines of the ATB (the local public transportation company) in the urban area, including funicular railways and luggage: single (2€), 24 hours (4.50€) and 72 hours (7€). The journey takes 20 minutes.
If you have time, the Oriocenter is connected to the airport via an underground walkway. It takes about 5 minutes to get there. The Oriocenter is one of the most important and prestigious shopping malls in Europe. It houses 200 shops, bars, restaurants and many of the best international brands: open every day of the week.
At Bergamo you can get around by foot and by bus: the city is divided into 5 zones, but if you are travelling for tourism you will only visit zone 1. You can buy a single ticket, which costs 1.20€ and lasts 75 minutes, a carnet of 10 trips (10.50€) and a day ticket (3.50€). These tickets are also valid for the funicular.

Out & About

These are the "not to miss" places of the Città alta: Piazza Vecchia, described by Le Corbusier as "the most beautiful square in Europe", houses the Public Library, the Palazzo della Ragione (twelfth century), the eighteenth-century's Contarini Fountain, the Palazzo del Podestà dating back to 1340, the time when Bergamo was under the rule of the Venetian, the Campanone, the very high civic tower that each night at 10 p.m. tolls 100 strokes recalling the days when the city gates were closed at night.
The Palazzo della Ragione is now the City Hall. It's very elegant, characterized by a large open porch on the ground floor and the hall of council meetings on the first floor.
From the porch of the Palazzo della Ragione you arrive in Piazza Duomo, which concentrates all the major monuments of the city: the Cathedral, Santa Maria Maggiore Colleoni Chapel and the octagonal Baptistery.
The historic Torre dell'Adalberto, that dates back to the XII century, is located in the the Piazzetta della Ciutadella. At the Visconti Palace you can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Natural Sciences Enrico Caffi. Crossing the square you get to Colle Aperto where you can admire the Colle di San Vigilio, which can be reached by funicular. There you'll have the chance to visit the church and the ancient castle, that date back to 800. Located at the highest point of the city, it allows you to enjoy a breathtaking view of Bergamo.
The upper part of Bergamo is surrounded by walls, the Venetian walls, dating back to the XV century and 6200 meters long. Outside the original walls had been added bastions, that give the city an appearance of an impregnable fortress.

Lower Bergamohosts the Prefecture and the Province. The main street of this district is Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII (formerly Viale Rome), connecting the railway station to Porta Nuova.
On the Sentierone, a long tree-lined street, you'll find the main city theatre, the Gaetano Donizetti and the church of Saints Bartolomeo and Stefano, officiated by the Dominican Fathers: this church hosts the famous altarpiece of Lorenzo Lotto, called Pala Martinengo.
Last but not least, always in the area, the monument to the partisans made by Giacomo Manzù.

What's going on in

Each year, from August 26 onwards you'll get to see the Sant'Alessandro Fair, preceded by that of the ancient village of Santa Caterina. It is celebrated in honour of the patron and has initiatives of all kinds: religious, theatrical and culinary.
During Christmas, the typical Christmas markets and traditional stalls of Santa Lucia, are set up. The day of Saint Lucia, in fact, is the day when children receive their gifts in the area of Bergamo.
At carnival celebrations include a parade through the streets, as well as masks and allegorical floats, and the stake of the Old Lady, a symbolic way to burn the city's problems.
The tradition of the Commedia dell'Arte is quite related to Bergamo and it's famous throughout the world: from Bergamo come the Zanni, ancestors of famous masks such as Harlequin, a servant from Bergamo, and Giopì and Margì, pivotal characters of the puppet theater.
Other interesting events are the Bergamo Film Meeting, historic rendezvous with the art-house cinema, the International Film Festival of Art in which the protagonist is the art in all its forms of expression, Science Bergamo, a showcase in which knowledge and science are offered to the general public, Nights of Light, appointments, music and culture to discover the historic and beautiful sites of the city, and much more.

Shopping

If you are at the airport and you have some time, the Oriocenter is connected to the airport via an underground walkway. It takes about 5 minutes to get there. The Oriocenter is one of the most important and prestigious shopping malls in Europe.
If you like markets, in Bergamo alta, there is a "must go" place for lovers of antiques and curiosities, called Mercantico. It takes place every third Sunday of the month under the arcades of the Public Library Angelo Maj.
The main shopping streets are located in the Città bassa: Via XX Settembre, Via Sant' Alessandro, Via Torquato Tasso, Viale Papa GIovanni XXIII. In the upper town there are some interesting shops in Via Colleoni. You'll find Coin, one of the best Italian department stores, in Via Zamboni.

What's cooking?

Queen of the table in the province of Bergamo is certainly the polenta, made with corn flour and water, yellow and compact. The best way to cook it is over a wood fire, in the characteristic copper pots that make the flavour stronger. It can be seasoned with butter and cheese or it can accompany braised and "codeghì" (a large boiled pork sausage).
The polsetto, veal stew, is one of the most typical dishes among the second courses, while the top can not miss the casonsei and scarpinòcc of Parre, traditional ravioli made more delicious by a dressing of melted butter and sage. The taleggio cheese is the best-known cheese of the area, one of the many cheeses that, with ancient wisdom, are still produced in the valleys of Bergamo.
Among the wines, one of the most famous is the Moscato di Scanzo, a dessert wine, sweet and harmonious, with a slight almond aftertaste.
Known around the world are also the mineral waters of Bergamo's valleys, where it also is produced excellent honey.

Weather

In Bergamo, winters are cold and summers are quite warm. From November to March fogs are frequent, while in summer the climate is very humid. In winter it snows frequently, while in summer the temperature can reach 35 degrees.

So...

Visit the lower part of the city and then fly with the funicular at the top of the town, the oldest part, where you will be surrounded by its medieval atmosphere. It won't disappoint you.