Last Updated on 27/12/2023 by kami
Bergamo is often overlooked by tourist who arrive to Italy with low cost airlines and head straight to Milan. Big, big mistake! The city is the prettiest, with cobbled streets and beautiful architecture of the upper and lower town and this typical Italian vibe that is enjoyed by so many people (including me). After seeing some Bergamo pictures I put the city on my Italy Bucket List. I’ve been hoping to visit it for such a long time but flight schedule never was on my side. Finally, at the beginning of the year I found really cheap tickets at perfect time and 2 weeks later I headed to Bergamo for 24 hours!
The first moments in the city weren’t the best. It was raining cats and dogs and very quickly I was all wet. Fortunately the only thing I had to do was getting to my accommodation so it wasn’t that bad after all. The next morning wasn’t much better, the weather was grey and gloomy but at least it wasn’t raining that heavily, only pouring now and then (after all travelling in January is a little bit tricky). But I was so ready to see what Bergamo has to offer!
My main point of interest was the Upper Town as that’s where the whole magic of Bergamo is. But before I got there I walked around the lower part of the city to see what it is about. It was a regular Thursday morning, people were enjoying their coffee or heading to their duties and I felt like I’m the only tourist there. Eventually I reached the funicular, one of the most distinctive things about Bergamo, that took me to the Upper Town. It really was as incredible as I expected! Narrow cobbled streets, old-fashioned shops and restaurants, old houses and piazzas… It was so enchanting and felt like the time has stopped there years ago.
After grabbing some pizza (one of the reasons why I went to Italy anyway) I caught another funicular to go even higher, to San Vigilio. The view from there was just spectacular! The Upper Town, the surrounding mountains, the residential areas… everything was perfectly seen from there! I was just staring spellbound at the landscape, trying to take it all in, to remember every detail of what’s in front of me. It was just perfect and the gloomy weather actually added up to the atmosphere and look of the place!
I came back to the Upper Town but taking the longer way around. I just couldn’t get enough of this place! No matter where I look, from which angle I admired the view of the Upper Town’s roofs and towers and the surrounding landscape, it took my breath away! I dare to say Bergamo is one of the most picturesque cities in Italy! Unfortunately the weather got worse so after a quick walk around I hid in the charming cafe to warm up a little before I explore some more. And it was the wisest decision as soon the day got much better.
Since I’m a huge fan of looking at the city from the above and I still wasn’t bored of the views that Bergamo had to offer I went up the Campanone, the tower dating back to the 13th century. 3€ and 30 seconds later I was at the top, with my jaw dropped down! The view was the best of all I’ve seen on that day! Red rooftops, hidden courtyards and rolling hills hidden in clouds made me fall in love with the place, big time.
It was slowly getting dark so before heading to the airport I quickly came back to San Vigilio to take last glance at the view. The sky was pink, the silence around was trembling in my ears and, the city below turned on the lights. I was saying good bye to the place that stole my heart so quickly, the one I know I will keep returning to, just to be there and enjoy it slow pace and enchanting look.
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If you head to north Italy via Bergamo make yourself a favor and spend at least a day there. It is totally worth it and I’m sure you’ll love the city as much as I did! Just take a look how pretty it is!
