Things To Do In Bergamo

Bergamo Historic Interest

Bergamo , city is the capital of Bergamo province. in Lombardy,  sitting in the foothills of the Alps. It is an industrial and an agricultural market town. Industries are machinery, textiles, and cement. Originally Gallic the town of  Bergamo became  independent in the 12th cent. Bergamo is divided into two sections: the old, hilltop town and the modern, lower sector. Noteworthy buildings in the old town include a Romanesque church (12th cent.), the beautiful Renaissance Colleoni chapel (15th cent.), and the Santa di Maria Maggiore Bapistry.

Visit Citta Alta

Bergamo is only a few minutes drive in your hired car from the airport to reach the city of Bergamo which is well worth a visit  but wait until you get up into the medieval Citta Alta . It is all very old and architecturally stunning. Students come in droves from all over to study architecture here. It’s absolutely stunning!  There is a “Funicolare” …. a funicular railway which takes you up to the Citta Alta which is an old walled city. Only wear sensible shoes or boots if you decide to walk as it’s uphill and cobbled but the views are amazing from the top.    There are lots of shops and delicatessens here to keep anyone happy! If you are touring in your hire car  Bergamo is not to be missed it is a wonderful place you will not be disappointed as it is a hidden treasure!!

Go to the Piazza Vecchia

This is the best location for exploring as you are right in the centre of the old city of Bergamo. There are lots of bakeries and cafes all over the place so you will never have a problem looking for something to eat   If Piazza Vecchia is the heart of Citta Alta then via Colleoni must be it’s soul. This is where visitors spend most of their time, strolling up and down this street which reminds to an artery. There are numerous and very pitoresque window shops on both of its sides offering shop for souvenirs, clothing, works of art and so on.. In case you feel tired of shopping in Bergamo and need a rest, dump your shopping in the car and try the gallery of cafe-pastry Donizetti.

Sample the Local Polenta

Polenta is corn meal, which accompanies most meals in the Lombardy region in place of potatoes or rice.  Originally, it was a “poor mans” meal – to provide a fill up with the small portions of meat. It is still widely served up in various ways today, the same as rice and potatoes can be.  On yout visit to Bergamo sample some of the Polenta, the one flavoured with sage is delicious.  Throughout the Citta Alta, you’ll come across these yellow mounds laden sweetness on display in Patisseries. A  typical Bergamo cake.  The cakes are made to resemble a pile of polenta, with chocolate and /or little marzipan birds on the top.  There are various ways for the recipe -polenta stuffed with sponge cake and filled with a terrific hazelnut cream filling or  a liqueur all covered in a yellow  icing  or marzipan  then rolled in little sugar crystals. On top of the cake may be  apricot jam and the birds   Long ago the Polenta was cooked with larks and thrushes!!!!!  A custom long since gone and the only birds you will find are on top of the cake!!

Good Pubs

Tucans Irish Bar in Citta Alta

This is a popular and cosy looking bar to call  for ‘a night-cap’. but you may end up staying much longer!!  Why in Italy go to an Irish bar? Well surprisingly, there were many locals in here – it has character, and the Guinness was good.  Yes, there’s Guinness memorabilia on the walls etc, and in the window display, but sadly no Irish Drinking songs’.  The bar is quite small, with dark wood floors and furniture. Small ables with stools and a raised platform area with more seating and tables.  Ordere a pint of Guinness and settle down for a natter and laugh.

Pub 212 Barcode: Late night bar

After your evening meal if you’re looking to find somewhere to enjoy a drink, before heading back to your hotel. head over to this trendy looking bar located in the old archways. Up  a flight of stairs is cafeteria style seats in a mezzanine level overlooking the bar. It’s mainly a young trendy crowd  seated in this area, great music but chatting was a bit difficult!!  There is fantastic list of cocktails. Try Prosecco and strawberry or the champagne cocktails,While  waiting for your drinks do a bit of people watching, and look down below,and see your drinks being made at the bar.    This bar has many levels, with rooms off the staircase.and a there’s an elevator to the VIP lounge!  Even the toilets are worth a visit!   Smart casual.dress, jeans allowed. Bergamos young and trendy head. A great night/early morning in here!

Beer & Wine: ‘British’ pub

Out in Bergamo’s lower city in the evening and want a drink in relaxed surroundings? You will like this place. The atmosphere and service was efficient and friendly.   Beer & Wine is styled as a typical English pub but it’s a typically Italian take on one with continental service and plenty of British and Irish paraphernalia on the walls. It’s nice to have your drinks brought to you and or to order cocktails or hot chocolate as well as the normal pub drinks. There are bar snacks available.  Conveniently situated for anyone staying in the lower part of Bergamo,  Dtress code is very casual – anything goes in the Beer & Wine.

Shopping in Bergamo

Italians love fashion and because of that, there are great shops, boutiques, and  malls. Apart from clothing, most tourists love stocking up on the wine and food available  in abundance in  Bergamo like excellent olive oils, spices, and mouthwatering cured meats.  Bergamo stays true to the Italian ways and is stocked with shopping opportunities for everyone.  Get the free Bergamo Tourist Card before you leave the Orio al Serio airport which entitle the holder to  special discounts and promotions when shopping.  There are many boutiques and great pastry and food shops in the city of Bergamo. Bergamo is particularly known for its sweet cakes and delicacies in the pastry stores. Milan is a paradise for shopping and is only about an hour away  by car, you’ll be glad you hired yours!

Auchan: Hypermarket

A huge hypermarket on the west side of Bergamo.  Take a drive out to fill the hire car with everything you might need for your stay in Bergamo  There is a massive fish counter and all sorts of superbly different foodstuff you can’t get at home.  If you are shopping for essentials then this is THE place to come to!!  The market is closed some Sundays.   Just diagonally opposite the Hotel Mercure Bergamo on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII there is another market on at Piazza degli Alpini. It was on all day and into the evening on.  There were souvenirs, clothing, all sorts of snack foods and  woollen scarves and has!!   If you like markets, and who doesn’t, you’ll love browsing here.

Orio Center

The Orio Center  Bergamo is the biggest shopping center in Italy and has 200 shops, restaurants, bars, a supermarket, a nursery where children can play, cash dispensers, underground parking, restrooms and a fantastic view of Citta Alta and the Orio al Serio Airpor  This shopping mall in front of Bergamo’s airport is the largest in the region. There are shops of all kinds here, and a big attraction is the hyper supermarket, surely the largest supermarket ever!! If you are a shopping mall fan, it would be easy for you to spend hours in it.  You think of a type of shop and you will find it here, clothing, shoes, jewellery, handbags, books etc etc etc the list is endless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Take a your har car there  follow the directions to the airport and turn off past the airport – it’s across the autostrada from the airport.   Literally shop until you drop here.  Your hire car will be loaded!!!  The centre is open from 9am to 10pm and on Saturdays from 8:30am to 9pm.

Visit Lake Endine

Pack a picnic jump into your hire car  and head for lovely Lake Endine with its mountainous landscape reflected in the water, offering a beautiful peaceful & relaxing  haven with water sports such as sailing, canoeing, windsurfing .  It’s also a popular place in Winter for fishing!!!  To get here rom Bergamo  you drive on the Tonale * Mendola highway towards Lovere.  The little villages long the coast have quaint old churches and many works of art in them.  There are also castles to explore.  One place worth visiting Spinone al Lago with it’s restaurants, boat trips and thermal baths!

Valle del Freddo

A must see is Valle del Freddo, the Cold Valley,  a fantastic Alpine Nature Reserve. (Take a coat though!!!) The place is full of beautiful alpine plants, birds and wildlife such as dormice, squirrels, hares and weasels.  The Cold Valley dates back to the Ice Age.  If you are into nature and natural surroundings make sure you visit here.  In Springtime there is a beautiful carpet of flowers everywhere and this is where the very rare wild peony blooms.