Bergamo is two cities in one. The lower town, Città Bassa, is modern and busy, with the railway station and most of the shops. The upper town, Città Alta, sits on a hill behind sixteenth-century Venetian walls, with narrow streets, squares and churches that feel far from the motorway below. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding half-day trips from Milan, and it fits well before a flight from Bergamo airport or on the way to Lake Garda or Franciacorta.
How long it takes
Città Alta is about 57 km from central Milan. In normal traffic the drive takes about an hour and a quarter, mostly on the A4 motorway towards Venice, which can be slow leaving Milan at rush hour. From Linate the drive takes just under an hour, because the airport is on the east side of the city, close to the motorway. From Malpensa it is about an hour and a half.
The walls and the view
The Venetian walls that surround Città Alta were built when Bergamo was part of the Republic of Venice, and in 2017 they were included in a UNESCO World Heritage site together with other Venetian defensive works. The walls are now a promenade with a wide view over the lower town and, on clear days, the plain towards Milan. Walking a section of them is one of the best things to do on a short visit.
Where the car can stop
Access for cars inside Città Alta is restricted, and the streets of the historic centre are mostly pedestrian. The usual plan is for the driver to drop you at one of the gates, such as Porta Sant'Agostino, or at the upper station of the funicular, and collect you at the same point or at another gate at an agreed time. There is also a funicular from the lower town, which some guests enjoy as part of the visit.
If anyone in your group has difficulty walking, tell us in advance. We look at the best drop-off point for your route and keep the walking to a minimum.
What to see in two or three hours
The heart of Città Alta is Piazza Vecchia, a square surrounded by old palaces, with the Palazzo della Ragione and the Civic Tower. Just behind it are the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel, with its striking coloured marble façade. From there, the main street leads past shops and cafés towards the walls. A second funicular climbs further up to San Vigilio, with a castle and another view.
Two to three hours is enough for a relaxed walk, a coffee in Piazza Vecchia and lunch. Bergamo has its own food traditions, and polenta and casoncelli, a local filled pasta, appear on many menus.
Combining with a flight or another stop
Bergamo airport, Orio al Serio, is only a few kilometres from the city. A visit to Città Alta fits easily before an evening flight: the driver collects you in Milan in the morning, waits during the visit and takes you to the terminal with your luggage. It also combines well with Franciacorta, about half an hour further east, or with the drive to Lake Garda.
Hourly booking or fixed transfer
For a half-day trip, an hourly booking is usually the simplest formula. The car and driver stay with you, wait during the visit and take you back to Milan or on to the next stop. The minimum is four hours, which is about right for Milan to Città Alta and back with time to walk. Hourly rates are on our chauffeur service page. For a one-way trip, for example Milan to a hotel in Bergamo, we send a fixed price.
Choosing the vehicle
For one or two people the Mercedes E-Class is practical and easy to stop at the gates; the Mercedes S-Class gives more comfort. Families and small groups travel in the Mercedes V-Class, with up to seven seats. For larger groups, the Sprinter Luxury VIP can drop at a gate where a large vehicle is allowed to stop, which we plan in advance.
How to book
Send us the date, the pick-up address, the number of passengers and how long you want to stay in Bergamo. If you are continuing to the airport, add the flight time. We reply with a written, all-inclusive price, usually within 30 minutes.