Day trip from Colico to Bergamo
Here’s an outing to the historic city of Bergamo, Capital of Culture 2023!
Bergamo is a city in Lombardy divided into two parts: the historic, medieval upper town and the modern, lower town. It is famous for its Venetian walls, art, views and typical cuisine.
How do you get there?
Starting from Colico station, take the train towards Milano Centrale to reach Lecco in 40 minutes. At Lecco station, change trains to take the one to Bergamo and you will reach the city in about 40 minutes.
What are the places to visit?
The most characteristic part of Bergamo is the Upper Town, which can be reached by funicular railway for €1.30 or on foot along Via Sant’Alessandro or Via Gombito, taking about 20 minutes.
Once in the Upper Town, walk along the characteristic streets of the city and you will reach Piazza Vecchia, the heart of the city with its historical buildings and the Fonatana Contarini in the centre.
We recommend a visit to the Palazzo del Podestà and the Campanone. For only 5€ you can visit the tower and enjoy a fantastic view of the city. A feature of this civic tower is the 100 bells at 22:00 each night that remind you of the closing of the city gates during Venetian rule.
The following can be admired in the square free of charge: the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore a masterpiece of Lombard Romanesque architecture with breathtaking frescoes. Cappella Colleoni in front of which is the gate with the coat of arms of the same name, which should be rubbed for good luck.
If you take the funicular railway again, you can reach Castello San Vigilio in Via al Castello, where you can pay a visit and have a wonderful view of the Upper Town.
visitbergamo.net/object/castello-s-vigilio/
Or you can walk to the Rocca della Città Alta to enjoy the beautiful view and visit the Museo Storico dell’Ottocento in Piazzale Brigata Legnano, 16
https://museodellestorie.bergamo.it/luogo/rocca-di-bergamo/
If, on the other hand, you want to visit the lower town, you can’t miss the exhibitions at the Accademia Carrara in Piazza Giacomo Carrara, 82, where you can admire the works of Raphael, Botticelli and Titian while playing the Garipalli escape game set in the Accademia. You will also find a bistro and a show, all included in a €16 ticket.
https://www.lacarrara.it/
What are the best local restaurants in Bergamo?
- Il Circolino: A very atmospheric restaurant, once a monastery later converted into a prison and now a restaurant that brings the traditional flavours of Bergamo cuisine to the table. Vicolo Sant’Agata, 19
- Trattoria Da Giuliana: This is a favourite with locals and visitors alike, combining warm service with genuine local flavours. Via Broseta, 58
- Trattoria La Colombina: A historic eatery located just outside the centre of Città Alta whose highlight is the terrace where you can enjoy the view over the city. Via Borgo Canale 12
We also recommend places where you can find typical desserts:
- Gelateria/pasticceria La Marianna where you can try the stracciatella ice cream where it was invented in 1961. L.go Colle Aperto, 4
- Pasticceria Nessi where you can try polenta e osei, a traditional dessert. Via Gombito 34
At the end of the day, you can go to Viale delle Mura, a panoramic street that runs along the Mura Venete from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the sunset.
How do I get back to Colico?
For the return journey, you can take the 40-minute Bergamo-Lecco train and then the train towards Tirano to arrive in Colico.
A curiosity?
If you are a lover of the Harry Potter film saga, you absolutely cannot miss the themed bar and restaurant 20 minutes from Bergamo, the BINARIO MAGIC PUB in Via Briantea, 26, Palazzago, where you will find themed bars and dishes for both adults and children.
