Bergamo City Guide

Bergamo

Città Alta and its Venetian walls, the lower town, casoncelli and polenta, and the tables and hotels worth booking, in photos.

100 photos and clips

Towers and domes of Città Alta in spring

Golden hour over the rooftops of Città Alta

Città Alta glowing at sunset

Bird's-eye view of the old town and its walls

Città Alta seen from San Vigilio

Santa Maria Maggiore and the Colleoni Chapel from above

The Colleoni Chapel framed by an arcade

Bell tower seen from the Rocca in summer

Porta San Giacomo and its stone bridge

Porta San Giacomo looking out over the plain

The bridge to Porta San Giacomo in black and white

Along the Venetian walls in autumn

The lower town through a stone archway

Città Bassa stretching towards the plain

Colleoni Chapel and Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

The cathedral quarter of Città Alta from above

The Colleoni Chapel seen through an archway

Stone arcades of Piazza Vecchia

The Campanone civic tower in Città Alta

The Venetian walls below the old town

Bergamo's Venetian walls in spring

Greenery along the walls of the upper city

Rooftops of the old town at sunset

Domes and avenues of Città Bassa in spring

Bergamo with the Orobie foothills behind

Looking down on the city and the plain

Historic houses and gardens in Bergamo

Late-afternoon light on the lawns of the Città Alta walls

A quiet street in Bergamo with mountains beyond

A clock tower above the avenues of Città Bassa

The grid of Città Bassa's centre from above

Grilled polenta, a staple of the Bergamo table

Bright, playful dining room at A Tavola da Patrizia

Handmade ravioli at A Tavola da Patrizia

Wine-lined dining room at Al Carroponte

Burger with roast potatoes at Al Carroponte

Courtyard entrance of Alba Ristorante

Prawn risotto at Alba Ristorante

Terrace above the Borgo Canale hills at Antica Trattoria La Colombina

Board of cured meats and pickles at Antica Trattoria La Colombina

Risotto served by candlelight at the Baretto di San Vigilio

Afternoon tea and cake at the Baretto di San Vigilio

Pinsa capricciosa at Botanico

Signature cocktail at Botanico

The historic sign of Caffè del Tasso on Piazza Vecchia

Red dining room hung with photographs at Caffè del Tasso

Stuffed pasta with crispy pancetta at Cavour 1880

Aperitivo stand and spritz at Cavour 1880

Stone-walled interior with a suit of armour at Da Mimmo

Pizza with anchovies at Da Mimmo

Frescoed ceiling in the Sala Civica at Il Circolino

Vaulted dining room at Il Circolino

Copper bar counter at Il Dispensario

Local cheeses on the board at Il Dispensario

Spaghetti carried out to the garden at Il Pianone

Shellfish plate at Il Pianone

Dining room and bar at Il Sole

Cured meats with a melted-cheese pot at La Fricca

Finishing bite-sized starters at La Fricca

Casoncelli with sage and pancetta at La Malga Osteria

Baked dish served in the pan at La Malga Osteria

Fresh fruit tart from La Marianna

Cakes from the La Marianna pastry counter

Ravioli di Sant'Alessandro at La Tana

Stone archway and sign of La Tana

Oven-baked dish at Osteria Al GiGianca

Dining room with vintage scales at Osteria Al GiGianca

Dining room at Osteria Tre Gobbi

Polenta taragna with sage at Osteria Tre Gobbi

Roof Garden Restaurant terrace looking towards Città Alta

Stew with polenta at Trattoria Parietti

Grilled meats at Trattoria Parietti

Tasting-menu course at Villa Elena

Gilded private dining room at Villa Elena

Superior double room at GombitHotel

Superior room with lounge corner at GombitHotel

Stone-and-glass bathroom at GombitHotel

City-centre view from a room at Hotel Cappello d'Oro

Lobby and reception at Hotel Cappello d'Oro

Rooftop terrace at dusk at Hotel Excelsior San Marco

Superior room at Hotel Excelsior San Marco

Classic-style room at Hotel Excelsior San Marco

Superior room with beamed ceiling at Hotel Piazza Vecchia

Breakfast room at Hotel Piazza Vecchia

Garden courtyard at Le Funi Hotel

Bar lounge under a stone vault at Le Funi Hotel

Deluxe double room at Le Funi Hotel

Vaulted Suite Imperiale at Palazzo Santo Spirito

Cloister-style corridor at Palazzo Santo Spirito

Spa pool at Palazzo Santo Spirito

Façade of the Petronilla Hotel at dusk

Design double room at the Petronilla Hotel

Lobby lounge at the Petronilla Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel at the ChorusLife district

Lobby lounge at Radisson Blu Hotel, Bergamo ChorusLife

Suite at Radisson Blu Hotel, Bergamo ChorusLife

Garden path to Relais San Vigilio al Castello

Lawn and terraces of Relais San Vigilio al Castello

Beamed bedroom at Relais San Vigilio al Castello

Where to eat, stay and walk, with practical tips for your visit.

Read the Bergamo City Guide

Photographers and venues are credited on each image.