The Italian city has everything you need for a scenic escape (Image: Getty Images)
A lesser-known city with picturesque vistas from its hilltop location provides a serene escape just two hours from the UK, and flights start from as little as £13.
Bergamo is a beautiful Italian city in the Lombardy region, just an hour from Milan, the fashion capital. Strikingly, Bergamo is divided into two distinct levels: the historic upper town, Città Alta, and the modern lower town, Città Bassa.
Città Alta is situated on a hilltop, surrounded by the ancient Venetian Walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with narrow cobblestone paths and a medieval village. The heart of the upper town is Piazza Vecchia, a stunning Renaissance square surrounded by historic landmarks and brimming with character.
Venetian walls surrounding the upper town of Città Alta, Bergamo (Image: Getty Images)
Visitors can climb the stairs of the Campanone (Civic Tower) for panoramic views, admire the Contarini Fountain, visit the Angelo Mai Library or enjoy a leisurely coffee in one of the nearby charming cafés. Elsewhere in Città Alta are the 12th-century Romanesque church, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Alexander’s Gate along the Venetian Walls, and scenic Shoe Market Square.
The lower town, Città Bassa, has a more contemporary feel and is a popular shopping hub. The main area is Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, with a catalogue of cafés, restaurants and shops, while the pretty streets of Via XX Settembre and Via Sant’Alessandro are a haven for boutiques.
While it’s considered the modern area of Bergamo, it’s still steeped in history, including the 19th-century Gaetano Donizetti theatre and the ancient landmark, the Cloister of Santa Marta. Another key area to explore is the lively promenade of Sentierone – the perfect spot for people watching or to grab a bite to eat.
Connecting the upper and lower towns is the City Funicular, which has been operating for more than 120 years. The historic cable railway, which takes just a few minutes, ascends up to 85 metres in the scenic Italian hills, offering panoramic views of this intriguing city. It will feel as though you’ve visited two completely different places in one day.
Piazza Vecchia is a stunning Renaissance square (Image: Getty Images)
It costs around £1.50 to board the railway from Città Alta to Città Bassa, and travellers have often dubbed it part of « Bergamo’s visit experience ». One shared on TripAdvisor: « A must-do in Bergamo! Definitely worth experiencing at least once while you’re here. This city definitely surprised me! »
While some holidaymakers noted the queues can be lengthy, and it can get quite busy, they said it’s « well worth the fare ». Additionally, visitors can catch a local bus between the upper and lower towns, or walk the ancient stone steps of Salita San Vigilio or Colle Aperto, which take around 20 minutes.
With plenty to explore and within easy reach of the UK, Bergamo might just be that city break you’re looking for. Direct one-way flights from London Stansted to Milan Bergamo start from as little as £13, according to Skyscanner.
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