Bergamo and Bellagio – two magical days in Lombardy

Bergamo

We spent the weekend in Lombardy, and our starting point for the day trip to Bergamo was the city of Monza. Bergamo is very easy to reach by car, and even on the motorway, you can catch the first glimpse of Bergamo. Bergamo is about 50 kilometers from Milano - a city that is well known to most. However, to be honest, Bergamo was never specifically on my radar, and I didn't know anything about it for a long time. It was during the coronavirus pandemic that I heard about this city for the first time.

Bergamo is divided into two districts. The upper town, the historic Città Alta, sits majestically on a hill with many sights and great buildings, and the lower town, which lies at motorway level but makes all shopper’s hearts beat faster. Since we only had one day, we focused exclusively on the upper town.

I read in a travel blog that you absolutely must take the funicular to get to the old town. So, we parked our car in the lower town and made our way to the funicular. However, what we hadn't considered was that there would be a lot of other day visitors. The waiting time was an hour, so we looked for an alternative. And we found one. Tuk-tuks frequently travel from the lower town to the upper town. The ride cost EUR 5 per person - and it's more fun than taking the bus, which also goes up.

In general, the city is very easy to navigate, and you can reach almost everything by foot. All the major attractions are close to each other and the city itself is a sight to behold. It reminded me a lot of Siena.

You should check out the many churches that Bergamo has to offer. One is more impressive than the other. The best place to start is Piazza Duomo, where several churches are located together. Particularly beautiful is the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. There is a small entrance fee for this one - all the others, including the Duomo, were free to visit. 

The heart of Bergamo is the Piazza Vecchia. Here you will find the city’s most beautiful and important buildings. The town hall, Palazzo della Ragione and Palazzo Nuovo are all located here. When you stand in the square, you will also see the city tower, the Campanone / Torre Civica. You can even go up the tower for a fantastic view of the city. This building also houses the Museo Storico dell'Èta Veneta. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit this museum, but on our next visit, I would go inside.

Bergamo has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine. The specialties of Bergamo are Polenta Taragna and Polenta e Osei. Not to be confused: Polenta Taragna is a main dish made with various cheeses, while Polenta e Osei is a dessert. This sweet mixture consists of sugar, honey, eggs and flour and is baked into a dome that looks like polenta.

Another important fact about Bergamo: Stracciatella ice cream was invented here. The restaurant where this ice cream was first created still exists and is called La Marianna. A visit there is a must to enjoy a delicious serving of Stracciatella ice cream.

While it may not be considered a specialty, I found the pizza slices from the Il Fornaio restaurant incredibly tasty. They are perfect for enjoying on the go as you stroll through the beautiful, cobbled streets.

Just behind the Porta S. Alessandro is the lower station of the second funicular railway, which takes you up to Castello San Vigilio. The ride was pleasant, but not particularly exciting. However, the view from the top is worth it. That's why I highly recommend going up. We walked back down, and it wasn’t strenuous since it was all downhill. The walk took about 15-20 minutes.

Our day trip to Bergamo was an unforgettable experience overall. The city captivated me with its fascinating history, breathtaking architecture, and delicious cuisine. From the picturesque streets of the Città Alta to the lively squares of the lower town, Bergamo offered a variety of experiences for every taste. Although I couldn't explore everything the city has to offer, I created wonderful memories and look forward to discovering even more on my next visit. Bergamo has found a special place in my heart and will remain a part of my travel adventures forever.

Bellagio

The picturesque village of Bellagio is located on the northern tip of the southern shore of Lake Como and is considered one of the most beautiful places around the lake. Lake Como is situated in the Italian region of Lombardy, only about 40 minutes from Milan. Bellagio it’s a bit further - the total distance is about 80 km. The lake is known as a retreat for celebrities, who often spend their holidays here. This is also reflected in the numerous designer shops. Chiara Ferragni recently bought a house here - apparently near George Clooney's residence. No wonder even Hollywood celebrities love the place, the breathtaking mountain panorama around the lake gives it an incomparable charm.

Parking in Bellagio can be challenging for day tourists. There are few public parking spaces in relation to the number of tourists. If you can't find a parking spot at the harbor, drive up the street directly opposite. After about 5 minutes you will reach hidden parking spots.

The old town of Bellagio is enchanting and colorful. It is a typical Italian town with many narrow streets, great restaurants and boutiques for shopping. The town exudes genuine Italian flair. Even a simple stroll is worth a visit. I particularly enjoyed the staircase, Salita Serbelloni. It’s a large staircase with shops and restaurants on both sides. I recommend wearing sneakers instead of high heels to be on the safe side, as Bellagio has a lot of stairs. But in general, my tip is to always wear sneakers on a city trip.

The lakeside promenade in Bellagio is beautiful. During our stay, it was quiet and relaxing. You can sit on a bench and watch the sun go down behind the mountains.

We also fully enjoyed the culinary delights here. No visit is complete without Italian ice cream - okay, we already had some in Bergamo, so let me correct myself: Every Italian city requires ice cream. It was delicious. I also highly recommend the restaurant La Lanterna. This is apparently an insider tip among the residents of Bellagio, so there are few tourists. Be sure to book a table, as the restaurant is not very big. They serve home-made pasta and tiramisu, and the interior of the restaurant is simply fantastic.