Best Hotels in Bergamo: Upper City or Lower City?

Bergamo divides between the Città Alta (upper walled city on the hill) and Città Bassa (lower modern city at the plain). The choice of where to stay has a significant effect on the experience.

Città Alta (Upper City)

Staying in the Città Alta means waking up inside the medieval walls, with the Venetian streets, the Piazza Vecchia, and the Cappella Colleoni at your doorstep. The atmosphere after the day-trippers from Milan leave (after 6pm) is excellent.

Budget (€70–110/night): Limited options — the Città Alta is small and every building is historic. A few B&Bs and small guesthouses.

Mid-range (€110–190/night): Several good boutique hotels in the historic buildings. Some have views over the Lombardy plain from the terrace.

Top-end (€200–400/night): Gombit Hotel (a contemporary design hotel inside a medieval tower), Relais San Lorenzo (in a historic palazzo with Roman and medieval remains visible in the basement). Both excellent.

Città Bassa (Lower City)

The lower city is more practical — closer to the train station, with more choice at lower prices.

Budget (€50–80/night): The area around the train station (Stazione Bergamo) has the widest range.

Mid-range (€80–150/night): Several good options in the lower city, including chains and independent boutique hotels.

Bergamo airport travellers

If you’re arriving or departing via Orio al Serio airport (a major Ryanair hub), there are several airport hotels and a direct bus to the Bergamo train station. If spending a night in Bergamo between flights, the Città Alta adds negligible time but enormous atmosphere.

Practical notes

• The upper city funicular runs until late evening; a taxi up the hill costs ~€15.
• Parking is available in the lower city; the upper city has no parking and ZTL restrictions.
• Book 2–4 weeks ahead in spring and autumn; the Città Alta fills faster due to limited stock.