When traveling to Bergamo, many are wondering where to stay in the Upper (Citta Alt) or Lower City (Citta Bassa), how to choose the right hotel or apartment?
The question is posed by the fact that the main attractions of Bergamo are concentrated in the Upper City; it is more beautiful, colorful, ancient. But in Citta Bassa it’s more practical to live: the infrastructure is better developed, it is easier to get to the station, there are more shops, restaurants, cafes.
How to navigate, where to settle
Before you understand which part of Bergamo is better to rent a room, you need to answer the following questions:
- How much time you plan to spend here - one day or more;
- Will you be on your own or rented car or take a bus / plane / train;
- At what time does the train arrive / depart;
- Do you plan to visit only Bergamo, are you planning to travel to its surroundings or are going from here to the neighboring ski resorts;
- Will you visit only the sights or do you plan to go shopping?
- How much can you afford to pay for the room (you should remember that on holidays, in the holiday season and on weekend prices are higher).
You should also pay attention to whether the staff speaks a language that you know. This will not only facilitate communication, but also avoid many delicate situations. It should be noted that in all hotels, employees speak English. Therefore, if you know this language, problems should not arise. If there is no knowledge of English, it is better to look for a hotel whose staff speaks a language that you understand. If there is no suitable option, you need to stock up on a phrasebook, learn Italian or use an electronic translator.
When is the best Citta Alt - Upper Town
If you plan to stop for one or two days, the plans include sightseeing, shopping is not interesting, it is better to settle in Citta Alt. Almost all historical monuments are collected here, and the old Bergamo is beautiful at any time of the day.
During the day, you can walk along the old streets, admiring the sights, have lunch and dinner in restaurants located in the old buildings, and in the evening go to one of the observation platforms. They offer wonderful views of the surroundings, and Citta Alt itself acquires a mysterious and magical aura at this hour. Another plus in favor of the Citta Alt is that everything is so compact that it is not far from anywhere in the old Bergamo.
When deciding to rent a room in Citta Alt, you need to consider the time of departure and think in advance how to get to the station. If the train or plane will be early in the morning or at night, a car must be agreed in advance. Otherwise, there is always a risk that the called taxi will not arrive, and you will have to run to the train. At other times of the day, getting to the railway station is not difficult: in the Upper Town there are buses that go directly to the airport or train station.
- See: how to get from bergamo airport to milan
For example, bus number 1 goes along the route "Airport-Station-Center-Cità Alta" (the fare costs 2.3 euros). It should be remembered that in Bergamo, bus number 1 runs along several routes, and you need the one where the airplane icon is painted near the number. True, he doesn’t have all buses, so it’s better to check with the driver.
When is the best Citta Bassa - Lower City
If you plan to come to Bergamo in the evening, spend the night and go on at six in the morning, it is better to find a place in the Lower Town near the railway station.
Citta Bassa should also be preferred when you plan to spend a week here and explore not only Bergamo, but also the nearby attractions. Citta Bassa is preferred in case you are on a car, or if there is no car. In the first situation, you should be aware that the Citta Alt with parking is tight. Therefore, returning, in the historical center of the free space you can not find. Well, if you don’t have a car, the answer to why you need to stay in the Lower City is simple: here is the station.
Also should stay at Citta Bassa if you have a lot of luggage with you or if you plan to make a lot of purchases. The fact is that even if you arrive in Citta Alt by taxi, the car cannot always drive directly to the house where you decided to stop due to the fact that travel is prohibited. At the same time, Bergamo has a very small uncomfortable paving stone, which greatly complicates the luggage transfer. It is especially difficult to drag it if the bag is on casters. Therefore, if a choice is made in favor of the Citta Alt, you should give preference to the suitcases that you need to carry in your hands.
If you are by car
In case of a stop in Lower Bergamo, parking problems should not arise. There are many paid and free parking lots, from which the historical center can be reached by public transport.
But if you decide to stay at Citta Alt, you should know: there are a lot of pedestrian zones, so you can’t ride a car on it. The upper city is almost a pedestrian zone, so cars are rarely found here.
Many hotels that offer free parking do not have their own parking lots. Therefore, the place will need to be searched independently in one of the three parking lots of the old Bergamo. They are all on the outskirts, so you will have to drag things from the car to the rooms yourself, since it will not always be possible to drive to the hotel by car.
The hotel will have to give a paper stating that you are a guest. It must be put on the front panel of the car under the windshield. In this case, they will not take money for parking. However, you should be aware that in many hotels you have to pay extra for parking.
When examining both the upper and lower parts of Bergamo, people who settled in the Citta Alt should not use the car, because in the evening they may not find free parking space. In this case, you have to wait until someone leaves, ask the hotel staff for help, or attach a car in the Lower City.
Hotels
Bergamo is a tourist city, so there are many hotels of different classes, ranging from apartments to a 5-star hotel. For more information on Bergamo offers, please follow the link below.
In this case, you should pay attention to the filters, and put an icon in front of important points (the number of stars, the presence of parking, Wi-Fi and other amenities). You must also enter the date of arrival and departure, the number of people who will live in the room.
Smokers should note that smoking is not allowed in many Bergamo hotels. It should be remembered that wherever you stay, you need to pay tax per person per night, the amount of which depends on the class of the hotel. This price is usually not included in the room price.
2 stars
There are three two star hotels in Bergamo. Two of them are located in the Old Town, the third - near the airport and the beach. Children with parents in such hotels can usually live without paying for a place, but extra beds are not available. Pets are free, by prior arrangement.
Among the services - Wi-Fi in the entire complex, the presence of a TV. All apartments have private bathrooms.
The tax per person per night in a two-star hotel is 1.7 euros.
Il sole
Hotel Il Sole is located on Via Colleoni 1, 100 meters from Piazza Vecchia. Single rooms here cost 65 €, doubles - 85 €. Here you can find:
- Lack of parking fees;
- Rooms with mountain views;
- A restaurant;
- Toiletries free of charge;
- Double apartments can be with one or two beds.
Guests can relax on the terrace, which offers magnificent views.
Hotel Agnello D'Oro
Hotel Agnello D'Oro, is located in Citta Alt, on Via Gombito, 22. At 100 meters from it is Piazza Vecchia, at 50 meters there is a funicular that connects the Old and New Bergamo. Double apartments here cost from 120 to 150 €. Other than that, here:
- No need to pay for parking;
- Italian food;
- The ability to order diet food;
- There is a restaurant, a bar, you can order food in the room;
- Presence of left-luggage offices;
- Elevator.
It offers - a terrace from which you can admire the beauties of Bergamo.
Hotel post
Hotel Post on Via Borgo Palazzo 191. The train station is 2 km from it, Citta Alt is 3 km away. Go to the airport for 10 minutes. Double room costs 60 €. Hotel Post offers the following services:
- Free parking;
- Possibility to order a car to the airport or railway station;
- Double apartments with one or two beds;
- Bar;
- Luggage storage.
A twenty minute walk from the hotel is the beach. Hotel guests can always relax in the garden surrounding Hotel Post. Another plus is the presence in the hotel complex of shops.
3 stars
Bergamo has seven three-star hotels. They are all in the Lower City. The rooms are decorated in a classic or modern style, among amenities - air conditioning, television, internet, bathroom, toiletries, hairdryer. In many of them you can live with animals. These hotels offer facilities for people with disabilities.
The tax for a person who decided to stay in a two-star hotel is 2.5 euros per night. It is not included in the room rate.
La Castellana Loft Hotel
La Castellana Loft Hotel, located on Via Torquato Tasso 42, is considered the best. The train station is 700 meters from it, and the airport is 5 km away.
Single room will cost 80 €. For a double you can pay both 100 and 600 €. The same price for rooms designed for three and four places. All children are welcome, but extra beds are not available.
The hotel provides the following services:
- Parking - 10 euros;
- Possibility to order a car to the railway station and airport;
- Bicycles for rent;
- The ability to order a diet menu;
- Bar;
- Food delivery to the room;
- Luggage storage;
- Laundry;
- Soundproofed walls;
- Conference hall.
Berghotel
The Berghotel, which is located on Via per Azzano San Paolo, 4, three kilometers from the airport, 2.5 kilometers from the railway station, received good reviews. Double room will cost 60-170 €, triple - from 90 to 120 €. Children under 2 years old are cribs free of charge. Up to 6 years for an extra bed you have to pay 10 €, after six - 15 €.
Other than that, here:
- Mini-bar in the apartment;
- Garden;
- There is no parking fee;
- Left-luggage offices, safe;
- Babysitting services;
- Elevator;
- Possibility to order a transfer to the airport or railway station.
Arli Hotel Business and Wellness
Positive comments about Arli Hotel Business and Wellness. It is located on Largo Porta Nuova, 12, 500 m from the railway station, 4 km from the airport. Single room costs 100-120 €, double - 130-150 €. Extra beds are not available for children. Parking is paid - 18 € per day.
There is:
- SPA, Turkish bath, hot tub;
- A fitness center;
- Massage;
- Business floor;
- Restaurant, cafe;
- Possibility to order vegetarian dishes;
- Food delivery to the apartments;
- Left-luggage offices.
Parking near the hotel complex is paid - 18 euros.
4 stars
In Bergamo, there are nine hotel complexes with four stars. They have restaurants, fitness clubs, Internet, in the rooms - TV. Parking is usually paid (14-30 euros). The rooms - air conditioning, LCD TVs, bathtub, bedroom. Complimentary toiletries are provided. Left-luggage offices are provided. It is possible to rent a car. Tax per person per night costs 3.5 euros.
For children under two years old, a cot is available at no charge. If a child under 12 years old does not need an extra bed, they usually don’t take money for his settlement. But if you need to put it, you have to pay extra. Facilities for disabled guests are provided here.
In many hotels pets are allowed by prior arrangement. But it’s better to clarify the cost of the service in advance: in some hotels it is free, in others you have to pay.
Citta Alt has two hotels with four stars, and the rooms here are much more expensive than hotels in the Lower City of this class. Citta Bassa has seven hotel complexes. Six of them are located near the train station, and prices for double apartments range from 100 to 170 €.
Gombit hotel
The Gombit Hotel is located in old Bergamo on ViaMarioLupo 6, a two-minute walk from the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (BasilicadiS. MariaMaggiore) and other attractions. Single apartments cost from 120 to 270 €, double - from 150 to 450 €.
Here you will find:
- Banquet and conference rooms;
- Mini-bar, safe in the apartment;
- Slippers, bathrobe;
- Bar, breakfast in the room;
- Babysitting services;
- Elevator.
Hotel Piazza Vecchia
Hotel Piazza Vecchia is located in the building of XIV Art. It is located on Via B. Colleoni 3/5, 50 meters from Piazza Vecchia and other interesting places of Bergamo. Apartments here will cost from 160 to 300 €. This is one of the few hotel complexes that is located in the building of the XIV century. It offers magnificent views of the streets of Citta Alt.
It offers guests:
- In the morning, a buffet, in the summer it is served on the terrace, from which you can admire the Old Town;
- Dietary dishes (on request);
- There is a banquet and conference room;
- Soundproofing;
- Safe.
It is possible to book a car to the airport.
Petronilla
Among the hotel complexes located in the Lower City, it is worth highlighting Petronilla: here the staff speaks Russian. It is located on Via San Lazzaro 4, 15 minutes from the train station.
All apartments here are uniquely decorated, the walls are decorated with paintings by contemporary masters. Among them are connecting rooms. Slippers, bathrobe are provided. There is a hot tub, sauna, gym, fitness center. There is a library. It is good to hold conferences here thanks to the well-equipped conference room. Parents can order babysitting services.
Breakfast is buffet style. In the morning it is served in the garden, and you can also eat in the restaurant or bar. If desired, cooks can prepare one of the traditional dishes of Lombardy.
Starhotels Cristallo Palace
Starhotels Cristallo Palace is a five-minute drive from the airport, on Via Betty Ambiveri, 35. It has pedestrian and bicycle paths and can be reached by car via the highway.
Starhotels Cristallo Palace is 1.5 km from the train station. Here apartments are cheaper than in the area of the railway station: single apartments will cost 65 €, double - 70-100 euros, triple - 120 €.
The complex has a restaurant, bar. You can order diet meals. At the services of parents - a nanny. Unlike many hotels, smoking is allowed here.
5 stars
Relais san lorenzo
San Lorenzo is the only five-star hotel in the city. It is located in Citta Alt, at Piazza Lorenzo Mascheroni 9 / A. Double apartments here will cost from 200 to 560 € per night. Plus you have to pay tax - 4 € per person.
The hotel opened recently, in 2013, in a new building. Architects managed to successfully fit it into the architecture of historic Bergamo. San Lorenzo has a terrace with great views of the surroundings. Parking must be arranged in advance: it is located in a public place, so a reservation is required. The cost of 30 euros per day.
The staff speaks Russian, French, Spanish, English. There is a spa, Finnish sauna, Turkish bath, sensory shower, relaxation area with salt walls. The complex has several restaurants, the cuisine of which everyone praises. The price usually includes a buffet breakfast. You can also have breakfast in the room.
Children under 2 years old get free beds. If you need to put a bed for a child under 12 years old, a child must pay 70 euros (no more than one bed). You cannot live with animals.
Apartments
If you could not find the best option among hotels, you can find suitable apartments. And there are a lot of them in Bergamo. A city tax per person in this case costs 2 € per night. Prices on the site can be indicated for one, two or three nights. Therefore, when studying proposals, you should pay attention to this point.
In some cases, the owners are against the placement of children and animals. Therefore, this item is best clarified in advance. In addition, since the apartments are usually located in residential buildings, people with disabilities should ask in advance whether they will be comfortable here.
Casa Maria
Casa Maria Apartments are considered one of the best options. Rooms are located at Largo Colle Aperto, 16, on the outskirts of Citta Alt, 500 meters from Piazza Vecchia. There is:
- Bedroom;
- Living room;
- Canteen;
- Kitchen;
- Bathroom;
- Free Internet;
- Air conditioning;
- soundproofed walls.
Windows overlook the historic streets of Bergamo or the garden. There is no lift, so for older people who are going to cook themselves, this is not the best option: a kitchen on the fourth floor.
Spending here two nights for one person will cost 140 €, for two - 200 €, for four - 260 €. No extra or free space for children. You cannot live with animals. There is no parking. No smoking. You can order a car to the airport or railway station.
Il caravaggio
Il Caravaggio is located a kilometer from the train station at Piazza Pontida 11. Although the apartment is located in the city center, the square is located away from crowded places, therefore it is quiet and cozy.
There is a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room with a kitchenette, internet, next to the house there is free parking, many shops and restaurants. Two nights cost 170-180 €. No extra bed for children. Pets are allowed. Payment only in cash.
What to see - travel tips
No matter where in Bergamo you decide to stay, you should definitely visit Citta Alt. From the Lower City you can get to it by funicular, on foot or by bus.
Next you need to find the main square of Bergamo, which is called Piazza Vecchia. Here is the old town hall, where the court used to sit, as well as the new one, which now houses one of the largest libraries in the country. At the edge of the square is a tall tower, climbing which you can see the old and new Bergamo in all its glory. In the center of Piazza Vecchia there is a fountain with sphinxes, which is very useful on a hot summer day: clean drinking water flows from it.
Near Piazza Vecchia is Cathedral Square (piazza del Duomo). Here are the main Christian churches of the city. The main temple is the Cathedral (cattedrale di Sant'Alessandro).
But the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di S. Maria Maggiore) and the adjacent Chapel of Colleoni (Capella Colleoni) are no less famous, which is one of the most beautiful buildings of Bergamo. Nearby is the baptistery, and if you go around the basilica, you can see the chapel of the Holy Cross (tempietto di Santa Croce di Bergamo), which in the early days was the personal temple of local bishops.
In the Lower City Need to visit the Art Gallery (Pinacoteca dell'Accademia Carrara)where the paintings of great masters are stored. In the evening, you should definitely visit the Teatro Gaetano Donizetti Theater. After the beginning of the XIX century. it was open, always working, despite the wars that swept Europe over the past two hundred years.
