Sitting 40 miles from Milan, and very much in its shadow, Bergamo is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. A delightful hill town with charm by the bucket load, it’s earned itself the moniker Florence of the North. Surrounded by Venetian walls and accessed by a funicular, it’s got a maze of cobbled streets crammed with medieval monuments and age-old churches which butt up against far newer hipster coffee shops. And if you fancy venturing further afield, Bergamo’s the perfect base for exploring the Lombardy countryside or the postcard-pretty lakes region.
Who is it for?
Couples
Enjoy a romantic evening for 2 atop the ancient hill in Upper Town.
Foodies
Rice takes precedence over pasta here, with risotto being the most famous dish.
Culture Vultures
There are ancient streets to lose yourself in the Upper Town, and museums in the Lower Town.