We're doing a 3 week trip to N Italy this Spring. We spent 2.5 weeks in the area last Spring so we did hit some of the major sites. In reading, Bergamo sound nice. Any opinions on it? How much time to see it. It looks like staying in the lower city is less expensive, is it walkable to the upper city if u stay in the lower one? Any hotel recommendations (150 euros or less) or restaurant recommendations in the moderate range (less than 75 euros for 2)? Thanks

Bergamo is definitely worth at least one night's stay. I stayed at the Hotel Piemontese, directly across from the train station. It may not be as charming a location as the upper town, but for a short stay it's very convenient and a very adequate and affordable hotel. For a single I paid about 80 Euro. I felt that a half-day's sightseeing was adequate, but more than that would defitely be worthwhile.

We ended up in Bergamo for 1 night, due to miscommunications on another property.

What a nice surprise. We stayed at a nondescript hotel in the lower city(don't remember name). Right around the corner from the hotel was a lovely pedestrian only shopping area. Very quaint, and I loved it.

Maybe one of the Fodorites knows what it is called. It was near a merry-go-round and there was a huge street artist fair going on. We walked all around and there was street music also.

It was so unplanned, but I would return there to explore more if I was in the area.

TPAYT, I didn't stay in the area you refer to, but I, too, stumbled on it by accident when they were having a street fair. Some kind of folk fest. Yes, even the Lower Town has its charms.

We stayed for three nights in the upper town at the Agnello del Oro and enjoyed our stay. We landed in MIlan and went directly to Bergamo as we had already spent time in Milan. We liked staying in the Citta Alta and the hotel was fine and very reasonable.

We were glad for our time in Bergamo but don't feel the need to return. We thought it was a good option to a stay in MIlan.

Only comment on walking from lower to upper city-- it ain't easy. If you are in good shape and just enjoy walking, go ahead. Otherwise, drive or take a taxi. Good luck.

You can catch a bus from the station to the bottom funicular that takes you to the lower end of the upper town, or a bus to the funicular that goes all the way to the top of the hill. You can also get a bus to the top. The views are lovely at the top, but the best part to explore is inside the old walls, between the two funiculars.

i think a day would cover it, easy train from milan

Don't miss the wondeful Colleoni chapel and the excellent art gallery in Bergamo.

Thanks all, looks like we'll add Bergamo for 1 night at the end of our trip. We'll probably arrive early afternoon and leave late afternoon the next day which sounds like should be a good amount of time to check out Bergamo.

Still trying to figure out whether its worth the $ to stay in the Citta Alta. We don't mind walking. We will have a car.

Any restaurant recommendations?