My husband and I plan to spend two nights in Bergamo at the end of a planned spring, 2025 trip. We will be traveling by train. We are in our early 70's, active, fit, comfortable taking local buses, pack carry-on only, etc. There seems to be good lodging options in both the upper and lower city well within our average budget $250/night. We prefer small hotels, and bnb's, but sometimes rent small apartments. We spend our travel days taking in the primary spots, but also wander to see what we might find. We don't need the night-life scene, and usually end the evening after dinner with a quick stroll if the weather allows. I'm looking for opinions as to whether to book in the upper or lower town. I'm not too concerned about being near the train station, although that is always a plus. I would prefer staying where we will be better positioned to enjoy the evenings as opposed to wandering a shuttered town on the way back to our hotel. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Station at lower
Upper is the old town with the views

If you're only there for two nights, one full day... I would, hands down, choose Bergamo Alta. I haven't been there since before the pandemic so I'm not knowledgeable about the current restaurant scene, but I would prefer to be near the main sights that interest me which are concentrated in the upper town. It's a pretty lively town, and we had no trouble finding lots of dining options.

We had 4 nights in Bergamo Alta September last year.
it was excellent location

Our studio was quiet yet right in the middle of everything.

We plan to re visit next year.

Thank you all for this input. Looks like Bergamo Alta is the way to go! I've booked Hotel Piazza Vecchia, possibly as a place holder, while I look into alternatives. Thanks!

The old town is lovely, but the streets are steep, so take that into account. The lower town is unremarkable and you could be anywhere.

yes take the lift/elevator/cable car (I forget which)

It's a funicular bilbo.

Yes, you are right. I was so fit I walked it ;-)