Things to do in  Bergamo

Bergamo’s youthful vibe—embodied in the city’s third-wave coffee shops and hip boutiques—belies its medieval roots. The atmospheric old town (Città Alta), connected to the modern city below via funicular, is encircled by 16th-century city walls; its compact tangle of winding lanes, pretty squares, and elegant churches and palazzi is easy to tour on foot. Many travelers use Bergamo as a base for exploring nearby A-listers like Lake Como and its villas, Lake Garda and Sirmione, the cities of Verona and Venice, and the Franciacorta wine region.