Bergamo asks you to make a choice before showing you its monuments: you have to go uphill. From the Lower Town, the old centre rises above the slope, protected by a line of walls visible from a distance. Walking through its squares and along the fortifications can be free; the funicular and bus require a fare. The historic stairways make for a gradual arrival, but their climb should not be underestimated. Visitors who would rather save their energy can ride up and explore the upper level on foot.
The historic funicular has connected the two parts of the city since 1887 and arrives at Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe. You need not turn the square into a long sightseeing stop. It is a place to get your bearings, watch arrivals and decide whether to continue towards Piazza Vecchia or the edge of the hill. The tourist office offers another practical route: take bus line 1 to Colle Aperto, cross the centre on foot and come down by funicular. Reviews value the square as an urban pause, although its quiet depends on the time of day.
To understand the city from its perimeter, walk towards Porta San Giacomo and the Venetian Walls. Venice began this defensive work in 1561; its roughly six-kilometre course changed the edge of the city and forms part of a UNESCO-listed site. From Viale delle Mura, views over the Lower Town give you a reason to stop along the way. You need not complete the whole circuit to appreciate the gates, bastions and landscape. The outdoor walk is free; a guided visit or interior space may have different conditions.
The practical point is to separate transport cost from visiting cost. ATB includes the funiculars in its ticket system, but check the fare, validity and service for your date. If someone in your group needs a step-free route, research the exact section in advance: historic paving and gradients vary, and the tourist listing does not mark the walls as fully accessible. With comfortable shoes and a manageable route, Bergamo is more rewarding when you are not racing between viewpoints. There are several ways up; looking out over the city requires no admission ticket.
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Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe is one of those squares many visitors cross before learning its name. The upper city funicular arrives here at the edge of Bergamo’s old street pattern, turning the space into a threshold: the climb is behind you and the Upper Town’s stone-paved lanes lie ahead. The touri
Pedestrian gateway to the Upper Town beside the city funicular’s upper station
The Venetian Walls are more than a backdrop to Bergamo’s Upper Town. The Republic of Venice began building them in 1561 to defend the city; the project changed its shape, required buildings to be demolished and formed a circuit of roughly six kilometres. Now part of a UNESCO-listed site, they can be
Sixteenth-century Venetian walls and panoramic walk
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe ↗
Primary source
Visit Bergamo · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mura Venete di Bergamo ↗
Primary source
Visit Bergamo · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Mura Venete di Bergamo ↗
Primary source
Visit Bergamo · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Visit Bergamo · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
ATB Bergamo · Accessed October 1, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe: reseñas ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 1, 2026
Google 4,6/5 con 619 reseñas mostradas por Wanderlog el 1/10/2026; comentarios sobre ambiente y concentración de visitantes.
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Mura Venete: valoración y comentarios ↗
Secondary source
Wanderlog · Accessed October 1, 2026
Google 4,8/5 con 385 reseñas mostradas por Wanderlog el 1/10/2026; opiniones sobre vistas y pendiente.