Mercure Bergamo Centro Palazzo Dolci

A modern Città Bassa hotel in a convenient location

Housed in a traditional Bergamo palazzo, the
Mercure enjoys a convenient central location

A smart, four-star hotel, the Mercure in Bergamo’s Città Bassa is ideally situated for enjoying a visit to this fascinating northern Italian city.

Housed in the Palazzo Dolci on Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, one of the main thoroughfares in the lower town, the Mercure is convenient for the railway station but also within walking distance of the Sentierone (which means broad path), at the hub of the Città Bassa, and handy for all the restaurants, bars and shops.

Opposite the Mercure there is a bus stop outside the beautiful church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, from which regular buses take passengers up to the Città Alta, Bergamo’s historic upper town. The stop for the bus to Bergamo Caravaggio airport is on the same side of the road as the Mercure, about five minutes’ walk from the hotel.

The pink-painted Palazzo Dolci has a simple, contemporary décor on the inside and provides generously proportioned, comfortable guest rooms with modern furniture. Some rooms feature a striking, large landscape of the Città Alta above the bed.

The Mercure's rooms are spacious and
have plenty of amenities

The air-conditioned rooms all have free wi-fi, a flat screen tv, and a mini-bar, and the large bathrooms are immaculate and well appointed.

A generous buffet breakfast offering guests sweet and savoury food and hot and cold dishes is served each day in the restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel.

The Donizetti Theatre and the monument to the Bergamo-born opera composer are close by, and there are churches housing masterpieces by Lorenzo Lotto within walking distance.

As an alternative way to travel up to the magical Città Alta, you can take a ride on Bergamo’s funicular railway, which is situated about 20 minutes’ walk away from the Mercure.

Book a room at the Mercure with Hotels.com

Home

NH Bergamo

Smart hotel is right in the centre of the Città Bassa

The smart and modern NH Bergamo

The immaculate and comfortable NH Bergamo is in a great location in Bergamo’s lower town, the Città Bassa.

This modern hotel in Via Paleocapa is close to the railway station and the stops for buses going to the upper town, the Città Alta, or to Bergamo Caravaggio airport.

It is handy for the best shops and restaurants in the lower town, but within walking distance of the funicular railway that ferries passengers up to the historic Città Alta.

The smart, well-designed hotel has 88 comfortable guest rooms, all with TV, mini bar and free Wi-Fi.

An excellent buffet breakfast is served daily on the ground floor of the hotel and there is a 24-hour bar service.

Editor’s note: ‘I enjoyed a comfortable, peaceful stay at the NH Bergamo. The room was quiet and I was able to sleep soundly, even though I was in the centre of the lower town and close to the main street.’

Click here for more information, to check prices and to book a room at the NH Bergamo.

Why stay at the NH Bergamo?

The NH Bergamo is in a good position, right in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa, but it is also handy for both the buses and the funicular railway up to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta.

It is within walking distance of the main sights in the Città Bassa.and all the shops, bars and restaurants.

The hotel is close to the stops for the bus service that runs to the airport and is also handy for the railway station and the regular train services to Milan, Brescia, Lecco and Cremona. From the nearby bus station there are coaches to resorts on Lago d’Iseo and the countryside north of Bergamo.

Bergamo's beautiful Piazza Vecchia

What to see in Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating historic city with two distinct centres. The Città Alta is a beautiful walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to make it comfortable for visitors today.

At the heart of the upper town is Piazza Vecchia, which was remodelled during the Renaissance and has been hailed by architects and writers as the most beautiful square in Italy.

It is surrounded by old palaces and has a 12th century bell tower that still strikes 100 times at ten pm each night to mark the ancient curfew.

With bars on two corners and prestigious restaurants along two sides, Piazza Vecchia is the perfect place to stop for something to eat and drink.

You can walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to Piazza Duomo where you will see the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and the Battistero - all of them architectural gems.

Streets of shops and restaurants lead off Piazza Vecchia to other squares with fountains, beautiful buildings, old churches and museums.

The elegant Città Bassa grew up on the plain below and still has buildings that date back to the 15th century.

More imposing and elaborate architecture was added in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it is now a vibrant city with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also palaces, churches, art galleries and museums to visit as well as a theatre and other venues providing concerts and entertainment.

The elegant Via Sentierone 

Via Sentierone, a short walk from NH Bergamo, is a popular place for la passeggiata. The Sentierone, which means broad path, links Piazza Vittorio Veneto with Via Torquato Tasso, a road that leads into the oldest part of the Città Bassa.

The Donizetti theatre, named after the opera composer, is on the corner of Via Sentierone, and close by, the Donizetti monument, set back from Via Sentierone in Piazza Cavour, was erected in 1897 to commemorate the first anniversary of the birth of the composer in Bergamo.

Directions: From the airport, you can either take a reasonably priced taxi, or buy a ticket for the No 1 bus that passes the railway station before turning along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the direction of the Città Alta. The hotel is in Via Palocapa, on the left, which is across the road and a short distance from the bus stop outside the beautiful church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The church is a good landmark, on the corner of Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII and Porta Nuova, with its 19th century green cupola topped with a golden statue.

Restaurant recommendation:

La Ciotola is a short walk away from NH Bergamo in Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the centre of the Città Bassa. La Ciotola, which means ‘the bowl’, offers many Bergamo specialities, including the local pasta dish, casoncelli,gnocchi with fennel in a cream sauce and risotto with truffles in red wine. There are fish and chicken dishes and a long pizza list, or you could try the local favourite of veal with mushrooms and polenta. 

Local specialities:

Try casoncelli alla bergamasca (Bergamo’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in wine with vegetables and herbs).

Local wines:

White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo.

Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.

The Bergamo speciality casoncelli

Shopping

One of the main thoroughfares in the Città Bassa in Bergamo is Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.

Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is named after an important event in Italy’s history. It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emmanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy.

Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emmanuel King of Italy, despite repeated events by nationalists to liberate it. But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war, Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance, and, after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia.

Victor Emmanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.

These days shoppers celebrate the anniversary by visiting the establishments gracing the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the NH Bergamo 

Home

Arli Hotel Bergamo

 

This smart Bergamo hotel is in an ideal position

In the heart of Bergamo’s Città Bassa (lower town), the comfortable Arli Hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the city and surrounding area.

Situated in Largo Porta Nuova, the three-star hotel is about half way between the railway station and the funicolare (funicular station) for the Città Alta (upper town), approximately 400 metres from them both.

Arli Hotel in Largo Porta Nuova

It is very close to the stops for buses to the Città Alta and the airport at Orio al Serio and is handy for some of the best shops and restaurants in the Città Bassa.

The Arli Hotel has a bright, welcoming reception area, which leads into La Delizia restaurant. There is also a dedicated internet room on the ground floor.

There is a lift to the 66 bedrooms and guests can opt for single, double or king size accommodation.

Editor’s note: “When I stayed at the Arli Hotel I was impressed with both the comfort of the bed and pillows and the selection of food offered at the buffet breakfast, which was included in the price of the room.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Arli Hotel, try our booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK.

Why stay at Arli Hotel in Bergamo?

The Arli Hotel is in an excellent location in Bergamo, handy for some of the best bars, restaurants and shops.

The Arli Hotel also has its own wine bar and guests can use the facilities of the Fit and Well Spa. There is free car parking for guests and room service is available after 10.30 pm for late arriving visitors.

Book a room at the Arli Hotel, Bergamo with Expedia UK.

What to see near the Arli Hotel

The beautiful church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is on the corner of Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII and Porta Nuova, with its 19th century green cupola topped with a golden statue. The origins of the church go back to 1422 when a convent was built on the site. The beautiful cloisters have been preserved within the church buildings, although the convent was suppressed at the beginning of the 19th century.

Porta Nuova with the upper town in the background

The distinctive Propilei di Porta Nuova, two buildings that look like small temples, were designed by Ferdinando Crivelli in the mid 19th century and built on the site of one of the gates of the muraine, the name for the old city walls that used to run through the Città Bassa.

Via Sentierone is a popular place for la passeggiata. The Sentierone, which means broad path, links Piazza Vittorio Veneto with Via Torquato Tasso, a road that leads into the oldest part of the Città Bassa.

The Donizetti monument, set back from Via Sentierone in Piazza Cavour, was erected in 1897 to commemorate the first anniversary of Donizetti’s birth. An imposing structure in white marble, it depicts the composer sitting on a bench gazing at the figure of a female playing the lyre. Set in the middle of a pond and surrounded by plants and trees, the monument is inscribed simply ‘A Gaetano Donizetti’.

La Chiesa dei Santi Bartolomeo e Stefano, at the corner of Via Torquato Tasso and Largo Bortolo Belotti, provides an impressive backdrop for Via Sentierone. Inside are some beautiful 18th century frescoes, but it is difficult not to be drawn straight to the magnificent altarpiece, Madonna with Child and Saints painted in 1513 by Lorenzo Lotto. The painting is also sometimes referred to as Pala Martinengo as it was commissioned by Alessandro Martinengo Colleoni, the nephew and adopted ‘son’ of condottiero Bartolomeo Colleoni.

Palazzo della Provincia in Via Torquato Tasso is Bergamo’s seat of provincial government. Built between 1864 and 1871, it was the first public work to be carried out in Bergamo after the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy . The new building was designed on a grand scale to house both the offices of the provincial administration and the prefecture of police. On the facade you will notice five carvings depicting significant events and personalities in Bergamo’s history.

La Chiesa di Santo Spirito in Piazzetta Santo Spirito is considered the most important religious Renaissance building in the Città Bassa. It was converted from an original 14th century church by the Venetian born architect Pietro Isabello in 1530 on behalf of some of the rich merchant families in Bergamo . The fine Renaissance design is more striking inside where there is a nave and ten side chapels divided by tall columns. Santo Spirito houses Enthroned Madonna with Saints and Angels, painted by Lorenzo Lotto in 1521.

Directions:

The Arli Hotel can be found in Largo Porta Nuova, just off Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII, the main thoroughfare that leads from the station up to the Città Alta.  It can be reached on foot or by bus or taxi from the station, or by bus and taxi from the airport at Orio al Serio.

Restaurant recommendation:

La Ciotola is a short walk away from Arli Hotel in Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the centre of the Città Bassa. La Ciotola, which means ‘the bowl’, offers specialities such as gnocchi with fennel in a cream sauce and risotto with truffles in red wine. There are fish and chicken dishes and a long pizza list, or you could try the local favourite of veal with mushrooms and polenta.

Local specialities:

Try casoncelli alla bergamasca ( Bergamo’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).

Local wines:

White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo.

Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.

Shopping:

One of the main thoroughfares in the Città Bassa in Bergamo is Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.

Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.

It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy .

Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy, despite repeated events by nationalists to liberate it.

But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia.

Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.

These days shoppers celebrate the anniversary by visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the Arli Hotel, Bergamo with Hotels.com or compare prices with Expedia UK. 

Home
.

Beat the winter blues with a bargain break in Italy

At this time of the year, with Christmas now behind us, many people start to look forward to their next holiday.

But because the summer seems a long way away, I would recommend planning a short winter break in Italy to take your mind off the bad weather and having to return to the daily grind.

The next few weeks would be a good time to go with cheap flights and bargain hotel prices being advertised at the moment.

To keep the costs down still further, be prepared to stay in less well-known towns or resorts where meals and taxi fares are usually cheaper.

There are often low cost flights available to airports close to the great cities of Rome, Venice and Milan.

The Venetian lagoon in winter

But if you base yourself just outside these cities you will find you spend less, while still getting the chance to enjoy the same great atmosphere, architecture, food and wine.

If you can find a cheap flight to Rome (Ciampino), consider staying in the ancient, wine-producing city of Frascati, just down the road from the airport.

The city has the feel of Rome, but it is on a smaller scale and life is at a less frantic pace. There are statues, fountains and wonderful architecture, but it is easy to walk around Frascati and there is little crime there, according to a taxi driver I spoke to.

It is said that Frascati’s delicious white wine ‘non viaggia bene’ (does not travel well), which is all the more reason to drink it there, in quaint wine bars serving it cheaply by the glass.

Villas built by wealthy Romans on the hills behind Frascati now lie in ruins, but there are elegant 16th and 17th century villas, such as the imposing Villa Aldobrandini, to look round.

Take the train to Rome (30 mins) and see the sights, but return in the evening to sit on a terrace sipping wine, looking down over the eternal city.

I recommend the Hotel Colonna as a good base in Frascati.

If you can book a low cost flight to Venice (Marco Polo), why not go by train or taxi to nearby Padova, a sophisticated city with good shops, restaurants and hotels.

Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel contains one of the world’s greatest works of art, a complete cycle of frescoes painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, the first time an artist created life-like figures with realistic expressions.

Padova is home to one of the most important places of Christian worship, the Basilica di Sant’Antonio, where pilgrims pray to the saint.

Foodies will be fascinated by the variety of shops and stalls in the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza delle Frutta.

You could take the train to Venice (35 mins) and arrive in style at Santa Lucia railway station on the Grand Canal, then return to Padova at night to enjoy an excellent meal, at a lower price than you would pay around St Mark’s Square.

Good places to stay in Padova are Hotel Belludi 37 and Hotel Europa.

For more detailed information about Padova visit www.bestofpadova.com.

There are currently some bargain flights to be found for Bergamo Caravaggio airport, also known as Milan Bergamo.  And you will be missing a trick if you don’t stay and explore Bergamo, a historic city with two distinct centres.

Bergamo's beautiful Piazza Vecchia

The upper town is a beautiful, walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times, but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to welcome visitors.

At the heart of the city is Piazza Vecchia, remodelled during the Renaissance and praised by architects as the most beautiful square in Italy.

Walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to see the Colleoni Chapel, considered the finest Renaissance building in Italy.

The lower town also has elegant buildings and a good choice of restaurants and hotels. From there you could take the train to Milan (50 mins) to see the sights, but in the evening you will be glad to return to the peace of Bergamo and dine within its 16th century walls.

I'd recommend staying at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco or the Hotel Cappello d’Oro while in Bergamo.

For more detailed information about Bergamo visit www.bestofbergamo.com.

Home

Hotel Excelsior San Marco Bergamo

Enjoy wonderful views of Bergamo’s Citta Alta from this high quality hotel

Entrance to the Excelsior San Marco 

The handy position of the Hotel Excelsior San Marco makes it a good choice for a short break in Bergamo.

The four star hotel in Piazza Repubblica is close to the station for the funicular railway that carries passengers from the Citta Bassa (lower town) up to the Citta Alta (upper town).

It is also near stops for the number 1 bus service that runs between the Citta Alta, the railway station in the Citta Bassa and Bergamo’s Il Caravaggio International Airport.

But it is the unique views from the windows that make a stay at this hotel a really magical experience.

Guests can linger over the generous buffet breakfast served in the first floor restaurant while enjoying a bird’s eye view of Bergamo ’s 450-year-old city walls, the towers and cupolas of the Citta Alta and the mountains in the distance. 

View of historic upper town in the skyline

The Hotel Excelsior San Marco is set back from the main street, Via Vittorio Emanuele II, at a comfortable distance from the traffic.

There are 155 rooms, either standard, superior, deluxe or suites, all with satellite television and minibar. There is wi-fi internet and a computer room free for the use of guests. The bar is handily located on the ground floor and there are comfortable settees to relax on in the spacious reception area.

Editor’s note: “I enjoyed a wonderful stay at the Excelsior San Marco in the autumn. Whether early in the morning when the walled city was softened by mist, or late at night when Porta San Giacomo displayed the colours of the tricolore, there was always a marvellous view from the window of my room on the sixth floor.

“I found it convenient that the hotel has three lifts so that there was never any time wasted waiting for one to arrive. The staff were all very helpful, recommending and booking a restaurant one night, and also ordering taxis for me during my enjoyable stay.”

2026 Editor's update: "I have stayed at this hotel many times since writing this post and always had a very good experience there. But I thought it might be worth recording that I had a very enjoyable stay at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco with some of my family to celebrate Capodannno in Bergamo. I saw in the New Year up in the Citta Alta and when I returned to the hotel, I was handed a complimentary glass of Prosecco by the staff on the reception desk. I spent three nights in a superior room, for which I was charged a small supplement, that had been recently renovated to include a large bathroom with walk in shower and given a modern decor and furniture. The buffet breakfast was still excellent, the staff were all very friendly and helpful, and I enjoyed the views from the breakfast room as much as ever. As the years have gone by, this hotel has continued to maintain its high standards."

For more information to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco go to our hotel bookings partner Hotels.com and Expedia UK.

Why stay at Hotel Excelsior San Marco in Bergamo

The Excelsior San Marco is a smart, high quality hotel in an excellent location in Bergamo .

The hotel has wonderful views of the Citta Alta, which is only a short distance away, but is also handily placed for accessing the many amenities of the Citta Bassa.

Guests have the benefit of the smart bars, restaurants and shops o the doorstep in Piazza Repubblica, but the attractions of Via Sentierone and Porta Nuova in the elegant centre of the Citta Bassa are within a short walk of the hotel.

What to see near Hotel Excelsior San Marco

Funicular station in the lower town

The hotel is close to the station for the funicular railway that carries passengers up to the Citta Alta every few minutes.

When you come out into Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe at the end of your journey you feel as though you are stepping back in time.

Walk up the narrow Via Gombito, thought to have existed during the Roman era, which is lined with shops and bars occupying the ground floors of medieval houses, including the Tourist Information Office in the 12th century Torre di Gombito.

Via Gombito lead to Piazza Vecchia, the beautiful square at the heart of the Citta Alta, which is dominated by the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione ( Palace of Reason ), at the southern end. An interesting architectural feature is the covered staircase at the side, built to enable visitors to access the salone superiore (main top floor room) of the palazzo from ground floor level.

Next to it, the big bell tower, il Campanone, dates back to at least the 12th century. On the west side is the 14th century palace that used to be the residence of the Venetian rulers of Bergamo. The Palazzo del Podesta Veneto (the Palace of the Mayor of Venice) now houses the University of Bergamo ’s Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature.

A beautiful building at the northern end is the white marble Biblioteca Civica (Angelo Mai Civic Library), also referred to as Palazzo Nuovo.

An elegant feature in the centre is the fountain decorated with white marble lions, donated to the city by Venetian Podesta, Alvise Contarini, in 1780.

If you walk through the archways of Palazzo della Ragione you will find yourself in Piazzetta del Duomo, where in addition to il Duomo you will see the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cappella Colleoni, and il Battistero.

Next to the south portal of Santa Maria Maggiore in Via Arena is il Tempietto di Santa Croce, a tiny church that dates back to the year 1000.

Further along Via Arena is the Palazzo della Misericordia Maggiore, which houses a museum dedicated to the life of opera composer Gaetano Donizetti, who was born and died in Bergamo .

Another fascinating street leading off Piazza Vecchia is Via Colleoni, which is lined with shops, wine bars and restaurants housed in medieval buildings.

From the top of Via Colleoni you can go through the historic Piazza Mascheroni and the strongly fortified Piazza Cittadella to reach Colle Aperto (open hill) from where buses depart for the Citta Bassa.

Restaurant Recommendation: Il Sole

On the corner of Piazza Vecchia and Via Colleoni, is the excellent restaurant, Il Sole.

Although it looks small from the outside, there are plenty of tables in two large rooms, furnished in traditional style with oil paintings and antique cookery implements on display. There is also a large garden for sunny lunches and dining outside on warm evenings.

It is a great place to try some of the traditional Bergamo dishes, or a pizza that has been cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Il Sole has an extensive wine list or you could order a jug of the inexpensive, but delicious house wine.

Editor’s note: “I return to Il Sole time after time as the food is reasonably priced and I find it to be consistently good.” The restaurant is closed on Thursdays.

Local specialities

Try casoncelli alla bergamasca (Bergamo ’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).

A window display of Valcalepio wines

Local wines: White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo.

Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.

Shopping

There are some fascinating, small shops in Via Colleoni and Via Gombito in the Citta Alta.

In the Citta Bassa there are big name shops in Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.

Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.

It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy .

Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy , despite repeated events by nationalists to liberate it.

But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia.

Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.

These days shoppers celebrate the anniversary by visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the Hotel Excelsior San Marco, Bergamo with Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Home

Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo

Ideal location for modern hotel that was former inn

Hotel Cappello d'Oro

Once an old inn in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa (lower town), the Hotel Cappello d’Oro is now a stylish Best Western hotel with every modern comfort.
The Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in Viale Papa Giovanni XXlll, one of the principal roads of the Città Bassa. It first became a hotel at the beginning of the 20th century and, more than 100 years later, has been completely refurbished to provide 21st century guests with four-star accommodation and the latest amenities.
The reception area is modern and spacious with a marble floor, white statues and potted palms, while the helpful staff are smartly dressed in tail coats. Guest rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished and have satellite television, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. The immaculate bathrooms are stylish and well laid out.
An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s Ristorante del Moro, which also offers lunch and dinner menus that include traditional Bergamo dishes. All 89 bedrooms have wifi and there is also a computer provided free of charge for the use of guests near reception.
The location of the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is ideal. It is within walking distance of the railway and coach stations and the funicular railway up to the Città Alta (upper town). It is also on the main bus route that links Bergamo Caravaggio Airport (also known as Milan Bergamo) with the railway station and the Città Alta.
Just round the corner from the hotel at Porta Nuova are some of the best shops and restaurants in the Città Bassa. Via Sentierone, with its smart bars and the renowned Teatro Donizetti, is also within a short walk of the hotel.
Editor’s note: “I enjoyed a very comfortable stay at the Cappello d’Oro, which was quiet and relaxing, even though it is close to many of the shops, bars and restaurants of the Città Bassa.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro, try our hotel booking partners Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Why stay at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro in Bergamo?

The Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in a good position, right in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa but it is also handy for both the bus and the funicular railway up to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta.
It is within walking distance of the main sights in the Città Bassa and all the shops, bars and restaurants.
The hotel is close to the stops for the bus service that runs between the airport and the Città Alta. It is also handy for the railway station and the regular train services to Milan, Brescia, Lecco and Cremona. From the nearby bus station there are coaches to resorts on Lago d’Iseo and the countryside north of Bergamo.

What to see in Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating historic city with two distinct centres.
The Città Alta is a beautiful walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to make it comfortable for visitors today.
At the heart of the Città Alta is Piazza Vecchia, which was remodelled during the Renaissance and has been hailed by architects and writers as the most beautiful square in Italy.
It is surrounded by old palaces and has a 12th century bell tower that still strikes 100 times at 10pm each night to mark the ancient curfew.
With bars on two corners and prestigious restaurants along two sides, Piazza Vecchia is the perfect place to stop for something to eat and drink.
You can walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to Piazza Duomo where you will see the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and the Battistero - all of them architectural gems.
Streets of shops and restaurants lead off Piazza Vecchia to other squares with fountains, beautiful buildings, old churches and museums.
The elegant Città Bassa grew up on the plain below and still has buildings that date back to the 15th century.
More imposing and elaborate architecture was added in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it is now a vibrant city with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also palaces, churches, art galleries and museums to visit as well as a theatre and other venues providing concerts and entertainment.

Directions: From the airport, either take a taxi - local prices are very reasonable - or the No 1 bus that passes the railway station before turning along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the direction of the Città Alta. The hotel is at number 12 on the left hand side.

Restaurant recommendation:

Taverna Valtellinese in Via Gerolamo Tiraboschi is a short walk from the Hotel Cappello d’Oro.
Once inside the Taverna Valtellinese you feel as though you are in an alpine chalet. Although it is a large restaurant, the wooden walls and floor and the check tablecloths make the atmosphere warm and intimate. The Taverna Valtellinese has been serving dishes made with authentic cheeses, butter, meat and wine from the Valtellina, a valley north of Bergamo, since opening in 1967. For antipasti there is a choice of bresaola, prosciutto and salame from the Valtellina.
Among the primi on offer is the classic pizzoccheri di Teglio, a variation on fettucine, served with Swiss chards, boiled potatoes and Bitto and Casera cheese. There are also panzerotti, gnochetti and tortelloni dishes cooked alla valtellinese and rice dishes.
For secondi there is a good choice of meat dishes including the local staple, stufatino ai funghi e polenta (meat with mushrooms and polenta), or culaccio di manzo al Sassella (beef braised in red wine from Sassella), spiedini alla griglia (a selection of meat grilled on a spit) or rognoncino in terrina con funghi (kidneys cooked with mushrooms). There are also some vegetarian and fish options.
Editor’s note: “On my visit to Taverna Valtellinese I found there was a good atmosphere and the restaurant was full of local people. I was particularly impressed with the antler-shaped chandelier on the ceiling and the white wine recommended by the waiter, which was a delicious Chiavennasca from the Valtellina.”

Local specialities: Try casoncelli alla bergamasca ( Bergamo’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta mixed with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).
Local wines: White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo. Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.
Shopping: One of the main thoroughfares in the Città Bassa in Bergamo is Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.
Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.
It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy. Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy, despite repeated attempts by nationalists to liberate it.
But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia. Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.
These days shoppers, perhaps unaware of the anniversary, enjoy visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the Best Western Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo with Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Home