Two cities, two souls, one unforgettable experience. Bergamo and Brescia are among Lombardy’s most enchanting gems—ideal for a cultural escape, a stroll among historical treasures, or a gastronomic adventure. Just a few miles apart and linked by Italo high-speed trains, they offer everything you need for a weekend getaway or a day full of beauty.
A Cultural Legacy That Continues to Shine
For the record, in 2023, Bergamo and Brescia shared the prestigious title of Italian Capitals of Culture—but their allure extends well beyond that distinction.
- The Italian Capital of Culture and its history
- What to see and do in Bergamo
- Head out with Italo to Bergamo
- What to see and do in Brescia
- Head to Brescia with Italo
1. The Italian Capital of Culture and its history
Bergamo and Brescia both have deep historical roots stretching back to antiquity. Each city plays a significant role in Italian art, from Bergamo’s Renaissance architecture to Brescia’s Roman heritage. Their museums, churches, and well‑preserved centers tell a captivating story of evolving styles—Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance—woven over centuries.
In previous years, the title has been awarded to the cities of Cagliari, Lecce, Perugia, Ravenna, Siena in 2015; Mantua in 2016; Pistoia in 2017, Palermo in 2018, Parma in 2020 and extending into 2021 by the Relaunch Decree; and Procida in 2022. The Relaunch Decree also proclaimed both Bergamo and Brescia Italian Capitals of Culture for 2023, as a sign of solidarity for the victims of the pandemic.
The Italian Capital of Culture of 2024 is Pesaro. In 2025, will be Agrigento.
2. What to see and do in Bergamo
To better organize a trip to this Capitol of Culture, here are some interesting things so keep in mind. It’s sometimes called the City of the Thousand, referring to the historic expedition of Giuseppe Garibaldi, in which citizens of Bergamo participated. The city is famously divided into the Upper Town and the Lower Town. Check out our past posts on the three special places to visit from the bottom up and what to see in Bergamo on a day trip (including where to have the best polenta).
In preparation for this year’s events, edifices and squares of the Lower Town have been renovated with modern updates, such as the restoration of over 3,000 square meters of historic gardens overlooking the Venetian Walls, and the opening of foot and bike paths to move around the center and one extending even further to discover the surround areas.
Between the Upper Town and the Lower Town, in Bergamo, you can discover many cultural and artistic treasures, by visiting the Carrara Academy, one of the most important art galleries in the world; or the GAMeC, the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art; or even the Donizetti Museum, dedicated to the Bergamo composer Gaetano Donizetti.
From lower Bergamo to the upper old town, three special places to visit in this wonderful city
Have you ever been to the Accademia Carrara? And the Rota Botanical Garden? Come and visit Bergamo with us on this “unusual” itinerary.
But this Lombard city is also ideal for a romantic weekend with 5 places that you don’t want to miss. While in Bergamo, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Museum of Natural Sciences, the Museum and Treasury of the Cathedral, the Cordani Exhibition Space. Another beautiful place to visit are the Libraries of Bergamo and to take a look around at the local artists and craftsmen.
3. Head out with Italo to Bergamo
Reach Bergamo in utmost comfort thanks to Italo’s high-speed trains! Buy your modifiable, low-cost ticket now, with numerous routes connecting Bergamo the rest of Italy! When purchasing your ticket, remember to first log in to your account to take advantage of the Italo Più offers and rates for members only. If you haven’t already done so, you can register for free for the Italo Più Loyalty Program and immediately get a 5% discount on your first trip. You can also accumulate points on consecutive trips to earn free reward tickets.
Don’t miss out on a nice getaway to the greenery of Le Cornelle Park and if you want to end the day on a high note, here are the best restaurants in Bergamo to savor traditional dishes. Are you ready to visit Bergamo from the bottom to the top?
4. What to see and do in Brescia
Brescia is known as Lioness of Italy and now is the ideal time to visit this city that still isn’t very touristy but has so much potential. In past posts we’ve written about what to see in Brescia, the city of a thousand surprises and how to visit Brescia from top to bottom.
However, there are still extraordinary treasures to note such as the Santa Giulia monastic complex deemed a World Heritage Site in 2011. Don’t wait, set off to discover the medieval city of Brescia, easily achieved on foot, for enchanting views, sights, and events during its year as the Italian Capital of Culture.
Start at the Museo del Risorgimento in Brescia with its new scenographic and technological set-up and then head to the Museo di Santa Giulia which this year has a busy calendar of events and exhibitions. There will be numerous exhibitions in Brixia, the Archaeological Park of Brescia Romana and in the Castle of Brescia. If you are a car lover, don’t miss the Mille Miglia Museum that will shed light on the history of motoring with its vintage cars. Finally, you can visit the Teatro Grande for the Opera Festival and then end up in the Piazza del Foro, the religious, commercial, and political heart of the city in Roman times.
In short, Brescia offers a robust schedule of exhibitions, events, and landmarks to carry you through the whole of the year and you can even explore underground Brescia, its art and archeology, while wandering through its metro stations.
5. Head to Brescia with Italo
Why wait to discover the charms of Brescia? Choose one of Italo’s numerous daily trains to Brescia and depart from Verona, Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples. When buying your modifiable, low-cost ticket remember to log in to your account to take advantage of any Italo Più offers and rates for members only. If you haven’t already done so, you can register for free for the Italo Più Loyalty Program and immediately get a 5% discount on your first trip and accumulate points on consecutive trips to earn free reward tickets. Don’t miss the Archaeological Park of Brescia, a Roman treasure in the heart of Lombardy, its quiet, unexplored beauty will leave you breathless! Finally, don’t forget to taste the best dishes the city offers, find out more with our restaurant guide to Brescia.
