Bergamo

Bergamo is a very interesting town, 2 nights are worthwhile there.
Regarding hotels, can't advise on Citta Alta - I've only ever tagged along with my partner who goes there for work every now and then, staying in the low town for convenience.

Bergamo is a great visit. If interested, try to schedule around a home match for Atalanta football club. You can have a real feel for the locals that way. The stadium is not too far from Città Alta.

Yes, I'd say it's definitely worthwhile! We spent 4 nights there but were meeting up with a large group of other travelers, and took a solo day trip to Lake Como. Still, while the upper city is compact, I think there's enough to keep you occupied for 1.5 days, and Città Alta is at its atmospheric best at night...although it's plenty interesting in daylight too. Be sure and take the second funicular - the one that starts in Città Alta versus the one from Città Bassa to the old, upper city - to its lofty terminus at San Vigilio hill for some great views and a pleasant walkabout.

https://www.visitbergamo.net/en/object-details/3369-s--vigilio-funicular/

Wish I could help you with a hotel but we chose an accommodation in Città Bassa (Arli Business Hotel) as some people we wanted to spend a little more time with were staying there as well, and it was a reasonably easy walk from the train station; a plus for us as we were arriving and departing the city more than once. I recall the Tourist Office (Città Bassa) being especially helpful with providing useful materials.

Now that I think about it, if your budget can stretch to it (it is >250€/night), the Relais San Vigilio at the top of the second funicular is reportedly amazing.

Balso, it looks like a lovely place to hang a hat for a couple of nights! Oooh, that view....

Interestingly, we spent some time browsing around the castle park, and I believe we accessed it via the long stairway off Via al Castello that passes right in front of that hotel.

Great thanks!
Just booked Relais San Vigilio for a good bit less than posted above. Looks wonderful.

I have an old Fodor’s Italy guide that describes Bergamo as “one of Italy’s most elegant, well-kept, picturesque cities” with “fairytale allure”

Sounds good to me

Great! I was indeed looking at summer rates rather than fall.

We are looking at staying in Bergamo to do a day trip to Milan. I have just started my research on this part of our trip for September so was happy to see this post. We will be coming from the Dolomites, with a car. What area of the city is a good place to stay to have access to the train station? The recommended Relais San Vigilio looks wonderful, but I'm not sure about that location.
Ellen

That location is terrible with a car. Better stay in the low town. Hotel Petronilla is very nice down there's but I am not sure if there is a parking lot at the hotel, and there could be a ZTL - cannot find a good map of those.

I had planned to stay at Bergamo in 2020, but that had to be cancelled. The hotel up in Citta Alta that I had booked was a nonrefundable reservation, but they were so kind to refund my reservation! I wanted to stay there as a thank you if I had the chance. I have a reservation for June! It’s the Gombit Hotel, adjacent to the Gombito Tower. Booking reviews give it a 9.9 for “location” and an overall 9.2 rating.

Since I’m traveling solo, I thought this would be a good location to be able to walk in the evening to a couple of nearby restaurants.

Jean
I was looking at the Gombit but when Balso mentioned Vigilio I gave that a second look
Didn’t realize there was a second funicular there
The Gombit is actually about 100 euros more for my 2 night stay.
From what I can tell that funicular runs well into the evening so
I think it will work for us
We will cab to/from station
May add a third night to do day trip to Milan, I’m just not that excited about Milan to be honest!

I am looking forward to hearing about your June stay in Bergamo

Christine H, I don’t like open heights, so I thought getting up to Citta Alta might be my limit. ; )

I share a trip report after I’m back, so I should have something about Bergamo posted by the first week of July. I’ve only stayed one night at Milan, so I can’t give a fair assessment of it. If you aren’t interested in Milan, do you want to take a day trip to one of the lakes? Lake Iseo is probably the quickest. Or Cremona is two hours exactly by train if you’re interested in their violin museum. I’m hoping to see/hear it, if possible.

We’ll be heading to Stresa after Bergamo then flying home from Milan.
I have lots of Milan stops possible but will probably end up skipping it!

I love Stresa! I’m planning to be there a couple of nights in June. I’m going to stay in the boutique hotel on Isola Bella again - Hotel Elvezia. I’ve stayed twice at hotels in Stresa and once at Hotel Elvezia.

Have a great time!