Turin, Bergamo, Milan

Are you concerned that 3 nights in Bergamo is too long? I can't really speak to that since we haven't been there. But one suggestion I can make is that you could take one night from Bergamo and add it to Milan so that you have 3 nights there. Milan really is a wonderful city. There are so many interesting sights and it's lovely just for walking and wandering.

We had a tour of the Duomo, including the rooftop tour. A highlight for us. We enjoyed wandering around the Brera district. Are you interested in seeing The Last Supper? The Pinocoteca Art Museum is supped to be amazing. We weren't able to get in because it was the first Sunday of the month when admission is free, but you have to reserve the free tickets online, which we didn't know about. There are other interesting sights in Milan, too. Certainly enough to fill up 2 to 2.5 days.

kmkwoo- I had thought about doing just that! Changing it to two nights Bergamo. Milan does seem to have some interesting things to see and yes we had planned on doing the blast Supper either on our own if I can score tickets or via a tour operator. I found it interesting how so many people did not like Milan and felt that one day or an afternoon was plenty of time. I think that is why I opted for just the two nights. I wish we had more time!

I spent four nights in Bergamo last year. There is plenty of things to do in Bergamo for three full days. I did a day trip to Brescia although in hindsight, two full days in Brescia would have been better.

Bergamo is a delightful city. A couple of years ago I took a day trip from Milan and enjoyed both the Città Alta and the Città Bassa. Depending on your chill style, with 3 nights you may want to consider a day trip to a place like Lake Como or somewhere else nearby. I've also done a day trip to Turin from Milan (last summer). You might consider staying there 3 nights and add one to Milan - especially if you haven't previously visited Milan (a great city with a lot to experience)!

Before I comment on the length of your Bergamo stay, would you share with us why you're doing 4 nights in Turin?

palmisanojm - We are heading there the day of arrival so really it is four nights three days. One of these days will be spent in the countryside on a private tour I have already booked. The rest of the time will be spent touring the royal palace, museums such as Palazo Madama and walking the city itself. Turin seems to be such a foodie city. This will be my 6th trip to Italy and Turin has been on my list for sometime. I would like to see more of Piedmont but given the time restraints this time will return.

Mary- I am happy you enjoyed your time in Bergamo. How much of those 4 days did you actually spend seeing Bergamo itself? 2? If you felt that you had enough for 2 full days there then our three might be enough.

Mary- I am happy you enjoyed your time in Bergamo. How much of those 4 days did you actually spend seeing Bergamo itself? 2? If you felt that you had enough for 2 full days there then our three might be enough.

I arrived early morning at the train station — by the time I got to my hotel and dropped off bags it was around 10am on day 1 so almost a full day. Day 2 was a full day in Bergamo. Day 3 was in Brescia with evening in Bergamo. Day 4 was spent in Bergamo until 6pm, then I went to train station to go to airport hotel in Milan for flight home the next morning.

Mary- Thank you! This is incredibly helpful.

palmisanojm - Four nights definitely isn't too long for Turin, especially with time planned outside the city. In six nights, I wasn't able to see everything that interests me. There are many wonderful museums, historic sites, and restaurants.

Thanks for the reply, OP. Wow, 6 trips to Italy!

So, you'll actually spend 2 - 2.5 days sightseeing Turin. Okay, great!

Re: Bergamo. I don't think there's a right or wrong decision for appreciating this underrated second-tier city.

1. You could spend 2 nights / 1 day and be fulfilled. I was. My wife, however, would've liked another day to explore Citta Bassa more. If not for our set itinerary, I wouldn't have protested. 🙂

2. You could spend 3 nights / 2 days to explore gorgeous Citta Alta and lesser known Citta Bassa and catch your breath before busier Milan and its many worthwhile attractions. (Don't believe the naysayers.)

Considering you like a slower travel pace, I'd do #2.

Tip: Follow your intuition and don't force a mid-October trip to Lake Como.

HK: Now I know the OP has a tour planned outside Turin, I agree with you. 🙂

Hi, I have stayed at all three locations more than once. I really like Torino (Turin) as a wonderful larger city that thankfully seems to still be off of the main tourists’ route. Bergamo Citta Alta is charming with the medieval atmosphere & gorgeous marble chapel architecture & stunning church. I personally don’t get the feel for staying long in Milan, but there is plenty to do there.

I will add the link to my most recent trip to Italy last Fall which includes all three. I especially recommend the food tour I did in Torino - one of the best I have experienced. I didn’t go through the royal palace last year because I did it previously. It’s excellent, and the display room with the armor - men & horses is gorgeous for some stellar photos!

My personal opinion: 4 nights is great for Torino. 3 would be one too many for me for Citta Alta. 2 is fine for Milan. I would be tempted to do 4,2,3 and plan a day trip of a 1-hr train from Milan to either Stresa (Lake Maggiore w gorgeous Isola Bella 5-minute ferry for the formal Italian garden) or Cremona (Stradivari museum & an amazing church interior, plus an interesting clock tower with a solid core to climb.)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-solo-mother-daughter-in-north-italy

Jean: I was waiting for you to pitch Stresa/Lake Maggiore and Cremona. 🙂 I hope to do both someday!

Jean- Thank you for your thoughtful response and link to your trip report. It looks like a wonderful trip with your daughter! I also wanted to thank you for the day trip suggestion to Stresa. I struggle so much with day trips to places that I feel should be given more time but I have seen Stresa mentioned as a common day trip from Milan. It was also helpful to get your take on Bergamo. Thanks again!!

palmisanojm- Thank you for your kind reply and thoughts. I am happy you and your wife enjoyed Bergamo. We have not been to Milan before but so many don’t feel it needs a ton of time. This was why I was giving it the two nights. I really appreciate your feedback and the support in my going with my gut on saving lake como for another visit. I just love Italy! There is so much to see and varied scenery. Thanks again!

Hi again, Parma is another city that’s an hour train from Milan if you take the fast train (buy the ticket ahead so it’s cheaper). Parma has my favorite church interior - beautiful warm frescoes lining the walls & ceiling. Excellent food here!