Car Hire Bergamo Airport

The airport is just to the south-east of Bergamo, a 15-minute drive or less along the SP591. If you’re heading straight for Milan, take the A4/E64 south-east. It will take an hour or so depending on traffic.

Almost all motorways – called ‘autostrada’ – are toll roads you’ll need to pay to drive on. However, they do allow faster travel between cities, with a top speed limit 130km/h. It’s usually 50km/h in urban areas.

In both Bergamo and Milan, there are ZTL low-emission zones in the central streets. You can’t drive in these areas without a permit, and there are areas where cars are banned. Look out for ZTL signs to make sure you don’t accidentally enter the restricted zone, as you could be fined.

There’s plenty of free parking in Bergamo where you can leave your vehicle and enter the ZTL zone on foot. Find the most convenient location with this on-street parking map. If you can’t find a spot, head to one of the parking garages and pay for a space.

From Bergamo, head north-west on the SP342 to the luxury of Lake Como. The smaller but no less idyllic Lake Iseo is just to the east – you can reach its southern tip via the A4 and SP469.

The Cascate del Serio is the tallest in Italy and the second-tallest in Europe. It’s only 50km away via the SP ex Strada Statale 671 route. The Cascate del Serio is only open several times per year – make sure you check the schedule before heading off.

In Italy, keep on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. By law drivers must wear seatbelts and avoid using their phone at the wheel. When driving outside of towns and cities, you must switch on your dipped headlights – even during the day.

Northern Italy will spoil you for choice. Flit between quiet towns full of rustic charm and feel the gusto of fashion-fanatical Milan. Then pack up the car and drive out to the lakes, where life is sun-kissed and still, and every vista looks like it’s been painted by an old master.

Beauty in Bergamo

Bergamo is the biggest attraction in Lombardy outside Milan. It’s split in two – the Citta Bassa and the Citta Alta. The latter is the upper city, protected by walls built in the 16^th century, every inch the medieval stronghold. The former, Citta Bassa, is the lower city. The two are connected by a railway.

Start in Piazza Vecchia, the old town’s heart, lined with cafes and classic buildings. The 1611 Palazzo Nuovo – now a library – dominates one side of the square and the Torre del Campanone the other. This tower was erected in the 12^th century, with frequent updates over the years including a lift which takes you 52 metres up to the top. Many original features remain too, including the 10pm toll of the mighty bell.

The beauty of Bergamo spills onto the plate. One of the region’s best restaurants is Da Vittorio, a short drive from the city. It serves up a mouthwatering selection of indulgent Italian fare, such as smoked pork rib and duck breast lacquered with lavender honey.

Awe-inspiring art

The modest city of Bergamo has a prized art collection. Head to Accademia Carrara for a slice of the best – this almost palatial building is decorated with masterpieces by Renaissance painters Botticelli, Raphael and more.

Of course, there are even bigger things waiting in Milan, including the legacy of Caravaggio. This Renaissance painter was renowned for his dramatic creations and dark insights into the human world. You can seek Caravaggio’s works across the city, but the main attraction is ‘Supper at Emmaus’ at Pinacoteca di Brer.

The gold rush continues at the Basilica di Santa Marie delle Grazie, where Leonardo da Vinci’s world-famous The Last Supper’ is the main attraction. This masterpiece is preserved on the walls of the connected museum. In an effort to preserve the 15th-century hand-painted works, access is ticketed.

Flair for fashion

Cut Milan and it bleeds silk. This is a city with a prestigious design history, manifested in the temples of haute couture and the hotly-anticipated annual Fashion Week. Browse the elegant Quadrilatero d’Oro district to see the latest collections of Prada, Gucci and more. The cafes are high-end here too, many of them offshoots of the fashion houses.

The shopping highlight of Milan is the Gallerie Vittorio Emanuele II on the Piazza del Duomo. This shopping arcade is more than 140 years old, its dramatic glass roof held aloft by cast iron, flooding the interior with natural light. Indeed, you’ll find some of the oldest shops and restaurants in Milan here.

When you collect your hire car at Bergamo Airport, the artistic buzz of Milan, medieval Bergamo and the rippling lakes are just a drive away.