Best things to do in Province of Bergamo

Visit Leolandia to see animal exhibits and shows and experience amusement park rides. Speed on a rollercoaster, make a splash on the log flume, or ride the carousel. Meet animals in the farm, aquarium, and reptile house. Shows are performed throughout the day. Check the schedule so you don't miss your favorite: pirates, fairies, cowboys, or parrots. Take a tiny tour of Italy--admiring miniatures of 160 major monuments--then head to the Leonardo Da Vinci museum to learn about one of Italy's most brilliant sons. You can rent strollers, but call in advance if you need to rent a wheelchair.

Explore the medieval history of Bergamo in La Citta Alta. Perched on a hill overlooking the rest of the city, this upper city is surrounded by 17th-century Venetian walls and is home to the majority of Bergamo's historic buildings and cultural heritage sites. Admire colorful frescoes and Romanesque architecture at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. Visit the 14th-century castle that anchors the old city. You can walk from the lower city or take the funicular for views of the city and countryside.

Built in the 12th century as a tribute to the Madonna, Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore makes up part of the impressive architectural complex of Piazza Duomo. Designed by master builder Mastro Fredi from Campione, it stands over the site of a small church from the eighth century. With a Romanesque exterior and an interior decorated and filled with art from the Baroque era, this attraction wears its history on its sleeve. It may surprise visitors to find such a top attraction in the small city of Bergamo. If you're on a day trip from Milan, consider an all-day transportation pass for Bergamo.

More than just another run-of-the-mill zoo, Parco Faunistico Le Cornelle extends over more than 100 hectares (250 acres), and promotes the study, monitoring, and humane preservation of wildlife in captivity. The animals sheltered here live in enclosures carefully designed to reconstruct their original habitats as closely as possible. At this park you can see over 1,000 animals belonging to over 120 different species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles. The site also boasts one of the largest aviaries in the country, covering an area of about 7,000 sq m (75,000 sq ft). As you explore this sprawling wildlife sanctuary, keep an eye out for endangered snow leopards, white lions, and especially white tigers, which are now completely extinct in the wild. The site includes a restaurant, picnic areas, a children’s park, and several souvenir shops. Save time by booking your tickets online.

Situated in the heart of Bergamo's upper city, Piazza Vecchia serves as a historic reminder of the town's grandeur. Admire the plaza's classical architecture, displayed in the Palace of Reason, Scamozziano Palace, and marble arcade arches. The square's fountain is adorned with lions that Venice gave to the city in 1780. Several restaurants and cafes serve espresso, traditional regional specialties, and classic Italian pizzas. You can hike to the town, or take the nearby funicular if you'd rather not make the steep trek.

A living church in which worshippers still gather every day for mass, Cattedrale (Duomo) di Bergamo e Battistero is the central cathedral of Bergamo. It was rebuilt several times since the ninth century, with major renovations undertaken in 1689 and 1889. Designed in the shape of a Latin cross with a single nave, the cathedral's interior contains a number of paintings by high-Renaissance artists such as Giovanni Battista Moroni, Giovanni Cariani, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Just beside the church is the octagonal baptistry, with bas-relief episodes of the life of Christ and a statue of John the Baptist.