Everything You Need To Know About Shopping In Bergamo
Bergamo is a stunning walled city with two distinct parts: the Lower Town (Citta Bassa) and the Upper Town (Citta Alta). Bergamo Alta is perched on a hill known for its old city vibe and Medieval and Renaissance atmosphere, with cobbled streets and century-old structures, palaces, chapels, and other historic buildings. In contrast, Bergamo Bassa is the modern part of the city but still retains Bergamo’s old-world charms. It has wide streets, neoclassical buildings, promenades, and streets and walkways lined with boutiques and shops.
Although often overlooked in favor of Milan, a fashion city and the capital of Lombardy, Bergamo is also a fashion paradise for those seeking to discover and enrich their styles. Tucked within the city’s ancient streets are small shops where you can find unique masterpieces designed and created for you. In the lower Bergamo is a historic junction, Borgo San Leonardo, home to stylish boutiques, vintage stores, and cozy cafes. There are also some lovely shops, specialty stores, and art galleries in the Upper Town.
If you decide to visit Bergamo, whether for business, holiday, or historical excursion, don’t forget to set aside some budget for shopping. High-quality goods are available here for budget customers and big spenders. Don’t forget to drop your other bags and essential belongings at a luggage storage spot in Bergamo to shop hands-free and conveniently. Read our guide to getting around Bergamo as well, and hit the shops!
Bergamo Shopping Malls
Orio Center Shopping Mall
A short distance from Bergamo airport, Orio Center is one of the biggest shopping malls in Italy. It houses more than 200 stores on two floors, giving customers plenty of options, whether you’re shopping for clothes, jewelry, furniture, or unique gifts. You can also buy electronic items and sports gear, and there’s a hypermarket for food shopping or any ingredients you need for cooking.
You don’t have to go too far if you ever get hungry while shopping in Bergamo. Orio Center also features cafeterias, ice cream shops, and fast food and snack bars for a quick bite. Restaurants are also available for casual or fine dining. If you’re not yet ready to head home, check what’s showing in the cinema or see the events organized in the shopping center with your friends.
The shopping mall is open every day, from 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays. If you come on Saturday, it’s from 8:30 am to 9 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
Bergamo Shopping Center
In the heart of the city of Bergamo, the Bergamo Shopping Center is a shopping mall fit for families. With 19 shops available, there’s plenty to do for the whole family to enjoy a day out.
Although considered just a relatively large shopping mall, it has everything when it comes to essentials and basic needs. The mall’s main feature or shop is the hypermarket. As such, it has both local groceries and the common everyday merchandise in one store.
If you’re up for something to eat after your shopping spree, the mall has restaurants and small food shops you can browse from. You can even find a wide variety of sushi or munch on the many cupcakes or donuts in stock. If you’re here to enjoy some time with your kids, then entertainment is also available. There’s a dedicated area just for children to have fun at or play games with other kids.
The Bergamo Shopping Center opens all day throughout the week. The hypermarket opens before anything else at 8 am, while the rest of the shop opens at 8:30. On weekdays, everything closes at 11 pm, while on weekends, it closes at 10. Take note, however, that all stores don’t open until 9 am on weekends.
Le Due Torri Shopping Center
The Le Due Torri Shipping Center is located about 20 minutes out of the Bergamo city center. Although it’s small compared to those in the city, it has everything you’ll need, from the typical household items to the essentials. Besides the supermarket for your groceries, you can also find some entertainment inside.
If you want to hit the gym before doing your weekly shopping, then you can head to the 24/7 Hut Fit Fitness Lab. Or if you want to meet up with friends for lunch, the food area has varied restaurants you can choose from.
Finally, what makes the Le Due Torri Shipping Center quite special for being a small mall is that it has both a pharmacy and health clinic. The shopping center and all its stores are open every day from 9 am to 9 pm. However, note that the gym is open 24/7, so make sure to gain membership if you wish to enter anytime.
Brembate Shopping Center
If you’re planning to visit Italy but are not much of a city fan, then you may want to consider staying at Brembate. Brembate is a comune of Bergamo, and it’s the perfect place if you want to be close to Milan since it's located between these two cities.
Even if you’re in town for shopping, you won’t feel disappointed with the Brembate Shopping Center, where the locals go for both their groceries and a bit of relaxing entertainment. You can find clothing and footwear stores inside and many restaurants you can eat at, including the famous Burger King.
Additionally, the mall has a lot of health stores available, such as a pharmacy, dental clinic, and an optician, just to name a few. But perhaps the unique thing about this mall is that you can rent the gallery space for art exhibits and often host events for the public. Brembate Shopping Center opens from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm on weekdays, 8 am to 9 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
Alle Valli Shopping Center
Located in Seriate in an inner suburb of Bergamo in Lombardy, Alle Valli Shopping Center is your one-stop destination for all your home and fashion needs. It’s one of the significant shopping malls in the province of Bergamo, receiving about six million visits each year. It’s all thanks to the presence of a hypermarket and an eclectic mix of stores, catering to the specific needs of its local customers and loyal clientele.
Aside from its budget-friendly stores and boutiques, Alle Valli is also an ideal place to spend some time with your family, relax, have fun, and eat well. It has everything you need for dining and entertainment, such as cafes, restaurants, arcade games, and more. It is accessible for customers with reduced mobility, offers wide parking spaces, and free internet access.
The shopping mall is open every day, from 8:30 am to 9:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays, and closes thirty minutes early on Saturdays. It also remains open on Sundays and holidays between 9 am to 10 pm.
Curno Shopping Center
Situated in an affluent catchment area on the western side of Bergamo city, Curno Shopping Center is becoming a famous shopping destination for individuals and families. It is home to 88 stores and has been extended with a new food court space in 2019, which houses fifteen dining units and 600 comfortable seats.
Curno Shopping Center is a family-friendly Bergamo shopping mall. It simplifies its customers’ shopping experience by providing a range of services for every need. These include free car parking, a breastfeeding area, a nursery, vending machines, drinking fountains, and even a microwave and food warmer area for babies. You’ll also find a Curno Park for children and parents to spend happy moments together.
The shopping center is open from Monday through Sunday. You may come between 8:30 am to 9 pm from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 9 pm on Saturdays, and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays.
Shopping Streets
Via XX Settembre
Where will you stay in Bergamo? Try Citta Bassa! If you want to explore the great outdoors and find some of the hidden gems of Bergamo, do street shopping at Via XX Settembre. It’s a vibrant shopping street in Citta Bassa full of diverse, high-end stores for all needs and budgets. Here you can find a variety of high-street fashion brands, such as Benetton, Zara, Geox, MAX&Co, and more.
Besides the uninterrupted lines of shops on this street, you’ll also find beautiful buildings dating back to the 16th and 20th centuries. Make sure you visit when the weather is warm and pleasant to fully enjoy the stunning architecture while you’re on your shopping trip. Take your time and have a leisure walk around, go window shopping, and explore what the area has to offer. Once you’re done strolling, you can get a refreshment at a café, eat a delicious meal at a quirky restaurant, or check out the local bookstore.
Corsarola
Located in the heart of Citta Alta, Corsarola is a lively street full of restaurants and historic artisan shops unaffected by the passage of time. This historic street is a favorite walking spot by pedestrians who want to reach the upper part of the city, immerse in the past, and experience its old city atmosphere.
No matter the time of the day, Corsarola is always filled with tourists, university students, and locals who frequent the distinct shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and bars dotted along the street. It’s also home to some historical sites, including the Cozzi winery, Tresoldi bakery, Mangili gastronomy, and Trattoria del Teatro.
Walk on the street to reach San Vigilia, the highest point of Bergamo Alta. There are also some dining places and cafes to enjoy your morning coffee or have a hearty Italian breakfast.
Via Colleoni
Another area you should visit if you want to go shopping in Bergamo Alta is Via Colleoni. The narrow street remains busy during the day and is crowded in the evenings. Besides the ancient buildings, it’s hard to miss the small shops clamoring for your attention, many of which are over a hundred years old.
Whether you’re looking for a chic outfit, extra comfy footwear, gorgeous stationery, or interesting gifts for your loved ones, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for on Via Colleoni. There are also bakeries, artisans, and jewelers around, not to mention the wine bars, cafes, and restaurants.
Farmer's Markets in Bergamo
Earth Market of Bergamo
Do you want to skip the malls and access fresh, locally grown produce? In that case, the Earth Market of Bergamo should be your first destination in Bergamo, Italy. Located within the city center in Piazza Matteotti, the Earth Market was established in 2016 and now hosts about twenty stalls, drawing about thirty-five producers.
You can buy different types of fresh produce from the Market, from fruits and vegetables to cow and goat cheeses. It’s also a perfect place to purchase herbal teas, aromatic herbs, fresh meats, sausages, chocolate, honey, etc. Most goods sold here are found in the Bergamo province, but there are also products sourced from neighboring and other regions.
Azienda Agricola Fattorini
Discover the freshest fruits and the seasonal vegetables that grow in Bergamo. Located in Cologno Al Serio in the province of Bergamo, Fattorini Farm gives you access to high-quality foods while supporting the local farmers. The farmers here grow the vegetables without using chemicals to ensure consumers fully enjoy the health benefits and authenticity of every product.
When you visit the market, you’ll be greeted by friendly and competent managers. It sells varieties of veggies and fruits, so you’ll have tons of options to fill your pantry. It is open from Mondays through Saturdays between 9 am to 12 noon and 3 pm to 6 pm, although they close at 5 pm on Saturdays.
Have the Best Shopping Experience in Bergamo
Bergamo is full of fabulous things to do like browsing museums or dining in restaurants. And whether you’re looking to enhance your style or searching for one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones, Bergamo has everything for shoppers, no matter their budget. Even if you prefer sightseeing over shopping, you’ll definitely be tempted to shop in the city with its lovely boutiques, stores, and impressive shopping facilities. And if you want to explore more shops and excellent stores, remember that Bergamo is only a stone's throw away from Milan via express trains from Bergamo Train Station.