BERGAMO (Italy): A fun choice for a family friendly summer break with autistic kids.
- Jan 26
- 12 min read
Updated: Jun 14
Only an hour's drive from Milan's Linate airport - Bergamo's old town, the Citta Alta, is a UNESCO listed medieval hilltop. A stay within its 16th century Venetian walls offers a great short break for autistic families willing to think outside the box.
In This Guide: Why Bergamo / Citta Alta / Local Food / Churches and History / Best Day Trips
Quick Summary: Sensory and Travel Logistics
Destination and Focus: Bergamo (Northern Italy). A summer trip designed for families traveling with autistic and neurodivergent children.
Sensory Profile: Mix of bustling commercial crowds in the modern town, a fun city funicular to take you up the mountain to the historic centre – the Citta Alta. Here it transitions to wide, calm, green outdoor terraces and medieval cobbled streets in the upper Citta Alta.
Key Transit Access: Accessible via direct flights into Milan or Bergamo with Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard support, alongside local transport options such as Italian and inter-europe trains. Once at Bergamo transport includes public bus and funicular transit up the hillside to the Citta Alta. Car hire from airport an option, but be warned there is very limited parking in the Citta Alta.
Best Time to Visit Bergamo’s Citta Alta: Early morning exploring to bypass heavy August tourist queues, or cooler shoulder months to reduce sensory fatigue from heat and crowds.
Essential Companion Resources: To prepare for the travel logistics of flying to Northern Italy, review our step-by-step checklist for arranging Airport Special Assistance. If your family wants to experience a quiet, nature-focused lake adventure nearby, see our highly rated guide to visiting Lake Iseo with autistic children
Planning an Autism-Friendly Family Trip to Bergamo: Why We Chose It
Bergamo is a town of two halves, its modern commercial centre situated at the base of the hill and at the top, a 4700-hectare green area surrounded by Venetian Walls - the Citta Alta - its historic heart.
As a holiday destination it is often overlooked in favour of it's flashier cousin Milan and the glamour of the region's famous lakes. However it has much to offer, including amazing food and inexpensive attractions. Our decision to book a summer break in Bergamo was a lucky combination of some idyllic WhatsApp photos of friends on an Italian Lake the previous summer, an abiding love of Italian culture, desire for authentic gelato and a well-timed flash sale on the BA website. Whatever the reason, once the seed of the idea had been planted J was as keen as I was to visit Italy's Lombardy region and explore the foothills of the alps.
As the time for our flights grew near I got my pre-holiday nerves. Had I made the right decision - was a city break in Bergamo the right holiday for our autistic boys? I was worried about second part of our trip (3 nights by Lake Garda) - I wanted it to be interesting for J and I but not too ambitious for the boys, sensory friendly for them but relaxing for us, scenic despite the tourists and with the space for us all to enjoy some truly memorable moments as a family.
So was our family holiday to Bergamo a great choice for our autistic boys AND us? Read on to find out!
Why staying in Bergamo's Citta Alta was a sensory friendly choice for our autistic children
The Quiet Window: Exploring Early Mornings Before the Day Trippers Arrived
Bergamo is a hugely popular day trip from the larger cities of Brescia and Milan, however
it accommodation options in the Citta Alta are somewhat limited. This means that surprisingly few people actually stay overnight. For those that do, the stunning architecture and picturesque lanes is theirs to explore until the day trippers arrive, normally around 10.30am.
These mornings were our favourites times of the day, when the café owners were just opening up and had time for a joke or a chat, the churches were quiet and there was space to simply sit and be and there were no queues for the famous Bergamo focaccia (see below)!
Secret Courtyards & Early Evening Wind-Downs Away From the Citta Alta Crowds.
The Citta Alta is dominated by its large duomo and main square, with a small number of roads lined with cafes, artisan shops and restaurants. Day tourists rarely venture far from the main square, so even during the early evening bustle it is possible to discover places of stillness.
Adventurous visitors who are happy to explore Bergamo's side streets will be rewarded with a treasure trove of shaded quiet squares, ornate fountains and hole-in-the-wall bars. Offering crystal clear water for drinking and the chance to wash your hands and face, these little pockets of tranquillity were the perfect place to enjoy our post lunch / pre dinner dinner gelatos!
Sampling the Sensory Delights of Bergamo’s Local Food and Gelato
If you are a family that like Italian food then the choices in Bergamo's Citta Alta will not disappoint.
Focaccia Heaven: Trying Bergamo’s Famous Street Food at Il Fornaio
Bergamo is known for a special type of focaccia, thick and spongy and topped with fresh pizza fillings which are then grilled and served hot. Its considered a street food snack, and the most famous place to try it is from a cafe called Il Fornaio.
My husband and eldest son absolutely loved these focaccias and the incredible array of toppings to choose from. Il Fornaio even offered a plain cheese gluten free one - which was a nice gesture.
Gelato Goals: Our 12-Flavour Mission began in the late evening sunshine of Piazza Mascheroni
Bergamo's old town has affordable gelaterias on every corner (around 3 euro for 2 scoops), all filled with the most wonderfully coloured, shiny creamy mountains of pure deliciousness. And the flavours, such tantalising flavours! As ice-cream afficionados, my son and I were in heaven. However we knew if we started with our favourites (pistachio for me, chocolate for him) we'd never end up trying anything else so we made a deal.
We both had to be brave and try at least 5 other gelato flavours before we could have a chocolate or pistachio!
Which was how my eldest and I found ourselves on the second evening, sitting on a bench in front of Gelateria Cherubino tucking into an incredible double pot of peach and stracciatella gelato. As Stracciatella, a vanilla ice-cream with chocolate shavings was invented in Bergamo, it seemed the best place to start!
As we relaxed in the early evening warmth the soft notes of a violin floated across the picturesque square - Piazza Mascheroni - and blended with the gentle laughter and clinking glasses of tourists enjoying Aperitivo.
Over the next 6 days my son and I managed to work our way through an impressive 12 different flavours of gelato including watermelon, raspberry ripple, lemon cheesecake, double chocolate, mascarpone, pistachio, salted caramel and nectarine. It was a brilliant mission to set, relatively inexpensive and one we both really enjoyed. I'm usually quite boring with dessert flavours but I was determined to set a brave example!
APERITIVO
Aperitivo is one of my favourite Italian customs and traditionally involves the serving of nibbles like olives, nuts, cheeses, cured meats, mini pizzas, focaccia with alcoholic drinks during the early evening before dinner, normally 6 - 8pm.
Exploring Bergamo’s Medieval Sights and Historic Churches
Climbing the Campanone Civic Bell Tower (Torre Civica)
As you may have gathered from other posts, our family can never resist climbing a tower, and the Campanone in the middle of the Old Town in the Piazza Vecchia was no exception. Built sometime between the 11th and 12 centuries by the powerful Suardi family, its potted history has seen it used as a hospice and once even the city's prison. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic panoramic view of Bergamo, the Duomo, and the nearby Alps.
Sensory Notes:
Arrive early: I know I say this a lot, but for a calm quiet experience it is worth getting there early. We arrived 5 minutes before it opened, and were literally the first people through the doors.
The reward: The views from the top were brilliant and we had them all to ourselves! Because there was more space and fewer crowds, we spent a lot longer than we thought we would exploring the tower and admiring the views in from the two different levels.
Quick Family Tips:
Stairs v's the Elevator: Feel reassured that you don't have to take the stairs. There is an elevator available, but it is small and not obvious. Caught up in the boys enthusiasm to get to the top of the tower as soon as possible, we did not see the lift and headed straight for the stairs. We walked the whole way up, all 53m to the top! The eldest and I definitely took the lift down!
The Ground Floor Museum: There is a museum on the ground floor which I thought looked fascinating, but the boys were not interested so we gave it a miss! If you have time you could try a second visit just for the museum - remember entrance is free is you have a National Disability Card (read more about this card here).
The 10 PM Bell Tradition: Its bell system (the campanone is the largest in Lombardy) was installed in the mid-1300s. If you do decide to stay in the old town then listen out at 10 pm, as each night the tower's bells chime 100 times—a tradition dating back to the time of the Venetian Republic to warn inhabitants that the city gates were closing.
Managing the Sensory Sparkle of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
Built in the second half of the 12th century, it is believed that the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was built to fulfil a vow made to the Madonna in 1133 by the people of Bergamo to protect Bergamo from the plague which was ravaging northern Italy. It is considered to be one of Bergamo's most beautiful and majestic churches.
Sensory Notes:
When to go: We visited the Basilica early one morning, before the tour groups arrived. If you only have time to visit one church, make it this one and go early to avoid the crowds!
Acoustic experience: While the early hour meant we had the church to ourselves, this meant it was almost totally silent and every sound our kids made felt magnified. I enjoyed the chance to sit briefly in the calm serenity and admire the decorated interior. J had less fun; he spent most of his time chasing around after our youngest, who thought the acoustics fascintating and was intent of exploring them from every corner of the church.
Quick Family Tips
The Sensory Shift: In contrast to its rather plain Romanesque exterior, the inside was richly decorated with gold, frescoes, and marble sculptures. Our boys found the intense patterns and vibrant colours quite stimulating.
Welcoing attitude: The church officers were pretty relaxed and nice to us, even when the little one was sitting on a red velvet chair near the altar which had a sign on the floor that clearly said keep off! This was probably because there were no crowds of tourists to manage, and the fact that Italians really do love children!
If you only have time to visit one church, then make it this one and go early to avoid the crowds!
The Geometric Floors of Chiesa di Sant'Agata nel Carmine
Opposite our apartment was the Chiesa di Sant'Agata nel Carmine (The Church of Saint Agatha) The cult of St Agatha, a lady who brings gifts to children on the 13th December came to Bergamo from Sicily. We popped in early one morning and had the church to ourselves.
It was rather lovely inside - lots of beautiful Baroque detailing, colourful altarpieces, and a black and white geometric floor which my eldest thought was brilliant and highly engaging to look at. The church features a chapel dedicated to the Madonna del Carmine with a precious Baroque altar by the famous architect Filippo Juvarra.
What about the Bergamo Duomo?
Bergamo's catholic cathedral in the Old Town is dedicated to Saint Alexander, (also known as the Cathedral of Sant'Alessandro). It is situated along the edge of same Piazza as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. We didn't have time to visit during our Travelling with Sunflowers trip it, so I cant comment on its interior layout or provide sensory notes but it is located right in the main historic hub
Exploring Beyond the City: Best Family Day Trips From Bergamo
The main sights of Bergamo's old town can be reliably discovered across the course of a day, and there is much to enjoy simply strolling its streets, window shopping and enjoying the architecture.
However if you enjoy getting out and about, Bergamo is perfectly located. Many of the region's most beautiful destinations are within a 75 minute drive. The local routes comprise a standard blend of toll roads and free motorways. Alternatively you could choose use the region's public transport system which is highly affordable and reliable.
(Note: These approximate journey times are from Bergamo's Old Town in August, excluding bank holidays).
1. Mountain Breezes in San Pellegrino (40 mins away)
Set high in the mountains by a crystal clear river, the spa resort of San Pellegrino is famous for its bubbly water and flavoured drinks which are still made in the factory on the edge of town.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Verdict: We really enjoyed our afternoon here and recommend it for families with autistic kids as a low-key, low-stimulating day trip option from Bergamo.
Full Itinerary: Read our complete Travelling with Sunflowers article on visiting San Pellegrino with autistic children here.
2. Gentle Lake Swimming at Lake Iseo (50 mins away)
This is another fantastic day trip option, we enjoyed it so much we went twice to the main Lido to swim and play on the shores of the lake.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Verdict: Lake Iseo definitely makes a great choice for families with autistic kids who are looking for some gentle, low-crowd water sports and relaxation.
Full Itinerary: Read our highly rated guide to visiting Lake Iseo with autistic children here.
3. Iconic Scenery in Sirmione on Lake Garda (1 hr 15 mins away)
A visit to Sirmione with its medieval castle and cobblestone streets is definitely in day-trip territory. Its location, jutting out into the water from the shore of Lake Garda, offers stunning scenery and the chance to visit one of Northern Italy's most famous lakes. We actually spent three nights a few miles inland of Lake Garda as the second half of our trip and found plenty to enjoy.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Parents' Bonus: Sirminone is close to the notable wine region of Valpolicella, so you could easily combine your trip with a vineyard tasting- as we did on our 2nd day.
Full Itinerary: Read our popular article on visiting Sirmione and Lake Garda with autistic children here.
4. Low-Crowd Ruins in Brescia (50 mins away)
We didn't have time to visit on this specific trip, but Brescia offers UNESCO-listed Roman ruins, along with beautiful medieval and Renaissance architecture—such as the impressive Castle on Cidneo Hill.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Sensory Benefit: Brescia traditionally sees far fewer tourist crowds than the massive nearby hubs, making it a calmer option for historic exploring.
5. Managing the City Bustle of Milan Central (1 hr away)
It is entirely possible to reach Milan in an hour from Bergamo if you are keen to visit its famous Gothic cathedral in the Piazza Duomo, enjoy coffee in the impressive Galleria Shopping Arcade, or stop by the La Scala opera house.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
Our Choice: We didn't visit Milan on this trip with the boys. I have been before, and we were simply not keen to inflict a massive, bustling city on our kids during the peak summer when tourist crowds pack the streets.
6. A Musical Lunch Stop in Cremona
On our drive from Bergamo to Lake Garda we decided to stop in Cremona for lunch. It was absolutely beautiful, and depending on your interests could make a quirky day trip option or a great stop off between Bologna and Milan.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Quirky Highlight: Cremona is the historic home of the Violin Museum (Stradivari had his actual workshop in the city), features a beautiful cathedral and bell tower, and houses several fascinating civil museums.
Further reading:
Bergamo offers a low-stress base for families. If you are looking to expand your Italian adventure to other sensory-friendly destinations, check out our other family guides:
SAN PELLEGRINO (Italy): Spa town with a twist, a great day trip from Bergamo
SIRMIONE, Lake Garda: How to visit Italy's most beautiful town with autistic kids
NOTO, Sicily: A 4-night Travel Guide for Families with Autistic Children
SYRACUSE, Sicily: Top 5 sensory activities for families with autistic children in Sicily
Was Our Family Trip to Bergamo a Success For Us and Our Autistic Children?
As a family, we really loved our stay in Bergamo. We had a brilliant time exploring the historic old town and indulging in all the wonderful local food.
Quick Family Tips & Sensory Notes
The Summer Heat Trap: It was August, and it was hot—so hot! For some reason, I had thought that Northern Italy would be cooler than it was. The unrelenting summer heat took us all by surprise, made worse by the fact that we didn't have proper air conditioning in our accommodation (only fans, ouch!).
The Playground Dilemma: We did not find any outdoor play spaces in the Città Alta, and the high temperatures meant walking down to the playground in the modern centre was simply too far. While the boys enjoyed cooling off in the fountains around the main Piazza Vecchia, the kids did feel a bit cooped up inside the overly warm apartment.
Our Sensory Solution: We tried to counter the indoor heat by taking the kids out on full day trips to places with plenty of space to run, play, and swim, so it wasn’t the end of the world. This is why Lake Iseo was such a huge hit with the boys!
The Final Travelling with Sunflowers Verdict: Despite the heat, there was plenty to do and see in and around Bergamo. I would certainly recommend Bergamo for autistic families, either as a memorable day trip or for a quirky 2–3 night city break—if only for the incredible ice cream!
Happy Travels x
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