Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bergamo is a charming city located in northern Italy, known for its medieval architecture and picturesque hilltop views. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population of 120,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. Most transactions are done in Euros. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, with excellent quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/L sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TIM, Vodafone, and Wind Tre. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options for expats include N26 and Revolut, available for easy online banking. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local rentals, and student housing platforms. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local agencies such as BeBergamo offer various options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Affordable hostels include Game Over and Central Hostel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Città Alta (Upper Town) is ideal for tourists due to its historical sites. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Città Bassa (Lower Town) offers a vibrant atmosphere with amenities for longer stays. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Regus and T39 Coworking are popular for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafè del Tasso provides a calm environment with Wi-Fi and excellent coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups often organize freelancer networking events, especially at local cafes. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Bergamo Expats Facebook group hosts regular meetups and social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is available, along with local taxi services. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bergamo Bikes offers bikes for rent; electric scooters are also available through various apps. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Sandy beaches like Ostia are about 2 hours away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Ryanair operates many regional flights from Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Main carriers include Lufthansa and easyJet. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A4 Autostrada connects to major cities like Milan and Verona. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bergamo Train Station connects to Milan and other cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly passes for public transport cost around €35. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services include Treniitalia and regional buses to surrounding towns. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ospedale Papà Giovanni XXIII is the main hospital in Bergamo. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Zen Yoga & Fitness offers classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness clubs like Virgin Active and GetFit are popular. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundromats are available in the Città Bassa. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Glovo and Deliveroo operate in the area. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Casoncelli is a must-try local pasta dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Il Ristorante Vegetariano offers a great variety of plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pasticceria Cavour is famous for its delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Piazza delle Viti houses local food markets. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local e-commerce sites serve the area. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermarket chains like Esselunga offer delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Viale Vittorio Emanuele II is popular for nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery of Bergamo produces a range of local beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vino & Cucina is known for its extensive wine list. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Various stalls in Città Alta serve local snacks. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like GROM offer Italian ice cream; tacos can be found at Tacos & Twist. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Vecchia are must-see. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Accademia Carrara showcases Italian masterpieces. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Venetian Walls are a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Duomo di Bergamo is a significant cathedral to visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Bergamo Film Meeting occurs every March. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Città Alta hosts numerous cultural festivals and historic events. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Donizetti is the primary theater for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The market at Piazza delle Erbe offers a vibrant shopping experience. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local bars often feature live music, primarily Italian and pop genres. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Several murals can be found in the Città Bassa. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local culinary schools offer courses in Italian cooking. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea showcases modern and contemporary works. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palazzo della Ragione is an iconic historic structure. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bergamo's Venetian heritage is celebrated in various festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parco dei Colli di Bergamo is a large park nearby for outdoor activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Orobie Park is approximately 30 km away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Numerous trails through the hills offer scenic views. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at San Vigilio offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Serio River Park is known for local wildlife. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas exist in Parco dei Colli for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS provide delivery options in the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local shops like Centro Riparazioni offer various tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Ping Pong Club Bergamo is a popular local spot. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Various language schools offer Italian language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Civica is a great place for study and reading. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Ricreativo offers diverse community engagement activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Local places like Game Over offer gaming setups and competitions. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino di Sanremo is the nearest casino, located a bit far. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €120,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €160,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents pay taxes on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 43%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 22% standard VAT. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict regulations apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on cadastral income. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Certain tax incentives exist for digital nomads relocating to Italy, including potential residency benefits. |