Walking Route Around Astino Monastery, Bergamo

Close to Bergamo City, you can immerse yourself in the greens of Astino Valley. In the summer the monastery has outdoor dining and the botanical gardens are open from April to October with a farmers’ market on Sunday mornings from 10am. There is also a beautiful walk up to Città Alta (Bergamo’s upper city) with stunning views stretching out over the valley.

Astino is easily accessible by car or by bus. There is paid parking on Via Astino or, you can park for free about a 10 minute walk away on Via Lochis or Via Longuelo (on either side of the building pictured below with some very striking graffiti. If you go by bus, you can get a number 8 (direction Ponte San Pietro) or number 9 (direction Marigolda) bus from the city centre (both stop at Porta Nuova and on Via Zambonate) and get off at Via Lochis. For the return journey, you can get a number 8 or 9 bus from outside the church on Via Mattioli, or if you have braved the walk to Città Alta, it’s an easy downhill walk to the city centre again!

From Via Longuelo, go through the archway into Via del Celtro and follow this road until you come to the T junction.

Go straight through the paid car park and then hang a right onto the wide cycle/walking path that leads to the monastery.

Have a look around the monastery. In summer months, you’ll find cafés and a street food area set up.

Straight across from the monastery you’ll find the botanical gardens. Entry is free. Here are the opening times.

They have a farmers’ market on Sunday mornings from 10am.

If you’re ready for a steep but beautiful walk, follow the road uphill and you will end up in Città Alta. The views along the way are striking.

I highly recommend going up Salita dello Scorlazzone, climbing the 162 steps and following the path up to San Vigilio.

Up in San Vigilio, you might spot some Atalanta-supporting bears having a tipple if you’re lucky. It’s nice to walk around the castle or just wander around San Vigilio and admire the views below.

So there you have it. There are many, many beautiful medieval paths that lead to Città Alta but this is by far the most scenic and my current favourite!