From Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe to the Renaissance-era Piazza Vecchia to the Citadel: the Corsarola cuts through the ancient heart of Bergamo, the upper city protected by Venetian walls.

The romantic “walk of fame” will take you to a host of unmissable locations: the Caffé del Tasso on the corner of the Palazzo della Ragione, where Oscar Kokoschka and Giacomo Manzù were regular visitors, to the historic Pasticceria Cavour, run by the Cerea brothers who also own the three Michelin star Da Vittorio restaurant.

Fancy a spot of shopping? While the lower city is packed with shops in Via Torquato Tasso, Piazza Pontida, the Sentierone and Via XX Settembre, the upper city is no less well endowed: storefronts showcasing traditional sweet treats (don’t miss Torta Donizetti) stand alongside the workshops of master glassmakers and the likes of Bütiga de Frér, which creates wrought-iron masterpieces.

PS: we recommend you take the funicular to get to the Corsarola -– hop on at Viale Vittorio Emanuele and you’ll be taken straight to Piazza Mercato delle Scarpe.