Bergamo in May

April through June gives you perfect weather without summer crowds. The medieval festivals happen in spring — Bergamo Medieval Experience in May turns Città Alta into a living history lesson. September and October deliver golden light and harvest season in the nearby valleys. Summer gets hot and packed with Italian families on vacation. Winter can be magical if you like Christmas markets and empty cobblestone streets, but half the restaurants close. The funicular runs less frequently in winter too. Here's the thing: Bergamo works year-round because it's a real city, not a tourist theme park. Just avoid August if you want to eat anywhere decent — half of Italy shuts down for vacation.