Trieste is a beautiful city, located between the Adriatic sea and the Karst plateau, close to the border with Slovenia. It’s an important historic city, a great destination for art and tourism with a cosmopolitan culture and stunning sunsets!
The city, thanks to its location, has always been a crossroad, a melting pot of cultures and this is visible in its architecture, gastronomy and typical products.
Trieste's history is ancient and very interesting: it belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire for 500 years and thanks to its strong economy, it was the second most important city of the Empire. Maria Theresa of Austria loved Trieste and she worked hard for its economic and commercial development.
The city became italian only after the firts world war and after the second world war, for 9 years, was declared “free territory“, as it was still divided between Italy and Jugoslavia.
Finally, in 1954 Trieste officially joined Italy.
The city can be easily reached by bus and/or train from the main cities in the north of Italy (Milan, Venice, Verona). For the ones who travel by car, it’s recommended to visit the city on foot or by public transport. Cars are not allowed in the city centre and all the main touristic attractions can be reached on foot or by bus.
What to see in Trieste: a tour in the historical center
You can start your visit with a nice walk in the historical centre of Trieste. The starting point can be piazza Sant’Antonio Nuovo (Sant’Antonio nuovo square), in the heart of Borgo Teresiano, the area that Maria Theresa strongly wanted for the commercial development of the city. Here you will find Canal Grande (the Grand Canal), a waterway used to allow boats directly into the city to deliver their goods, Ponte Rosso (the red bridge) and the famous statue of James Joyce. Many italian and foreign intellectuals frequented the Trieste’s historical cafes!
Wandering around the old city with its narrow and medieval streets, you will see the Arch of Riccardo - a roman gate - and a large number of buildings in Austrian, Art Nouveau and Baroque style. You will walk through the Jewish ghetto, that hosted one of the biggest Jewish community in Europe.
You will have the chance to visit a variety of different churches: Catholic churches, a Greek-Orthodox church, a Serbian-Orthodox church, a Lutheran church and a Synagogue. The Synagogue of Trieste is one of the biggest in Europe and certainly is worth a visit. For sure the presence of so many different churches proves that Trieste has always been a cosmopolitan city! Close to the ghetto you will find the Roman theatre. This small theatre built at the bottom of San Giusto hill, in the centre of the historical old town, is very well preserved and is a fine example of Roman architecture. From the Roman theatre you will soon get to one of the most important sites of the city: piazza Unità d’Italia. This colossal square faces the Adriatic sea and is known as Europe's largest square located next to the sea. It includes the city's municipal buildings, important palaces and an historical cafè for a coffee with a sea view. The walk ends at Molo Audace, a fascinating promenade in front of piazza Unità d’Italia. From here you can take fantastic photos and also admire the sea, the skyline of Trieste and beautiful sunsets.
You will have the chance to visit a variety of different churches: Catholic churches, a Greek-Orthodox church, a Serbian-Orthodox church, a Lutheran church and a Synagogue. The Synagogue of Trieste is one of the biggest in Europe and certainly is worth a visit. For sure the presence of so many different churches proves that Trieste has always been a cosmopolitan city! Close to the ghetto you will find the Roman theatre. This small theatre built at the bottom of San Giusto hill, in the centre of the historical old town, is very well preserved and is a fine example of Roman architecture. From the Roman theatre you will soon get to one of the most important sites of the city: piazza Unità d’Italia. This colossal square faces the Adriatic sea and is known as Europe's largest square located next to the sea. It includes the city's municipal buildings, important palaces and an historical cafè for a coffee with a sea view. The walk ends at Molo Audace, a fascinating promenade in front of piazza Unità d’Italia. From here you can take fantastic photos and also admire the sea, the skyline of Trieste and beautiful sunsets.
Miramare Castle
You can’t leave Trieste without visiting Miramare castle! The castle and its park can be easily reached by bus from the city centre.
It was built for Maximilian of Austria and his wife Charlotte who spent a very happy period of their marriage here. In the sumptuous rooms of the castle, you will see the original decorations and furniture, including paintings painted by Charlotte who was an art lover. Maximilian loved nature and for this reason he wanted a big park with terraced gardens, all around his palace.
The park and its panoramic balcony are perfect locations for a magnificent view over the gulf of Trieste.
Miramare is a very romantic place!
The first settlement of the city was built on San Giusto hill where you will find two of the most famous monuments of Trieste: St Justus Cathedral - dedicated to the city’s Patron - and St Justus castle. Beside them, there are also the ruins of roman buildings.
The Cathedral is made of stone extracted from the karst region and the interior is adorned with a Gothic rose window and beautiful Byzantine mosaics.
The visit of the castle includes a museum, the Lapidario Tergestino where all the roman stone finds are preserved, a beautiful walk along the walls and marvellous views over the city and the gulf of Trieste.
San Giusto hill is another awesome place you can’t miss!
The Napoleonic way
The Napoleonic way, also know as Strada Vicentina, is an easy trail suitable for everybody, even for families with young kids. It’s 5 km long and it starts from Piazzale dell’Obelisco in Opicina. You can get here by car, bus (N° 2 or 4) and by tram when available. At the moment the tram service is suspended.
The Opicina tram is the best option to get to the starting point as we are talking about a very picturesque tram that has been in operation since 1902!
Walking along the Napoleonic way, surrounded by nature and unforgettable views of the gulf, is the best way to enjoy the romantic atmosphere of Trieste!
Risiera di San Sabba
The Risiera di San Sabba can be reached by bus from the city centre. Originally it was a rice factory but during World War II, became the only Nazi concentration camp in Italy. Here were detained political prisoners, Slovenian, Croatian and Jewish. Nowadays it’s a museum, a place that brings us back to the touching and sad period of World War II.
In a long weekend, you can visit the main attractions of Trieste and enjoy its romantic and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Don’t forget to take a break in one of Trieste’s historical cafè!
Trieste also offers a good variety of museums, beautiful theatres, many trails to explore the Karst plateau and nice beaches. Nature lovers can also vist the Giant Cave! It’s located 30 minutes away from Trieste and it’s a huge calcareous cave, listed by Guinness World Records as the biggest touristic cave in the world (114 m. high, 280 m. long and 76.3 m. wide). Guided tours are available all year. If you pass by in October, you will attend to the Barcolana, the famous sailing international regatta that takes place in the gulf of Trieste every year, the second Sunday of October. The gulf gets full of any kind of boats for the sailing race that in 2018 was listed by Guinness World Records as the most crowded regatta in the world. There is something for every taste and Trieste is a city where is always beautiful to go back!
Trieste also offers a good variety of museums, beautiful theatres, many trails to explore the Karst plateau and nice beaches. Nature lovers can also vist the Giant Cave! It’s located 30 minutes away from Trieste and it’s a huge calcareous cave, listed by Guinness World Records as the biggest touristic cave in the world (114 m. high, 280 m. long and 76.3 m. wide). Guided tours are available all year. If you pass by in October, you will attend to the Barcolana, the famous sailing international regatta that takes place in the gulf of Trieste every year, the second Sunday of October. The gulf gets full of any kind of boats for the sailing race that in 2018 was listed by Guinness World Records as the most crowded regatta in the world. There is something for every taste and Trieste is a city where is always beautiful to go back!
