What to see in Trieste: travel guide
The capital of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region is a unique seaside city in Italy. Its location and history, the Central European, Slovenian, Croatian and Austrian influences, make this last bastion of Italy a privileged destination to enjoy a unique experience made of culture, history, gastronomy and nature.
Trieste is located in the heart of the homonymous gulf on the Adriatic Sea a few km from the border with Slovenia. A seaside city but close to the mountains, an ideal destination for a weekend to discover a territory for too long off the tourist routes. Here are some tips for you on what to see and do in the city of Italo Svevo.
Let’s start with how to get to Trieste. The capital of Friuli is often a destination for cruises to discover the Adriatic and the Mediterranean. If you arrive by plane, the international airport of Ronchi dei Legionari is located about 30 km from the city. Trieste is also well connected by train from most cities in northern Italy and by bus to Slovenia and Croatia.
The first postcard you expect to see when you arrive in the city is the wonderful Piazza Unità di Italia. This large living room overlooking the sea (considered the largest square on the sea in Europe) is surrounded by the most beautiful historic buildings in the city. Here we find the Liberty-style Government Palace, the Fountain of the Four Continents and the Town Hall. Some of the city’s historic cafes are located right here, such as the Caffè degli Specchi or Harry’s Bar.
In front of this iconic square we find another of the most loved places by tourists and Triestini: Molo Audace. This pier takes its name from the destroyer Audace of the Italian Navy, the first Italian ship to enter Trieste after the end of World War I and the annexation of the city to the Kingdom of Italy. Here you can admire magnificent sunsets and watch the coming and going of boats and cruise ships. Be careful when the Bora wind blows, though!
The historic center of Trieste is characterized by elegant buildings and ornate squares. One of these is the Piazza della Borsa with the building of the same name (now the Chamber of Commerce) surrounded by a Doric colonnade and the Statue of Leopold I. Not far away we find Piazza Ponterosso the Grand Canal, also one of the symbols of the city. This canal was born from the reclamation and revaluation of the Borgo Teresiano, today one of the most loved areas by tourists and non-tourists of Trieste. Here you will also find one of the many statues of famous writers who lived in Trieste. One of these is James Joyce, but a few meters away you will come across Gabriele D’Annunzio on a bench or a little further away Italo Svevo or Umberto Saba.
As evidence of its Roman origins, walking at the foot of Monte Giusto you will find the Roman theater. Although it cannot be admired from the inside, you can admire its main features from the outside. Going up Monte Giusto here you will find the Cathedral and the Castle of the same name. The view over the entire city from the sea to the Carso is unmissable!
Moving a little from the historic center you will reach the Barcola district where you can relax, sunbathe and admire the sunset on its seafront. Not far away stands the Faro della Vittoria, a monumental lighthouse commemorating the fallen of World War I, from whose top you can admire a unique panorama.
The true symbol of Trieste is however the Miramare Castle. Reachable by a panoramic road or by train in about a quarter of an hour from the center of the capital, this elegant castle commissioned and built by Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg stands within a lush park and garden with a unique view of the sea and the Trieste coast. Its rich interiors and the refinement of its Gothic, Renaissance and medieval lines make it a one-of-a-kind jewel.
If you decide to leave from Trieste to discover the surrounding area, you can reach the Istrian peninsula in a few minutes by car or visit the giant cave or even delve into the Carso territory.
The discovery of the local gastronomy is a must, such as in one of the traditional buffets of the city (the best? Buffet da Pepi) or in one of the historic pastry shops (such as Pasticceria Maritani).
In short, Trieste is an excellent discovery, an essential starting point to enjoy a varied territory, rich in history and tradition with a unique charm!
