Things to do in Trieste in one day, Italy

As usual every travel or every trip has one or more travel highlights I want to share with you: they can be a particular topic or things I noticed around or even a èparticular destination. Today the main topic is providing you a mini-guide of the best things to do in Trieste in one day.

Source: www.istituti.religiosi.org

Trieste is one of the largest cities of the North-eastern Italy and is located close to the Slovenian border: during the history it was occupied by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire then by Italy and for a little period by Jugoslavia. Because of its position, it is a crossroad of different cultures and you can see it if you stroll around this wonderful city.

On the shores of the Adriatic sea, the landscape of Trieste is even more stunning since the city is built on the Karst hills (the same area of the Skocjan caves). However, let's see what you can visit in Trieste.

1) Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia

This is the real and pumping heart of Trieste and is also one of the best squares you can see in Italy. Trieste is also the largest square on the shores of a sea in Europe. The view is absolutely stunning with its six white palaces. This is the "living room" of the city.

Source: www.turistipercaso.it

The central building is the Town Hall, with its tower and its "Mikeze" and "Jakeze" that ring the bell every hour.

For example, you can see the Palazzo del Lloyd Adriatico, now headquarters of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region ( or province).

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Here you can see Palazzo Vanoli, that hosts a luxury hotel and the famous Caffè degli Specchi, one of the historic cafès of the city. 

Source: www.paesionline.it

In front of the Town Hall you can see the Fountain of the four continents, built during the 18th Century and that represented the fortune of Trieste as tax-free harbor and its four statues represent the symbols of people of the known continents at that time ( Europe, Africa, Asia, America).

Do not miss Piazza d'Unità by night: it is incredible!

Source: http://www.turismofvg.it

2) A walk along the Molo Audace

Once known as Molo San Carlo, the Molo Audace is a 246 meters long and it is worth a walk until the end of it, where you can breath the Adriatic breeze and have a fantastic view of Trieste. It is almost in front of Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia so it's not difficult to recognize it.

 This is the incredible view you can have from the dock of Trieste: the so-called "rive".

Source: www.turismofvg.it

3) The Roman theatre and Arco of Riccardo

"Behind" Piazza dell'Unità you can find the Roman theatre, built during the 1st or 2nd Century a.d. by the Emperor Traiano. Its position was probably at the beginning of the Roman Tergeste, developed on the San Giusto Hill.

Source: wikipedia.org

Not far from the Roman theatre you can see in Piazza Barbacan the Arco of Riccardo, built in 33 b.C., that probably was one of the gates to the old Roman city. These are just a part of the archaeological sites in Trieste, which are also located in Colle San Giusto.

Source: wikipedia.org

4) Colle San Giusto (San Giusto hill)

Upon this hill, the Romans founded the city of Tergeste and in fact here you can see some archaeological sites like the Forum and the old Basilica.

Source: wikimedia.org

Close to the Roman forum and the old Basilica, the old medieval town of Trieste was developed. In fact, between the 14th and the 15th Century a castle and some fortifications were built. 

Source: wikimedia.org

This is the last "version" of the castle, since it was built by Venice and then destroyed and re-built later. Inside you can visit the Castle museum.

Source: wikimedia.org

Tip: do not miss the path along the walls since you can have one of the best panoramic views over Trieste and its gulf!

Another interesting landmark to visit is the Cathedral, built in the 16th Century resulting from the fusion of two old basilicas. It has a Gothic fleuron and an incredible interior.

Source: www.turismofvg.it

5) Piazza della Borsa and the Jewish ghetto

Once you come back from San Giusto hill and go towards Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, you can find Piazza della Borsa, once the economic centre of the city. 

Source: www.letrevenezie.net

Between Piazza della Borsa and Piazza dell'Unità you can find a labyrinth of small streets that once formed the so-called Jewish Ghetto, where you can still find some of old libraries and antiquary shops. The local dialect (similar to the Venetian one) used the expression "far gheto", that means "making some noise", inspired probably by the streets crowded by people.

6) Strolling along "Le Rive"
You should absolutely walk along the Rive, since it's one of the most spectacular parts of Trieste. This is also what you can see from the Molo Audace or if you are approaching to the city from the sea.

Source: www.letrevenezie.net

7) Canal Grande (called also Ponte Rosso)
Well if you compare it to the "real" Canal Grande that splits Venice in two parts, this "replica" can be at the beginning someway ridicolous. However, this Canal Grande can remind a bit the Venetian once, since it was projected by a Venetian in 1754-1756.

Source: wikimedia.org

In Ponte Rosso, that crossed the Canal Grande, you can also see the statue of James Joyce.

Source: www.minube.com

8) Historic cafes
Because of its landscape and atmosphere, Trieste has always been a point of reference of artists, poets or writers such as James Joyce, Italo Svevo or Umberto Saba. They were used to meet at some cafes that became a legend and because of the Austrian domination, some of them remind the cafes of Vienna. For sure one of these cafès is the Antico Caffè San Marco, but the most historic ones are for sure the Caffè Tommaseo, the Tergesteo and the more expensive Caffè degli Specchi, as mentioned before. If you want to have an intellectual coffee, well you can choose one of them. :-) Here you can see the Caffè Tommaseo.

Source: www.minube.it

9) Eating in an "osmiza"
You can choose one of the restaurants in Trieste and you can find some really good ones, where you can eat some fresh fish food. However, if you want to eat like a local, you should absolutely choose an osmiza, a place where you can buy and eat typical products from local producers or farmers. You can find them outside Trieste in the Karst region: I recommend you Ferluga and Pipan Klaric.

Source: www.osmize.com

10) Surroundings
I would also recommend to spend 1-2 days and visit the following attractions:

• The Miramare Castle: you cannot miss it - you can see it from Trieste and it has also a natural park. I will also dedicate a special post regarding Miramare.

• The Duino Castle: not far from the Miramare Castle, you can find the Duino Castle. If you do not have enough time to do so, at least try to visit Miramare.

• The Giant Cave: the cave with the highest hall of the world, of course if you are not afraid of the dark and of going underground.

• The town of Muggia and its Venetian heritage. Here there's also a nice Carnival.

Travel tips: 

• One day is enough to visit the city: however I would recommend you to spend there a weekend. 

• If you love the beach, I would recommend you to go the Sistiana Bay, at 10 km far from Trieste.

• The best place where to have a pizza/eat is for sure the restaurant Al Barattolo. However, the restaurant is specialized in meat & fish too.

• Special events: do not miss the Barcolana, that takes place in October: it is a sort of boat race where everyone can join the competition. During that week, the city is plenty of events, concerts and people. Do not miss it!

• You can get there by train, car or by bus from the airport "Ronchi dei Legionari". 

Where to sleep:

• Budget accomodation: you can choose the Smart Accomodation at only 50 Euros per night per double room or the Smart Rooms at 60 Euros per night per double room, both close to Ponte Rosso.

• Medium budget: absolutely recommended the Residence Liberty, approx. 110 Euros per night per double room, really close to the central Piazza dell´Unita´ d´Italia.

• Luxury budget: for sure the 4-star hotel Urban Hotel Design can be a good option since it´s not far from Piazza dell´Unita´ d´Italia with price range 235 - 300 Euros per double room or if you want to sleep in Piazza dell´Unita´ d´Italia you can choose the Grand Hotel Duchi d´Aosta, approx. 320 Euros per night per room.

 So...the next post will be the final trip reports of the Ita-Slovenian Road Trip.