Why Trieste, Italy is worth a visit

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

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Trieste is located next to the Slovenia border, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Its unique position has made it a melting pot of several cultures of Germanic, Latin, and Slavic origin. Furthermore, since it is host to a myriad of international institutions, it also has the highest concentration of researchers in Europe. Even better, its subtropical climate makes it a pleasantly warm city compared to others around it due to the warm sea breezes it receives.

I came here for a day during my road trip through Slovenia. I figured since it was close enough to the border, it would be nice to explore a lesser known Italian town. What immediately awaited me was a city with an obscene amount of boats, gorgeous architecture and history, and so many scooters.

I also ended up driving to Trieste which I wouldn’t necessary say was a mistake, but was definitely a taxing mental experience given how the Italians are with driving. Luckily by some stroke of luck, I found a large enough parking space that was free and within decent walking distance to my hostel.

That being said, the city is easily walkable and relatively flat near the water. There were many cool places to check out, all of which are summarized on a Google Map at the end of this blog post.

How to Get to Trieste

Fly — Book a flight to Trieste – Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS), located about 33 km northwest of Trieste city center. It offers connections to major Italian and some European cities.

From Trieste Airport to the City Center:

Train —

• The airport has a dedicated train station (Trieste Airport station) connected by a covered walkway.

• Duration: About 30 minutes to Trieste Centrale station

• Cost: Around €4.50 one way

• Frequency: Every 20–30 minutes throughout the day

• Tickets: Buy at station machines or online at Trenitalia.com

Bus —

• Bus line E51 connects the airport to Trieste city center.

• Duration: About 55–60 minutes

• Cost: Around €4 one way

• Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes

• Tickets: Available at airport kiosks or online

Taxi —

• Taxis are available outside the arrivals terminal.

• Duration: About 30–35 minutes

• Cost: Around €60–70 depending on traffic

• Payment: Cash and card accepted

Car Rental —

• Several car rental companies operate at Trieste Airport. The drive to the city is scenic and straightforward via the A4 or SS14.

Other Travel Options to Trieste:

From Venice

• Train: Direct trains from Venezia Mestre or Venezia Santa Lucia to Trieste Centrale

  • Duration: ~2 hours

  • Cost: From €10–€20 depending on train type

  • Frequency: Every 1–2 hours

From Ljubljana (Slovenia)

• Bus: FlixBus or Nomago offer direct buses

  • Duration: ~1.5–2.5 hours

  • Cost: Around €10–€15

  • Note: Passport may be required at border

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Borgo Teresiano is perhaps the most picturesque part of the city, as it features the Grand Canal

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia is the heartbeat of Trieste, the main city square of the city where people gather, protest, socialize, etc. It is flanked by grandiose buildings like the city hall, Palazzo del Municipio. The planning of such an area of Trieste has Austro-Hungarian roots.

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

A great place to catch while in Trieste is the Museo Revoltella. It’s a modern art gallery founded by Baron Pasquale Revoltella back in 1872. Quite generously, the baron left his home and all his collections of books and other accoutrements to the city. Additional works have been acquired by the city over time and are on display in three buildings spanning over 4,000 square meters.

Piazza Unità d'Italia, Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

Faro della Vittoria, otherwise known as the ‘Victory Lighthouse’, is situated on the coast, slightly further north of the city center. The lighthouse is still active and sits on the hill of Gretta, rising to 223 feet, making it one of the tallest in the world. For the BEST views of the entire area (those without a drone), this is your best bet. Admission is free and the lighthouse is only open in the summer months.

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

The Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Spyridon (or in Italian, the ‘Chiesa di San Spiridione’), judging by the obviousness of the name, is a Serbian Orthodox church in Trieste. Personally, I am more used to Roman Catholic churches in my travels, so seeing the much different architecture of Orthodox churches are such a welcome sight and this one is no different. The church was built in 1748, before it was even allowed to practice the orthodox religion in Trieste (which become allowed in 1751). The original church that stood at this same site was actually demolished since it was built on unstable ground. Nonetheless, this is a great unique sight in Trieste to take in.

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

The Civico Museo Sartorio is a museum that showcases different types of artistic materials like ceramics, porcelain, and even photographs as well that are of Trieste cultural heritage. It’s unmissable due to its canary yellow façade. The building itself was originally owned by the Sartorio Family and was given to the city of Trieste by the last heir, Baroness Anna Segrè Sartorio, wishing it to be turn into a museum open to the public. Pretty selfless!

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

Arco di Riccardo is a historical landmark in Trieste. This part of the city where the arch can be found in is the oldest, dating back to the Roman times. The Arch itself is 23 feet tall and 17 feet wide and sits seemingly out of place in the slightly more updated city surroundings. Nonetheless it is a rich part of history that has been kept intact all this time. It is thought to be from the 1st century AD.

Trieste, Italy (ISO 100, 4.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/40 s)

The Roman Theater of Trieste is an outdoor amphitheater that can host some 3,500 guests. It’s an archeological site now a days with origins dating back to the 1st century BC. Admission is free however, prior approval must be sought if you’d like to see its interior. It is an impressive site that is still well maintained to this day.

Castello di San Giusto is a castle and fortress that dates back to the 15th century AD. It was constructed in 1382 when the area was under Austrian control. All building improvements and work took all in all about 2 centuries to complete. There are several bastions that make up the fortress, each one differently designed depending on the date of construction and how the defenses were determined to be most beneficial. After the vacation of the Austrians in 1750, the site has become a garrison and a prison and these days it is a museum.

The Miramare Castle was one of the favorite places in the city of Trieste. It isn’t located in the city center itself, but rather north of the Faro della Vittoria lighthouse, on the coastline. The castle was commissioned to be built in the 19th century by Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium and the grounds include various exotic plants and trees on an impressive cliffside, overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. I highly suggest taking a tour of the area to get a better idea as to its very extensive history.

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