Your perfect one day itinerary in Trieste

City Hall, Trieste

Trieste is a city of great charm and beauty, perched between the homonymous gulf and the Karst hills along the thin strip of Italy that stretches on the side of Slovenia. Due to its strategic position it has always been one of the most active ports in the Adriatic sea and a meeting point between peoples and cultures that from east to west have found in this city an interesting crossroads where to stop.

Piazza della Borsa, Trieste

The 19th century appearance and the numerous Art Nouveau buildings should not be misleading: the history of Trieste has ancient origins. Over the centuries, empires and states have changed but Trieste has continued to play its frontier role, from the Roman age to the Republic of Venice, from the Habsburg Empire to the Cold War.

Shopping mall, Trieste

Gabriele D'Annunzio statue, Trieste

Since most of the city landmarks are located around the city center, a full day may be enough to explore most of them and get an idea of this beautiful city. If you have more time on your hands, we suggest you to plan a 3 or 5 days visit, so to get the chance to explore some of the museums and the surroundings.

This is our recommendations for your perfect one day itinerary.

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle

Located about 8 kilometers from town, this wonderful fortress overlooking the Gulf of Trieste was built between 1856 and 1860 at the behest of Maximilian of Austria, brother of Emperor Franz Joseph, who lived there with his wife Charlotte of Belgium. After Maximilian's death in 1867, it became the mansion where the Habsburgs occasionally stayed.

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle

Inside it is divided into several rooms: Maximilian and Charlotte used to live on the ground floor, while the upper floor was later the residence of Duke Amedeo d’Aosta.

The pure white stone facade, the elegant towers and lace work, the green park surrounding the buildings and the stunning views of the sea create an incredibly romantic atmosphere.

Piazza Unità d’Italia and Molo Audace

Probably the most popular image of Trieste is that of this beautiful square, impressive for its extension and the elegance of the buildings that surround it, which are very reminiscent of the Austrian imperial style. Just think that this is actually the largest square open to the sea in Europe!

Piazza Unità d'Italia, Trieste

The Girls of Trieste statue, Molo Audace

The people of Trieste feel particularly attached to this square: it is a place for meeting friends, for walks, aperitifs, business meetings, events… in short, it is the center of the city life.

The square opens to the sea and to the famous Molo Audace, an ideal destination for strolls along the banks. It stands on the wreck of the San Carlo, a ship sunk in port, and takes its name in honor of the destroyer Audace, the first ship of the Italian Navy to arrive in Trieste on November 3rd, 1918.

On the Riva Caduti, there are two statues by Fiorenzo Bacci. One depicts a Bersagliere climbing the stairs, in memory of the arrival of this military body in the Julian city on that November 3rd, 1918. The other, entitled "The Girls of Trieste", depicts two female figures sitting on the wall while sewing the Italian flag. Both statues were placed in 2004 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the return of Trieste to Italy.

Borgo Teresiano

Borgo Teresiano is the elegant urban district built during the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria. 

The navigable canal, reminiscent of the Grand Canal in Venice was originally crossed by three swing bridges, of which the Ponte Rosso is the only one left.

Along the canal it is possible to admire beautiful palaces: the Aedes and the Gopcevich palaces, the neoclassical church of Sant'Antonio Nuovo, the elegant Stella Polare café, the temple of the Holy Trinity and San Spiridione, the Palazzo Genel and Palazzo Carciotti.

But if the place appears picturesque in the daylight, it is even more so at sunset and in the evening when the reflections on the canal and the floating boats reproduce a magical setting.

Borgo Teresiano, Trieste

Ponte Rosso, Trieste

 

Roman theatre

Going up from Piazza Unità d'Italia, towards the hill of San Giusto, located right at its feet, is the Roman Theater. Built entirely in masonry, around the I-II century. AD, it represents one of the best examples of ancient Tergeste. Brought back to light in 1938, it was intended to accommodate up to 3500 people! You can see the ancient ornamental statues and tombstones at the Civic Museum of Trieste.

San Giusto Cathedral and Castle

The Cathedral of San Giusto is located on top of the the homonymous hill. Climbing the hill may be a bit of an effort, but the views from this point and the magnificent interior of the Cathedral will certainly pay off! 

Once you have crossed the threshold of the entrance, you can admire the purple and golden mosaics that decorate both the central apse and the side chapels. 

San Giusto Cathedral, Trieste

San Giusto Cathedral, Trieste

San Giusto Cathedral, Trieste

Near the Cathedral, is the Castle of San Giusto. Wanted by the emperors of Austria, it was built in successive stages from 1468 to 1636, reaching the current appearance of a triangular fortress with bastions at the top.

Since 1930 the castle has been owned by the Municipality, which has equipped it for tourist purposes and uses it for cultural events, shows and temporary exhibitions.

The Lalio bastion of the Castle houses the new Tergestino Lapidarium where all the Roman stone finds are preserved.

The path along the castle walls offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city and the Gulf of Trieste.

Alternatives: 

If you have more time you may want to visit the Risiera di San Sabba and/or the Museo Revoltella.