Trieste Travel Guide: 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1 in Trieste

Welcome to Trieste! If you've traveled to more places in Italy, you likely won't feel like you're still in the same country when you arrive. If you have been to Austria though, you might feel some similarities. That's because it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire almost continuously for nearly 500 years!

Located on the border with Slovenia and a short drive from Croatia, Trieste is unlike the rest of Italy yet not quite like its neighbors, making it a completely unique destination to visit.

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Check-In at Your Hotel

Now that you've arrived, I recommend you go directly to your hotel. Even if you can't yet check-in, drop your bags so you can head to our first stop without any extra weight.

Don't yet know where to stay or the best way to get here? Below I'll cover that and more in my additional Trieste travel tips.

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Go for an Aperitivo in Cavana

Assuming you arrive later in the day, lucky you, you're just in time for an aperitivo. An aperitivo is similar to what Americans call Happy Hour. It's an after-work, before-dinner drink that's meant to open your appetite. Many aperitivos are served with small snacks. You'll likely have heard of an Aperol Spritz, the most famous aperitivo cocktail.

While there are plenty of great areas to grab an aperitivo in Trieste, I recommend you head to my favorite neighborhood, Cavana. Cavana is a small area, mostly filled with pedestrian-only alleyways. Compared to everywhere else in Trieste, Cavana boasts the most stereotypical Italian architecture.

You won't be hard pressed to find a bar or cafe in Cavana but if you prefer to go by recommendations, these are a few of my favorite spots:

• Cemût: This wine bar also has a great selection of meats and cheeses to accompany your meal. If you go here, be sure to try frico, a famous dish in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Just know that Cemût is one of the few places that doesn't give free snacks with their drinks.
• Al Ciketo: Another that doesn't follow the traditional aperitivo rules to provide snacks with your drink is Al Ciketo. You'll quickly see that regardless of that, both of these spots are incredibly popular. Al Ciketo is super small and usually standing room only. They offer an extensive wine list and plenty of cicchetti, small tapas, to choose from.
• La Muta: If you're looking more for a bar vibe, La Muta has it. Their bartenders are great and can make a meal cocktail. This bar is a little bit nicer than others in Cavana so has turned into a favorite date night spot for my husband and me.
• Draw: The street that Draw is on is lined with bars so there are plenty to choose from but I like Draw for its interior if the weather outside isn't great. The inside here is a lot bigger than other places and has a cozy vibe.

Oftentimes I overindulge during aperitivos and end up snacking enough where I don't want dinner but if you're hungry for a real meal after your aperitivo, check out my restaurant recommendations listed under tomorrow's lunch.

Just don't stay out too late - tomorrow will be a big day!

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Day 2 in Trieste

Hopefully you had a great night's sleep and you're ready for a big day ahead. Once you're dressed and ready to go, let's head to a cafe.

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Start Your Day with Coffee

Did you know Trieste is the Capital of Coffee within Italy? The coffee culture here is strong, likely thanks to Illy being founded and still run from this small city.

If you're craving a real breakfast, you'll need to go to Taste of Home, Mug, or Mimì e Cocotte. In Italy, breakfast isn't a big thing and instead you'll find a plethora of coffee shops (often called bars) serving coffee with a croissant (in Trieste these are called brioche). If you want to do as the Italians do, that's your breakfast.

For a Triestino treat, order a "Capo in B." It's essentially a macchiato (an espresso with a dash of milk and foam) but it's what you'll hear most locals order.

You really can't go wrong with any of the cafes in town so head to one nearby your hotel or whichever you think looks the cutest. Just know, the less assuming the place, the cheaper the cost of a coffee. Quality here is always pretty high.

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Take Yourself on a Walking Tour

Have on your walking shoes? You'll be thankful for them in just a bit. Although, rest assured Trieste is small enough that none of the destinations on this walking tour are too far spread. If you do get tired though, you can use the public transportation option on Google Maps and swap to the bus. Just know that in Trieste you have to buy your bus ticket before getting on the bus and validate it once you hop on!

Here are the spots you won't want to miss on your walking tour of Trieste (all links in this section will take you to Google Maps):

• Start at the Canal Grande. This small canal is lined by restaurants, bars, and cafes. Most tourists enjoy eating here and hey, for the view I get it, but from my experience, the quality is lower yet the price tags are higher. I prefer it for a walk instead of sitting down.
• Head towards Viale XX Settembre. You can make your way here slowly or quickly, up to you. This is a pedestrian-only street that's full of more restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. I recommend strolling all the way up and down this same street since both sides of the tables in the middle offer different things to see.
• From here, go to Via S. Nicolo. This is another walking street surrounded by really stunning architecture. In this area you'll really get a feel for the city's Austrian roots. There are 3 streets that run parallel, including this one, between Canal Grande and Corso Italia. All 3 streets are cute so if you have the time, weave up and down them all.
• This should take you to Piazza della Borsa. This small piazza is usually quite lively and often has live music. Look up at the windows to find a giant sign that reads, "USA & UK COME BACK!" This isn't a sign I'm used to seeing when traveling and hints to the unique history of the city. After WWII, Trieste was a free territory for 7 years, providing a buffer zone between the recently liberated western Europe and Yugoslavia. During that time, the US and UK kept armies here as noted by the sign that their presence means Trieste will go back to being "free." This city really is brimming with rich history.
• Walk 2 blocks over to Piazza Unità d'Italia. This is by far the most impressive piazza in Trieste and likely in Italy itself. On one side, you'll get a full view of the Adriatic Sea (and an impressive sunset) and on the other 3 sides you're flanked by rather impressive government buildings. Day or night give yourself time to take in the views from all angles.
• End your tour in Cavana. If you didn't make it to Cavana yesterday for aperitivos, I recommend you end your walking tour there. If you did, either visit again for lunch or skip and choose another recommendation on the list below.

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Indulge in a Great Lunch

Now that you've worked up an appetite, I'm sure you're ready for lunch. If this is your first time in Italy, it's important that you keep in mind kitchens often close after 2-3pm until dinner time. Even if a restaurant says it's open during those hours on Google Maps, there's a chance they're only serving drinks and snacks, not full meals.

There are loads of delicious restaurants in Trieste for you to choose from. I've added my top 4 recommendations here but if you want more to choose from, here's the full list of my favorite restaurants in Trieste.

• Ristorante Baracca E Burattini: If you're asking for my #1 recommendation, this is it. They change their menu often, sometimes even daily, based on what's in season and what they have fresh. It's printed each day on a giant piece of paper that gets passed around the tables. It's cute, cozy, unique, and always delicious. This restaurant specializes in Italian cuisine but often with some touches from Slovenia.
• Radici: Radici is a great choice if you want to sit outside and people watch in Cavana. This is the heart of the neighborhood so it gets a lot of foot traffic (their inside is cute too though!). Radici has a set menu of pastas and pizzas but they always have a weekly seasonal menu. I recommend ordering from that menu when given the chance because they usually have some quirky inventions that you won't find elsewhere.
• Osteria Marise: This restaurant is really close to Radici and is a great choice for seafood lovers. While they do offer other meat options, they specialize in seafood. Their menu changes often based on the season and is written on a giant chalkboard in the middle of the restaurant. If it's available, I recommend the seafood lasagna.
• Mimì e Cocotte: I've mentioned them before for brunch but if you skip them then, visit for lunch instead. For brunch, they offer a pretty international menu but for lunch pasta shines. The menu isn't large but there are always more than enough options that interest both my husband and myself, who have very different tastes.

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Get a Bird's Eye View of the City

Once you've enjoyed a good meal and washed it down with an espresso, it's time to head back out. Since you've already walked around much of the city, it's time to head up. This route will give you sweeping views of Trieste and the Adriatic Sea so it's best enjoyed on a clear day.

For the best view, head up to Castello di San Giusto. A walk up here is one of the best things to do in Trieste. History buffs can go inside and enjoy guided tours and the castle museum but for non-history fanatics, it's still worth the visit. By heading up to Castello di San Giusto hill, you'll be rewarded with fantastic views of the city and the bay below.

You can walk up to this Castle 2 ways: either through the Parco della Rimembranza or through the tree-lined street leading up the Cattedrale di San Giusto Martire. Both are nice walks so I'd go up one way and down the other.

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End Your Day at an Osmize (Seasonal)

An osmiza (osmize is plural) is a Trieste tradition. Local friends let us in on the secret and unless they're mistaken, this is something that only occurs in Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Basically, an osmiza is a farmhouse that sells what they produce. Oftentimes the menu is sparse with cured meats, cheeses, and wine as the central element but each one is unique. Just know the wine isn't the best you'll ever have and is usually enjoyed by locals mixed with sparkling water to make a Spritz Bianco.

There are some that are open all-year but I noted that this is a seasonal recommendation because the bulk of them are only open in the summer months. Many are small and tucked away inside a house but others are more popular and come with sweeping views.

Some of these you'll be able to get to by bus but the majority are best reached by car.

Just know their schedules can be a bit erratic, so check ozmize.com to see which are open on the day you'll be in Trieste. You'll definitely want to call and make a reservation, especially in the summer, and to make sure they're actually open on the day you're planning on visiting Trieste.

Most people choose Osmica Lisjak and Azienda Agricola Verginella (pictured above) thanks to their stunning view of the sea.

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Day 3 in Trieste

Unless you have to leave early in the morning, let's take advantage of the first half of your day to see more of what Trieste has to offer.

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Pack Up & Check-Out Early

Even if your check-out isn't until later, I recommend going ahead and packing up. Leave your bags with reception so you aren't pressed for time later.

Grab a coffee and a brioche to start your day.

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Take the Early Ferry to Barcola or Muggia

Since Trieste is situated right on the Adriatic Sea, why take the bus when you can get around by ferry? The Delfino Verde is the local ferry service that connects the city center with a handful of points along the coast and even across to Grado.

Just know that the ferry to Muggia is the only one that runs year-round and the other stops only run from late spring to early fall. You can check each ferry's schedule here.

In general, the ferries are new, clean, and offer indoor and outdoor seating. You pay on the ferry for your tickets. If you'll be going there and back, I recommend paying for a round-trip ticket instead of 2 one-ways to save some money.

Barcola is the closest beach (other than the one right in the city center) to Trieste and ideal if you want to take a quick dip. Just note that none of the beaches here are sandy. If you have the time, you can go up the coast to Miramare Castle on the same ferry, just the next stop.

While Barcola is the right choice for a long walking path and swimming, Muggia is a small fishing village that's the better choice to grab a bite and explore a small town. There are a lot of great swimming spots in Muggia but you'll need to walk down the coast from the Delfino Verde stop.

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Trieste Travel Tips

Ready to fall in love with Trieste as much as the famous author James Joyce did? You're well on your way with these 3 jam-packed days but to make your trip to Trieste go even smoother, take note of these bonus travel tips.

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How to Get Here

Getting to Trieste is pretty simple but your exact route will depend on where you're visiting from.

From Croatia or Slovenia, I recommend you drive or take a Flixbus. There is a train from Ljubljana but it's slower than the bus with less times to choose from.

From anywhere else in Trieste, a train is likely your best bet. The city is easily reachable from most major cities with lines from as far off as Naples. I recommend using the app Trainline to check the train routes based on where you're traveling from.

From international, I recommend flying into the Trieste airport, just north of the city center. From there, the train ride is only about 20 minutes. The airport is super small and stress-free, making it one of the easiest ways to get into town. The next best option is to fly into the Venice airport. The train ride from there is about 2 hours but there are also Flixbus options if needed.

Just know that when you arrive in Trieste, you won't find any Ubers or taxi apps working. You can hail a cab from the train station (if you're lucky) but otherwise you'll need to schedule one in advance, ask your hotel for help, or rely on public transportation.

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Where to Stay

There are a lot of hotels here to choose from but to make your time in Trieste the best possible, I recommend being picky about location.

📍These 3 hotel options below are located in the 3 best areas of Trieste to stay so you can pick one based on what you're hoping to see and do while here:

• Budget Option: Trieste Center Rooms & Apartments. These apartments are spacious and perfectly located right next to Viale XX Settembre, one of the best walking streets in the city.
• Mid-Range Option: Urbanauts Studios. These trendy studio apartments are located right in Cavana, the coolest and most walkable area in Trieste. This hotel isn't right on the main street but if you're a light sleeper, you might hear noise from the bars until late.
• Luxury Option: Savoia Excelsior Palace. Stay right on the Adriatic Sea and right to Piazza Unità d'Italia and the canal, two of Trieste's must-sees. This is the fanciest hotel in Trieste if you're seeking a taste of luxury.

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Best Time to Visit

Trieste gets 4 full seasons so the time you visit Trieste will change what you can and can't do here. If you're eager to go swimming in the sea or going out on a sailboat, summer will be your best bet but if you're looking for less crowds and a break from the cruise ship traffic, fall and spring are nice.

For Christmas cheer and a beautifully lit up Piazza Unità d'Italia, you'll love visiting Trieste in the winter. Plus, we're not too far away from skiing and snowboarding, although it is a long day trip.

Personally, I think September is the best time to visit Trieste. During this month the temperatures have cooled down but everything is still open and lively from summer. You can really do just about anything you please in September from hikes to bar hopping, making it an extra fun time to be in the city.

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How Many Nights to Stay

I might be biased since I live here and am constantly finding new things to do and scenic spots to enjoy but if you're just looking to get to know the city center, 2 nights should give you plenty of time to visit Trieste and cover the basics.

As I mentioned at the top of this article, there are a number of day trips to take from here though so if you're interested in exploring more of the lesser-known Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Slovenia, or Croatia, I recommend adding a few more nights.

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How Will You Spend Your Trip to Trieste?

Although there's more to see, do, and try while in Trieste, this travel guide covers the basics and will have you plenty busy for your 3 days here. Fall in love and want to move here? See what it's really like living in Trieste from my perspective.

While I tend to go all in and move places I love, don't worry, your Trieste itch should be scratched after your long weekend spent here.