The coastal town of Trieste is often overlooked as it is right by the edge of the Italian border and admittedly, I was one of those people. However there are plenty of things to do in Trieste in one day as this town provides a great day out with some interesting attractions in of itself. It is brimming with architecture and history giving this town a charm of its own.
I visited Trieste on my way up to Ljubljana, Slovenia and onwards to Lake Bled. I arrived at Trieste airport early in the morning and had a bus ride late in the evening, making it the perfect opportunity to have some time to explore Trieste in 1 day. So whether, you are visiting Trieste as a day trip from Venice, Ljubljana or any other city, or simply Trieste was your destination before continuing on your travels further into Italy or onwards to Slovenia or Croatia, it is worth spending 1 day in Trieste. Why? Keep reading to discover 10 amazing things to do in Trieste in one day!
Table of Contents
Things to Do in Trieste
Walk along the Canal Grande
Whether you have arrived by bus or train into Trieste, the likelihood is that your first stop would be the Canal Grande. While it is not quite Venice with the endless canals that it offers, Trieste has one main canal and the surrounding area makes for pretty nice viewing.
I would argue that the best spot for photos in Trieste is right here on the Ponto Rosso. You get the architecture and the soothingly calm reflecting waters with canal boats parked nearby. The sun sets right over the sea making the area light up in a golden color especially on clear days.
Visit Piazza Unità d’Italia
Piazza Unità is the major square in Trieste and is the largest seaside facing square in all of Italy. It is a must visit and soak in the amazing surrounding architecture as well as views of the sea and port. While in the square you should…
Have a Coffee at Italy’s Cafe Capital
The country of Italy is well known for its cuisine and its coffee culture, so it must be a pretty bold claim to declare yourself Italy’s coffee capital. Thanks to its history as a major port city, Trieste became the gateway for coffee imports, giving it a long-standing reputation for some of the best brews in Europe. In fact, many say that coffee culture is practically woven into the fabric of Triestino life. This is the place where you’ll not only find classic Italian espresso but also unique local coffee customs and flavors.
For a true taste of Trieste’s coffee culture, start at Caffè degli Specchi. Situated right in Piazza Unità d’Italia, this historic café has been serving coffee since 1839 and is a local favorite for both residents and visitors alike. Another iconic spot is Caffè San Marco. Sit back with a “capo in B,” a local espresso specialty served in a small glass, and soak in the ambiance.
Whether you are starting off your day with a dose of caffeine or an energy booster in the afternoon, relaxing and taking a sip of coffee is definitely high up the list of things to do in Trieste and especially so with the roots and history surrounding it.
Arco Di Riccardo
After enjoying a coffee in the square head uphill and start making your way to visit Castello di San Giusto. On your way up perform a small stop to visit the Arco di Riccardo. Tucked away in the heart of Trieste’s old town, this is one of the city’s oldest landmarks, dating back to Roman times being built around 33 BC. This hidden gem nestled between narrow streets and local shops is a quick but worthwhile stop as you wander through the old town, giving you a glimpse into the ancient world right in the middle of modern Trieste.
Trieste Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Giusto)
Continuing to climb further uphill, you will reach Trieste Cathedral or Cattedrale di San Giusto as known by locals. The cathedral is dedicated to San Giusto which is the city’s patron saint. Its architecture has a mixture of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles making it quite unique.
Once you step inside, it is quite peaceful and has the same ambience as any other church in Italy. It is filled with beautiful mosaics with the most eye catching being the golden mosaic featuring Christ and the Apostles.
If you aren’t quite the religious buff and churches are not your cup of tea, then step outside and catch the views of Trieste from the top of the hill of San Giusto. In front of the church and to the right you will find….
Castello di San Giusto
Castello di San Giusto is another one of the must things to do in Trieste and offers a historical significance as well as stunning views because of its hilltop location. The castle was built in the 15th century and this medieval fortress now houses a museum showcasing ancient weapons, armor, and castle models.
Aside from the museum, the highlight of the visit is definitely the views from the top of this fortification. It offers panoramas of the city of Trieste and the Adriatic Sea making it a perfect photo op.
Tickets are affordable at around €3 to €5 for adults, with discounts for students and families. The castle is open year-round, generally from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter.
Giant’s Stairway (Scala Dei Giganti)
After exploring and soaking in the views on the hill of San Giusto, time to head back down. Instead of coming back the way you came from keep on going in the opposite direction past the cathedral and you will find yourself on the Giant’s Stairway.
The Giant’s Stairway, or Scala Dei Giganti, is a striking staircase in the heart of Trieste, connecting Piazza Goldoni with the San Giusto Hill area. It was built in 1905 and lives up to its name as it is designed with huge steps and has a certain elegance to it.
The stairs are never ending and that is why I am suggesting to do this route in this order as climbing up the stairs will drain quite a bit of your energy. However I will admit that the climb up the hills it is not straight forward either so it is a matter of your preference.
Teatro Romano
After the never ending steps of the Giant’s Stairway, head left past the McDonalds and then make another left to make your way towards the Teatro Romano.
This ancient Roman theater dates back to the 1st century AD. It was a place for the villagers come to specate and watch lively performances. It is surprisingly well preserved and it gives you a unique perspective of the city’s Roman past despite its modernization.
The theater’s stone seating and stage area are still visible, nestled into the hillside, and it’s easy to imagine the bustling crowds who would have gathered here centuries ago. Today, the theater is open to visitors year-round and free to view for all making it another great option of things to do in Trieste.
Museo Revoltella
If you have a passion for art a visit to Museo Revoltella is a fantastic thing to do in Trieste. This modern art museum is housed in a grand palace that was once the home of Baron Pasquale Revoltella. The museum’s highlight is its collection of modern Italian art, featuring works from the 19th and 20th centuries. After exploring the exhibits, the rooftop terrace is a must see as it offers incredible views over the city and into the Adriatic Sea.
Practical Information:
The museum is open every day from Tuesday to Sunday between 9AM and 7PM. It is closed on Mondays.
- Admission Prices:
Adults: €7
Reduced: €5 (students, seniors)
Free for children under 18 and on the first Sunday of each month.
You can find more information on the museum’s official website here
Stroll Along the Riva (Waterfront)
It is time to end your day by having an evening stroll on Trieste’s waterfront. While walking by the seaside you will encounter Molo Audace – an endless pier stretching into the Adriatic Sea. This pier is definitely the best spot to admire Trieste’s coastline. Make sure to watch the sun sets onto the horizon making this place the spot to be during sunsets. It is definitely high up the list of things to do in Trieste.
More Trieste Tips
That ends my 1 day itinerary and a list of things to do in Trieste. The guide does not stop there though as I have collated a list of potential questions you might have if you are visiting Trieste for the first time.
How to get to the center from Trieste Airport
Once you arrive in the small airport of Trieste, it might appear to be a bit of a ghost town as you won’t find many workers around and flights aren’t very frequent. However if you do find yourself with Trieste as your airport of destination here is how to get to the city center from the airport.
Unfortunately Trieste airport is not right next to the city center so you will need to travel to reach your destination. You can do so by train or by bus.
By Bus
- Bus Number 51
- Length of Trip: 1 hour
- Price: €4
- Drop off at Trieste bus terminus
- Runs every 30 mins on weekdays / every 1 hour on weekends
By Train
- Length of Trip: 25 minutes
- Price: €5
- Roughly every 15 minutes
Where to swim in Trieste
If you are visiting in the scorching summer heat you might be wondering why I haven’t included going for a swim in my list of things to do in Trieste. Well, although this is a seaside town, Trieste doesn’t have any beaches and the sea is littered with jellyfish and not very clean to swim in due to its ports.
However if you are staying more than 1 day in Trieste you can visit the nearby town of Barcola where it has swimming friendly beaches for you to cool off.
More Places to Go from Trieste
Once you have explored all the things to do in Trieste, you have a few options to continue on your journey. You can head into 1 of 3 countries: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia.
Venice, Italy
If you want to head inwards and explore more of Italy I think Venice is the nearest and most worthwhile of destinations. There are direct trains making it easy to access. The journey is around 1.5 hours and costs around €10. Book your Trains from Omio here.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Slovenia is a great country to visit filled with amazing nature possibilities and Ljubljana provides a great base as the capital city. There are plenty of things to do in Ljubljana to fill out one day and is definitely worth seeing.
Check out: Best Things to Do in Ljubljana – ULTIMATE 1 Day Guide
Lake Bled, Slovenia
If you want a nature escapade then Lake Bled is a must visit. Whether it is for a quick day trip or going to stay there for a couple of days or more, this picturesque lake should be on your itinerary. I recommend staying in the vicinity and explore more of Slovenia’s Julian Alps and national parks.
Check out: Complete Guide On How to get to Lake Bled From Trieste
If you opt to only visit Lake Bled for a day from Trieste then either renting a car or a guided tour is needed to make this possible as public transport up to Lake Bled is not viable to make a return trip. Here are some fantastic options for day trips to Ljubljana and Lake Bled
Best Time to Visit Trieste
For the reason listed above I wouldn’t recommend to visit Trieste in the peak Summer months but aim for either June or September where you will get pleasant weather but not scorching heat that will leave you drenched in sweat. Climbing uphill is a bit tiring and doing it in the heat is not that pleasant of an experience.
Nevertheless, I would think Trieste is pleasant year round but as I said before in this blog post it is a nice day trip to have rather than basing your entire holiday around it. So, with that logic, you should check the best time to visit your target destination and go from there.
On that note that ends my guide on things to do in Trieste in one day. Thanks for reading and make sure to check out my other posts if you are planning to visit nearby places!
