Trieste, a Remarkable Italian Cosmopolitan City: 8 Must-see Places

Updated On: April 23, 2024 by   Panseih Gharib

Travelers yearn for adventures and unprecedented experiences. One of the best destinations to visit in the world is Italy. It is the land of renaissance, history, poetry, and beauty. It is home to the strongest civilizations in history and hosts the most important catholic cathedral, Papal Arch Basilica of Saint John which serves as the seat of the bishop of Rome.

Understanding the country’s historical, religious, artistic, and cultural significance turns visiting it into “a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life” as described by Anna Akhmatova, poet.

One of the most fascinating cities to stop by on your visit to Italy is Trieste. It is a city rated as one of the ten safest cities in the world in 2021.  It is used to belong to the Habsburg Monarchy and served as an important seaport, making it the fourth-largest city of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Furthermore, it combines a diversity of ethnic groups and religions. In addition, it is a hub for research institutions, literature, and trade. These qualities arise from its remarkable location that connects Central Europe with the Mediterranean Sea.

How to get to Trieste, Italy?

Trieste lies at the center between Germany to the North, Slavic nations and the Balkans to the east, Italy and Latin countries to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. It can be reached by airplane through its airport, The Trieste-Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport (TRS) which lies 33 km from the city.

Or if you are already in Italy, you can easily get there by booking a train, a bus, or a car from different Italian cities like Venice and Rome. Noting that, traveling by train is very enjoyable, as the railways go by sea during the last 15 minutes of your ride before reaching Trieste. Thus, travelers get the chance to enjoy a remarkable scenery and most of the time a good breeze, as Trieste is known for its subtropical climate.

Places to Visit in Trieste

There are many affordable tours tourists can book to get a hands-on experience of the city. Tours range from walking tours for about an hour of quickly learning about the main remarkable sites in the city and offering you a chance to get in touch with the city’s culture through communicating directly with its people. Or bus tours which will also show you the main sites in a nutshell. Both options can be booked with a tour guide to help you get an overview of the city’s history.

1)    Piazza Unità d’Italia

It is considered the largest square in Europe near the sea. It was built during the historical nourishment of Trieste during the Austro-Hungarian period. Therefore, it contains many historical buildings which will be fascinating to architecture lovers. It also has many famous cafés and restaurants to hang out in during your tour.

The square is very famous in Trieste that it is sometimes used for hosting large concerts or important public political meetings. You can get to the Piazza Unità d’Italia by using public transportation; like a bus or a train.

2)    Visit James Joyce Museum

Trieste is a hub for art and literature. One of the important landmarks to visit if you like literary history is the James Joyce museum. It was inaugurated in 2004. In the museum, visitors follow the steps of James Joyce’s years living in Trieste by being offered intensive information in different forms; printed, digital, and video.

3)   Visit the  Cattedrale di San Giusto Martire

The Cathedral is considered the most important Catholic Church in Trieste. It hosts the seat of the Bishop of Trieste, and it is dedicated to Saint Justus. It was first built in the 6^th century on Roman propylaea. Its architecture and interior work of art are exceptional, making it a destination to stop by during your tour in the city. It is located on the homonymous hill with a view of the city. It is located about 1.6 km from the central train station of Trieste and about 120 m from the nearest bus stop to its location.

4)  Visit  Parco della Rimembranza sul Colle di San Giusto

It is a memory park dedicated to the soldiers who have fallen during the world war. It is found on the slope of the hill of San Giusto surrounded by green areas.   Memorial stones are found there bearing the names of the fallen native soldiers.

One way to the park is through the Giants’ Stairway of Trieste (Scala dei Giganti di Trieste), which was built in 1970. It connects the heart of Trieste streets and its shops and bars with the historical sites of San Giusto hill. Climbing up the stairs will give you the chance to have a view of the whole city.

5)    Visit the Arco di Riccardo

It is one of the must-see historical landmarks in Trieste. The Arch of Riccardo is said to have been built by Augustus in 33 BC. Legend has it that it was named after King Richard LionHeart, who passed through this gate. It is only a couple of minutes away from San Giusto hill.

6)    Visit the

It is a Protestant Lutheran church, originally built in the 18^th century by German merchants. Though currently, the original language of the community is Italian, service is held in German once a month to preserve the church’s tradition back when it belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.  The church’s gothic architectural style and its neoclassic interior design and work of art make the visit to it an addition to your tour in Trieste. It can be visited during your tour through the San Giusto Hill historical landmarks.

7)   Visit the Roman Theatre in Trieste

For visitors who are interested in Roman ruins, the Roman theatre in Trieste will provide a spectacular scene. It is a relatively small Roman theatre that could accommodate up to 3500 people. It is located at the heart of the old town of Trieste, at the bottom of San Giusto Hill. The theatre dates back to the 1^st century AD. Its ruins are preserved and currently surrounded by natural settings.

8)    Visit the Miramare Castle

It is a magnificent castle built in the 19^th century to accommodate Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium. It is located at the Gulf of Trieste, Northeast Italy. Visitors of the castle can take a tour of its rooms, which are still furnished with original furniture. The landscape surrounding the castle provides beautiful scenery as well.

Best Places to Hang Out in the City

As Robin Leach, an English writer, says, “In Italy, they add work and life on to food and wine.” Due to Trieste’s cosmopolitan nature, its cuisine is also diverse. It combines the cuisine of Central Europe adding to the famous Italian cuisine. This mixture gives birth to unique, tasty food. Also being named the “city of coffee” you will drink the best coffee in your life there. Here is a list of some famous cafés and restaurants to dine in Trieste:

•  Antico Caffè San Marco
•  Caffè degli Specchi
•  Savoy Restaurant
•  Mimì e Cocotte
•  Caffè Tommaseo

The Available Transportation

Trieste has a wide network of transportation that is available for you all day long. Below is a list of the transportation you can use during your stay in the city:

•  Bus
•  Tram
•  Train
•  Car
•  Ferry
•  Bicycle
•  Car

Where to Stay in Trieste

Trieste is equipped with many hotels and places to stay in that would serve all tastes. No matter your budget, you can find a suitable, comfortable place to be accommodated in. Some of the best places are:

Best Near Trieste City Center:

• NH Trieste
• Savoia Excelsior Palace Trieste
• DoubleTree By Hilton Trieste

Best Across the Gulf of Trieste:

• Tre Merli Beach Hotel
• Hotel Riviera & Maximilian’s
• Hotel Le Corderie

Walking in Trieste is like walking in an open museum, where history and culture are surrounding you every step of the way.  It is the perfect place to fulfill your coffee cravings and provide a getaway from the hustle and bustle of Venice. The city is unique in language and culture. It is a must-see cosmopolitan city in Italy that gives you the essence of both Central Europe and Italian cultures.