Italy has plenty to offer from historic towns like Rocca Imperiale to stunning seaside towns of Cinque Terre. Another benefit of travelling to Italy is that it’s usually quite cheap, especially outside of the summer months. The country is also perfect for tourists looking for some hidden gems. And one of those is the seaside city of Trieste – which even has its own airport.
Trieste is a beautiful port city in northeastern Italy, sitting right by the Adriatic Sea. It is close to the borders of Slovenia and Croatia and has a population of around 200,000. The city has a long and fascinating past, dating back thousands of years. It became part of the Roman Empire in 178BC and grew into an important trading hub. Later, under Austrian rule, Trieste became one of Europe’s busiest ports before finally joining Italy after the First World War.
Today, Trieste is a charming city with huge squares, a historic canal lined with cafés, and stunning sea views.
According to travel experts at Rough Guides, one of the best places to visit is San Giusto hill, where visitors can see the Cathedral of San Giusto and enjoy panoramic views across the city and coastline.
Other highlights include visiting the Grotta Gigante, one of the largest caves open to tourists in the world, and taking a boat trip through the Laguna di Grado.
The nearby town of San Daniele del Friuli is also worth visiting for its world-famous prosciutto.
When looking through Ryanair’s website, one-way flights to Trieste from London Stansted can be found for as little as £14.99.
Prices vary depending on the day, but flights under £20 are easy to find during May.
Trieste’s airport is about 40km (25 miles) from the city, and trains regularly connect the two in around 30 minutes.
According to Rough Guides, the best time to visit is during the spring or autumn months, when the weather is warm but not too hot and the city is quieter.
April to June and September to October are ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Getting around Trieste is easy. Most of the main sights are within walking distance, but there are also good bus routes, including services to San Giusto and along the waterfront.
Parking can be tricky in the city centre, so visitors are advised to leave their cars and explore on foot or by bus.
