Share the article
If you’re planning a trip to Italy this summer, chances are you’ll visit places like Rome, Milan, and Venice. Yes, they are super touristy, and yes, you already know that ‘busy’ is putting it mildly, so no judgment here.
There’s nothing like strolling through the open-air museum of a historic center in Rome or grabbing an aperitivo with breathtaking views of the lagoon from a rooftop in Venice, but hey, there is always room for more.
Tucked away in the less explored northeastern region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trieste is the perfect hidden gem to balance out your busy Italy trip, and 2026 could well be your last chance to visit before it gets as busy as everywhere else:
Last year, the capital and cultural heart of Italy’s easternmost edge officially surpassed the 1.6 million visitor mark, marking one of the strongest tourism years yet, and there are no signs of the momentum slowing down anytime soon.
Now 1.6 million is barely a ripple in the vast ocean of Italy’s tourism industry, but otherwise all is quiet. historically overlooked TriesteLong considered the country’s last outpost before entering Slavic territory, it’s a big wave. Especially for a city with just under 200,000 inhabitants.
And no, this is not simply the result of day trippers from Veneto hopping on the train north for carnival celebrations or a spontaneous Easter weekend away.
It points to a real year-round demand, with Maurizio Giudici, president of the local hotel association Federalberghi Trieste, noting that tourism in the city is “a no longer a marginal phenomenon.”
Is this Italy or Austria?
Well, can it be both?
We’ve already hinted at it, but if you’re inspired to get off the beaten track this season and see what Trieste is all about, you’ll soon realize this is not the Italy you know from social media.
Instead of chaotic Vespa traffic and markets spilling out onto busy thoroughfares, they are stately Austro-Hungarian boulevards with ornate alcoves and palatial public buildings. In many ways, Trieste doesn’t seem far removed from Vienna or Budapest.
You may wonder why. At one point in history, the city was ruled not from Rome, but by the Habsburgs, an empire that stretched from the Austrian Alps all the way to Hungary… and apparently reached as far as Trieste in its cozy little Adriatic corner.
There is no better place to soak up that Central European atmosphere than, ironically, Piazza Unità d’Italia, or “Union Square”, a large square commemorating the unification of Italyand thus the shift in loyalty from Trieste, yet unmistakably Austrian in character.
It is monumental in size, in fact a large open space designed to exude imperial grandeur, and the facades surrounding it are typically eclectic Austrianrather than medieval Italian or Renaissance.
The coolest part? Unlike the average central square, this one is not centered around a cathedral. Instead, it opens dramatically to the Adriatic Sea. After all, Trieste was once an imperial maritime city, and is located deep into the sea.
Please check your entry requirements before flying
Going to Europe this summer?
You should know that the entry rules for US passport holders have changed significantly. From mandatory fingerprinting on arrival to the upcoming introduction of a mandatory online visa, there are a number of new rules you should familiarize yourself with before heading to the airport.
View the latest admission requirements here.
You haven’t been to Trieste until you’ve had a cappuccino and a cheeky brioche before breakfast ends at 10am
That’s Caffè San Marco one touristy chic cafe in town that’s actually worth the hypeor a little splurge.
It opened in 1914 just before the First World War and has since hosted intellectuals, writers and revolutionaries in its warm wooden, copper interior. This Viennese Secession-style spot attracted James Joyce, Italo Svevo and Umberto Saba as regulars, and still attracts locals in addition to visitors for that literary atmosphere.
The nearby Grand Canal is the part of town that resembles Venice: a small navigable waterway, spanned by stone bridges and lined with laid-back trattorias, hidden behind Austrian arcades. Molo Audace, the long pier that extends into the Adriatic Sea, is perfect for sunset walks and watching the sea.
There isn’t much left of Trieste’s glorious Roman past, but as someone who is obsessed with the Roman Empire myself, I can’t help but be drawn to the some remains that have stood the test of time.
The most impressive of all is Arco di Riccardo, located in the maze-like old town. It dates back to the 1st century BC, making it over 2,100 years oldand it’s a bit wedged between modern buildings, almost as if the city grew around its Roman heritage rather than burying it altogether.
A 5-minute walk from the arch, the Roman theater of Tergeste stands out for its simplicity. Once located on the sea, before the Adriatic Sea receded for miles, it remained hidden under medieval buildings until its relatively recent rediscovery in the 1930s.
Castello di San Giusto, on the hill overlooking the center of Trieste, is a historic fortress with panoramic views over the city and the gulf.
If you don’t mind a day out and lose your heart to a fairytale castle, then Castello di Miramare is a beautiful Habsburg palace with Como-esque gardens and epic sea views. Only half an hour by bus outside the city!
Alternatively, for those keen to make a cross-border hop into Slovenia (because it’s literally “over there”), another 30-minute shuttle will take you to Koper, a town in the Slovenian Riviera, ready for a postcard. It is the proud home of the Da Ponte Fountain, topped by a miniature scale replica of Venice’s Rialto Bridge.
Whether you’re sipping coffee in Trieste, or strolling along the waterfront promenades in Koper, you’re probably wondering if these destinations are under travel warnings due to the ongoing war in Europe.
The easiest and clearest way to verify whether risk levels or entry guidelines have changed is to refer to the Travel Advisories page, based on reports from local U.S. Consulates and the U.S. Department of State.
Specifically about Italy? It is currently classified as a Level 2 destination, meaning Americans should simply exercise “heightened caution” when visiting due to pickpocketing and other minor inconveniences.
Some travelers himself already mentioned? Watch below:
The Trieste coup
Now Trieste’s cuisine is not the typical sun-drenched, tomato-infused Italian fanfare. It is best known for its cabbage soup, goulash, boiled meat and sandwiches filled with hot meat. After all, we are only a 20 minute drive to Slovenia.
Buffet de Pepi is one classical Trieste institute just a few steps from Arco di Riccardo. Opened in the Austro-Hungarian era, it has the local, no-nonsense vibe of ‘this is what Triestini actually eats’, and your collection of crumpled €5 notes tucked deep in your wallet will probably cover the bill.
Speaking of price tags: Trieste is not nearly as expensive as the average Italian hub.
This is a fairly compact, completely walkable city, but if you don’t fancy the free workout session that goes from Old Town to San Giusto Hill, a one-way bus ticket, valid for about 75 minutes, costs €1.50 (about $1.60).
Hostels and budget rooms also start from as cheap as $22 a nightwhile three-star hotels typically cost between $75 and $90. A luxury stay seems to be around $200+ per night, which is what an average, far from great guest house 10 minutes drive from the beach in Amalfi would be.
Ready to find more hidden gems in Italy outside of Trieste?
See Travel Off Path’s Italy ‘Discovers’ 5 Lesser-Known Destinations to Visit in 2026.
