The only severely underrated hidden gem in Italy
Before visiting, I thought all of Italy's hidden gems had already been discovered. Rome, Florence, Venice—aren't they all packed with tourists?
Then a friend threw a name at me: Trieste. It's a border port in the northeast corner of Italy, right next to Slovenia, and was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire for over a century. This gives the city a unique, complex character—Italian romance, Viennese elegance, and Balkan wildness all swirled together.
Most importantly, there are so few tourists that it's hard to believe you're in Italy. Plus, it's affordable—a cup of coffee at the bar costs just 1 or 2 euros, and the seafood is fresh and inexpensive. After a crowded day in Venice, arriving here feels like hitting the mute button.
🚄 Transportation
It takes about 2 hours by train from Venice, with tickets for regional trains costing 15–20 euros. Taking a FlixBus from Ljubljana, Slovenia, takes just over an hour—crossing the border is as easy as crossing a state line. Buy city bus tickets at tobacco shops; a one-way ticket costs 1 or 2 euros, and you can transfer within an hour of validating it on board. The historic city center is entirely walkable, so just wear comfortable shoes.
🏠 Accommodation
The best choice is the Borgo Teresiano historic district, located between the train station and Piazza Unità. It's the most convenient area in the city, with everything within walking distance. Budget hotels are around 60 euros per night, and vacation rentals in the historic center start at 80 euros, where you can open your window to the old streets. For a sea view, choose the Barcola waterfront area, where you can hear the waves for 80 euros a night.
🏞️ Must-see
Piazza Unità d'Italia is one of the largest seaside squares in Europe, surrounded on three sides by Austro-Hungarian architecture and opening directly onto the Adriatic Sea. In the evening, the entire square is bathed in an amber glow from the sunset. Locals sit on the steps with their coffee, just watching the world go by, and you won't be able to resist joining them.
Miramare Castle is the seaside palace of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg. With its white castle and cliffside gardens, it feels like something straight out of a fairytale. Adult tickets are 12–15 euros, and it's free on the first Sunday of every month. It's about a 30-minute bus ride from the city center, or you can take a ferry for an even better view of the castle from the water.
San Giusto Castle is built on a hilltop. Tickets cost just a few euros, and the summit offers a panoramic view of the entire city and the bay. There are also Roman ruins nearby, and you can head back down the hill just in time for sunset.
Caffè San Marco deserves a special mention. Opened in 1914, it has survived two world wars and the fall of empires, and it's still going strong after more than a century. It houses a small library, and the tables have footrests for guests to relax—the intellectual charm of the old world is palpable here. Order a coffee and a tiramisu, and you could easily spend the whole afternoon here.
The Grand Canal in Trieste is the best spot for sunset photos. The banks are lined with restaurants and cafes, and when the evening lights come on, the reflections on the water look just like an oil painting.
Suggested itinerary: Day 1: Piazza Unità + Grand Canal + stroll through the old town; Day 2: Miramare Castle + San Giusto Castle; Day 3: Relaxed cafe life in the canal district.
🍜 Food
Trieste is a port city, so seafood is the star of the show. Menarosti is a classic seafood restaurant that opened in 1903; the ingredients are so fresh they don't need complex seasoning—simple cooking lets the flavors shine. Al Petes specializes in Adriatic seafood with the occasional Asian twist; it's a small, relaxed spot run by young people. For a classic dish, order the scampi risotto (about 28 euros), paired with a bottle of local white wine (16 euros). You can eat very well for 40–50 euros per person.
The street coffee culture is the soul of this city. An espresso at the bar costs just over 1 euro; sitting down costs double, but the view is worth the price. Caffè Tommaseo is the oldest cafe in the city, opened in 1825. It features Viennese architecture from the Austro-Hungarian era, with large Belgian mirrors on the walls. James Joyce was a regular here back in the day.
💰 Budget
Budget about 100–123 euros per person per day, including accommodation, meals, and tickets. For a budget-friendly trip: stay in a vacation rental in the old town for 60–80 euros a night, eat street pizza and pasta for 15–20 euros per meal, and spend no more than 30 euros on tickets for major attractions. A 3-day, 2-night trip for 300–450 euros per person is plenty—cheaper than spending a single day in Venice.
📌 Tips
It gets very windy in Trieste in the autumn. The locals call it the "Bora," and it can be intense, so be sure to bring a windbreaker if you visit in October. Coffee is half-price if you stand at the bar, and there's a surcharge for sitting at outdoor tables. Miramare Castle is free on the first Sunday of every month, so time your visit to save some money. Piran and Koper in Slovenia are both within an hour's drive, so you can easily combine them into your trip.
I used to think all of Italy's hidden gems were packed along the popular tourist routes. After visiting Trieste, I realized I had wrongly equated "off the beaten path" with "boring." The beauty of this city isn't found in guidebooks; it's in the afternoons when the sea breeze blows across Piazza Unità, in the century-old aroma of coffee at Caffè San Marco, and in that shade of Adriatic blue from the cliffs of Miramare Castle. Stop crowding into Venice—buy a train ticket, and you'll be there in 2 hours