1. Piazza Unita d'Italia
The central square, Piazza Unita d'Italia (Square of the Unification of Italy), is home to many ancient and representative palaces, including the town hall. Piazza Unità d'Italia is the largest square in Europe, open to the sea.
2. Miramare Castle
Miramare Castle is one of Trieste's main tourist attractions. It was built in 1856-1860 for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. The castle is surrounded by a magnificent park, which covers an area of 22 hectares and offers breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea.
In addition to Miramare Castle, the Miramare Castle Park is also a fascinating place. The park surrounding the castle was designed according to the wishes of Archduke Maximilian and includes various botanical gardens, ponds and exotic plants imported from his travels around the world.
3. Canal Grande
Like Venice, Trieste has its own Grand Canal. The Grand Canal is the main waterway in the centre of Trieste, built in the 18th century to facilitate boat access to the heart of the city. The canal is lined with historic buildings and bridges. Originally spanned by three bridges, only one remains today - the Ponte Rosso. However, a new footbridge has recently been opened. At the head of the canal stands the Church of Sant'Antonio Taumaturgo.
4. Monkey Tram
A unique local feature is the so-called Opicina Tram (Tram de Opicina) - a cross between a tram and a cable car, it connects the city centre with the village of Opicina. Its operation started in 1902 and it still climbs 326 m daily with passengers, probably the only one of its kind in the world. Known as Linea 2, it is just over 5 km long and its historic carriages are a popular destination for many photographers and admirers.
5. Coffee and cafes
Trieste was one of the biggest coffee trading places. Today there are about five wholesale importers and about twenty roasters. In the city centre you can visit several historic cafés, the most famous being the Caffè San Marco or the Caffè degli Specchi.
Today Trieste is known for its rich café culture. The city is home to Illy, one of the most famous coffee producers in the world.
6. Grotta Gigante
TheGrotta Gigante is the largest tourist-accessible karst cave in the world. The cave is over 280 metres long and 65 metres wide, with a ceiling height of up to 107 metres. It offers fascinating guided tours that reveal breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites, as well as scientific displays on karst phenomena.
7. Jewish community and synagogue
Trieste has a long history of Jewish presence, dating back to the Middle Ages. The city is home to one of the largest synagogues in Europe, the Synagogue di Trieste, which was completed in 1912. The synagogue is both an important centre of the Jewish community and an architectural gem.
8. The Wind of Bora
Trieste is known for its specific climate, especially the strong wind called Bora. This cool, dry wind can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h and is a characteristic feature of the city, influencing its architecture and the lifestyle of its inhabitants.
9. Teatro Verdi
Teatro Verdi, officially Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi, is an opera house and theatre that opened in 1801. The theatre is named after the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi and hosts a wide range of opera, ballet and concert performances.
10. Faro della Vittoria Lighthouse
An imposing lighthouse and an important historical monument. This lighthouse, also known as the Victory Lighthouse, was built in the early 20th century and is located on a rocky promontory called Punta Franco. It is 68 m high and therefore easily visible from many parts of Trieste.
To learn more about the important sights of Trieste, read the article Trieste: Crossroads of the Nations.
