Trieste, Italy

The seaport of Trieste is a beautiful city situated in North East Italy. This gorgeous locale of rustic buildings and marvellous architecture has been an influential centre of music, art and culture for centuries and is often unfairly overlooked by travellers heading to staple cities such as Rome and Milan. This, however, is all for the best as cruisers will be delighted to find that Trieste is nowhere near as inundated with the bustling crowds that populate much of Italy’s major tourist magnets.

A serene atmosphere, stunning architecture and breath-taking sea views make Trieste a wonderful place in which to lose entire days exploring its spacious plazas and pristine boulevards. The red roofs of its old Roman houses make for a sumptuous sight, especially when contrasted with the azure backdrop of the dazzling Adriatic Sea.

Trieste is also an amazingly cosmopolitan city- the Friuli Venezia Giulia region to which it belongs is officially a quadrilingual state, with its population speaking Italian, Slovene, Ladin and German. With such a diversity of language and architecture, Trieste is a stunning port that is blessed with a wonderful cross-section of European Culture, and all in the space of single, enchanting city.

Sightseeing in Trieste

The No 2 Tram

It may seem unusual to have public transport make it into the list of the city’s attractions, but any cruiser who journeys on its breath-taking route will find its inclusion completely justified. The 5km route taken by the vintage Villa Opicina Tram is the finest way to get an overview of this wonderful city’s sights and attractions.

On-board, travellers will be taken to the crest of a high slope near the district of Carso, giving them the perfect vantage point from which to get a panoramic view of the vivid blue waters of the bay and the awe-inspiring sprawl of the rustic city streets. The tram then heads downwards for a riveting tour of Villa Opicina, a hub for Slovenian culture which superbly demonstrates Trieste’s cosmopolitan pedigree.

Piazza Dell’Unita D’Italia

This gorgeous square is the largest in Italy to face a waterfront, giving it a scintillating view to go with its stylish charms. Austro-Hungarian architecture blends with art deco shop and café fronts to create an amazing aesthetic which is sure to linger in the imaginations of cruisers for years to come. This is the perfect place to have a quiet stroll and soak up the marvellous architecture, enjoy a drink at one of the café fronts, or simply idle away the afternoon watching the colourful cavalcade of ships float by on the Gulf of Trieste.

Roman Trieste

Just behind the aforementioned Piazza lies the Roman Theatre. Dating back to the first and second centuries, this awe-inspiring structure was only uncovered in 1938 and has been a testament to the storied history of Trieste for decades since. A tiered stone amphitheatre with its foundations and step still fully intact, this outstanding monument is a must visit for cruisers.

Shopping in Trieste

For a thrilling shopping experience, head to the Borgo Teresiano, which is a beautifully chaotic neo-classical grid of narrow streets that provides the most unique shopping in the region. In this remarkable part of the old town, second-hand book shops sell rare tomes for unbelievable prices, and street vendors sell curios such as old maps and unique jewellery.

Eating out in Trieste

Caffe Tommaseo is a brilliant spot to enjoy local delicacies and authentic cappuccinos. Once frequented by Sigmund Freud and James Joyce, this waterfront café has an art deco interior that adds even more historical ambience to the dining experience. It did, after all, open in 1830, and has been a mainstay for Trieste’s diners since.