Things to Do in Trieste

The extravagant 19th-century Miramare Castle is set on the Grignano promontory above the Gulf of Trieste and has beautiful interiors and 54 acres of grounds and botanical gardens. Home to the Habsburg family until the 20th century, this sumptuous noble residence offers a fascinating glimpse into royal life.

Designed by Austrian architect Carl Junker, Miramare Castle (Castello di Miramare) is unlike any other in Italy, for its white stone towers and Gothic-, Medieval- and Austrian-inspired architecture at once contrasts with and complements the Mediterranean landscape. The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria (later Emperor Maximilian of Mexico) and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium, had the castle built in 1860, and today visitors can tour its well-preserved rooms, all filled with original furniture, tapestries, and decor. The surrounding Miramare Park, set along a paved walkway with impressive views of the Adriatic Sea, is a beautiful expanse of grounds dotted with sculptures, ponds, and fountains.

You can visit Miramare Castle on its own or part of a larger tour of Trieste that also includes the elegant Piazza Unità d'Italia and the Cathedral of San Giusto. 

Miramare Castle is located on Viale Miramare just north of Trieste and across the border from Slovenia. There are local bus and train routes that run between the center of Trieste and Miramare, but the best way to reach the castle is by joining a tour or shore excursion that includes transportation. In summer, there’s ferry service from Trieste to Grignano Bay.

One of the highlights of the castle is its extensive grounds, so time a visit for a clear day with mild temperatures so you can explore at your leisure.

The interior décor was the work of Franz Hofmann and his son, Julius. The ground-floor private apartments of Maximilian and Charlotte have an intimate, informal atmosphere, while the upper floor, once dedicated to receiving guests, is filled with sumptuous furnishings decorated with the family's coats of arms and tapestries incorporating imperial crests.

Trieste's magnificent Piazza Unità d'Italia (Unity of Italy Square, also known as Piazza Grande), facing the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. This large open space"”the largest seafront square in Europe"”lined with sumptuous 19th- and 20th-century palaces and historic cafes, is the very heart of the city.

The palaces around Trieste's main square now house City Hall, the headquarters of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the prefecture. There are also a number of literary cafes on the square"”most famously the Caffè degli Specchi, dating from 1839 and a favorite haunt of Joyce, Kafka, and Italo Svevo"”and the elegant 18th-century Fountain of the Four Continents in the center. 

For an in-depth exploration of the square, join a private tour to discover Trieste that also hits  nearby highlights like the Castle of San Giusto and Miramare Castle (Castello di Miramare).

Trieste is located in northern Italy, just across the border from Slovenia, and makes an easy day trip from Venice. Centrally located Piazza Unita d'Italia is a short walk from the train station.

The best time of day to visit the square is after sunset, when it twinkles with lights and offers lovely views over the Gulf of Trieste. The square hosts a pretty Christmas market in December.

Piazza Unità d'Italia has been a venue for a number of large rock concerts, including international acts like Iron Maiden and Green Day as well as Italian stars including Franco Battiato.