Things to do & places to visit in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Friuli Venezia Giulia #15 destination in Italy 2023. The average rating score is 4.54 based on 54.9k traveler reviews, of 121 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Rome, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 20:31.

Top things to do (31)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia (8.718 reviews)
- A must see destination if you are visiting the city, and also very photogenic.
Points of Interest & Landmarks

We visited the Piazza dell'Unita d'Italia in Trieste whilst on a one day stop in the city on a Monday in June. Arriving on a cruise ship, we had opted to take a guided walk of the city and this area was on the route. The Piazza is an impressive large are abounded on three sides by imposing buildings with some magnificent architecture. The fourth side is open to the sea though separated from it by the main road. Our guide explained that just as in Venice this area had been built on marsh land on timber piles and was the focal point of the administrative are of the city. There is an impressive looking fountain at the top end of the Piazza, regrettably not working on the day of our visit. There are coffee shops spread out around the perimeter of the square and it looked quite a pleasant place to take refreshment in the shade and watch the world go by. A must see destination if you are visiting the city, and also very photogenic. See more..
5.0 Basilica di Aquileia (1.455 reviews)
- Wonderful
Monday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Since december 1998 Unesco world heritage, along with Aquileia, the Basilica Patriarcale has been a place of art, culture and spirituality over the last 1700 years. It was first built after the Edict of Milan ( 313 a.D.), and it was probably one of the most ancient Christian churches of the world; the mosaics covering the two parallel halls ( north and south) date back to that very first period. Soon covered and replaced by other stuctures, they came to light in 1909 only. The actual Basilica went through several restorations; nowadays it has romanesque and gothic features with exeptional frescoes dating back between the XIth and XIVth century, along with other important artworks and devotional pieces. See more..
5.0 Kleine Berlin (574 reviews)
- Very interesting tour conducted by passionate guides
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Walking Areas

Fino a quando resta in vigore il coprifuoco le visite si effettuano ogni ultimo venerdì del mese alle ore 17,00 e alle ore 19,00 esclusivamente con prenotazione obbligatoria via mail e numero limitato di visitatori. See more..
5.0 Carso Triestino (465 reviews)
- Wonderful landscape, great walking easily accessible by bus.from Trieste
Mountains

Had a great walk in the beautiful Rosandra Valley leading up to the Slovenian border. Part of the largest Nature reserve, a stream runs through it, rocky limestone landscape with high cliffs and a rich flora. The walk was made possible for us because we found a website - Curiosi di Natura societa co-operativa - an initiative of some dedicated locals to promote all the different features of the Karst/Carso. Through them we were able to hire at a very reasonable rate a friendly and extremely knowledgeable guide who knew the best route for us/ how to get there and gave us all the background and local info as well as pointing out and naming all the flowers and trees - as that was our interest. See more..
5.0 Sito Paleontologico Dinosauro Antonio (311 reviews)
- GREAT SITE
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Il sito paleontologico nei mesi di dicembre, gennaio e febbraio rimane aperto solo su prenotazione. Saremo aperti in via straodinaria il 26 dicembre 2019 e il 6 gennaio 2010 dalle 10 alle 16 See more..
5.0 Escape Room Challenge (277 reviews)
- Escape room
Monday: 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM Spent < 1 hour Escape Games

Challenge Escape Room è un'azienda di intrattenimento targata SCENIKO che offre divertenti live game Experiences. Un'avventura divertente ed interattiva progettata per tutti che ti permetterà di evadere dalla stanza con la tua famiglia, i tuoi amici o colleghi! Ospitiamo gruppi da 2 a 6 persone il cui scopo è completare l'obiettivo del gioco in 60 minuti. Sei pronto per la sfida? See more..
4.5 Historical Museum of the Miramare Castle (6.116 reviews) from $20.98
- Beautiful Habsburg castle and grounds in stunning location
Monday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Castles • History Museums

The Miramare Castle and Park were commissioned by Archduke Maximilian of Hapsburg who decided — around 1855 — to build a residence worthy of his name and rank outside of Trieste, looking out to the sea and surrounded by a wide garden. The Park of Miramare, with a surface of 22 hectares, is the result of Maximilian’s long and demanding project on the rocky promontory of Grignano, which originally resembled a Karst area almost devoid of vegetation. See more..
4.5 Civico Museo della Risiera di San Sabba (1.917 reviews)
- Moving
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

Definitely worth going out of your way to visit the Risiera di San Sabba. An old rice processing plant turned into prison camp during WWII, the building and museum really convey the dread and the pain that was once there. A place everybody should visit not to forget what humans are capable of. See more..
4.5 Cattedrale di San Giusto Martire (1.761 reviews)
- An emblemof trieste in a quasi hidden way
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

worth visiting the queen of the Adriatic for that. Setting aside the Venetian emblem and the lack of excellent locations along the Adriatic when compared to other Italian seaside locations the hilltop edifice is extrordinary, varied complex, rich and enigmatic. If walking from the Piazza Unita it can be strenuous on a hot summer slightly humid afternoon but it is mosaic rich (as a Ravenna outcrop), structurally dramatic, vario-vestibular and has a vicinity of loci mirabili. See more..
4.5 Parco Zoo Punta Verde (1.213 reviews)
- recommend for families and couples
Monday: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Zoos

Parco Zoo Punta Verde is a privately run zoo and consequently receives no public funds. Its revenue is derived solely from its entrance fees. Parco Zoo Punta Verde’s mission is founded on four key points: Education of the public to raise awareness and sensitivity about animals and the environment, with targeted educational programs aimed at the general public and schools of all types and levels. Conservation of endangered species through in situ and ex situ programmes. The zoo’s visitors are active participants in its awareness and fundraising campaigns that allow endangered species to be protected in their natural habitats while offering the local populations opportunities for sustainable development. Research via partnerships with organizations such as universities, museums and scientific institutions in general. And last, but not least, the excitement of a day out for adults and children alike, in a pleasant setting that brings them into contact with nature, thus helping to respect it. Visiting a modern zoo means ensuring a future for nature, thanks to all the ventures aimed at preserving its delicate balance. Parco Zoo Punta Verde covers an area of 100,000 square metres in a loop of the Tagliamento river, in the north-western part of the Lignano peninsula, and is home to over 1,000 animals of around 200 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The zoo is open from March to November; opening hours can be found on the official website See more..
4.5 Grotta Gigante (1.098 reviews)
- Nature’s wonder
Caverns & Caves

Grotta Gigante, located near Trieste (20 min by car, 30 by bus) and close to highway Venice - Slovenia/Croatia (5 min from exit "Sgonico" or "Prosecco") is the only show cave on Italian land so named "Carst" . It's the show cave with the largest natural hall inside in Europe(98,5 m high, 76 m wide and 167 m long). Inside temperature 11°C all the year. 500 steps from entrance to deepest point of tourist path. Many stalactites and stalagmites (the largest is 12 meters high). Total lenght of tourist path: 860 meters. Open all the year. See more..
4.5 Laghi di Fusine (930 reviews)
- Wonderful also in winter
Spent More than 3 hours Bodies of Water

Beautiful in wintertime, just after 4 days of heavy snowfall. Be aware that in snow conditions you may need snow chains. We left the car lower down the road and walked last 30-45 minutes to the lakes though. See more..
4.5 Molo Audace - Già "Molo S. Carlo" (907 reviews)
- Not to miss
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks

This pier is not particularly attractive in itself, but it is a key landmark in Trieste. You will find locals and tourists strolling, eating picnics, enjoying the view of the city and the sunset over the Gulf. Make sure you walk all the way up to the top at least once, and visit at different times of the day. See more..
4.5 Golfo di Trieste (878 reviews)
- Beautiful!!!
Bodies of Water

What a beautiful area to explore. There is a path all along the water stretching from the port all the way to Miramare and beyond. You can also take the #6 bus from Trieste center to the last stop and walk back. The bus drops you off in a pretty little marina with a very nice little restaurant. Principe Di Metternich is a great place for a glass of wine and a bit to eat while enjoying the water. Look for the giant jelly fish in the water. They are beautiful! The walk back starts with Miramare Castle. Take the self guided tour, 8 euro, and get the audio guide for a few more euro. The house and grounds are worth a stop. Continuing along the path back to town is very picturesque. Once you get back to the street you can pick up the #6 bus again, if you have had enough walking, and take it back to city center. See more..
4.5 Diga del Vajont (835 reviews)
- Very beautifull
Dams

very touching place, full of history and stories. Beautifull view of the Dolomiti Mountains and river. Little place for parking and only paying parking available See more..
4.5 Sacrario Militare di Redipuglia (791 reviews)
- it is closed in 2021 and more in 2022! Great historical WWI monument.
Religious Sites

It is closed in whole year in 2021 (or even more for year 2022 ). DO NOT travel there, you will find all gates and museums closed!! It is a pity, because it is a really spectacular monument! Not just a piece of rock, it is a piece of the tragic history of Hungary, Austria and Italy. Thousands of soldiers died here during WWI. They sacrificed their life in vain, fell for just a few meters of land. The Italian names are written in the stairs, everywhere you can see up to the sky... Rest in peace. See more..
4.5 Mt Lussari (771 reviews)
- absolutely beautiful!
Mountains

This is one of my favorite places in Friuli!!! You can reach it through the cable car or on walk in spring and summer...even if you don’t sky in winter, you can take a walk around, there is a little cute church and some ”rifugi” in witch you can sunbathe, eat and drink and also sleep for the night...the view is absolutely amasing!!! See more..
4.5 Cividale del Friuli - UNESCO World Heritage Centre (769 reviews)
- The real Italy
Historic Sites

Ignore the reviews that say Cividale is not a place for children. If you want the world to cater to your children, go to Disney World. If you want your children to engage with the world -- play in a river, hike outside of town, play futbal in the piazza, learn to appreciate art and history with a 1 hour visit to a museum, be immersed in a new culture - then Cividale is your place. See more..
4.5 Castle of Duino (687 reviews)
- Amazing
Historic Sites • Castles

Really worth to visit! Easy access with the bus from Trieste. If the weather is good you can visit old castle for 2eur and main castle visit cost around 10eur. A lot of rooms with nice history behind. See more..
4.5 Museo Revoltella (675 reviews)
- Grazie Barone Pasquale Revoltella
Monday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Art Museums

What more can you say about the Revoltella Palace Museum except that every art lover must come to see this masterpiece and feel and sit back with the past. Many thanks to Baron Pasquale Revoltella for this legacy for the future. Be sure to look back and fly into the past. See more..
4.5 Piazza della Liberta (614 reviews)
- Very special place to visit
Points of Interest & Landmarks

Very well maintained venetian style palace and a nice square. The city center where you can go shopping and meeting people. See more..
4.5 Il Castello di Udine (613 reviews)
- Worth the walk
Castles

We didn't go inside but it was a lovely view from up on the hill and there's a great legend about a barbarian king who made the hill to overlook a battle. See more..
4.5 Chiesa Serbo Ortodossa di San Spiridione (609 reviews)
- Charming church in the centre of the City
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

The Slovenian Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity is a delightful and friendly place, with it’s magnificent candle sticks. Well worth visiting. See more..
4.5 Ponte del Diavolo (558 reviews)
- Stone bridge with view
Bridges

Bridge has fine name: Devil's bridge or Hudičev most. It is a stone bridge in the central part of medieval Čedad - Cividale. Two arches rise high above the river Nadiža. Visitors have fine view to the river and around the old buildings. No entrance fee, no big tourist groups. It is a nice spot for photographs. See more..
4.5 Beach Barcola (550 reviews)
- The beach of Trieste
Beaches

Not really a beach, even if we call it so! It is simply a street, attached to the sea where in the summer you cannot walk on it for 2 reasons: first, the ground reaches temperature taht you cannot imagine; secondly, because if you find a place where to put your towel.... you are really lucky! See more..
4.5 Castello di Gorizia (526 reviews)
- Beautiful view of Gorizia from the spot
Monday: Speciality Museums • Castles • History Museums

We went to Goriizia with our two kids and some friends. The Castello was closed because of renovation but the atmosphere and the scent of Italy felted in the air. The view of town Gorizia from the spot is outstanding. On the other side you can see Slovenian part of Gorica town. Beautiful place to visit.My truly recomendation. See more..
4.5 Basilica di Sant'Eufemia (524 reviews)
- So great mosaics
Monday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites • Monuments & Statues • Churches & Cathedrals

One of the biggest examples of early mosaics. Quite interesting is the Christ was symbolised by a cook which was fighting with a turtle. See more..
4.5 Piazza San Giacomo (518 reviews)
- Great sunny square
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

Feels very authentic and relaxed, lots of nice bars and beautiful streets nearby. We came in the winter and they had little Christmas market stalls but nothing big. See more..
4.5 Lago di Barcis (480 reviews)
- Nice, relaxing hikes near a beautiful, up-and-coming lake on the edge of the Dolomites
Points of Interest & Landmarks

See more..
4.5 Palmanova Città Fortezza - World Heritage Site (476 reviews)
- Historical meaning, must-see
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas

This city/fortress is just incredible, if you are there go see it even just for a half an hour because it is of great historical importance and in reality it is not very big as one would expect it. I did not have much time and I am still happy that I visited it so now I just have a reason to come back with some more time and to explore more thorougly. Plus, it is UNESCO world heritage site, if that does not convince you, I don't know what it does. See more..