Unforgettable Day Trips from Trieste

Oh, Trieste — it’s such a gem! Not just because it’s beautiful (which it is), but because it’s the perfect starting point for all sorts of wonderful day trips. Castles, beaches, vineyards, and even a whole other country just minutes away!

Slovenia is so close you could pop over for lunch — and believe me, it’s well worth it. I always say Slovenia and Italy together are a dream combination.

If you’re ready to get out and explore, you’re in for a treat. These are my favorite day trips from Trieste — little adventures filled with beauty, history, and a touch of magic.

Lake Bled

Think Italy has great lakes? Well, yes, Lake Como, Lake Garda, and Lake Orta are gorgeous, but Lake Bled is every bit as good. In fact, if it is a fabled, fairytale landscape you are after, then this is even better than the Italian lakes. It is like something out of Snow White, complete with a soaring castle and an island church.

You can take a traditional pletna boat to the island, enjoy a hike around the lake (it takes around 90 minutes), or simply take in the stunning views from the shore. Don’t forget to try the famous Bled cream cake (kremšnita) at one of the local cafés—it's absolutely delicious! Beware, though, these cakes are addictive, and I really overdid it, eating them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I kept telling myself that I was just embracing local tradition, but my scale bore the weight of my overindulgence on my return. 

Getting to Lake Bled from Trieste

By Car: Lake Bled is about 1.5 to 2 hours from Trieste by car. Take the motorway toward Slovenia and follow signs for Ljubljana, then exit toward Bled. Don’t forget to purchase a Slovenian vignette (toll sticker) online before entering the highway. You'll find more details about the vignette under the Ljubljana section further down the page.

By Train + Bus: Take the train from Trieste to Ljubljana—a relaxing ride through the green hills of Slovenia. Once in Ljubljana, just hop on a direct bus to Lake Bled, which drops you off close to the lake itself. This option takes a little longer, but it’s perfect if you love watching the world go by.

Udine

Udine is only a little over an hour by train from Venice, and it is fabulous. Nobody has ever heard of Udine, and before I moved to Trieste, I had never visited either. I wasn't expecting much, but I was literally blown away by this little city; it is one of the loveliest smaller cities I have visited anywhere in Italy. You absolutely must visit; click for our Essential Guide to Udine.

Muggia

Just a short boat ride or bus journey from Trieste center is Muggia, a charming little coastal town with a distinctly Venetian feel. Its narrow streets, pastel-colored houses, and quiet harbor offer a perfect escape from the bustle of Trieste. The seafood here is incredible, and it's the ideal spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch by the sea. Every chance I get, I head to Muggia. Here's everything you need to plan your visit to Muggia.

Ljubljana 

Europe’s safest city is also one of its most enchanting. Ljubljana feels like a secret you want to share but also keep just for yourself. The charming old town—with no cars, plenty of bikes, and fairy-tale buildings lining the river—feels like a mini-Amsterdam, minus the tourist crowds. Add a lively university vibe, gorgeous churches, and that ever-present sense of joy… and, honestly, I always leave Ljubljana with a smile on my face and a spring in my step.

Things to Do in Ljubljana

A trip to the castle is such a treat. We hopped on the little funicular, and up we went! It’s not a long ride, but it’s a fun one—and the views at the top are totally worth it. You can walk down through the park afterwards—it’s shaded and quiet, and you'll get lovely views over the city as you go.

The rest of the city is made for wandering. We saw beautiful old churches and cathedrals. St. Nicolas Cathedral, with its beautiful door and gorgeous artworks inside, was a highlight. We poked into tiny shops and found ourselves just meandering the streets. Then we’d plonk ourselves down at a riverside café for a cappuccino—or a spritz if it was later. The kind of place that makes you want to stay forever.

Where to Stay

My favorite is the Center Hotel. You won't believe the breakfasts at their Wonder Cafe; actually, you won't believe everything about the Alice in Wonderland-style Wonder Cafe. I loved the silver tree there, the giant dandelions, and the walls made of roses. It is like nowhere I've ever been before. See more here.

Getting to Ljubljana

By Train

Get the train from Trieste Central. The train leaves Trieste in the morning at 9.03 a.m. and returns from Ljubljana at around 6.47 p.m. The tickets for the journey to Ljubljana can be bought on the train, while the return ones can be bought at the ticket office in Ljubljana. On both the outgoing and return trips, you will need to change trains at Opicina.

By Car

Driving from Trieste to Ljubljana is easy and scenic. The trip is about 95 kilometers (60 miles) and usually takes just over an hour. From Trieste, take the RA13 highway toward the Slovenia border, then continue onto Slovenia’s A1 motorway toward Ljubljana.

You'll need a Slovenian vignette (toll sticker) to use the highway. These are now bought online at evinjeta.dars.si — make sure to purchase and register your car before you drive into Slovenia.

The roads are excellent, and the journey is smooth, passing through rolling green hills and small villages before reaching Ljubljana’s charming city center.

Grotta Gigante

Located just outside the city, this is one of the largest accessible caves in the world. Inside, you’ll be amazed by its massive stalactites and stalagmites. The sheer scale of the cave is jaw-dropping. Walking through those huge chambers makes you feel so small in the best possible way.

Palmanova

This star-shaped city (yes, really shaped like a star!) was designed to be a perfect fortress, and even today, it’s perfectly preserved. Stroll across the wide Piazza Grande, soak up the peaceful atmosphere, and if you’re feeling energetic, walk the old city ramparts for sweeping views of the surrounding fields.
Getting there: It’s an easy drive on the A4 autostrada—just take the Palmanova exit. Or hop on a local train from Trieste. Once you arrive, everything’s within walking distance.

Venice

The fast trains from Trieste will get you into Venice in just under two hours, and they leave from around 4:26 a.m., and the last train back is around 10:30 p.m. That gives you more than enough time in Venice to allow you to see all the must-see sights and plenty of those less touristy ones too. 

Our tip: Make sure you get off at Venice Santa Lucia and not Venice Mestre. Our train travel in Italy guide has more useful tips about traveling by train in Italy.

Grado

Just 40 minutes from Trieste, there’s a little coastal gem called Grado—and oh, what a find it is. Known as the Island of the Sun, this enchanting seaside town feels like a perfect blend of Venice and a Mediterranean holiday. You’ll find golden sandy beaches where locals soak up the sun, quiet canals that shimmer in the afternoon light, and an old town so full of charm you’ll want to lose yourself in its cobbled lanes.

Start your day with a stroll along the promenade, then settle in at a seaside trattoria for a plate of freshly caught seafood—maybe spaghetti alle vongole or grilled branzino. The historic center is lovely to explore on foot, with pastel-colored houses, flower-filled balconies, and inviting piazzas where the only rush is deciding which gelato flavor to try next.

You simply must visit the Basilica di Sant’Eufemia when you’re in Grado. This isn’t just any church — it’s a 6th-century gem, standing proudly with its elegant Romanesque lines and soft, golden light. The real magic, though, lies beneath your feet: the floor mosaics. They’re breathtaking — intricate, delicate, and still glowing with color after all these centuries. I always tell friends: take your time here. Let your eyes wander across those swirling patterns, the doves, vines, and sacred symbols — all whispering stories from the early Christian world.

Honestly, Grado has many lovely sights, but Sant’Eufemia is the soul of the town. Don’t rush it — let yourself linger, breathe it in, and feel the centuries settle around you like a soft cloak.

How to Get to Grado:

Grado is about 50 km from Trieste by car. Take the A4 autostrada and exit at Palmanova or Redipuglia, then follow the signs for Grado (SP19). If you're coming by public transport, buses run regularly from Trieste and Udine and take about an hour. The ride itself is part of the charm, passing lagoons and countryside before arriving at the sea.

Gorizia

Europe's Capital of Culture in 2025, Gorizia is a city that is breaking down boundaries in a world that seems to be raising them. Much like Berlin, the town was once divided in two behind the East/West barriers, split by the Iron Curtain.

On one side was Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) and on the other Italy. Those barriers have now fallen, and over the years the town has once again become one. You can wander through town, crossing from the Italian side to the Slovenian side with no border at all, and people who had for decades been told to mistrust the other side of town are now friends once again. Kind of inspiring.

What to See

Via Rastello

You'll find this lovely old cobbled street, in one of the city's oldest neighborhoods, on the way up to the castle. It is filled with little antique shops. They do have some lovely items but a lot of junk too. There are a few other restaurants, cafes, and boutiques as well once you're tired of sifting through the centuries in the antique shops. 

Continuing onto the castle, take a quick detour down via Cocevia, it's on the left as you begin the walk up the hill. This was once home to many of Gorizia's jewish community, a community that was once so big that Gorizia was known as "Jerusalem on the Isonzo"

Most of the Jewish community previously lived in Via Graziadio Isaia Ascoli — formerly known as Via del Ghetto. This area was historically referred to as the Ghetto di Gorizia; however, Jews were allowed to live elsewhere in the Napoleonic era. There is still a synagogue and cemetery in Gorizia, but most of the community is no more.

The Castle

Top of my list is always the castle; it's a bit of a walk up the hill to get there, but not too bad, and you are probably way fitter than me. Rather go early in summer to avoid the crowds and heat. The castle itself offers stunning views of the surrounding hills, villages, and distant mountains, and within the walls there are quaint houses that once housed nobles and important people from Gorizia. There's a museum inside the castle too, it's okay but a bit expensive.

Parco Coronini Cronberg

This is a lovely park to simply relax, enjoy a picnic, and take the time to smell the roses. Lots of beautiful statues and an old villa add heaps of character.

Piazza della Vittoria & Duomo

When it's aperitivo time or morning cappuccino time, this is where locals head. Sit yourself down at one of the cafes and watch the gentle rhythms of Gorizian life drift by. This elegant square also features the baroque Church of Sant’Ignazio and the Duomo, built on 14th-century foundations. The outside looks rather Eastern European with its onion domes. Inside, it's cool on a hot summer's day, and God's presence embraces you instantly.

Other Sights to See in Gorizia

Cross over the border into Slovenia; there is no border control, but the old border post is still there from the old Yugoslav days. If you enjoy meat, try a cevapcici at one of the restaurants on the Slovenian side. I loved this dish.

Visit Palazzo Attems Petzenstein, An elegant palace housing the Provincial Art Gallery.

Getting to Gorizia

You can drive, which takes around 40 minutes, or catch the train from Trieste Centrale Station. Trains leave every hour or so and take around 50 minutes. Make sure you get off at Gorizia Centrale.