Forget the images of bustling Italian piazzas full of tourists. Forget the stereotypes. Trieste is different. It is a city that will surprise you, charm you and make you think. A city where the breeze of the Adriatic Sea mingles with influences from Austria, Slovenia and Croatia. Welcome to Trieste – sophisticated, somewhat melancholic and utterly unique.

The city's unique atmosphere was born from its grand past. Trieste wasn't just any port. It was the most important one – the pulsating gateway of the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire to the world. It was this role as a mighty global harbour that imprinted the city with its indelible mark: that cosmopolitan nobility and majestic architecture.

Our journey began conveniently right at the pier, where we easily parked at the Costa Cruise parking lot. From there, we set off on a walk along the harbour, where the sea surface shimmered in the afternoon sun, heading towards one of Trieste's most breathtaking spots – the monumental Unity of Italy Square (Piazza Unità d'Italia), which amazed us with its grandeur.

With the feeling that we were standing on Europe’s largest open square by the sea, we entered this impressive space. All around us stood magnificent buildings—silent witnesses to the power and might of the former Habsburg Empire, which had them built here as an expression of its glory and dominance.

In the midst of this splendour stands Fountain of the Four Continents from the 18th century. The statues allegorically depict the four known continents at the time—Africa, America, Asia, and Europe—adding nobility and historical depth to the place.

The square is famous as the ideal spot for romantically watching the sunset, when the entire space is bathed in golden and crimson tones. However, our attention was also captured by the magnificent town hall building in an eclectic style. This structure hides a darker chapter of history – it was from its balcony that Mussolini once delivered his speech on the fascist racial laws.

Just a few steps away lies the Stock Exchange Square (Piazza della Borsa) that for centuries has pulsed as the tireless heart of Trieste’s commerce. The spirit of its former prosperity is still recalled today by the majestic neoclassical building, home to the Trieste Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Craft and Agriculture.

But this square is not just a monument to the past. It is brought to life by elegant fashion boutiques of international brands, which have found a home in opulent historic palaces and attract all lovers of stylish shopping.

And right around the corner, an experience of a completely different nature awaited us. All we had to do was walk down Via Spiridione, and as if by magic, we found ourselves in the Balkans. The street noise suddenly fell silent under the majestic dome of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Spyridon (Chiesa Serbo Ortodossa di San Spiridione). This architectural pearl, inspired by Byzantine art, amazed us with its interior, which is bathed in the glow of frescoes against a gold background, creating an atmosphere of mysterious and mesmerizing beauty.

Address: Via S. Spiridione 9, Trieste

Our journey along Via Spiridone culminated in the discovery of the stunning Piazza Sant'Antonio Nuovo, dominated by its majestic namesake church. The impressive neoclassical structure, the Church of Saint Anthony the Wonderworker (Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Taumaturgo), rises proudly over the square, its ornate facade gazing directly upon the wide expanse of the Canal Grande, as if to bless every boat that finds its way here.

The Grand Canal of Trieste (Canal Grande di Trieste) is the heart of the entire area. This artificial waterway once pulsed with commerce—ships would dock and load their goods right in the middle of the city. Today, it is an oasis of calm that invites you to sit down in one of the waterfront cafés. It is the perfect scenery for a moment of rest.

And it was along this magical canal that we comfortably made our way back to the pier and the parking lot (Parking Costa Cruise).

 

Our tip:

Trieste is a city that lives and breathes coffee. Its love for this fragrant bean began with history—during the days when Trieste was a bustling port, a gateway for exotic treasures from distant America and mystical India. Here, among anchors and sailors, a passion was born that remains with the city to this day.

And this passion has not only endured—it thrives and celebrates. Proof of this is the magnificent event that transforms Trieste into the coffee capital of the world every two years: Triestespresso Expo. This specialized international trade fair is a true paradise for all who seek more than just a boost in their cup—they seek bold flavour and a unique ritual.