Trieste Car Hire discovering the city

Trieste lies on the border with Slovenia, in the historical region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and overlooking the gulf of the same name, a borderland between Western and Eastern Europe where Mediterranean, Slavic and Central European cultures coexist.

Known as the city of the bora and coffee, Trieste has a unique, distinctly multicultural charm that, not surprisingly, attracted the attention of important writers such as James Joyce and Standhal.

Defined by Umberto Saba, one of its most illustrious citizens, as “thoughtful and shy”, Trieste has places of great interest and will surprise you with its rich artistic and natural heritage.

List of Locations Trieste

What to see in Trieste: a tour of the historic centre

Spending your holidays in Trieste will give you the opportunity to really get to know this magnificent city and will allow you to explore its surroundings, characterised by small but equally fascinating villages.

To discover all the attractions of the capital and its surroundings, a car is the most suitable means of transport because it gives you the freedom to move from the city centre to the nearby villages without having to worry about planning your trips in advance.

What’s more, a car will allow you to discover another side of Trieste, the sea, which has always been an important resource of the city.

To rent a car in Trieste, you can go to the Maggiore office located near the New Maritime Train Station, or if you are arriving by plane, you can go to the office at Ronchi dei Legionari Airport.

Choosing Maggiore means travelling comfortably and safely, since our rental cars are equipped with all the comforts and are carefully checked before delivery. Great attention is also paid to the cleanliness and hygiene of the vehicles.

Once you have arrived in the city centre, park your car and start your tour by walking towards Piazza dell’Unità, the most important piazza in the city, where you can admire the beautiful Fontana dei Quattro Continenti (Fountain of the Four Continents), Palazzo Vanoli and Palazzo Pitteri.

From here, take the city’s seafront promenade (Le Rive) and walk along it from Molo Audace to the Lanterna, the ancient lighthouse, and then head towards the Cathedral of San Giusto, where you can also enter the Baptistery and the museum housing the halberd of San Giusto.

Other places to visit in Trieste are the Castle of San Giusto, situated on a hill overlooking the city, the Faro della Vittoria (Victory Lighthouse), surmounted by a 7-metre-high statue of the Winged Victory, the Synagogue, considered one of the most important Jewish places of worship in Europe, and the Serbian-Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity and St Spyridon, easily recognisable by its large dome.

It’s also interesting to wander through the Città Vecchia (Old Town), characterised by narrow alleyways lined with craft shops and antique shops. While strolling through the streets, be sure to stop at the Arco di Riccardo and the Roman Theatre.

Since you are in the city of coffee, you absolutely must visit one of its famous cafes that have played host to illustrious artists such as Saba and Joyce. Stop at Caffè degli Specchi and immerse yourself in its Hapsburg atmosphere, at Caffè Pirona, opened in 1900, at Caffè Tommaseo, the oldest in Trieste, and Caffè San Marco, opened in 1914.

Finally, to complete your tour of Trieste you can either take a ride on the famous Tram of Opicina or take a photo next to the statue of James Joyce in Via Roma or the statues of Italo Svevo in Piazza Hortis.

 

Visiting the seaside villages and resorts around Trieste

After an intensive tour of the city, with your rental car you can set off to discover the area surrounding Trieste which will surprise you with its beautiful attractions.

Among the first things to see near Trieste are the Miramare Castle, located on the Grignano hill and built in 1855 by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg, and the Duino Castle, built in 1300 on an ancient Roman outpost, where from its tower you can enjoy a magnificent view over the Gulf of Trieste.

Along the road, don’t miss a stop at the Sanctuary of Monte Grisa, a catholic church with a truly bizarre shape, known by the people of Trieste as the “formaggino” (cheese wedge), and the Risiera di San Sabba, a Nazi concentration camp that has now become an important memorial site.

There are also many villages around the city that are worth a visit.

From the city centre it takes about 18 minutes by car to reach Muggia, a picturesque village known for its famous Carnival (Carneval de Muja) and its splendid 14th century castle, as well as its 7 km long coastline dotted with small, characteristic beaches.

Heading north along the scenic coastal road, stop at Barcola, a hamlet of Trieste known for its seafront promenade characterised by the presence of the “Topolini”, or ear-shaped bathing terraces, at Borgo Grotta Gigante, where you can visit the karstic cave of the same name discovered in 1840, and at Sistiana, a seaside village with a long history where you can relax on its beautiful beaches.

If you love the sea, the area around Trieste has many other places where you can enjoy a few days of sun and fun. Stop in the glamorous Portopiccolo, much loved for its beautiful bay, or discover the many free beaches along the coastline such as Filtri, Liburnia and Costa dei Barbari.

As we have seen, Trieste and its surrounding area offer countless surprises and will allow you to experience a holiday filled with art, history, sea and nature.