Travel guide Friuli-Venezia Giulia, exploring Northern Italy’s hidden gem

If you’re dreaming of an Italian getaway with all the charm of Tuscany, Milan or Venice, but without the crowds, Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) is your answer. Located in the top of Northern Italy, right next to Veneto and bordered by Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, this region is full of history, natural beauty and authentic experiences.

Half June 2025 I explored FVG through the local tourism board and it was such a delight to be back in Italy again after an interval of 5 years! O how I missed the smell of blooming jasmine, the sound of swallows, the delicious and pure food, friendly passionate people, classy streets, terraces and imposing architecture, and the historic castles with extensive decorated gardens.

That’s Italy to me and it was good to experience it again, this time via a lesser-known and surprisingly beautiful region!

I’m excited to share my findings of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region with you, through all my favourite spots, tips, and some fascinating historical and fun facts, based on our own experiences. As always accompanied by many of my own pictures in this blog, with custom Google map, to hopefully inspire your next adventure.

Travel guide Friuli-Venezia Giulia - Italy

Why visit Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

With the new direct flight connection from Rotterdam-The Hague Airport, a trip from the Netherlands to Trieste, in less than 1.5 hours flying, for some slow travel in this Italian gem, is now easier than ever!

FVG is a region where history can be felt in every cobblestoned street and where nature impresses with lagoons, cliffs, and vineyards. Through its neighboring countries it became a unique mix of Italian, Austro-Hungarian, and Slavic influences.

From medieval castles to vibrant university towns, it offers a relaxed and authentic Italian experience, while the region's compact size makes it super easy to explore multiple destinations in a single trip.

Fun Fact: This is one of Italy’s smallest regions in population, yet one of the most diverse, with 4 official languages: Italian, Friulian, Slovene, and German, which clearly shows its rich history as a crossroads of empires.

Must-visit destinations

Here are the highlights of my week-long exploration, representing this region’s charm perfectly! Together they made the ultimate road trip that showed us all the beauty and diversity that FVG has to offer.

1. Grado: Lagoon gem

Also called Venice's little sister, Grado lies in a wide lagoon dotted with islands, forming a unique nature reserve. The lagoon’s green vegetation among the blue Adriatic Sea and the colorful buildings of this small town create a postcard-perfect setting.

Make sure to do a boat tour here to experience the lagoon’s nature and spot the historic ‘casoni’, traditional fishermen’s huts with straw roofs, that offer a glimpse into Grado’s fishing heritage.

Also wander through the historic center, where narrow streets lead to ancient churches like the 6th-century Basilica, surrounded by quaint alleys with atmospheric terraces.

Admire the excavation site near the Town Hall and wander the wide boulevard all the way down to the Spiaggia (beach).

Historical Trivia: An ancient Roman road once connected Grado to Aquileia, a major Roman city, now submerged under the lagoon, with archaeological finds occasionally resurfacing.

TIP: Do a private boat tour with Taxi Boat Grado to explore the lagoon’s islands with ease, and spot birds like gulls, herons, and wild ducks.

During the tour they will show you all the best spots and the traditional fishermen’s huts and houses, some still in use.

2. Cividale del Friuli: our Unesco favourite

This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its well-preserved Lombard heritage. Founded in 50 BCE by Julius Caesar, it became a key Lombard stronghold in the 6th century.

Stroll through its ancient alleys to the iconic Devil’s Bridge, which goes over the Natisone River and is stunning from every side!

The Longobard Temple, an 8th-century Monastery, is renowned here because it's one of Italy’s best-preserved early medieval buildings, with intricate stucco work. Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation when we were there in June 2025, but when it's open again it should be a must-visit.

Wandering around town is the best, because it's small, cozy and every street has its own story to tell. There are even 6 different museums and galleries to visit in Cividale. See all of them and some of the nicest historic spots marked on my custom Google map.

Fun Fact: Legend says the iconic bridge got its name from the devil. After several failed attempts locals asked him for help and the devil built it overnight by throwing a rock in the river. In exchange he demanded the first soul to cross it, but the locals tricked him with an animal.

TIP: Enjoy the bridge- and river views from the viewing platform behind the Chiesa di San Martino and park for free at the Parcheggio Piazza della Resistenza, just a 5-minute walk from the bridge and town center.

3. Udine: Classy university town

The capital of the historic Patria del Friuli, is a lively town with a medieval heart. According to legend, Attila the Hun built the hill where Udine’s castle now stands to watch Aquileia burn.

Today, the castle offers panoramic views and the museum houses art and history exhibits. From there walk down through the gardens and archways to the Piazza Libertà, also known as ‘the most Venetian square on the mainland’.

Explore nearby Casa Cavazzini, a modern art museum set in a historic palace and visit the Cathedral and the Archiepiscopal Palace to admire the intricate ceilings and artworks of Tiepolo, an 18th-century Venetian painter. And do walk on to Piazza Matteotti for an aperitif at a cozy osteria.

Historical Trivia: Udine was under Venetian rule for over 300 years, which shaped its elegant architecture and vibrant cultural scene.

TIP: Take the escalator from Vicolo Sottomonte up to the castle, to visit the museum and enjoy the wide cityscape, extra stunning at sunset.

4. Duino: Cliffs & castles

Duino is a historic village with 2 castles. The 11th century castle ruins and 14th-century Duino Castle are located next to each other, just a 5-minute walk apart and can be visited with 1 entrance ticket.

The new castle is built on a Roman outpost and owned by the Princes of Torre and Tasso, overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. Its rooms house art, relics, and a WWII bunker.

The castle has hosted many illustrious people like the poet Rilke, Empress Sissi, and Archduke Maximilian and is stunning both on the out-and inside. It has many beautiful terraces and I loved the extensive castle park.

Get an impression through this gallery:

Fun Fact: Rilke wrote his famous Duino Elegies while staying at the castle, inspired by the dramatic coastal landscape.

The nearby Rilke Trail, a 1.7-km path (4 km round-trip), can be followed here as well, which offers stunning gulf views and access to the Duino Natural Reserve’s cliffs.

TIP: Wear sturdy shoes for the trail and visit the castle park and bunker for a mix of nature and history.

5. Portopiccolo: Sustainable seaside charm

This seaside village was built in 2014 in a former Sistiana limestone quarry within the Duino Cliffs Natural Reserve. Accessible by sea or land, it’s fully carbon-neutral, using geothermal heat pumps for air conditioning and water systems. This town's redevelopment clearly shows Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s eco-tourism focus.

The marina, upscale accommodations, and restaurants make it a modern gem.

Fun Fact: The marina can even host yachts up to 40 meters. And the quarry used to supply stone for Trieste’s grand buildings, like Piazza Unità d’Italia.

TIP: Visit in spring for mild weather and fewer crowds to find a spot easily at some of the popular beach clubs here.

If you come by car, like we did, it's wise not to follow Google map's directions to get to Portopiccolo, as these are not correct!

Instead drive down to the Spiaggia pubblica Sistiana parking and drive on all the way down the boulevard to the marina. From there drive on to Spiaggia di Portopiccolo to find many underground parking options.

6. Miramare Castle: Romantic Habsburg retreat

Situated on the cliffs of Grignano, just a 25-minute drive from Trieste, Miramare Castle was built in 1856-1860 for Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It’s a unique mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles with a stunning seafront view of the Gulf of Trieste and extensive botanic gardens.

The castle is surrounded by a 22-hectare park with exotic plants and beautiful seating areas, which I loved. But the inside is worth a visit too with well-preserved interiors reflecting Habsburg grandeur.

Maximilian, later Mexico’s emperor, and his wife Charlotte lived here briefly before his 1867 execution. The castle later housed Habsburgs and served as a WWII headquarters.

See why this castle is a must-visit through some of my own pictures:

Fun Fact: The throne room’s sail-like canopy and interior of some rooms were ordered by Maximilian to honor his naval career.

TIP: Book tickets our a tour in advance here or get the FVG card for skip-the-line access.

7. Trieste: Cosmopolitan capital

The region’s capital is a unique mix of cultures with a grand Habsburg past. You will need at least 2 days to explore it with ease, while also enjoying its elegant boulevards, like the Canal Grande, and Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest seafront squares.

Trieste’s unique mix of Italian, Austrian, and Slavic influences is reflected in its intricate architecture, wide and colorful streets, stunning squares and atmospheric alleys filled with terraces. With the Unity Square of Italy stealing the show, especially stunning at sunset and when the lights go on at night!

There is however much more to see in this metropolis, like a Roman amphitheater in the middle of the city and the interesting Borderless fashion exhibit in the ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion, set in a historic building.

Get an impression here below and find all my favourite spots throughout the city marked on my Google map for your convenience!

Historical Trivia: Trieste was under Habsburg rule for more than 500 years and became a free port from 1719-1918, attracting merchants, artists, and writers like James Joyce, who wrote parts of Ulysses here.

TIP: Walk up for the best views, the castle museum, the Roman ruins and the San Giusto Cathedral, then walk back down via the stunning Giant’s Stairway and sip coffee at the historic Caffè degli Specchi.

Must-do experiences

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a very diverse region filled with activities that combine history, nature, and local flavors perfectly. And everything is easy to reach by car, usually just a 10-minute, to maximum 1-hour drive apart. These were my favourite activities:

• Glide through Grado's lagoon with Taxi Boat Grado to see wildlife and the historic casoni up close.

  
  

• Explore Trieste’s city center and castle hill to discover Roman ruins, the San Giusto Cathedral, and museums with Habsburg artifacts.

• Get lost in the medieval streets of Cividale del Friuli, visit one of the many museums and enjoy the views upon the Devil’s Bridge.

• Enjoy a spritz on Udine's most classy square: Piazza Matteotti and soak in the lively student vibe.

• Visit the castles, this region has more than 20 of them! Duino, Miramare, Trieste and Udine’s are just the start. You can use the FVG Card to save money. It only costs €30 for 48 hours or €45 for a week pass, granting access to many of the region's museums and attractions.

• Book a wine tasting at La Viarte to enjoy and taste Friuli’s renowned white wines, paired with the best local delicacies, cheeses and meats. We had a memorable experience at this classy winery and vineyard, including an extensive private tour that should not be missed! Recommended to book ahead at La Viarte.

  
  

Fun Fact: Friuli’s wine region is nicknamed ‘the cradle of white wine’ because it produces some of Italy’s best whites, thanks to its cool climate and gravelly soils.

Where to stay

We stayed at 2 of the most unique and classy accommodations in the region:

Alvearium Alturis

Here you can sleep in a sustainable beehive cabin amidst the vineyards near Cividale del Friuli.

They have 7 cabins, some with a jacuzzi and all with private terraces including loungers, seats and a small table, a well-stocked fridge, snacks, picnic basket and everything you need for an authentic and tranquil stay.

This adults-only glamping also has a winery and beer distillery, open for tastings including a shop. They have a restaurant with extensive terrace offering a complete breakfast, which can also be ordered to the room.

As well as a lovely infinity pool and a cute heart-shaped cabin up the hill, perfect for picnics with vineyard- and sunset views, which we must come back for!

Get an impression through my gallery and find out more here: Alvearium Alturis.

Grand Hotel Duchi d’Aosta

Stay in 5-star luxury on Trieste’s Piazza Unità d’Italia, surrounded by Habsburg elegance.

This is the perfect accommodation if you want to be right in the city center!

While parking can be a challenge here, this hotel will handle it for you with their valet service, which can be booked in advance for €30 a day.

Duchi d'Aosta has everything that befits a 5-star hotel: its own restaurant with a delicious breakfast. Harry’s is located right on the main square with an extensive terrace, with the best views for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The hotel has an atmospheric lobby and even a spa (still under construction, but to be opened in fall 2025). And several spacious room types, with everything you need. Ours even had its own steam shower, a mini bar fridge, Nespresso machine and large walk-in closet!

See for yourself via my own pictures of our fabulous 2-night stay here:

And find all info to book here: Duchid'Aosta.

Where to eat

FVG’s cuisine forms a unique mix of Italian, Austrian, and Slavic flavors. My favorite foodie spots here were:

Settimo Cielo (Grado)

Enjoy a rooftop dinner with seafood specialties and spectacular lagoon views at the 4-star Grand Hotel Astoria.

Fun Fact: Seagulls are notorious for snatching snacks here, so keep an eye on your plate:)

Osteria 1448 Antica Dimora al Merlo Bianco (Cividale)

Have lunch or dinner here with stunning and direct views upon the Devil’s Bridge. This traditional restaurant serves simple but delicious local dishes like frico (cheese and potato fritter) and pasta's in an atmospheric setting, as you can see here:

Il Pane Quotidiano Lungomare (along Trieste’s Barcola beach)

A vibrant beach club perfect for a light lunch, drinks and they even have sunloungers. Its seafront terrace offers stunning views of the Gulf of Trieste, with the city and Miramare Castle in the distance, the ideal spot to unwind.

TIP: Visit early in the evening to get a seaside table and enjoy a Spritz at sunset.

Ristorante Ai Fiori (Trieste)

Dine on a charming city terrace with fresh seafood, some local specialties and the best regional wines. Delicous food, friendly service in a very atmospheric setting, highly recommended!

Buffet Da Siora Rosa (Trieste)

Try Austrian-Italian specialties like goulash at this authentic restaurant in the center of Trieste. Located in a historic setting from 1921, with a wide outdoor terrace.

Practical Tips

Getting there: Fly to Trieste’s Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport from Rotterdam-The Hague Airport now via Transavia in under 1.5 hours.

Getting around: I can highly recommend renting a car at the airport to explore the region, which is quite easy, as the roads are good. Or take the train, because the airport is still a 35-minute train ride from the city center. You can also use buses to get to bigger towns like Trieste and Udine.

FVG Card: This pass provides entry to many museums and castles, and gives discounts on tours. Learn more on Turismo FVG.

Best time to visit: Spring (April-June) and fall (September-November) offer mild weather and fewer tourists, although most smaller towns in this region are less touristy year-round.

They're a great alternative for the Tuscany region and popular Italian cities like Venice, Rome and Milan. With the same Italian vibe, impressive historic architecture and even more local charm!

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a region that surprises at every turn, from Miramare’s grandeur, to sleeping and tasting wine in a vineyard, or tracing Lombard history in Cividale, this region truly felt like Italy’s best-kept secret. It’s a place where you can slow down, savor local flavors, and discover a unique culture and history.

Find even more Italy inspiration on my Italy page and check my social media accounts (via the buttons at the bottom of this page) for daily picture and video posts.

And if you decide to visit Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy, I hope this travel guide with custom map, will help you explore this hidden gem of Northern Italy with ease, to get the most out of your visit too.