Piazza Unità d'Italia (Piazza Grande) Tours

Trieste’s magnificent Piazza Unità d'Italia, also known as Piazza Grande, facing the Adriatic Sea, is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. This large open space—the largest seafront square in Europe—lined with sumptuous 19th- and 20th-century palaces and historic cafés, is the very heart of the city.
The Basics
The palaces around Trieste’s main square now house City Hall, the headquarters of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the prefecture. There are also a number of literary cafés on the square—most famously the Caffè degli Specchi, dating from 1839 and a favorite haunt of Joyce, Kafka, and Italo Svevo—and the elegant 18th-century Fountain of the Four Continents in the center.
For an in-depth exploration of the square, join a private tour to discover Trieste that also hits nearby highlights like the Castle of San Giusto and Miramare Castle (Castello di Miramare).
Things to Know Before You Go
- The center of Trieste is compact, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes if joining a walking tour.
- Since the square is closed to traffic, it's a relaxing spot for a stroll with kids.
- As one of the main ports for coffee imports in Europe, Trieste has a strong coffee culture, and the square is crowded with vibrant cafés.
- Piazza Unità d'Italia is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
Trieste is located in northern Italy, just across the border from Slovenia, and makes an easy day trip from Venice. Centrally located Piazza Unita d'Italia is a short walk from the train station.
When to Get There
The best time of day to visit the square is after sunset, when it twinkles with lights and offers lovely views over the Gulf of Trieste. The square hosts a pretty Christmas market in December.
The Square as Concert Hall
Piazza Unità d'Italia has been a venue for a number of large rock concerts, including international acts like Iron Maiden and Green Day as well as Italian stars including Franco Battiato.
Address: Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, Trieste, Italy
11 Tours and Activities to Experience Piazza Unità d'Italia (Piazza Grande)
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Trieste Bus Tour with Audio Guide
29
The port town of Trieste is known for its scenic waterfront, historic monuments, and lively piazzas. This hop-on hop-off bus tour is ideal for first-time visitors, offering the convenience of a guided tour but the flexibility of independent sightseeing. Valid for 24 hours, you can stay on-board and listen to the audio commentary, or jump off at any of the 16 stops to visit sights such as Venezia Square, Miramare Castle, and the Grande Canal.
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From
$13.61
From
$13.61

Trieste guided tour / walking tour in Trieste
A glorious past of "little Vienna on the sea" and a present as a cosmopolitan city. Trieste, the regional capital, is a crossroads of peoples and cultures, with a very strong Habsburg mold having been the nerve center of the Empire, its main outlet on the sea. The discovery of Trieste can only start from its historic center, with the Viennese style of its palaces, and from the magnificent Piazza Unità d'Italia that opens onto the gulf.
With me you can take a tour to discover the history, literature and art of the city from Roman times to the wonders of the Middle Ages to the splendor of the Habsburgs. In Trieste the neoclassical, liberty, eclectic and baroque palaces exist harmoniously alongside the Roman remains.
We will visit together the ancient Roman part of the capital Trieste, the medieval part, the Habsburg part passing through excavations, churches, squares, palaces and large cafes.
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From
$235.10
per group
From
$235.10
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Walking Tour
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It’s a new way of thinking about a Tour,
on an experiential level and immersion in the local reality!
The aim is to offer, in the short time of one hour, a wealth of authentic local culture to the traveller,
through the locals, the stories and anecdotes of the city.
Our Walking Tour represents the experience of a guided tour along a historical-architectural itinerary
made accessible to all, through the knowledge and eyes of those who, Trieste, live it every day.
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From
$16.09
From
$16.09
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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Habsburg Trieste: private walking tour with a local guide
Explore Trieste with your own private guide on a walking tour that features the history of the Habsburg Dynasty in this northeastern city in Italy. You’ll see Habsburg landmarks in plazas and squares throughout Trieste, which was once the fourth largest city in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and an important port for the Mediterranean region.
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From
$123.74
Price varies by group size
From
$123.74
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Trieste Habsburg Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide
A city brimming with eclectic architecture, impressive history and literary undercurrents, the imperial Trieste is an elegant Italian port city with plenty of hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. Lesser-visited - but with plenty to offer - explore it all on this private walking tour with a local guide, who’ll peel back the layers to reveal this city’s true charm and unshakable spirit.
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From
$327.40
per group
From
$327.40
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Explore highlights of Trieste on a private 3-hour walking tour
Trieste is a marvelous Italian town with reach historical and cultural background. Settled at the north end of the Adriatic sea and surrounded by the Karst tableland Trieste has always been in the middle of major trading routes. One of the best ways to discover this beautiful city is our private walking tour. Learn about its history, admire its architecture, and hear many fascinating legends related to this city.
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From
$299.19
Price varies by group size
From
$299.19
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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Food and Wine tasting experience in Trieste traditional farmhouse Osmiza
Discover what exactly are these osmizas? Osmizas are places where local wines (Terrano, Vitovska, and Malvasia) and traditional foods (eggs, sausages, salamis, and cheeses) can be bought and enjoyed just where they are produced. In 1784 peasants were allowed to sell foods and wines they raised and produced right in their cellars. In the region of Trieste, there are about 50 osmizas. On this tour, we will take you to the best, carefully chosen osmizas, the traditional farmhouse where you'll be able to taste authentic homemade products and local wines in a friendly, rustic atmosphere.
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From
$543.42
Price varies by group size
From
$543.42
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Trieste and Miramare Castle - Express
This excursion is designed for those who have little time but want to discover the wonders and spirit of the city.
An authorized guide will wait for you to lead you to the discovery of the splendid Hapsburg Trieste with its spectacular Miramare Castle
This tour has a minimum number of 8 participants. If the minimum number is missing, the tour will be canceled or an alternative will be proposed
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From
$79.34
From
$79.34

Best of Trieste. Guided walk of Trieste and visit to Miramare Castle
It is a complete and exclusive tour that will allow you to calmly discover the beauty of the city of Trieste and the fairytale Miramare castle.
Including a small sweet tasting.
The tour includes a minimum of 6 participants, therefore the tour will be confirmed 48 hours before.
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From
$86.89
From
$86.89

Trieste and Miramare Castle - Express. PRIVATE TOUR
This excursion is designed for those who have little time but want to discover the wonders and spirit of the city.
An authorized guide will wait for you to lead you to discover the splendid Hapsburg Trieste with its spectacular Miramare Castle
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From
$175.04
From
$175.04

Private Half-Day Coffee Experience Tour in Trieste
Get to know the story of this incredible place; Trieste in fact had been for centuries main port for the Habsburg (Austrian) Empire which has definitely left a mark, making Trieste one of most unique cities of Italy. Walking tour through the historical centre of Trieste will impress with outstanding architecture of city’s palaces, churches and ruins of the ancient Roman theatre.
Learn how Triestines drink their coffee and what are their favorite spots to stroll around the City. Have a try yourself - Trieste is world of Illy and has been dedicating flavorrs and tastes of best coffee every since 1933. With knowledge and desire they are successfully spreading the culture of high-quality coffee around the world.
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From
$160.86
Price varies by group size
From
$160.86
Price varies by group size
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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