Car rental Trieste Airport

Trieste Airport is just over 20 miles away from the city center, close to the town of Ronchi dei Legionari. To reach Trieste, drive along the E70 or the coastal road SS14. The airport serves not only the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy but also parts of Slovenia and Croatia.

If you’re driving into the center of Trieste, you’ll find that some parts of its historic center are off-limits to cars. This area is known as a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) and only vehicles with a permit are allowed to enter. There are plenty of parking lots available in the city, though, where you can leave your car to explore this area on foot.

Renting a car at Trieste Airport means you’ll also have the freedom to explore some other great destinations in this part of Italy. Not far from the airport is the beautiful countryside of the Val Rosandra Natural Reserve, close to the Slovenian border with its scenic rugged landscapes.

Also nearby is the historic city of Udine, home to a hilltop castle and several galleries and museums. To reach Udine it’s just a 26-mile drive north of Trieste Airport along the E70 and A23.

Venice is also just a short distance away from the airport. This unique city, built on a series of islands in a lagoon, is just under 80 miles from the airport along the A4 and E70.

Trieste was once ruled by Austria and although it has been part of Italy since 1918, it still has a culture and atmosphere that is distinct from other cities. You’ll find lots of attractions to explore, and with a rental car you can also venture into the countryside or head to the coast.

City highlights

A great place to start your visit to Trieste is the Piazza Unità d’Italia. This enormous square is lined by some of the city’s grandest buildings on three sides, while the fourth opens out on to the Adriatic Sea.

There are plenty of cafes here, where you can enjoy some of Trieste’s famous coffee, but the piazza is even more spectacular at night, with amazing views of the water.

Not far away you’ll find the Cathedral of San Giusto, an impressive structure that – in its current form – dates back to the 14^th century. Today, it plays host to works of art, including fragments of ancient frescoes, while the church’s hilltop location means you can see for miles around.

Head back down from the cathedral towards the waterfront and you’ll find the Chiesa di San Nicolo dei Greci, a Greek Orthodox church, and San Spiridione, a Serbian Orthodox place of worship with four domes and an interior that recalls the Byzantine-style churches of the East.

Cliff-top castle

With a rental car, you can visit some of the attractions outside Trieste city center. Many visitors head straight for Miramare Castle, an impressive 19^th century structure on the Gulf of Trieste just a short drive from the city.

Situated on a cliff high above the sea, it boasts panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and is surrounded by a beautiful park filled with rare flowers and plants. Head inside and you’ll find well-preserved rooms with their original furnishings and decorations, including a 19^th-century piano and paintings dating back to this era.

Beach breaks

If you need a rest from sightseeing, there are plenty of beaches in and around Trieste where you can relax or take a swim. In the city center, you’ll find El Pedocin, also known as La Lanterna, a bathing area created in the early 20^th century when a wall was built to separate men from women.

Another popular swimming spot in Trieste is I Topolini, an area made up of terraces that look out to sea. There are two small, pebble beaches here, although some swimmers prefer to simply dive right into the sea from the terraces.

Drive just a short distance outside the city and you’ll find Alle Ginestre, a beautiful pebble beach with excellent views of the gulf. Surrounded by trees, it’s a peaceful spot that’s popular with families, with umbrellas and sun loungers available to rent.

With a rental car from Trieste Airport, you’ll find this and many other coastal resorts within easy reach.