2 Hours From Venice! This Crowd-Free Coastal Town Is Italy’s Top Summer Secret

Venice is cool and all, but whether you’re looking to avoid the new rules, the unwelcoming “Karens”, or all the drama surrounding Jeff Bezos’ wedding, we at Travel Off Path have the perfect getaway in mind.

Just 2 hours away, tucked along tranquil coastlines, is a cultural city far too often overlooked in the shadows of Italy’s icons.

It’s so cultural, in fact, we covered this affordable seaside gem as an alternative to Rome last fall, which is big shoes to fill!

This melting pot of European natives with large populations of Slavs, Germans, and numerous Mediterranean nations is a secret paradise boasting a vibrant turquoise waterfront with an equally sightly cityscape.

The heartbeat of the town is so captivating that if it weren’t for the obvious access to the sea, you might think you’re in somewhere like Vienna from an architectural perspective.

Best of all, there are far fewer crowds and more palatable prices compared to the Italian names we’ve all grown to love ($5 pizza, anyone?).

Trieste: Italy’s Hush-Hush Hideaway

Popular British publication Metro just revealed this city a ‘nowhere place’ that surprisingly easy to reach and even more surprising once you begin exploring its charming cobbled streets.

No, there’s no Colosseum or Leaning Tower of Pisa drawing tourists in; but that’s all part of the draw.

Though, there are quite a few Roman monuments to scope out dotting the city, but it’s up to you to decide if they’re truly worthy of being a Rome dupe (hard sell, I know).

Make sure you check out these 3 sites when visiting:

• Città Vecchia (pedestrians only; no cars)
• Arco di Riccardo (remnants of a Roma gate dating back to 33 BC)
• Piazza Unità d’Italia (biggest seafront square in Europe)

Don’t worry, though — despite seeming like a living museum of history, Trieste isn’t a boring snoozefest unworthy of a trip to this side of Italy.

Are beach days ever boring?

Trieste is nestled along the stunning Adriatic, where you can enjoy cheap eats, beachside bars, and countless hours catching rays in consistently splendid beach weather through September (think high 80s at worst).

Trieste’s Top Beaches

Ever been asked if you want the good news or bad news first? If you’re like me, I prefer for you to hit me with the downsides first.

As such, the Adriatic is notoriously rocky — but there are a few slices of paradise where you won’t need to watch your step.

We’re not randomly switching gears to Orlando, but ‘Mickey Mouse Beach’ as it’s known, is a true delight.

No, you won’t find roller coasters, Disney princesses, or oversized rodents bearing creepy smiles; you’ll find sand formations nearly a spitting image of Mickey’s indistinguishable ears through summer.

On the opposite end of Disney (unless they’ve made some changes I’m unaware of) is a secluded, clothing-optional beach, Costa dei Barbari. Here, you won’t find any crowds, but the sights you may encounter might have you questioning if quiet shores are worth unwanted human anatomy lessons.

Most notable, though, is Barcola Beach, a family-friendly beach equipped with a fun playground and surrounding seafood eateries overlooking postcard blue waters.

Getting Here: Cheap Flights & Quick Trains

Many travelers don’t settle for just one European city. Heck, I hopped around 5 destinations last fall myself, and it’s largely due to the fact that flights (and sometimes trains) are unbelievably cheap!

Metro claims it’s reasonable to score $23 flights from other European cities, which is something I can attest to since I flew all the way from Marrakesh to Stockholm for about $50.

Flights aren’t the only aspect of Trieste that’s uber affordable — they claim you can budget your trip for under $120 per day, which speaks volumes given the temptation of Italian delicacies at every corner.

For example, admission to the timeless Miramare Castle is only $17.

But, you’re likely wondering about trains from Venice…

Depending on which route you choose, you can expect a journey lasting anywhere from 1 hour, 45 minutes to 3 hours, 22 minutes, but the most common ride is listed at 2 hours, 5 minutes on Trenitalia’s schedule for $19.

For the ultimate adventure, Trieste provides easy access to one of Europe’s top up-and-coming destinations, Slovenia.

Time it right and you can add another country under your belt with even cheaper rides across the border than if you were coming from Venice!

Before you fully plan out your adventure, make sure to check Travel Off Path’s new Entry Requirement Checker for Italy (and Slovenia), if necessary.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.