Friuli
Friuli
Short overview
Italy's quiet north-east corner squeezes Alpine peaks, vineyards, Roman ruins and an Adriatic coast into one small region. Come for white wine, prosciutto and Trieste's café culture — and expect few crowds and great value.
Best times to go
May – June
Green vineyards, mild weather and open mountain trails before summer heat.
September – October
Harvest season, wine festivals and golden colours in the hills.
Good for
wine lovers, slow travellers and anyone wanting an authentic Italy without the crowds.
Skip if
you want famous headline sights or a lively beach resort — Friuli is understated and rural.
Things to do
Trieste
A Habsburg port city with grand squares, historic cafés and the sea-facing Piazza Unità d'Italia.
Full day
Free
Trieste
A Habsburg port city with grand squares, historic cafés and the sea-facing Piazza Unità d'Italia.
Full day
Free
Trieste
A Habsburg port city with grand squares, historic cafés and the sea-facing Piazza Unità d'Italia.
Full day
Free
Collio wine tasting
Tour family-run wineries in rolling hills on the Slovenian border, famous for white wines.
Half day
€15–30 per tasting
Half day
€15–30 per tasting
Aquileia
Roman ruins and a basilica with one of the largest early Christian mosaic floors in the world.
2–3 hours
€5–10 entry
2–3 hours
€5–10 entry
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Free towns, hikes and beaches, plus one or two sites.
Best value
€
150
/week
Wine tastings, Aquileia, Miramare Castle and a mountain lift.
Splurge
€
600
/week
Private wine tours, a cooking class and a boat trip in the lagoon.
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Free towns, hikes and beaches, plus one or two sites.
Best value
€
150
/week
Wine tastings, Aquileia, Miramare Castle and a mountain lift.
Splurge
€
600
/week
Private wine tours, a cooking class and a boat trip in the lagoon.
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Free towns, hikes and beaches, plus one or two sites.
Best value
€
150
/week
Wine tastings, Aquileia, Miramare Castle and a mountain lift.
Splurge
€
600
/week
Private wine tours, a cooking class and a boat trip in the lagoon.
Food and drink
Friuli mixes Italian, Austrian and Slovenian flavours. Expect cured ham, cheese, polenta and some of Italy's best white wines.
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cappuccino and brioche
At the bar of a local café, standing like the locals.
€
3
Best value
Trieste café breakfast
A 'capo in b' coffee and pastry in one of the city's historic cafés.
€
5
Splurge
Agriturismo breakfast
Homemade cakes, cheese and local honey on a farm.
€
10
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cappuccino and brioche
At the bar of a local café, standing like the locals.
€
3
Best value
Trieste café breakfast
A 'capo in b' coffee and pastry in one of the city's historic cafés.
€
5
Splurge
Agriturismo breakfast
Homemade cakes, cheese and local honey on a farm.
€
10
Breakfast
Cheapest
Cappuccino and brioche
At the bar of a local café, standing like the locals.
€
3
Best value
Trieste café breakfast
A 'capo in b' coffee and pastry in one of the city's historic cafés.
€
5
Splurge
Agriturismo breakfast
Homemade cakes, cheese and local honey on a farm.
€
10
Lunch
Cheapest
Panino with prosciutto
San Daniele ham in fresh bread from a deli.
€
6
Best value
Frico
A crispy fried pancake of Montasio cheese and potatoes, often served with polenta.
€
12
Splurge
Osteria lunch
Cjarsons pasta and a glass of Friulano wine at a country inn.
€
20
Lunch
Cheapest
Panino with prosciutto
San Daniele ham in fresh bread from a deli.
€
6
Best value
Frico
A crispy fried pancake of Montasio cheese and potatoes, often served with polenta.
€
12
Splurge
Osteria lunch
Cjarsons pasta and a glass of Friulano wine at a country inn.
€
20
Lunch
Cheapest
Panino with prosciutto
San Daniele ham in fresh bread from a deli.
€
6
Best value
Frico
A crispy fried pancake of Montasio cheese and potatoes, often served with polenta.
€
12
Splurge
Osteria lunch
Cjarsons pasta and a glass of Friulano wine at a country inn.
€
20
Dinner
Cheapest
Buffet in Trieste
Boiled pork, sausages, sauerkraut and horseradish at a traditional Triestine buffet.
€
15
Best value
Seafood dinner in Grado
Boreto fish stew and grilled lagoon fish in a fishing town.
€
35
Splurge
Winery tasting menu
Regional dishes paired with estate wines at a top Collio winery.
€
100
Dinner
Cheapest
Buffet in Trieste
Boiled pork, sausages, sauerkraut and horseradish at a traditional Triestine buffet.
€
15
Best value
Seafood dinner in Grado
Boreto fish stew and grilled lagoon fish in a fishing town.
€
35
Splurge
Winery tasting menu
Regional dishes paired with estate wines at a top Collio winery.
€
100
Dinner
Buffet in Trieste
€
15
Boiled pork, sausages, sauerkraut and horseradish at a traditional Triestine buffet.
Seafood dinner in Grado
€
35
Boreto fish stew and grilled lagoon fish in a fishing town.
Winery tasting menu
€
100
Regional dishes paired with estate wines at a top Collio winery.
Cheapest
€
140
/week
Bar breakfasts, deli lunches and cheap buffets.
Best value
€
280
/week
Osteria meals, seafood dinners and plenty of wine.
Splurge
€
700
/week
Winery dinners, fine dining and premium wine tastings.
Cheapest
€
140
/week
Bar breakfasts, deli lunches and cheap buffets.
Best value
€
280
/week
Osteria meals, seafood dinners and plenty of wine.
Splurge
€
700
/week
Winery dinners, fine dining and premium wine tastings.
Cheapest
€
140
/week
Bar breakfasts, deli lunches and cheap buffets.
Best value
€
280
/week
Osteria meals, seafood dinners and plenty of wine.
Splurge
€
700
/week
Winery dinners, fine dining and premium wine tastings.
Don't leave without trying
Don't leave without trying
Prosciutto di San Daniele
Sweet, delicate air-cured ham from the hill town of San Daniele, sliced paper-thin and best with a glass of Friulano.
Prosciutto di San Daniele
Sweet, delicate air-cured ham from the hill town of San Daniele, sliced paper-thin and best with a glass of Friulano.
Where to stay
Trieste is best for city life, Udine for culture and food, and the Collio hills or Carnic Alps for countryside stays.
Cheapest
Hostel in Trieste
A budget stay near the waterfront with easy access to buses and trains.
€245/week
/night
€
35
Cheapest
Hostel in Trieste
A budget stay near the waterfront with easy access to buses and trains.
€245/week
/night
€
35
Best value
B&B in Udine
A friendly guesthouse in a charming, walkable old town.
€630/week
/night
€
90
Best value
B&B in Udine
A friendly guesthouse in a charming, walkable old town.
€630/week
/night
€
90
Splurge
Wine resort in the Collio
Luxury rooms, a spa and vineyard views at a renowned wine estate.
€2,450/week
/night
€
350
Splurge
Wine resort in the Collio
Luxury rooms, a spa and vineyard views at a renowned wine estate.
€2,450/week
/night
€
350
Unique stay
Vineyard farmhouse
Stay in a restored stone farmhouse among the vines, with home-cooked dinners.
€840/week
/night
€
120
Unique stay
Vineyard farmhouse
Stay in a restored stone farmhouse among the vines, with home-cooked dinners.
€840/week
/night
€
120
Unique stay
Vineyard farmhouse
Stay in a restored stone farmhouse among the vines, with home-cooked dinners.
€840/week
/night
€
120
Getting around
Trains connect the main towns, but a car is needed for vineyards, villages and the mountains.
Public transport
Coverage
Regional trains link Trieste, Udine and Venice, and buses reach many towns. Rural areas are poorly served.
Single ticket
€
2
Weekly pass
€
25
Which modes are available?
Rental car
Regional trains
Local buses
Public transport
Coverage
Regional trains link Trieste, Udine and Venice, and buses reach many towns. Rural areas are poorly served.
Single ticket
€
2
Weekly pass
€
25
Which modes are available?
Rental car
Regional trains
Local buses
Car rental
Car usefulness
The best way to explore the vineyards, villages and mountains. Roads are quiet and easy to drive.
Price
€
40
/day
Young driver fee
€
20
/day
Parking
€
10
/day
Easy and cheap in most places. Trieste's centre has paid garages at €10–20 a day.
Car rental
Car usefulness
The best way to explore the vineyards, villages and mountains. Roads are quiet and easy to drive.
Price
€
40
/day
Young driver fee
€
20
/day
Parking
€
10
/day
Easy and cheap in most places. Trieste's centre has paid garages at €10–20 a day.
Cheapest
€
50
/week
Regional trains and buses between the main towns.
Best value
€
200
/week
A shared rental car for vineyards and mountain trips.
Splurge
€
500
/week
A rental car for the week, plus private winery transfers.
Cheapest
€
50
/week
Regional trains and buses between the main towns.
Best value
€
200
/week
A shared rental car for vineyards and mountain trips.
Splurge
€
500
/week
A rental car for the week, plus private winery transfers.
Cheapest
€
50
/week
Regional trains and buses between the main towns.
Best value
€
200
/week
A shared rental car for vineyards and mountain trips.
Splurge
€
500
/week
A rental car for the week, plus private winery transfers.
Total costs
Everything you’ll spend once you’re there, per person. Getting there isn’t included.
Cheapest
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€20–€30
Accommodation
€30–€45
Getting around
€8–€15
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€68–€110
PER WEEK
€480–€770
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Cheapest
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€20–€30
Accommodation
€30–€45
Getting around
€8–€15
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€68–€110
PER WEEK
€480–€770
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Cheapest
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€20–€30
Accommodation
€30–€45
Getting around
€8–€15
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€68–€110
PER WEEK
€480–€770
Best value
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€40–€55
Accommodation
€80–€110
Getting around
€20–€30
Activities
€15–€30
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€165–€240
PER WEEK
€1,160–€1,680
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Best value
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€40–€55
Accommodation
€80–€110
Getting around
€20–€30
Activities
€15–€30
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€165–€240
PER WEEK
€1,160–€1,680
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Best value
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€40–€55
Accommodation
€80–€110
Getting around
€20–€30
Activities
€15–€30
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€165–€240
PER WEEK
€1,160–€1,680
Splurge
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€100–€160
Accommodation
€250–€400
Getting around
€50–€90
Activities
€60–€120
Miscellaneous
€20–€35
PER DAY
€480–€805
PER WEEK
€3,360–€5,640
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Splurge
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€100–€160
Accommodation
€250–€400
Getting around
€50–€90
Activities
€60–€120
Miscellaneous
€20–€35
PER DAY
€480–€805
PER WEEK
€3,360–€5,640
Per person in shoulder season. Prices stay reasonable year-round, with small rises in August.
Splurge
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Food costs
€100–€160
Accommodation
€250–€400
Getting around
€50–€90
Activities
€60–€120
Miscellaneous
€20–€35
PER DAY
€480–€805
PER WEEK
€3,360–€5,640
Good to know
What to expect, what to avoid, and what nobody tells you before you go.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Wine, food, quiet towns and a mix of cultures.
Catches visitors off guard
How few tourists there are, the strong bora wind and how varied the landscapes are.
Common misconception
It's not just a stop on the way to Venice — Friuli deserves its own trip.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Wine, food, quiet towns and a mix of cultures.
Catches visitors off guard
How few tourists there are, the strong bora wind and how varied the landscapes are.
Common misconception
It's not just a stop on the way to Venice — Friuli deserves its own trip.
Watch out for
The bora wind
Trieste's fierce north-east wind can gust over 100 km/h. Hold on to hats and umbrellas.
Winery opening hours
Many small wineries need a booking for tastings. Call or email ahead.
Sunday closures
Shops and many restaurants in small towns close on Sundays and Mondays.
Watch out for
The bora wind
Trieste's fierce north-east wind can gust over 100 km/h. Hold on to hats and umbrellas.
Winery opening hours
Many small wineries need a booking for tastings. Call or email ahead.
Sunday closures
Shops and many restaurants in small towns close on Sundays and Mondays.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Five to seven days covers Trieste, Udine, the Collio and a mountain or coast day.
How do I get there?
Fly into Trieste or Venice, then take a regional train. Trieste is about two hours from Venice.
Can I visit Slovenia too?
Yes. Ljubljana and the Slovenian coast are about an hour's drive from Trieste.
What wine should I try?
Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and orange wines from the Collio are the region's specialities.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Five to seven days covers Trieste, Udine, the Collio and a mountain or coast day.
How do I get there?
Fly into Trieste or Venice, then take a regional train. Trieste is about two hours from Venice.
Can I visit Slovenia too?
Yes. Ljubljana and the Slovenian coast are about an hour's drive from Trieste.
What wine should I try?
Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and orange wines from the Collio are the region's specialities.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). ATMs are easy to find in towns.
Cards vs cash
Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small osterie and rural wineries.
Tipping
Not expected. A coperto of €1.50–3 is common; round up for good service.
Tourist tax
€1–3 per person per night in Trieste and some resorts, added to your bill.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). ATMs are easy to find in towns.
Cards vs cash
Cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small osterie and rural wineries.
Tipping
Not expected. A coperto of €1.50–3 is common; round up for good service.
Tourist tax
€1–3 per person per night in Trieste and some resorts, added to your bill.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.