The Gulf of Trieste offers an astonishingly diverse choice of beaches: from Marina Julia to Muggia you can experience an entirely different context every day.
Any fan of wind-powered sports will fall in love with Marina Julia, the prime windspot where kite-surfers and wind-surfers reign supreme. The Bay of Sistiana, with its well-equipped resorts, is the preferred family pick, but it is also a hit with young adults who enjoy the beachfront nightclubs. Additionally, its Portopiccolo location also offers exclusive beachfront and wellness-related services. There are also some free beaches located along the coastal highway that could be described as veritable natural unspoilt oases only accessible on foot via scenic footpaths. Nearer to Trieste there are Barcola’s historic lidos, paved beaches, each a little different from the next, oozing history and tradition. These include the Topolino, Pedocin and Ausonia lidos.
The Gulf of Trieste offers many opportunities for those who love practicing water sports in spectacular settings!
Take a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tour to admire the spectacle of Piazza Unità d'Italia in Trieste from a unique perspective, go canoeing paddling under the Duino Castle, or rent a boat without a license to admire the castles directly from the coastline—these are just some of the possibilities to experience the sea actively!
Marina Julia windspot is a paradise for kitesurfers and windsurfing enthusiasts due to its optimal conditions, such as the Bora wind blowing side-on, ensuring safety and a shallow seabed suitable for both beginners and professionals eager to perform acrobatics.
Sailing is one of the highlights of the Gulf of Trieste: from sailing courses for young people and teenagers within historical sailing clubs, tourist ports, or promoted by sports associations in the bays, to international competitions like the Barcolana. This regatta takes place every year on the second Sunday of October, painting the Gulf of Trieste with white sails billowing in the wind!
Just a few meters inland, you'll discover the rocky limestone plateau of the Karst: with its sinkholes, caves, paths carved into the rock by the wind, and white cliffs overlooking the sea, it represents a paradise for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing enthusiasts.
In the Gulf of Trieste - under the watchful eye of the two coastal castles - one can snorkel or dive inside the Miramare Protected Area or the Duino Cliffs Reserve. The area’s marine biodiversity is fascinating, particularly within the BIOMA, the underwater museum included in the Miramare Protected Area.
