A trip idea - from Opicina on the old tram to Trieste for a coffee

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yesterday, 13:20

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At the beginning of February, after eight and a half years, the old tramway started running again on the route from Opicina to Trieste. The tram has been running on this route since 1902, after which there were several technical problems and also accidents. While the tram used to be the main link, it is now more of a tourist attraction and a slightly different way of accessing Trieste, which is especially popular with children.

The tram connects village Opicina and town Trieste on a 5 km route, with a 340 metres elevation gain.

The tram is very steep in the middle part, called Skorlja, with a 26 % gradient, so the tram acts as a funicular, meaning that one train descends and the other ascends.

The tram starts its journey in the middle of the Opicina (opposite the Piazzale Monte Re - location), where you buy a ticket at a machine for € 1.50 and then validate it at the machine on the tram itself. Until mid-February, the tram will run 10 times a day in one direction, after which other trams will be added, so that from March onwards there will be almost 30 one-way journeys a day. Dogs are allowed on the tram.

The whole tram journey takes about 30 minutes, and part of the way passengers have a nice view of Trieste and its surroundings and the Gulf of Trieste. The destination is at the very beginning of Trieste at Piazza Dalmazia (location). The National Palace is close to the terminus, and from there it is a few minutes' walk to the strict centre of Trieste.

Timetable of the tram Opicina - Trieste, valid in February 2025:

- Departure from Opicina: 7:43, 9:09, 10:35, 12:01, 13:27, 14:53, 16:19, 17:45, 19:11.

- Departure from Trieste: 6:53, 8:19, 9:45, 11:11, 12:37, 14:03, 15:29, 16:55, 18:21, 19:47

More about the tram journeys > www.triestetrasporti.it

What to see in Trieste in one day?

If a trip to Trieste used to be mainly for shopping, it is now a popular tourist destination, especially in spring and autumn, when it's nice to stroll through the streets and by the sea.

A morning coffee in one of Trieste's squares is a must, e.g. in the cafés of Piazza Unità d'Italia or by the canal in the area of the formerly more famous Ponte Rosso.

We recommend a walk past the 1st-century Roman Theater of Trieste to the Castle of San Giusto above the city, where the city museum is located and the walls offer a fine view of the whole of Trieste. Free admission on the first Sunday of every month.

In the city centre, there are several churches to visit, such as the Church of St Mary Major, St Justo's Cathedral, the Church of San Antonio Nuovo (on the northern end of the canal), the Orthodox Church of St Spiridon and the Synagogue of Trieste.

As for shopping in the centre of Trieste, you'll find most of the well-known shops in Piazza della Borsa, Corso Italia and Via Mazzini.

After you've finished your shopping, you'll have a real Italian lunch. For seaside dining, we recommend a visit to Eataly, considered the largest covered market for Italian food. For a real Napolitano pizza, we got a tip from the locals to visit Trattoria Caprese Trieste. Just a reminder that most restaurants close at 15h and then reopen between 18 - 19h.

If you have any time left, you can take a city bike or bus to Miramare Castle, 6 km away, where there is has a museum and botanical park. There is also a seaside walking path from the town to the castle.

Map of Trieste with all important information > www.discover-trieste.it

As for parking your car / camper, you can park it in one of the car parks in Opicina (campers are usually parked here GPS 45.68454, 13.78114), there is also a small Camping Obelisk (open all year round, 5 minutes walk from the tram stop).

For a weekend option, we recommend camping at the Camping Baia Holiday Mare Pineta in Sistiana (open from mid-April to mid-October) and then visiting Devin Castle the next day or going on a cycling tour. For ideas on cycling in this part of Friuli Venezia Giulia, visit > www.turismofvg.it