During the summer, Trieste is a destination chosen by many tourists attracted by its history and its Middle-European atmosphere with its buildings, numerous museums, literary cafès, handicraft shops, and “osterie” (wine bars) scattered throughout the alleys of the old town.
However, for the locals, being in Trieste during summer means one thing: going to the beach without leaving the city.
Trieste’s popular, astonishingly beautiful coastline extends to Sistiana, but locals prefer the bagni (bathing establishments) located right in the heart of the city center.
The “Lanterna” and “Ausonia” beaches offer unique experiences and the possibility to choose different activities. Since they’re very close to the town center, it’s commonplace to see locals carrying their beach bag with them to work so they can go take a dip immediately after!
The “Lanterna” beach resort is undoubtedly the most loved by the locals: they call it “El Pedocin” (“pedoci” are mussels in the local dialect, and the name is related to the characteristic mussel-covered rocks found at this part of the shore). This beach is open throughout the year (even during the winter!).
What makes this beach unique is that it is divided into two parts: one reserved for women and the other for men. It is the only one in Italy of its kind. After entering the main gate (1,00 € for the ticket), ladies go to the left and gentlemen to the right: a wall separates the beach, ensuring total privacy. A several meter-long net in the water separates the two sides preventing potential “intrusions”.
Women from Trieste usually meet here to chat and play cards, moms enjoy tanning without worrying about their children drifting away and men appreciate the freedom of a couple of beers while playing chess while discussing headlines in the local newspaper, Il Piccolo.
Even if the water here is not as deep as in other parts of the shore, the Pedocin is worth your time. It is so unique that a Cannes Film Festival documentary was shot here called “L’ultima spiaggia” (the last beach).
If you are looking for something more “traditional”, then the “Ausonia” beach resort is perfect for you.
It offers spacious terraces, fully equipped with chaise lounges and umbrellas, wooden piers, a big open-air swimming pool with seawater, access to the sea directly through the beach, diving platforms, locker rooms, a bar, and a restaurant with a sea view.
Moreover, and what the locals appreciate most, from June through August all kinds of local organizations offer their services here. Yoga, Thai-chi, Zumba, country dancing, massage and holistic healers promote their businesses by offering lessons and many times, free services. Stroll around and enjoy a fresh beer or a “spritz” (sparkling water with wine, also available in the local revised version with grapefruit or orange soda instead of water).
So, find a bit of time for the beach during your tour of the beautiful city of Trieste. It’s the perfect end to a long day of sightseeing. Starting from Piazza Unità d’Italia (the biggest square in Europe overlooking the sea), you can walk along the “rive” (the main street that runs along the sea), see the Salone degli Incanti and its art exhibitions and then reach the “Lanterna” and the “Ausonia” Beach Resorts.
A visit to the Revoltella museum of modern art is highly recommended.
After a refreshing swim in the sea, it will be very easy to find a nice place for dinner. On the main street of the “rive” you can find plenty of restaurants offering fresh fish, pizza or the typical Austrian-style cuisine.
Copyright photo 1: discover-trieste.it
Copyright photo 3: macridetoni.it
