Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region

Often considered just a land of passage, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, due to its strategic location, has its extreme unfolding on the border with Austria and Slovenia. And this is its distinguishing feature and its strength: the ability to integrate peoples and cultures, influences and stimuli, like a mosaic. It remains a land waiting to be discovered, whether for its oldest treasures, such as Aquileia and Cividale, or to reach contemporary art exhibitions housed in the warehouses of the old port of Trieste. Shall we now go on a seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia you make the trip of your dreams !!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”.

Friuli

Aquileia

Goriza

Palmanova

Udine

Pordenone

Prev 1 of 6 Next

Our Introduction

Friuli Venezia Giulia is a magical region, dominated by the impassable Carnic Alps and Guglie, which gently meet to form the Padano Valley, bathed by the Adriatic Sea. In this region, the choice of itineraries to discover is very large, you can explore the main cities, stay in mountain resorts, opt for the beaches or stay in touch with nature in the wildlife areas. Read also What are the 10 locations in Veneto that I should visit? and Where to ski in Veneto?

Our Itinerary

Well, this seven-day itinerary, by car, will take you to discover the four provincial capitals of this beautiful region, where we recommend a trip to discover the landscapes, places, nature and good food. The cities of Gorizia, Udine, Pordenone and Trieste are one more beautiful than the other. The route will cross rich and beautiful landscapes where you can enjoy an incredible view and the colors offered by this region; traveling from the foothills one can reach places full of treasures of art, traditions and fun. In addition to these cities, you will also visit authentic villages around the provincial capitals. The route starts from the city of Trieste, where the airport is located. Take a rental car from the Airport (make your reservation in your country) to get around this beautiful region.

GROUP TOURS
Looking for group tours through the main Italian cities?

Book now!
I WANNA LEARN MORE ABOUT IT!

1) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? FIRST DAY

First Day – Arrival at Trieste airport, early in the morning; rent a car and visit one of the agritourisms to choose one to stay. As soon as you pick up your car, you will visit the city of Trieste, which inspired great writers such as James Joyce, Italo Svevo and Umberto Saba. Trieste is an elegant city located along the Adriatic and is famous for the Bora wind, but not just for that. TIPS ON TRIESTE?

Attractions

Trieste is a city with a charm of another era that perfectly combines, in its history and architecture, Mediterranean culture, Central Europe and Balkan culture. In the main square, the obligatory way is to go to the oldest part of the city, to admire the City Council, which looks directly out to sea, then head towards Piazza della Borsa (“Square of the Market”). From here, you can stroll into the city center, where the well-preserved remains of the Roman Theater from the 1st century BC.

Now, after the tour, stop and have a delicious coffee in one of the city’s many historical points that can be seen. Then climb Mt San Giusto, where you’ll find the Romanesque-style San Giusto Cathedral, which was once a Roman temple. After the Cathedral, there is the Castle, which houses the Civic Museum. After visiting this beautiful city, all you need to do is relax at the hotel, with a typical dinner from the region, and then a lot of rest.

2) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? SECOND DAY

Day Two – After a healthy breakfast, you will leave Trieste to visit another provincial capital, Pordenone. Pordenone is also called ‘Garden of Serenissima’, due to the many views that, through the atmosphere, bring to mind Venice, all thanks to the elegant buildings that are reflected in the Noncello River with their style very similar to the Venetian palaces. As you enter the city and head into the center of Pordenone, you’ll have a view of various buildings ranging from Gothic through Renaissance to Baroque. TIPS ON PODERNONE?

Attractions

To discover Pordenone, I advise you to take Via Mazzini and immediately onto Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, because during this walk you can admire the city’s architectural beauties, such as the City Council and the elegant Clock Tower. Continuing the journey, you will find yourself in front of the beautiful Cathedral, which stands there in all its magnificence and grandeur. Built in honor of Saint Mark, it is certainly one of the most interesting points in the city. It is worth a stop at the Ricchieri Palace, one of the oldest in the city, built in the 15th century to be a fortress; today it houses the Civic Museum of Art.

We end our tour of the city by visiting the Noncello Pluvial Park, where, in addition to staying in a farmhouse in the countryside, you can take some of the many trails on foot or by bike to discover the wonderful nature near the river. At this point, all that’s left is to have a good dinner and go to bed.

Are you enjoying your reading?? I hope I’m helping you with this post!

Travel insurance? Hire yours online!
LEARN MORE ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE

3) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? THIRD DAY

Day Three – After a good breakfast, departure to Trieste, back to the heart of Friuli Venezia Giulia Friuli and we will go to Udine, the capital of the province which, among the beautiful palaces, churches and squares, contain priceless works of art. Udine has a historic center of great value, whose urban origins date back to the medieval period. TIPS ON UDINE?

Attractions

Among the must-see monuments are the Cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century, the Church of Santa Maria di Castello, with a charming bell tower of Renaissance origins, and the Bishop’s Palace, where you can admire some rooms decorated by the great painter Tiepolo. Then, see Freedom Square, which is considered ‘the most beautiful Venetian square on the continent’ and Herbs’ Square, surrounded by arcades, with elegant shops where you can enjoy a good coffee.

Also noteworthy are the Modern Art Gallery, the Archaeological Museum and the Friuli Museum of Photography. Certainly, after all this way, I think you will definitely want to enjoy a tasty dinner in a typical small restaurant and then arrive at the hotel for a healthy night’s sleep. Read our Section on Food in Italy!

4) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? FOURTH DAY

Fourth Day – After breakfast, we leave the city of Udine to visit Palmanova. The city is world famous and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, its fame is for the city plan: its architectural design is in the shape of a star, with nine perfectly symmetrical points. It is a masterpiece of Friulian military architecture: the fortress city designed and built to defend the regional borders from foreign threats, especially from the Turks. TIPS ON UDINE?

Attractions

The Historic Center can be reached by entering the city through one of its monumental gates: Porta Aquileia, Porta Udine or Porta Cividale. The Piazza Grande (“Great Square”) is surrounded by the Baroque Cathedral and the most important representative buildings of the city, including the Loggia dei Mercanti, Alabardieri, Mt Piedade and the Palace of General Superintendents. A very interesting city to visit. After walking so much inside this fortress city, you deserve a typical dinner and a lot of rest. We leave the rest for tomorrow.

5) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? FIFTH DAY

Fifth Day – After breakfast, you will leave this village to visit another city with a historic charm, Aquileia. It remains the most important Roman city in the Northeast, it is the treasure of important excavations and a magnificent Basilica with beautiful mosaics. TIPS ON AQUILEIA?

Attractions

The Basilica of Aquileia, in Roman, Gothic and Renaissance style, is the result of several reconstructions carried out over the centuries. The real jewel of the Basilica of Aquileia is the mosaic floor, the largest in Europe, dating back to the first painting of the fourth century after Christ, rich in Christian symbolism and representing the triumph of life over death. Next to the Basilica there is the so-called Church of the Pagans and the Baptistery. Of great importance, as are the crypts, the Crypt of the Frescoes and the Crypt of the Excavations; they are interesting to learn the history of Christian Aquileia of the first centuries, and the so-called Holy Sepulcher, built in the 12th century in imitation of what is in Jerusalem. After visiting the city, we’ll rest and enjoy a good dinner, then go to bed.

30 MINUTES OF CONSULTING FOR FREE!

One of the benefits from Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patrícia

I give my readers 30 minutes of travel advice for free. I will help you to find the perfect hotel for your needs! All you need to do is fill the form bellow.

Enjoy the opportunity now!

I WANT MY FREE CONSULTING RIGHT NOW!

6) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? SIXTH DAY

Sixth Day – After a good breakfast, we leave Aquileia to go to the Isonzo River Mouth Natural Reserve, and in the afternoon we reach the other capitals, that is, Gorizia, where we will spend the night. This protected area covers the provinces of Udine and Gorizia, and has great wealth in terms of flora and fauna. TIPS ON GORIZIA?

Attractions

Here, in fact, some specimens of the Camargue horse live in herds, an animal very adapted to live in wetlands. Here, full of freshwater marshes, meadows and woods, you can go horse riding and boat trips. The Isonzo River Mouth Natural Reserve contributes to the conservation of an enormous biological and biodiversity heritage. It has tourist facilities that allow you to study nature and increase your knowledge or simply relax in contact with nature, immersed in a particularly rich and fascinating environment. At that point, you leave this paradise and go to Gorizia, where you will have dinner and then sleep.

7) Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region? SEVENTH DAY

Seventh Day – Last day of the tour crossing the Friuli Venezia Giulia region by car. After breakfast, you will visit the city of Gorizia, and in the evening we will arrive at Trieste airport. The visit to Gorizia is to immerse yourself in a poetic city that is a mixture of Latin, Slavic and Germanic culture; its multicultural character is registered by its architecture, while its multiethnic soul is found walking downtown and listening to the locals speaking both Slovenian and Italian.

Attractions

We start with its Castle, a medieval defensive fortress, which dates back to the 11th century. This building owes much of its charm to the Italian-Slovenia border, with its impressive and elegant walls, towering on a hill that sits right on the border between the two countries. Inside, there is the Medieval Museum of the Gorizia Age. From the castle, you can walk to the village to discover the oldest and most fascinating streets of the city, where there are historic shops that still have their original signs.

Continuing the tour, we arrive at the Church of St Ignatius, in Baroque style, considered by citizens the main place of worship. From here, we go to Piazza Edmondo de Amicis, from where you can admire the Attems Palace, with a rich collection of works of art and paintings, and the Art Gallery, which houses a series of important paintings from the Venetian period of the 18th century. Outside the center there is the Piuma Isonzo Park, which is a beautiful mountainous area surrounded by greenery and offers visitors beautiful scenery and relaxation,

I recommend you take a break to enjoy a good lunch before leaving Gorizia to reach the airport from Trieste, hand over the rental car and return to daily life.

AIRPORTS IN ITALY

How to get from the main airports to the downtown areas of the most important cities? Your Travel to Italy brings quick and easy guides to help you get around safely and economically throughout Italy.

How to get from Milan airport to downtown? How to get from Rome airport to downtown? Find out the best routes!

FIND HERE THE BEST PATHS!

How to get to Friuli?

1) How to get to Friuli? BY AIRPLANE

Trieste regional airport, which is 33 km from Trieste, 40 km from Udine, 20 km from Gorizia and 80 km from Pordenone.

Also read our Special Posts about Airports in Italy:

• HOW TO GET FROM ROME AIRPORT TO THE CENTER OF ROME?

• HOW TO GET FROM MALPENSA AIRPORT TO THE CENTER OF MILAN?

• HOW TO GO FROM VENICE AIRPORT TO THE CENTER OF VENICE?

2) How to get to Friuli? BY CAR

It can be reached from the Highway A4 Torino – Trieste; Highway A23 Palmanova – Udine – Tarvisio or Highway A28 Portogruaro – Conegliano.

If you are going to rent a car, be sure to read our posts in the section Driving in Italy on the blog. In addition to car itinerary tips, we have everything about signs, tolls, roads and many more tips.

Traveling by car in Italy

How about if I give you a rental car option? Are you ready for it? If you are renting a car be sure to read our posts in the section Driving in Italy on the blog Your Travel to Italy. In addition to car itinerary tips, we have everything about signage, tolls, roads and many more tips.

Don’t know where to rent the car?

We have a partner that can help you: Rent Cars! Have you ever thought about renting a car in Italy, without leaving your home? Click on the banner below to learn more! Search, compare and choose!

Important to know

Also, it is important to know that in tourist cities there are places (historic centers) where PARKING IS PROHIBITED , and it can only be used by people who live there! That’s why it’s important not to go to these places so as not to take unnecessary fines.
How to understand what these places are? See the post that talks about it, but anyway, another tip for those who are unsure about it, is to park a little outside the center and go downtown on foot or, spending a little more, by taxi or other public transport.

3) How to get to Friuli? BY TRAIN

By train, with several beautiful railways: Trieste – Gorizia – Udine; Udine – Palmanova – Cervignano – S. Giorgio di Nogaro; Udine – Cividale; Udine – Tarvisio; Gemona – Pinzano – Sacile; Udine – Venice; Casarsa – Portogruaro and Trieste – Monfalcone – Cervignano – Venezia.

Did you know?

Trenitalia is the main Italian company dedicated to the management of rail transport. Find out here “What is the difference between trains in Italy?”. Buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot, read the Post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?”.

Watch this video about 10 italian cities you must visit!

Subscribe to our channel and receive more videos with information and tips about Italy. Don’t forget to leave that Like;)

Conclusion

Seven-day itinerary by car in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. At the end of the tour, we cannot help but be fascinated by Friuli Venezia Giulia, a region full of things to see, unimaginable art treasures hidden in ancient churches, small stone villages hidden among the narrow streets of the foothills, well-preserved traditions in the mountains and pure entertainment at the seaside resorts.

If you feel insecure, have no time, and need help to organize your trip, don’t hesitate to contact me! I will love to help you make your dream trip to Italy come true. And how can I do that? Keep reading this post until the end and you will understand how we make your life and your trip much easier

Did my post help you? If so, be sure to post your comment below, but if you still have questions just send me a message I will answer you as soon as possible!

"WHO CAN HELP ME ORGANIZE MY TRIP?"

VIAJANDO PARA A CALABRIA - img banner quem podera me ajudar 1

There are so many details to think about when travelling: financial planning, airlines tickets, hotel booking, restaurants reservations, tour options, going from one city to the next, weather, time, family… sometimes all we need is someone to help us with all these details, right? That’s why I am here: to help you! We have the know-how you need to help you with your dream trip!

With our consultancy, we optimize your time and design a travel plan within your budget. We guarantee 100% of the return value if you are not satisfied with the service!

SEE TESTIMONIALS!