We booked 5 nights on the coast north of Triest in July. I have not been to the area. Planning on visiting Triest (not going to Venice this time). I haven't done much research yet, but there was a nice bit about restaurants in the area in the NYT yesterday.

Is anyone here familiar with the area? Recommendations for restaurants, beaches, easy hikes and sights are welcome. We are driving, staying in Portopiccolo.
Is Grado worth a visit? The NYT also mentioned Marano Lagunare.

We have been to Trieste twice, once for Barcolana (October) and more recently, in April as part of our school break holiday in coastal Slovenia. Because of the weather on Barcolana weekend, we did not make the time to visit Miramare, the castle built for Archduke Ferdinand, until the second visit. The grounds are extensive and may make for a low-key hike. Trieste itself warrants a half-day and change, depending on what you want to do.

The salt flats and charming village of Piran (SLO) are about an hour away from your location. Koper, a little further along the coast, is nice, too. Lipica, the original and still-in-use stud farm of Lippizaner Stallions is nearby; there may be summer equestrian events of interest.

I hope this is helpful.

There are lovely & fascinating sights inland, like Aquiliea, Palmanova, Civedale dei Fruili & Udine. They are easy to reach by car (and some by train) but if you are driving, consult with locals about "rush hour" traffic. It can slow you down during some hours of the day.

Thanks, we are driving down from Munich, and will stop in Palmanova. We have not nearly enough time to see all we want to, but will be back for another trip.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fogliano_Redipuglia

This war memorial isn't far from Trieste and is well worth a visit. It is breathtaking in many ways, including the size and scope of the actual memorial and the views.

Trieste has a very pretty harbour and a beautiful town square. We strolled through it one evening when we were staying nearby (in a friend's villa!).

That's all I have sorry, can't help with restaurant recommendations etc.

I recently spent a night in Trieste. I did a "hike" along the Strada Vicentina - it's more of a stroll on a stone pedestrian road, but views down on the ocean and on Trieste are fantastic. I hiked from Piazza Oberdan mostly downhill to Prosecco, about an hour for me (I walk briskly even though I stopped for pictures). I took buses from the center of Trieste to Piazza Oberdan and then a bus back from Prosecco as I didn't have a car. There's a parking area at Piazza Oberdan so you could just walk down to Prosecco and back to where you started if you wish.

Thank you, great tips!

When we visited Trieste, we actually stayed in Duino, a nice little town with a beautiful castle overlooking the sea, about 20 km north of Trieste. The German poet Ranier Maria Rilke composed his <i> Duineser Elegien </i> while a guest at the castle. The castle also had many other famous guests over the centuries. There are lots of nice walks in the vicinity, and the town is a sort of Slovenian enclave, with Slovenian dishes offered in the restaurants. Sorry I don't remember where we ate.

We're staying close to Duino - definitely plan on visiting and doing the walk. Thanks Bvlenci!