A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cambridge vs. Trieste for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cambridge or Trieste?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cambridge and Trieste. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Cambridge

Cambridge is a collegiate, scholarly, and charming university town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Trieste

Trieste is a cultural, historic, and dynamic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and museums.

Cambridge and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cambridge or Trieste?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cambridge than Trieste. While Trieste is larger than Cambridge, Cambridge has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cambridge is better known for its museums, food, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Trieste is more popular for its beaches and historical sights. Cambridge is more touristy than Trieste and is known for its iconic university and the many colleges associated with it. Also, Cambridge is famous for King's College and the King's College Chapel. Trieste is well known for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Cambridge different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Trieste and Cambridge. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cambridge or Trieste?

Cambridge is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Cambridge. The history is rich and impressive in this university town. There are countless museums and architectural sights that you should check out. High on the list are the Cambridge University buildings, The Fitzwilliam Museum, the Bridge of Sighs, The Round Church, and many more.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

Is the Food Better in Cambridge or Trieste? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cambridge is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Cambridge has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find college pubs, local eateries, and fine dining, all in one charming town. Enjoy afternoon tea or fish chips at one of the many local restaurants around town.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Both Cambridge and Trieste have notable vibes after the sun sets.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cambridge. The nightlife scene is centered around the student culture and you'll find many university pubs, some lively clubs, theaters, and wine bars around town. Whether you're looking for a chill night with friends or a more wild experience, there are options in Cambridge.

Trieste has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a good destination for its beaches. However, Cambridge is not a beach destination.

Trieste offers a nice beach destination. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Cambridge is not a beach destination.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Trieste is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Trieste is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Cambridge does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cambridge or Trieste?

Cambridge is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cambridge. The town offers independent boutique shops, local brands, and a 7 day a week market. The three main shopping areas in town are The Grafton, Lion Yard and Grand Arcade.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Families?

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Trieste is a very family-friendly destination. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cambridge. Kids will enjoy following the Treasure Trail, or climbing to the top of the Great St Mary’s Tower. Punting is another iconic experience. On a rainy day, head to the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, the Museum of Zoology, or the Cambridge Science Centre.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Couples?

Cambridge and Trieste both very good destinations for a couple.

Cambridge makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The quaint town is fun to explore as a couple. Try your hand at punting or take a tour of one of the colleges. You can also enjoy a picnic in the botanical gardens or have tea at the Orchard Tea Garden.

Couples visit Trieste frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cambridge and Trieste are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Cambridge. With a handful of hostels and a vibrant student population, the town makes for a fun stop on your backpacking trip.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Trieste. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Students?

Cambridge is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Cambridge is a very popular university town for students. The town is home to more than 25,000 students who come from 140 different countries. This is one of the most iconic university towns in the world, and there's really no better place for students to visit or reside.

Many students visit Trieste. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

Is Cambridge or Trieste Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Cambridge is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Trieste. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

You'll find some public transit in Cambridge, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a regional bus service that operates through town.

Is Cambridge or Trieste a more walkable city?

Cambridge is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Cambridge. Walking is the best way to explore the town.

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cambridge Worth Visiting? and Is Trieste Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Cambridge?

How long in Cambridge or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Cambridge or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cambridge, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

Families should spend more time in Trieste than Cambridge. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Trieste, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cambridge than Trieste. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cambridge that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cambridge than Trieste if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cambridge.

One day in Cambridge or Trieste?

In Cambridge, you'll find nightlife and food. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find food and museums around the city of Trieste. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cambridge or Trieste?

In Cambridge, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cambridge has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the diverse destination of Trieste. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cambridge or Trieste?

Cambridge is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Trieste. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cambridge or Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cambridge. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cambridge. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Trieste is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cambridge and Trieste, we can see that Cambridge is more expensive. And not only is Trieste much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Trieste would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Trieste and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cambridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cambridge than you might in Trieste.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cambridge Expensive? and Is Trieste Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cambridge or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Cambridge. When comparing the sizes of Cambridge and Trieste, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.