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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Trieste?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Trieste can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a diverse, accessible, and modern city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Trieste

Trieste is a dynamic, energetic, and diverse city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and museums.

Frankfurt and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches and impressive beauty. Frankfurt is more touristy than Trieste and is known for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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 Frankfurt or Trieste? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Frankfurt has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

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 Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Frankfurt has a large number of nightlife venues. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

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 Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is very good for the beach. However, Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Trieste to enjoy the beach. 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.

Frankfurt is not a beach destination.

Is Frankfurt or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Frankfurt and Trieste are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Frankfurt has an old town worth visiting. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Trieste?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Families?

You'll find superb kid-friendly activities in either Frankfurt or Trieste.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Frankfurt. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

Trieste is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Couples?

Trieste is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Frankfurt is a nice destination for couples. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

Is Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Plenty of backpackers 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 Frankfurt or Trieste Better for Students?

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

Frankfurt is a very popular city for students. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

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

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

Visitors in Frankfurt can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

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

Is Frankfurt or Trieste a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Trieste are superb when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Frankfurt or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Frankfurt, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt.

One day in Frankfurt or Trieste?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city 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 Frankfurt or Trieste?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Trieste?

Frankfurt 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 historic 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 Frankfurt or Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. 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 Munich, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Munich, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Trieste, we can see that Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt Expensive? and Is Trieste Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Trieste?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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.

When is the best time to visit Frankfurt or Trieste?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Trieste in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Frankfurt is cooler than Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Trieste. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Frankfurt. Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during summer. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Trieste in the Autumn?

Both Trieste and Frankfurt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Trieste for the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Frankfurt is cooler than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 103 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in October than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Trieste. Most visitors come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Trieste because of the museums and the cuisine.

Frankfurt can be very cold during winter. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during winter. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Trieste in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Trieste. The spring months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

Frankfurt is cooler than Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the spring, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in April than Trieste. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Frankfurt