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

Should you visit Linz or Trieste?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Linz and Trieste can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Linz

Linz is a cultural, historic, and beautiful town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Trieste

Trieste is a diverse, cultural, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Linz and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Linz or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Linz. Although Linz and Trieste are both popular with visitors, Linz has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Linz is more popular for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Trieste is known for its nightlife and beaches. Linz is more touristy than Trieste and is popular for its Baroque architecture, modern art museums, and great pastries. It is also home to The Castle of Linz. Trieste is popular for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Linz different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Linz 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 Linz. The city has a lot of history which can be experienced with visits to The Castle of Linz, St. Martin's Church, and the New Cathedral. There are also several modern museums such as Ars Electronica Center, the OK Center, and the Lentos Art Museum.

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 Linz or Trieste? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Linz and Trieste both to be good destinations.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Linz. You'll find an endless supply of bakeries around town that serve cakes, tarts, and biscuits. A trip to Linz isn't complete without a sampling of the local pastries.

Trieste is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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 Linz or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Trieste is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Linz is not a good town for its evening party scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Trieste. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Linz. The town isn't exactly a party place, but you'll find a good theater and some live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Linz or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a city with good options for the beache. However, Linz is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Trieste. 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.

Linz is not a beach destination.

Is Linz or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Both Linz and Trieste have good historic old towns worth visiting.

Many people head to Linz to see the old town. The old town is filled with Baroque architecture and a market square. There are a number of interesting buildings and great cafes in the area.

Trieste has an old town worth visiting. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Linz or Trieste?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Linz. There are a number of shopping streets around town, but the most popular is Landstraße. You'll find all kinds of retail stores with everything from clothing to furniture available.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Linz or Trieste Better for Families?

Trieste is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Trieste is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Linz is a family-friendly town. Pöstlingberg Adventure World is a highlight for kids. You can take the tram up the mountain and see the views, visit the Grottenbahn, or explore the zoo. Kids will also appreciate the Ars Electronica Center, which is a futuristic museum in town as well as the The Linz Castle Museum.

Is Linz or Trieste Better for Couples?

Both Linz and Trieste are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Linz is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with beautiful baroque architecture. There's a lively main square and many great restaurants that couples will appreciate. There are also shopping areas and museums to explore.

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.

Is Linz or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Linz and Trieste are good destinations for backpackers.

Linz is a good town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will find more budget hotels than hostels in town, so it can be a bit challenging to meet other travelers. Even so, this is a beautiful city that is well worth a visit.

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 Linz or Trieste Better for Students?

Trieste is a well-known place for students. However, Linz is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Linz is not popular with students.

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

Trieste is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Linz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Trieste can get you to some places easily. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Linz has some public transit options. There are buses and streetcars that travel throughout the town.

Is Linz or Trieste a more walkable city?

Linz and Trieste both are great when exploring on foot.

Linz is a very walkable town. The tourist areas are easy to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Linz?

How long in Linz or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Linz 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 Linz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Trieste than Linz 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 Trieste.

One day in Linz or Trieste?

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

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Trieste. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Linz or Trieste?

In Linz, 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 Linz has to offer.

Trieste is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Linz or Trieste?

Linz 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.

You'll find food and museums around the cultural destination of Trieste. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Linz or Trieste?

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

The cultural city of Trieste offers museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Linz and Trieste, we can see that Linz is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Linz or Trieste?

Trieste has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Linz. When comparing the sizes of Linz 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 Linz or Trieste?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Linz or Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Linz during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Linz because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Trieste this time of year.

In the summer, Linz is cooler than Trieste. Typically, the summer temperatures in Linz in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Trieste averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Linz. In the summer, Linz often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Linz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets more rain in July than Trieste. Linz gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Linz and Trieste. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Linz this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Trieste for the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Linz is generally cooler than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Linz average around 11°C (52°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Linz usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Linz gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Linz usually receives less rain than Trieste. Linz gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Linz or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Linz as well as Trieste. Many travelers come to Linz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Trieste in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Linz. Linz is much colder than Trieste in the winter. The daily temperature in Linz averages around -0°C (31°F) in January, and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Linz often gets less sunshine than Trieste. Linz gets 57 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Linz usually gets less rain in January than Trieste. Linz gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Linz or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Linz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Linz in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Trieste for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Linz is cooler than Trieste. Typically, the spring temperatures in Linz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Trieste averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Linz usually receives less sunshine than Trieste during spring. Linz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Linz usually receives less rain than Trieste. Linz gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Linz