Take a walk through the historic city of Udine and every street of the preserved medieval city will lead you to another fascinating site. Stumble upon picturesque town squares and towering churches. Take a seat at a café to absorb the atmosphere of this unique city and try its delicacies.
Close to Austria and Venice, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, Udine’s position has brought it under many different influences. In the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Udine holds a special place as a city of cultural events and gastronomic delights. Taste local wines, cheese and distinctive San Daniele prosciutto during your stay. There are many traditional restaurants in the city centre and the region surrounding the city features a number of prominent wineries to visit.
Climb the steps of the Castello di Udine, which houses museums containing archeology and art of the region, including a magnificent work by Caravaggio. From the castello enjoy a stunning view of the Alps that rise behind the planes of Friuli and Udine’s skyline. Visit the Santa Maria di Castello church just next door to admire its stunning frescoes.
Emerge from Udine’s narrow streets on to the enormous and breathtaking Venetian-style Piazza della Liberta. The square has a multitude of iconic attractions to see, including the Bollani Arch and its imposing lion statue, the pale pink Palazzo del Comune (also known as Loggia del Lionello) and the Renaissance-era Loggia di San Giovanni chapel.
Inside Udine’s 13th-century cathedral find revered treasures, statues and frescoes. While in the area, visit the nearby Chiesa di San Francesco, a venue for art exhibitions and cultural events, and the Oratorio della Purità, which features a stunning ceiling painting of the Assumption.
Head to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to see more recent masterpieces. Discover modern Italian and American works, rediscovered 14th-century frescoes and a preserved rationalist apartment interior from the 1930s.
Udine is the capital of the Province of Udine. Arrive by train or car, or via the nearby Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) away in Trieste. Most of the city is quite flat and perfect to navigate on foot.