Udine a city of Venetian charm and no crowds, is the authentic soul of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.

Authentic rather than staged 

Udine is one of those Italian destinations that rewards travellers who are willing to look beyond the great art cities. The elegant capital of Friuli-Venezia Giulia combines Venetian architecture, outstanding eighteenth-century art and a deeply rooted Friulian identity, yet it receives surprisingly little international tourism. The result is a city that feels authentic rather than staged, that is lively enough to enjoy but relaxed enough to explore without the crowds found in Venice, Florence or Verona.

A tradition says Attila the Hun created Udine's hill

According to local tradition Attila the Hun created the hill on which the castle stands. The story says that his soldiers piled up earth using their helmets and shields so that Attila could watch the destruction of nearby Aquileia from a commanding height. The hill is actually natural, but the legend has become part of Udine’s identity. 

Spectacular frescoes by Tiepolo

The best place to begin is Piazza della Libertà, often described as one of Italy's finest Venetian-style squares. Its star attraction is the Loggia del Lionello, an elegant 15th-century Gothic building with a distinctive white-and-pink stone façade. Opposite stand the Loggia and Chapel of San Giovanni and the Torre dell’Orologio bell tower, creating a remarkably Venetian scene beneath the hill with Udine’s castle.  From the square, walk through the Porticato del Lippomano and climb to Udine Castle, which houses the city’s civic museums and an impressive collection of art, including works by Carpaccio, Caravaggio and Tiepolo. But Udine’s greatest artistic treasure is arguably its connection with Giambattista Tiepolo. The Venetian master produced some of his most spectacular frescoes here, particularly in the Archbishop’s Palace and the Duomo area. Explore the narrow medieval streets and head to Piazza Matteotti with its arcades, cafés and historic buildings, with Udine’s network of picturesque "rogge," or small urban waterways, adding another unexpected feature to its historic centre. 

Local delicacies and great wines

Food is another compelling reason to visit. Try "frico," made with Montasio cheese and potatoes; San Daniele cured ham, produced only a short distance away; and "cjarsons" delicate filled pasta. For dessert, look for "gubana," a spiral-shaped cake filled with nuts, dried fruit and spices. Pair the meal with a local Friulano, Ribolla Gialla or Schioppettino, ideally in a traditional osteria. Friuli is one of Italy’s great wine regions, and Udine has a particularly strong culture of informal wine bars and osterias.

UNESCO Aquileia is less than an hour away

Udine is also exceptionally easy to reach. There are main rail connections between Venice and Trieste, and the nearest airport is Trieste Airport (Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport) which is some 40 kilometres away. The nearest major city is Trieste, around an hour away by road or train and also has an airport while Venice is farther but still easily accessible for a day trip. For history beyond the city, the nearest UNESCO World Heritage Site is Aquileia, less than an hour south of Udine. Once one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, Aquileia is famous for its extraordinary archaeological remains and 4-century Christian mosaics. It makes an excellent excursion from Udine and adds a completely different layer of history to the trip.