Gorizia

Travel Guide

The surprise was the Sala della Musica (Music Room), a veritable treasure trove of historic musical instruments from woodwind to stringed going back to the 10th century.  It was fascinating, not least of all to view a forerunner of the bagpipes that the Irish and Scots have claimed for decades.  Their piece de resistance however, is a bone flute, claimed to be the oldest musical instrument in the world.  They have a local musical group that plays, it must be something special, but we will never get to hear them.
The surprise was the Sala della Musica (Music Room), a veritable treasure trove of historic musical instruments from woodwind to stringed going back to the 10th century.  It was fascinating, not least of all to view a forerunner of the bagpipes that the Irish and Scots have claimed for decades.  Their piece de resistance however, is a bone flute, claimed to be the oldest musical instrument in the world.  They have a local musical group that plays, it must be something special, but we will never get to hear them.
                                                        A MUSICAL CASTLE     
We’d checked the distance and the castle seemed achievable from our hotel.  Well, Lorraine thought she could walk it, though I had my doubts if she’d survive the climb.  Along the flats in the middle of town it was easy but then there came the hill and a statue of Carlo Michelstaedter, a radical Italian philosopher of Jewish extraction whose one and only work was conceived as an undergraduate thesis, but he never saw it in print because he committed suicide in 1910, aged 23. 
We troll past a shop with exotic foodstuffs and can’t help but notice some bottled Buderim ginger featured in the window.  Just below it was another sign on some wrapped lollies “senza zucchero zenzero AUSTRALIA”, which meant I could buy my sugar free dried ginger right here.  It’s a small world.
It was slow and overly warm getting up from there but we took it easy and Castello di Gorizia came into view.  Dating back to the 11th century it’s clearly the highest point for miles around.
The chapel-sized Church of Santo Spirito seems like a ticket office on the way to the main attraction.  In a park on the opposite side of the road there’s a bust of Gabrielle D’Annunzio, a famous and prolific Italian writer and WWI hero who was hugely influential in the Fascist movement, inspiring Mussolini.  He was noted for self-promotion.
From the 11th century Gorizia was an independent county until Austria took over in 1500 and it became a major cultural centre.  It was only after the fallout from WWI, when it suffered badly, that it came to be in Italian hands.  This once castle-of-the-counts has now been done up as a tourist attraction but it holds a surprise, at least for those of us who hadn’t done their homework properly.
The solid walls are much covered in plant life these days and the parapets are quite impressive from below and when you enter through the gateways the cobblestone walkways add an air of authenticity as you climb their steep angle.  Only the base is original though.  It went through many rebuilds from the 13th to 16th century and was bombed during WWI before being restored for the final time.  The restoration is evident in the variance of the colours in the stonework.
Best Western Gorizia Palace Hotel

Best Western Gorizia Palace Hotel

4 out of 5
Corso Italia 63 Gorizia GO
The price is AED 327 per night from Jan 25 to Jan 26
AED 327
AED 359 total
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gorizia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Castle of Gorizia and Casino ...
9/10 Wonderful! (285 reviews)
Great staff and convenient location to see everything!

Reviewed on 3 October 2025

Best Western Gorizia Palace Hotel
Urban Homy Gorizia

Urban Homy Gorizia

Via Paolo Diacono, 4 Gorizia GO
The price is AED 258 per night from Jan 27 to Jan 28
AED 258
AED 284 total
27 Jan - 28 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in Gorizia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Castle of Gorizia and Casino Fortuna are ...
8/10 Very Good! (96 reviews)
There is no onsite reception, just a ridiculously complicated online check-in which should remotely open the door. But I couldn't get through the garden gate even. Finally an old lady showed up who did not speak English and I don't speak Italian so we stood around for a good 25 mins before the room ...

Reviewed on 18 September 2025

Urban Homy Gorizia
Hotel Là di Moret

Hotel Là di Moret

Via Tricesimo 276 Udine UD
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Udine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Refoscollection - The Garden of Refosco and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (429 reviews)
Totally accessible hotel. Plus it is chic and convenient. Rooms were great and fully equipped. We had dinner there and it was amazing. Cocktails come with snacks -delicious. Best of all the hotel has a small friendly and well behaved dog! I didn’t use the pool but it looked nice. Apparently “footballers” ...

Reviewed on 21 September 2025

Hotel Là di Moret
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Villaggio Residence Punta Spin

Villaggio Residence Punta Spin

4 out of 5
Via Monfalcone,10 Grado GO
Book a stay at this family-friendly campground in Grado. Enjoy 2 coffee shops/cafes, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Grado ...
8/10 Very Good! (66 reviews)
It was a great experience! Everyone was extremely friendly and went above and beyond for us. We rented bikes to get around and that was great! I only wish we came in nicer weather so we could take advantage of all the services offered!

Reviewed on 20 July 2025

Villaggio Residence Punta Spin
Camping Village Mare Pineta Baia Sistiana

Camping Village Mare Pineta Baia Sistiana

4 out of 5
Sistiana 60/D Duino-Aurisina TS
Book a stay at this family-friendly campground in Duino-Aurisina. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Baia di Sistiana ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (30 reviews)
Basic camp site
Stay was better after upgrade to larger caravan. Normal type camping/ caravan style village, staff was good and helpful, but some facilities not available like outdoor pool, location ok but transport needed for shops, bar and restaurant expensive with limited menu and a per person table charge of ...

Reviewed on 25 May 2022

Camping Village Mare Pineta Baia Sistiana
In the historic center of Monfalcone, apartment with 4 beds...

In the historic center of Monfalcone, apartment with 4 beds...

Monfalcone Gorizia
Stay at this apartment in Monfalcone. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Fortress of Monfalcone and MuCa - Shipbuilding Museum ...
In the historic center of Monfalcone, apartment with 4 beds...
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit