A Traveler’s Guide to Udine: What to Do, Eat, and Experience in Friuli’s Underrated Gem • Anthony in Italy

Quick answer: Udine is a relaxed, clean, and compact city in northern Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. I went simply because it looked interesting—and it didn’t disappoint. Expect regional food you won’t find anywhere else in Italy, mellow vibes, and easy day trips. Two nights is all you need, but 3 gives you space to go slower and maybe take a day trip to Slovenia.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. I will only recommend products and services that I would [or currently use] myself.

Key Takeaways

Top activity: Walk up to the castle and just explore.
Food to try: Cjarsons, frico, polenta, and San Daniele prosciutto with kren.
Where to stay: Central Udine is flat and walkable—good options at every budget.
Getting there: Easy regional train from Venice, Trieste, or Treviso.
Day trip: Slovenia is an hour and a half away by train or car.

Why Udine?

On what I think was my sixth trip to Venice, I decided to take a detour and finally see Udine. I live in central Italy (Umbria) now, and I’d never been—so I went purely out of curiosity. No guidebook hype, no influencer reels. Just a place that looked interesting on the map.

What I found was a clean, mostly flat city with a chill pace and beautiful architecture. It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply local—and the food scene is wild. If you care about regional cuisine, Udine is worth your time.

What to Do in Udine

1. Walk Up to the Castle

The old castle on the hill gives you panoramic views of the city and the Alps beyond. There’s a small museum inside, but honestly, the walk itself—under shady porticos and cobbled paths—is the main event.

Two views from the hill around Udine Castle: a cobblestone path leading past a brick archway and bell tower, and a shaded walkway beside the long portico overlooking the city. — *Two views from the hill around Udine Castle—cobbled walkways, shady trees, and that signature gold angel atop the bell tower.*

2. Explore the Historic Center

Check out Piazza Libertà (with its Venetian-style loggia) and Piazza San Giacomo (lined with pastel buildings and cafés). The whole historic center is super walkable.

Collage of Udine’s historic squares, featuring colorful buildings and cafés in Piazza San Giacomo, the Loggia del Lionello and Torre dell’Orologio in Piazza Libertà, and a lively street lined with pastel façades and outdoor tables. — *Udine’s main piazzas: pastel facades, loggias, cafés, and just enough bustle.*

3. Just Wander

Udine is one of those towns where wandering pays off. From tree-lined canals to side streets filled with bars and artisan shops, it’s made for slow travel.

Collage showing colorful historic houses along Via Grazzano and a quiet canal lined with trees and pastel buildings in central Udine. — *From colorful façades on Via Grazzano to tree-lined canals, Udine’s side streets reward aimless wandering.*

4. Sights Worth Seeing

Piazza della Libertà

This is the historical heart of Udine—and one of the prettiest Venetian-style squares I’ve seen outside Venice. You’ll find the white-and-pink striped Loggia del Lionello, the Torre dell’Orologio (clock tower with bronze bell-strikers), and a great café scene for people-watching.

🟡 Come early, grab a coffee nearby, and then head uphill to the castle.

Castello di Udine + Civic Museums

The climb is worth it. Great views, a long shady portico, and a few museums. I’m not much of a museum guy, but the Civic Museum may be of interest to you. Note most of the signage in the museum is in Italian.

🟡 Give yourself 90 minutes to 2 hours if you’re going to the museums. There’s also an elevator here if you need it to get up to the castle level.

Panoramic view of Udine with red-tiled roofs, modern buildings, and the Julian Alps in the background on a clear day — *Panoramic view of Udine from the castle hill—red roofs, modern blocks, and the Julian Alps on the horizon.*

🎒 Planning a trip to Italy? Download my free Italy Trip Checklist
— everything you need before you go.

Duomo + Oratorio della Purità

The Cattedrale di Udine has a Baroque interior with local art, and next door, the Oratorio della Purità is small, beautiful, and totally worth a peek.

🟡 Pair this with a coffee break in nearby Piazza San Giacomo.

Piazza San Giacomo (aka Piazza Matteotti)

Colorful buildings, locals chatting over spritz, and a laid-back vibe. It’s where I kept returning.

🟡 Ideal for late afternoon snacks or a decompress after sightseeing.

Casa Cavazzini – Modern Art Museum

If you’re into 20th- and 21st-century art, this one’s for you. A good contrast to the classical works in the castle.

🟡 Great for rainy days or quiet afternoons.

Green Spaces

Grab a bench in Parco del Castello, or head out to Parco Botanico Friulano ‘Cormor’ for more greenery if you’ve got extra time.

🟡 Wear decent shoes. The castle hill and cobblestones will sneak up on you.

Where to Eat (And What to Order)

Osteria Alla Ghiacciaia

Canal-side seating, €1.50 house wine, and some of the best local food I had. Order the Cjarsons (stuffed pasta with sweet-savory filling, usually served with brown butter), Frico e polenta, and prosciutto cotto con kren (boiled ham with horseradish). This was my highlight meal of the trip, not just for the food but also for the atmosphere.
📍 Google Maps

Collage of Cjarsons pasta topped with ricotta and brown butter, paired with a nighttime view of La Ghiacciaia’s canal-side outdoor seating decorated with flowers. — *Cjarsons pasta at Osteria Alla Ghiacciaia, topped with grated ricotta and swimming in butter—unexpectedly sweet and savory*

Friulian food collage featuring prosciutto topped with grated kren and a plate of soft polenta served with crispy frico cheese. — *Boiled prosciutto topped with horseradish (kren) and a plate of soft polenta with crispy frico—the full Friulian comfort food lineup.*

Osteria Pierimortadele

Lively, loud, and fun. Big communal tables. Get the local mortadella—sliced thick and rich—and a board of salumi.
📍 Google Maps

Tagliato col Coltello

Friulian food with a cool, old-school feel. Small, so go early.
📍 Google Maps

Caffè Beltrame

Great for pastries and espresso in the morning.
📍 Google Maps

Trinity Pub

Craft beer in Udine? Yep, and it’s good.
📍 Google Maps

The Black Stuff

If you’re looking for an Irish pub with basic pub food and TVs to watch a game, this is the spot.📍 Google Maps

OGGI Gelato

Yes, it’s a chain. Still: €2 cones of dark chocolate gelato? Sold.
📍 Google Maps

🏨Book your stay in Udine Here

Restaurants I Didn’t Get to — But You Should Consider

I didn’t make it to these spots, but they came highly recommended:

🟢 Osteria Al Vecchio Stallo – Classic Friulian dishes in a cozy, old-school trattoria setting. Expect hearty portions, rustic décor, and lots of character. Locals love it for its authenticity. Bonus: a short stroll from the center. 📍 Google Maps

🟢 Osteria La Ciacarade – Tucked away in central Udine with a homey feel and a strong local following. Reviewers mention excellent traditional plates (the cockerel is a standout) and a hidden garden out back for warm evenings. 📍 Google Maps

🟢 Frasca Pozzar – A tiny, welcoming wine bar–osteria hybrid with handwritten menus and a cold case full of meats, cheeses, and rustic plates. Locals love the value — dishes under €10 — and the traditional setup. Great for lunch or a glass of wine and snacks. 📍 Google Maps

What to Eat: Friulian Dishes to Know

Cjarsons (or Cjalsons)

Stuffed pasta from the Carnia mountains, north of Udine. The filling is a wild mix: ricotta, herbs, chocolate, cinnamon, spices. Sounds weird—but it works. Usually served with brown butter and smoked ricotta.

Frico

Friuli’s comfort food. Montasio cheese and potatoes, either soft and gooey (frico morbido) or crisp like a cheese pancake (frico croccante). I had the soft one.

Prosciutto di San Daniele

Most Americans only know Parma. But San Daniele, made just outside Udine, is sweeter, silkier, and melt-in-your-mouth. Even the leg has a different shape—sort of like a guitar.

Trio of Udine crostini topped with cherry tomatoes and cheese, creamy stracciatella with anchovies and olives, and folds of prosciutto. — *Trio of local crostini: cherry tomato and cheese, stracciatella with anchovy and olives, and silky prosciutto.*

Polenta

A northern Italian staple, often paired with frico, sausage, or melted cheese. You’ll see it on plenty of menus.

Kren

Fresh grated horseradish, usually served with boiled meats. A sharp, fiery nod to Friuli’s Austro-Hungarian past.

Where to Stay in Udine

Budget ($)

Sleep in Udine – Clean, central, affordable.
📍 Book here

Midrange ($$)

Ambassador Palace Hotel – Traditional comfort, nice rooms.
📍 Book here

Splurge ($$$)

Mercatovecchio Luxury Suites – Modern, stylish, and right in the center.
📍 Book here

How to Get to Udine

Udine is easy to reach by train. Regional trains run from:

Venice (2 hours)
Treviso (90 minutes)
Trieste (1 hour)

Closest airports:

Trieste (TRS) for European flights
Venice Marco Polo (VCE) for international arrivals

Day Trip Idea: Prosciutto Crudo Tour

Want to nerd out on prosciutto? This visit to a San Daniele ham producer hits the spot. You’ll see the whole process—salting, aging, slicing—then sit down for lunch with local wine.

🟡 Book it via GetYourGuide

Final Thoughts

Udine won’t overwhelm you—and that’s the point. It’s a slow-travel city that lets you breathe. Compact, mellow, and full of food that tells you where you are. Three nights is plenty, but you could stay longer and not get bored.

What I’ve Learned Visiting Udine

Some of the best places I’ve visited in Italy were the ones I knew nothing about. Udine fits that perfectly. No pressure to check boxes—just walk, eat, and see what you find.

Written by Anthony Calvanese — an American living in Umbria since 2022 who’s visited all 20 Italian regions.

👉 Planning your own trip? Grab my free Italy Trip Checklist here.

Is Udine worth visiting?

Yes — especially if you like slower-paced, walkable cities with great food and no crowds. You don’t need a full weekend, but it’s a lovely half- or full-day stop, particularly if you’re already in Venice, Trieste, or the Friuli region.

Is Udine different from Venice or Trieste?

Very. Udine has Venetian roots but feels quieter and less grand. Trieste is Austro-Hungarian in flavor. They’re close geographically, but the atmosphere and architecture shift dramatically.

How much time do I need in Udine?

Two nights is perfect to soak it in without rushing. A third night gives you breathing room — or the chance to hop over to Slovenia for a day trip.

Is Udine good for solo travelers?

Very. It’s walkable, affordable, and low-key — ideal for wandering and slowing down. You won’t feel overwhelmed, even if you’re traveling alone.

What’s the local food like in Udine?

Rustic, mountain-meets-Venetian dishes like frico, cjarsons, prosciutto di San Daniele, and lots of polenta. Simple, regional, and delicious.

What are good day trips from Udine?

Consider Cividale del Friuli or Aquileia for history and ruins. Or go international — Austria and Slovenia are right there.