Udine is best discovered on foot, thanks to a historic centre that is entirely pedestrianised or restricted to traffic. Distances are short, the main sights can be reached in just a few minutes, and you will only need a car for day trips out of town. The best time to follow this itinerary runs from April to October, when the weather invites you to linger at outdoor tables, though the city is equally welcoming during the autumn months and early winter chills, thanks to its Tiepolo collections and hearty local cuisine.
Staying right in the centre, perhaps at a hotel such as the Astoria Hotel Italia in Piazza 20 Settembre or the nearby B&B Hotel Udine, allows you to get around comfortably on foot between stops without having to worry about traffic or parking.
How to plan your days in Udine
Day 1 — From the historic centre to the Castello
Morning
Your weekend begins by exploring the historic centre on foot. Start along Via Mercatovecchio e Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, a pedestrian thoroughfare lined with frescoed façades. From here, you will soon reach Piazza della Libertà e Loggia del Lionello, considered the finest Venetian-style mainland square and ideal to visit in the morning light. Next, head up the hill to visit the Castello di Udine e Musei Civici, which towers over the city and offers sweeping views across the Alpi Giulie. A visit takes around one to two hours; to skip the cobbled uphill walk, take the lift accessed from Vicolo Sottomonte. For lunch, stop at Osteria Al Vecchio Stallo on Via Viola to sample frico with potatoes and salame cooked in vinegar.
Afternoon
After lunch, continue to Via Cavour for Casa Cavazzini - Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. Restored by Gae Aulenti, the palazzo houses a 20th-century collection alongside 14th-century frescoes. Allow around an hour and a half to tour the galleries. On leaving the museum, Giardini Ricasoli e Roggia di Udine are just a short walk away between Borgo Aquileia and Riva Bartolini: this public park is skirted by the canal of the roggia and offers a peaceful stroll among ancient trees and sculptures.
Evening
Late afternoon is the ideal time to head to Piazza Giacomo Matteotti (Piazza San Giacomo), ringed by porticoed palazzi. Between 18:00 and 20:00, locals gather for the ritual of the tajùt, a glass of regional wine paired with crostini. For dinner, make your way to Via di Prampero Artico to Hostaria Alla Tavernetta, serving classic and reimagined Friulian cuisine along the path of the town's canals; booking is recommended for evening tables.
Day 2 — Tiepolo frescoes and nature
Morning
Your second day focuses on the museums in the eastern quarter. Begin in Piazza Patriarcato to visit the Museo Diocesano e Gallerie del Tiepolo, set inside the Palazzo Arcivescovile, which preserves celebrated 18th-century frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo. The visit takes about an hour and a half. Directly opposite across the street stands the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata (Duomo di Udine), a 14th-century cathedral featuring works by Tiepolo in the Cappella del Sacramento. Alongside sits the Oratorio della Purità, housed in a former theatre, which is free to enter during opening hours. For lunch, head down Via Aquileia to Ai Vecchi Parrocchiani, a traditional trattoria serving handmade crespelle and frico with Montasio cheese.
Afternoon
Heading out towards the north-western outskirts, along Viale Parco, the afternoon is perfect for an excursion to Parco del Cormôr e sentiero Ippovia. This broad natural oasis marks the start of the hiking and cycling trail along the Cormôr stream, providing an easy, open-air walk that comfortably fills half a day.
Evening
Back in the historic centre, spend your evening exploring the ancient streets. Osteria Alla Ghiacciaia on Via Antonio Zanon is well worth a stop, overlooking the water of the canal and serving platters of local cured meats and cheeses with a view. Alternatively, on Via Paolo Sarpi, you will find the historic Osteria Al Cappello, renowned for hundreds of hats hanging from the beams and warm crostini accompanied by glasses of Friulano.
Top tips for your trip
- An approximate budget per person for two days, excluding accommodation, is around €70-110 for meals in traditional osterie, coffees, and museum admissions.
- If you are arriving by car, use the underground paid car park in Piazza Primo Maggio, located just steps from the pedestrian zone at the foot of the hill leading to the Castello.
- To reach the Castello without walking up the cobbled slope, take the handy scenic lift accessible from Vicolo Sottomonte, directly beneath the cliff.
- Set aside some time between 18:00 and 20:00 for the ritual of the tajùt: during these hours, the historic osterie around Via Sarpi and Piazza Matteotti come alive, pouring regional wines served alongside crostini and meatballs.
Where to stay in the centre
Historic 4-star hotel in the heart of the centre in Piazza 20 Settembre, just a few steps from Casa Cavazzini.
View on Booking →3-star property on Via Duino, right next to Piazza Primo Maggio and the climb up to the Castello.
View on Booking →Characterful guesthouse set in the pedestrian heart of Udine, located above the historic osteria of the same name.
View on Booking →