Discovering Friuli Venezia Giulia on board the Heritage Trains

There are journeys where the route itself becomes part of the experience: this is the philosophy behind the Heritage Trains of Friuli Venezia Giulia, a project promoted by the Region together with FS Treni Turistici Italiani that invites visitors to rediscover the area at a different pace, travelling through landscapes, villages and art cities on board authentic vintage carriages.

Already well received in recent years, for 2026 the initiative has put together a calendar of 38 dates that will take travellers through the many different atmospheres of Friuli Venezia Giulia, season after season.

A journey back in time on board the Centoporte carriages

Stepping onto one of the Heritage Trains of Friuli Venezia Giulia means taking a step back in time. The elegant Centoporte carriages, built between the 1930s and 1950s and carefully restored, retain all the charm and atmosphere of the golden age of rail travel. The 2026 programme also includes a number of departures hauled by steam locomotive, for those who want to experience the journey in its most evocative form.
The landscape drifts slowly past the window, leaving time to take in the countryside, mountains, vineyards and villages that speak to the variety of the Friuli Venezia Giulia territory. More than a simple means of transport, the Heritage Train becomes the guiding thread of a day dedicated to exploring the rich heritage of the Region.

Heritage Trains of Friuli Venezia Giulia: the themed itineraries that tell the story of the Region

The 2026 Heritage Trains calendar, available at this link, offers a range of itineraries spanning sea, mountains and art cities, many of them departing from Trieste. Each journey is built around a theme: the UNESCO Cities Train leads to the discovery of Aquileia, Palmanova and Cividale del Friuli, the Border Train retraces the symbolic places of the Italian-Slovenian border between Gorizia, Redipuglia and Gradisca d’Isonzo, while itineraries such as the Garden Train, the Orchid Train and the Train through Abbeys, vineyards and hills invite visitors to explore a less familiar, more naturalistic side of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
There is also room for journeys tied to cultural events, such as Pordenonelegge and the Christmas markets, as well as food and wine routes and trails of memory. The Earthquake Memorial Train, in particular, takes on a special significance this year, marking the fiftieth anniversary of the 1976 earthquake.
Every itinerary is enriched by guided tours, tastings and other initiatives organised in collaboration with local communities, turning the journey into a complete experience of discovery.

Departing from Trieste to explore Friuli Venezia Giulia

For guests staying in Trieste, the Heritage Trains departing from the city are an excellent opportunity to organise a day trip and get to know Friuli Venezia Giulia from a different perspective, combining the charm of rail travel with visits to some of the Region’s most interesting destinations.
For more information on dates, itineraries and how to book, visit the Fondazione FS Italiane website, or ask at the DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste reception.