Aquileia and Grado day trip from Udine or Trieste
A day trip to Aquileia and Grado from Udine or Trieste: the Basilica with its vast early Christian floor mosaics and crypts, the Roman Forum and the river port along the Via Sacra, and the National Archaeological Museum, then the lagoon town of Grado, with its old centre around Campo dei Patriarchi, the Basilica of Sant'Eufemia and an evening walk on the Diga seafront. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 1 days
Aquileia and Grado in 1 day
Day 1
Basilica of Aquileia (mosaics and crypts)
Romanesque basilica over one of the largest early Christian mosaic floors anywhere, with frescoed crypts and a tall bell tower.
Roman Forum of Aquileia
The paved square and re-erected columns of the Roman city's forum, beside the road through modern Aquileia.
Roman river port of Aquileia (Via Sacra)
Remains of the Roman river port's quays and warehouses, reached along the tree-lined Via Sacra path behind the Basilica.
National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia
One of Italy's main museums of Roman finds, with portraits, mosaics, amber, glass and gems from the ancient city.
Historic centre of Grado (Campo dei Patriarchi)
Grado's old town of narrow calli and small squares, between the lagoon harbour and the long beach promenade.
Basilica of Sant'Eufemia, Grado
Sixth-century basilica, once a cathedral, with a mosaic floor, an ambo and a bell tower topped by an angel.
Diga Nazario Sauro
Grado's seafront promenade on the old sea wall, a flat stroll over the Adriatic at the end of the day, lovely at sunset.
Getting there
From Udine Aquileia is about 40 minutes by car, or by bus; from Trieste it is about 50 minutes by car, or by train to Cervignano-Aquileia-Grado station and then a local bus. Grado is about 15 minutes further south by car or bus, across the causeway over the lagoon.
Staying in Udine or Trieste? This day fits into those city plans, and in the Trip Builder it is one click under each of them.
When to go to Aquileia and Grado
May, June and September are the best months, warm enough for Grado's beach and quieter than August, when the resort fills with holidaymakers. Winter is cold and can be windy with the bora, though the Basilica and museum are calm then. Spring and autumn suit the open-air Roman sites best.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Aquileia and Grado on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Aquileia and Grado on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Aquileia and Grado on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Aquileia and Grado
- Beyond the mosaic floor of the nave, the Basilica's two crypts, the bell tower and the excavations have their own tickets, often combined; allow time for all of them.
- The National Archaeological Museum is closed on Mondays; plan a Monday visit around the Basilica and the open-air Roman sites instead.
- Aquileia's Roman remains are spread along the main road and the Via Sacra path, flat and easy to walk; bring sun protection in summer, as there is little shade.
- Grado's old town is small and walkable, with the lagoon on one side and the seafront Diga on the other; end with the walk along the sea and stay for a fish dinner before heading back.
- Buses link Aquileia and Grado through the day, but a car makes the two towns and the lagoon views much easier to combine.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Basilica of Aquileia (mosaics and crypts): Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Basilica of Sant'Eufemia, Grado: Velvet, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Historic centre of Grado (Campo dei Patriarchi): Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
- National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia: Rino Porrovecchio, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Roman Forum of Aquileia: David Orban, CC BY 2.0
- Roman river port of Aquileia (Via Sacra): Arkadian80, CC BY-SA 4.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
