Discover the Friuli Alps, in the northeast of Italy

In the extreme north-east of the Po Valley, wedged between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, there is a region with a compound name: Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The mountainous part is Friuli, whose capital is the medieval city of Udine, which is not without its charm.

Friuli is one of the Italian regions with a special status. Particularly on the question of the language which is recognized as official. And a people whose language is official is a living people whose traditions are not folklore but history. To the north Austria and the Germanic world, to the east Slovenia and the Slavic world, Friuli is a borderland. An Italian who would like to go to the mountains will always have a closer alpine destination: Piemonte, Lombardy, Trentino, Veneto… An Austrian has many options.

Friuli, like neighboring Slovenia, attracts mainly locals or tourists from neighboring regions. It is a region that has therefore resisted the massification of tourism. Here we find remote villages, isolated valleys, omnipresent nature, harsh living conditions. If it were not for the warmth and hospitality of the inhabitants, this wild region would remain almost unexplored. And yet, there are beauties.

Let’s explore Friuli, in the Italian Alps.

When from the plain of Udine you begin to see the foothills of the Carnic and Julian Alps, you are impressed by the imposing wall that rises up before you. It almost looks like a wall, and following the natural access routes along the Tagliamento River, the scene of violent clashes during the First World War, you end up entering this mountainous land called Carnia.

Sappada, a very touristy but very authentic village

To the west, towards the Cadoreen Veneto, the village resort of Sappada, isolated in its forest, and covered in snow for many months of the year seems frozen in time. The charm of an authentic village offering modern and efficient services! Here, the world of the Dolomites begins. These majestic and magical mountains that take on glowing red colors at sunset and which, according to local legends, are home to a host of supernatural beings.

Less known and less visited than the valleys of Veneto, Trentino and South Tyrol, the valleys of western Friuli are very wild and authentic.

In winter, the ski resorts of Ravascletto-Zoncolan, Sappada, Forni di Sopra and Piancavallo welcome fans of alpine and Nordic skiing.

Tarvisio, a tourist center at the crossroads of three countries

To the east, the village of Tarvisio, border between Italy, Austria and Slovenia, offers you a sublime viewpoint from the sanctuary at the top of Monte Lussari, accessible by cable car. The Sella Nevea ski resort, connected to the Slovenian Canin/Knin, very snowy gives you a good reason to pass by here in winter.

In summer, however, you will marvel at the landscape of Valbruna or the Predil lakes. The meadows are intensely green and the forests are particularly thick. Here, the mountains are a matter of traditions, agricultural life and silence, far from the noise of the Alpine tourist resorts in other regions.

Friuli, a true alpine destination

Friuli has a strong identity whose living language is widely spoken by the local populations. Here, regionalism is not confused with folklore for tourists.

When you come to visit Friuli, you cannot ignore the cities of art. Udine and its medieval center, Trieste on the seafront, with its architecture that brings it closer to Vienna than to Venice, which is much closer, Aquileia and its Roman ruins.

From Miramare Castle, north of Trieste, you can see the Julian Alps covered in snow in winter. A landscape reminiscent of Antibes on the French Riviera.

As in the Alpes Maritimes in France, here you go from the mountains to the sea in a very short time, which makes a holiday in Friuli very varied and very complete.

Place of passage towards the Sloveniaand Austria or a real mountain destination? As you cross this region your answer seems obvious to you! See you soon in the Friuli region.

Activities not to be missed in Friuli

Take the cable car up to Monte Santo of Lussari. Spiritual break and beautiful landscapes on the menu.
Walking along the banks of the Fusine Lakes
Strolling along the edge of the Lake of Predil
Discover the very bucolic Valbruna
Succeed in the challenge of climbing to the top of the Climb Zoncolan by bike, one of the most difficult finishes of the Giro d'Italia.
Plan a cultural day with visits to Udine and Trieste with a break at Miramare Castle

Discovering Friuli on video

The best webcams in Friuli

(click on the name of the village)

Tarvisio Monte Lussari : the view of the Julian Alps
Sella Nevea: the Julian Alps on the border between Italy and Slovenia.
Sopra-Varmost ovens: to discover the landscapes of Carnia.
tolmezzo: the great valleys of Friuli.
Forni di Sopra: the valley and the village
Tarvisio Monte Lussari: Spectacular view of the sanctuary at the top of Monte Lussari in front of the Julian Alps.
pramollo: an idea of the Eastern Alps.