Trieste has a mild but sometimes fierce climate. The bora — a cold, dry north-easterly wind that funnels down from the Carso — can arrive without warning at any time of year and reaches speeds that make walking difficult. Ropes are sometimes strung along exposed streets during the worst episodes. It is part of the city's character rather than a reason to avoid it.
Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times to visit. July and August are warm and busy with Italian domestic tourists, but the city never feels overwhelmed. Winter is quiet, atmospheric, and cold — the coffee houses come into their own.