Costa dei Barbari

The Barbary Coast in slovenian Botanyis a wild, approximately one-kilometre-long stretch of Karst coastline, in the Municipality of Duino Aurisina/Devin Nabrežina, nestled between PortoPiccolo/Sistiana at one end and the Residence Europa (Marina di Aurisina) at the other — about 17 km from Trieste. It has no beach resorts, is accessible only on foot via paths, with a final steep descent towards the sea between white cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation.

It forms part of the same coastal stretch as Duino Cliffs Regional Nature Reserve See the dedicated page Duino and the Rilke Path (for the other end of the reserve, towards the northwest): the Barbary Coast is its southeastern edge, the closest to PortoPiccolo.

What to see and why it's special

A coastline without beach resorts. Unlike Sistiana Bay (serviced beach, see dedicated page PortoPiccolo and Sistiana Bay), the Barbary Coast is entirely free: no sun loungers for hire, no beach bars. Light-coloured pebbles, water that goes from turquoise to deep blue, hidden coves separated by rocky outcrops, an open view of the Gulf of Trieste/Tržaški zaliv. Nearby, but outside the stretch covered by the race, there are other informal coves of the same wild coast – a system of inlets that the people of Trieste have frequented for generations.

A beloved and well-known coastline. The stretch of “Spiaggia e Costa dei Barbari a Sistiana” has been nominated for the FAI's (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) “Luoghi del Cuore” (Places of the Heart) initiative in several consecutive editions of the campaign (2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022) – an indication of how much the local community cares about this stretch of coastline. The origin of the name of the stretch remains uncertain.

A story older than the cliffs themselves. In Roman times, blocks of white stone quarried from Aurisina were loaded onto ships from this very stretch of coast, destined primarily for Aquileia – the same stone that centuries later would clad Miramare Castle and the palaces of Vienna (for the complete history of the quarries, see the dedicated page) Santa Croce and AurisinaThe Barbary Coast, in short, was for centuries the embarkation point for that stone, even before it became a beach.

Cliffs to climb. The stretch of coastline between Sistiana and Duino is also one of the best-known sport-climbing destinations in the Trieste area, with several bolted crags overlooking the sea (the “Costiera”/Sistiana area) — yet another reason to visit outside the competition weekend, for those seeking similar views from a different perspective.

How to get there

By car. Parking is available in the centre of Sistiana (subject to a charge during the summer season) or, for more direct access, at the Castelreggio Restaurant (Sistiana Mare), from where a path leads down to the sea. It is about 1.5 km’s walk from here to the shoreline, with the final stretch being a steep descent: please wear suitable footwear, not beach shoes.

On foot from PortoPiccolo/Bora Village. It is the same access route that the competitors in the upcoming La Corsa della Bora use: from Bora Village, one goes up towards Sistiana and from there descends to Costa dei Barbari — the same final stretch of the S1 Borin, passable in reverse by non-runners, without a race number.

Public transport. There is no direct route to the beach: the nearest stop is Sistiana/Baia di Sistiana (regional bus, Trieste Trasporti urban bus route E51, and the seasonal route 70 from June to September — see the page PortoPiccolo and Sistiana Bay (for timetable details), from which you proceed on foot.

By sea. Some coves along this stretch of coastline are also accessible by kayak or boat, an alternative for those who want to see the cliffs from the water without undertaking the descent on foot.

The Barbary Coast in La Corsa della Bora

The Barbary Coast (Botanjek) is the last stretch of wilderness before returning to Bora Village, featured in 5 out of 7 races:

Two ways to get there, in the same race. La S1 Borin This is the only route that reaches the Costa dei Barbari directly from Sistiana, with a short and direct path. The four longer races (S1 Borderless Trail, S1 TransKarst Ultra, S1 Trieste Ultra, S1 Bora Ultra) arrive instead from another direction, after crossing the Karst — and, for Borderless, TransKarst and Bora Ultra, a section of Slovenia: they pass through Santa Croce (see the dedicated page Santa Croce and Aurisina), they enter the Tiziana Weiss Path (Salvia Path) as far as the Weiss Lookout, and only in the final metres do they reach the Costa dei Barbari itself.

The night segment of the S1 Bora Ultra. For the main event, the "Costa dei Barbari" is ridden twice under completely different light conditions: the first time at night, just before the PortoPiccolo Aid Station at the halfway point (km 61.2); the second time in broad daylight, in the final hours of the race.

The final dive. In all five races it touches, the Barbary Coast immediately precedes the final descent towards Bora Village: it is the last stretch of real nature before returning to the party atmosphere of the finish.

A story from 2019

The Costa dei Barbari has historically also been frequented by naturists, and is known as one of the naturist beaches in the Trieste area. On 6 January 2019, during that edition of La Corsa della Bora, a competitor photographed — in a non-explicit way — a person sunbathing nude on the beach right as the runners went past, despite the January cold. The organisers themselves commented on the episode on social media: “yes, we knew the Costa dei Barbari was a well-known naturist beach, but we didn’t think it would be one on 6 January too! We hope the passage of almost 1,500 people didn’t disturb this ‘heroic’ naturist’s reading”. The photo and the story made the rounds of the Italian press: among others, it was covered by TriestePrima, Il Mattino e Fanpage.

An experience to be had even outside of competition

Those who wish to see the Carso Coast outside of race weekend have two different ways to experience it. The first is from above: a walk along the scenic path from Sistiana, without descending to the shoreline, to enjoy the views of the cliffs and the gulf with minimal effort – suitable for anyone, in any season. The second is to descend to the sea, with footwear suitable for the steep path. The low season (spring, autumn) offers the most tranquil views and the best light for photos; in mid-summer, the stretch is more crowded and parking in Sistiana incurs a charge.

For the rest of the coastline within the reserve, see also Duino and the Rilke Path; for the experience of an osmiza after the walk, see also The Karst HallowsFor a comprehensive overview of the trails of the Trieste Karst, all year round, also see Trail running in Trieste and the Karst.