Piccola Università Italiana Trieste

Study Italian in Trieste, a sparkling city by the sea

Piccola Università Italiana is a quality language school located in the heart of Trieste, a refined and vibrant city on Italy’s northern Adriatic coast — known for its elegant architecture, multicultural flair, and literary legacy. Housed in a historic 18th-century building just a short stroll from the sea, the school offers 6 bright, fully equipped classrooms and a cozy student lounge with free Wi-Fi. Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, we provide high-quality Italian language courses in small groups or private lessons. Just steps from the city’s charming cafés, seaside promenade, and cultural landmarks, our boutique school offers a personalized learning experience for every student. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced speaker, whether you stay for a year or just a week, our qualified native-speaking teachers will guide you in mastering Italian while you soak up the vibrant, multicultural spirit of Trieste. Language, culture, and seaside beauty — all in one unforgettable experience.
  • School size: Small
  • Age Group: Adults (16+)
  • Levels: All levels welcome, including those with no prior knowledge
  • Accommodations: Homestay, Residence, Shared Apartment, Studio

Highlights

  • Elegant Setting: Boutique school in an 18th-century building with bright classrooms and a refined, welcoming atmosphere.
  • Top-Quality Teaching: Native-speaking teachers and small groups (max 8) for an engaging, high-impact learning experience.
  • Student-Centered Mission: We ensure top satisfaction with quality courses, 360° service, and personalized attention.
  • Vibrant Location: Learn Italian in Trieste — a coastal, multicultural gem in the heart of Europe.

Programmes Offered

At Piccola Università Italiana in Trieste, we offer a diverse range of Italian language programmes designed to suit every learning style and goal.

Classical Group Courses (3–8 students)

Our core courses include general Italian lessons focused on grammar, fluency, and real-life communication, as well as conversation-based classes for intermediate and advanced learners. For a more tailored experience, students can opt for intensive formats combining group lessons with individual tuition.

1-to-1 or 2-to-1 Lessons

We offer private tuition designed for rapid progress and maximum flexibility — ideal for professionals, couples, or learners with specific objectives.

Exam Preparation (CILS, CELI, IT, AIL)

Tailored programmes to help students confidently prepare for internationally recognised Italian language exams.

Customised Courses Options

Including: Business Italian, Italian for tourism, medicine, and law, along with cultural modules covering Italian art, literature, cinema, and opera.

Senior Courses (60+)

Learn in a relaxed, culturally enriching atmosphere with like-minded peers.

Refresher Courses for Teachers

Professional development courses recognised by Erasmus+.

PLUS Courses

Enhance your learning with creative and cultural activities such as painting, comics, paper art, mosaic-making, cooking, music, singing, sailing, and biking — the perfect way to practise Italian hands-on with expert tutors.

Contact

Contact School

We offer a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets — all carefully selected to ensure a comfortable and authentic stay in Trieste.Shared Apartments / Studio Flats Our shared apartments and studio flats are directly managed by the school, guaranteeing consistently high standards at fair prices throughout the year. All are within walking distance of the school and close to Trieste’s charming cafés, cultural landmarks, and seaside promenade.Homestay Live with a welcoming Italian host family for full cultural immersion and daily opportunities to practise your Italian in real life. Weekly cleaning, fresh linens, and attentive support are included, so you can feel at home and focus on learning Italian in this elegant city by the sea.

  • Homestay
  • Residence
  • Shared Apartment
  • Studio

Trieste is a sophisticated coastal city in Italy’s far northeast, where Italian, Slavic, and Austro-Hungarian influences blend into a unique cultural mosaic. Overlooking the Adriatic Sea and framed by hills, the city is known for its elegant architecture, literary cafés, and laid-back, intellectual charm.The school is located in the historic centre, just a short walk from the seaside promenade, lively piazzas, museums, bookstores, and beloved coffee houses like Caffè San Marco. Students are immersed in a vibrant, safe, and walkable area with excellent public transport and easy connections to Venice, Slovenia, and Croatia. Trieste offers a rich cultural lifestyle with classical music, film festivals, and art exhibitions. Its relaxed pace, seafront atmosphere, and multicultural soul make it the perfect place to learn Italian while discovering a truly unique corner of Europe.

Exams

Students at Piccola Università Italiana in Trieste have the opportunity to prepare for a variety of internationally recognised Italian language exams, including CELI, CILS, IT, and AIL.As an authorised exam centre for CELI and CILS, the school offers the convenience of taking official exams directly on-site, in a calm and familiar environment.Our exam preparation courses are customised to match the requirements of each certification. Lessons focus on developing the necessary skills for success — from grammar and vocabulary to listening, reading, and writing strategies. Students benefit from personalised coaching, mock exams, and ongoing academic support. Whether you’re preparing for university, professional advancement, or simply aiming to validate your Italian skills, our experienced native-speaking teachers will guide you with care and expertise throughout your exam journey.

More Features

Our philosophy is to offer every student a unique and enriching Italian language and cultural experience. In the sophisticated setting of Trieste, our dedicated team ensures high-quality teaching and personalised service — supporting each learner in reaching their goals while enjoying the rhythm of Italian life.We are proud to welcome students from all over the world, creating a diverse and inspiring community. Lessons take place in small groups (max. 8 students) and are carefully adapted to individual levels and learning needs, allowing for both progress and confidence to grow.What sets us apart is our warm, welcoming atmosphere and the personalised attention we give each student. From literature-themed excursions and guided walks to concerts, museums, and culinary experiences, every moment at Piccola Università Italiana in Trieste is designed to help you live and love Italian — in one of Italy’s most elegant and culturally rich cities.

Testimonials

I had a wonderful experience at Piccola Università Italiana in Trieste, a beautiful vibrant city. All the teachers and employees were tremendously helpful, welcoming, efficient and kind. The program was well organized, and our teachers were simply superb. It would be hard to imagine a better program, and while we were obliged to work hard, the classes were always a pleasure, and the excursions and extra curricular activities were enlightening and enjoyable. If you want to learn Italian from master teachers and have a good time doing it, you would do well to choose Piccola Università Italiana.
Kos USA
I can only highly recommend Piccola Università! I signed up a bit last minute, and everything was organised within 3 days. The school’s apartment was great (clean, well located, and the transfer worked perfectly). The lessons were very educational, and the teachers were friendly and patient. The activities after class are also worth joining! Thank you for two wonderful weeks in Trieste!
Florence Switzerland
The experience at Piccola Università Italiana was excellent. The staff are knowledgeable, caring and go out of their way to make the lessons interesting and challenging. The small classes allow students to get the most out of the learning experience. I would not hesitate to recommend this school to anyone who, at any level, would like to improve their Italian language proficiency.
Murdene Canada
I chose to come to Trieste because I heard it’s a clean, safe, and compact town with a rich history and culture. This school has small classes, and both the teachers and staff are very competent. I liked it so much that I’d love to come back next year. With Austria and Slovenia nearby, short trips were fun, and I even got to sail — it turned out to be a perfect study holiday!
Tomoko Japan
I felt very comfortable in the classes. The teachers I interacted with were always supportive — they were extremely well-prepared, always kind, and had a great attitude. The school facilities felt very comfortable to me. I would love to return to Trieste and take more Italian courses at Piccola Università Italiana! I truly felt at ease!
Sandra Argentina
Piccola Università Italiana is exceptional in every way. The language courses are excellent, the organisation is perfect — and for the past 15 years, I’ve always felt completely at home. And thanks to the high-quality teaching, I now speak Italian fluently. THANK YOU!
Simone Germany
Great mix of people, enthusiastic teachers fiercely devoted to their hard work of teaching. Small classes is a huge advantage over the other schools. It helps to create an environment where engagement and equality work is simply almost in the heart of Trieste. To sum up I am very happy to have chosen Piccola Università Italiana! Thank you!
Konrad Poland
I spent 3 weeks at the school in Trieste (after having spent 2 weeks at the same school in Tropea). The teachers have been excellent thoroughly dedicated, professional and clear. The pace of learning was just right. I feel as though my Italian has improved tremendously. But I also had a wonderful time with all of the social activities offered by the school and the two wonderful locations of the school in Tropea + Trieste. I will return!
Fiona Australia
I find that Piccola Università Italiana is exceptionally well organised. The information provided before booking and arrival was perfect. The entire week ran smoothly — from being picked up at the train station, to the apartment, to the classes — everything was excellent. The school offers a comprehensive programme, including leisure activities. Everyone I dealt with was extremely friendly, courteous, and helpful — from the kind lady at reception to the teachers. Having a 24/7 emergency number available is also very reassuring. In summary, I honestly wouldn’t know what could be done better.
Maria Austria

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Piccola Università Italiana Tropea

Piccola Università Italiana Tropea

Tropea – Italy

Piccola Università Italiana is a quality language school located in the heart of Tropea, one of Southern Italy’s most stunning coastal towns – often called the Caribbean of Italy and the Pearl of Calabria for its crystal-clear turquoise sea and white sandy beaches. Housed in a charming 18th-century building just steps from the water, the school offers 11 bright, air-conditioned classrooms, a student lounge, a cinema room, and free Wi-Fi.

  • Adults 16+/Max Class size 8
  • From March to November
  • Italian
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