It lies 15 kilometres northwest of Trieste, and according to the 2003 census had a total of 2,406 inhabitants, 60% of them Slovenes.

The settlement was first mentioned as Lebrosina in 1308, and it grew in importance as the Vienna-Trieste railway was built in 1857.

Many Slovene people, including educated persons, escaped to Yugoslavia during fascist rule.

Its elevation is 143 m. Around the village there are four rises named Ojstri vrh, Gradec, Mount Babiza (Monte Babiza, Slovene: Babica, 197 m), and Mount Berciza (Monte Berciza, Slovene: Brščice, 219 m).

Aurisina is the birthplace of the Slovenian poet Igo Gruden and the marine biologist Miroslav Zei.