• 17.06.2026

Travelers have named Italy the world's best gastronomic destination.

Travel industry experts from around the world have named Italy the world's best gastronomic destination. The country was mentioned most frequently in a survey conducted by Travel+Leisure among travelers and tourism professionals.

According to the publication's interviewees, the popularity of Italian cuisine is due to the use of local ingredients, the simplicity of its recipes, and the long-standing culinary traditions passed down from generation to generation.

"Italian cuisine is more than just food. It's a social ritual that brings families and communities together," noted Anita Cagnazzo, founder of The Secret Explorer.

Experts also emphasized that many traditional dishes take hours or even days to prepare to bring out the flavors of the ingredients.

Michael Kovnik, CEO of Culture Discovery Vacations, explained that each region of Italy has its own gastronomic culture and unique dishes.

Among the cities recommended for gastronomic tourism, the experts singled out Bologna, Florence, Naples, and Palermo.

Bologna has even been called the country's culinary capital thanks to dishes like lasagna, tagliatelle ragù, tortellini, and mortadella.

Naples has earned recognition for its pizza and street food. Tourists are recommended to try pizza a portafoglio—a small, foldable pizza eaten on the go.

Experts also recommend Sicily and Palermo, where street food traditions have been preserved since the Arab influence on the islands.