Food tourism is expanding at a steady pace: GetYourGuide reports that 68% of travelers consume more food while on vacation, and their destination selection is influenced by culinary experiences, with food-themed itineraries increasing by 20% in 2025. A recent study by travel platform Holidu has now crowned Europe's leading gastronomic destinations, analysing factors including food tours, cooking classes, Taste Atlas reviews, and "Eat Like A Local" restaurants in the Michelin Guide. The podium is an Italian success. Rome is the top educational destination, offering 302 cookery classes and popular foods like cacio e pepe and supplì. Venice ranks second, with 18 Michelin-starred restaurants dedicated to the bàcari legacy, twice the capital's total. Naples wins bronze, ranking first in Europe for the quality and variety of its traditional cuisine, with 17 delicacies getting top awards. Istanbul (fourth) outperforms Paris (fifth) due to its extensive national culinary heritage and local restaurants. However, the French capital takes pride in its dominance in gastronomic excursions (123).
Italy continues to dominate the top ten, with Bologna (sixth), home to tortellini and mortadella, Milan (seventh), with 86 courses and renowned dishes, and Florence (tenth), the European leader in food tours (129). Among them are Madrid (eighth) and the surprising Budapest (ninth), with Palermo rounding off the Italian contingent in 19th place, establishing Italy as the premier destination for superb dining.