The Top 10 Italian Cities For Food Lovers
Italy was the center of the world during classical antiquity, extending its vast empire beyond the European continent, and until today it is a reference of the Catholic faith in the world. All the richness of this history can still be seen up close in the form of art, monumental buildings and, of course, through the dishes of this cuisine that is appreciated all over the world.
Table of Contents
The following are the top ten food cities in Italy
1. Rome
Known as the Eternal City, a simple walk through the streets of Rome becomes a journey back in time. Loaded with history on all sides, it is the third city in Europe that attracts the most tourists. Among the most popular tourist spots are the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, Piazza Navona and the Coliseum. Despite the impressive monuments and archaeological remains of antiquity, the Italian capital is not only an option for those who want to return to the past, it also offers a lively nightlife and the local cuisine, of course, is a spectacle in itself.
In addition to the wonderful options of bruschetta and fresh pastas such as spaghetti, buccatinis, rigatonis and various saltimbocas in the most renowned cantinas in the world, one of the unique dishes you find in Rome is Carciofi alla giudia, an exotic recipe served as a sophisticated starter consisting of in spicy and fried artichokes, a unique experience for even the most demanding palates.
The Vatican City-State is a walled enclave within Rome, which annually welcomes 1.5 billion faithful from across the globe to see the figure of the Pope up close in St. Peter’s Square, the great Vatican Museum and the Chapel. Sistina, one of the most famous architectural works in the world with frescoes painted by artists such as Michelangelo, Rafael and Botticelli.
Also Read: 17 Best Places to Visit in the World in December
2. Venice
Considered by many to be the most romantic city in the world, Venice is located in northeastern Italy and is made up of 117 small islands, separated by canals and connected by bridges. The place, which was once an important fashion capital, receives around 50,000 visitors a day, attracted by unique experiences such as the famous gondola rides and the cultural circuit that begins with the traditional Venice Carnival and its handmade masks, and the meeting of Europe’s leading filmmakers with the Venice Film Festival, the oldest film festival on the planet.
One of the tastiest dishes you can easily find in Venice is Nero di Seppia with polenta. Polentas, both yellow, easily found in Brazil, and white, are frequently used in the most diverse ways in Venetian dishes and, in this refined menu, they accompany a fillet of fresh fish and seafood, with a base sauce of squid ink.
3. Milan
Still on top of the boot, we find Milan, the economic capital of Italy today. With an architecture completely modified by the neoclassical period and directly influenced by the passage of Napoleon Bonaparte, the city has artistic heritage of great value, both in works in the Contemporary Art Gallery and in architecture in buildings such as the Palazzo Belgioioso or the Arco della Pace, a local reproduction of the Arc de Triomphe, by Bonaparte. Milan is still one of the world’s most important centers of fashion design, with the Milan Fashion Week.
In addition to the famous ossobuco, Risotto alla Milanese is also worth a try, a simple dish that includes onion browned in olive oil, arboreal rice slightly burned in white wine with meat broth, and the unmistakable flavor of saffron combined with parmesan.
There are five typical wines from the Lombardy region with a controlled and guaranteed designation of origin (DOCG): Franciacorta, Oltrepò Pavese Method Classico, Moscato di Scanzo, Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore. In Milan, you can enjoy all these varieties, but anyone looking for a legitimately local type should try a Franciacorta or a San Colombano, made in a province of Milan from the Croatina and Barbera grapes.
Read: Best Beach destinations in the World
4. Florence
It is the largest city in the Tuscany region, and one of the most amazing sights in all of Italy. Rich in award-winning vineyards, the region fascinates for being one of the most beautiful and historic destinations in the country. Florence was home to the Medici, a family that exercised an important political dynasty, becoming one of the greatest fortunes and patrons of great artists. For this reason, in one of the city’s main squares, visitors feel in an open-air museum, with important works by David, Michelangelo, Baccio Bandinelli and Cellini, among others.
For those who love good meat and think that on their gastronomic tour of Italy they will only find pasta, they will certainly be surprised by the Costela Fiorentina. This beautiful beef cut of the Chianina breed, is known for coming in generous portions and featuring a T-shaped bone, and became popular in the celebrations of St. Lawrence’s Day.
Chianti is the noblest variety of wine found in Italy. It is a dry red, with very concentrated fruit notes and is produced with the red Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes, and the white Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. It can be found in a simpler version or with special aging known as Brunello, with a huge choice of labels from one of the more than seven thousand wineries in Tuscany.
5. Pisa
The Pisa is another famous tourist spot in the Tuscany region. The city, which is now an estuary, was once a commercial route to one of the main Rome ports during the period of the empire. It is currently located 17 km from the coast. It is believed that the slope of the tower, its main postcard, was due to the action of the sea or an estuary larger than the one in the region.
Cecina, also known as the “Gold of Pisa” is a fundamental recipe in local cuisine. It is a small pie, similar to a pizza, made with chickpea flour, water, salt and oil. Cecina is cooked in a wood-fired oven and takes on a vibrant golden color, forming a crunchy crust with a soft interior.
6. Assisi
Assisi is an episcopal city in the Umbria region, famous for being the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, and where the Franciscan Order began in 1208. It is a region very visited by the faithful who follow the route of religious tourism through the communes of Italy . Among its most important sights stands out the Basilica of San Francisco de Assis, classified by Unesco as a World Heritage Site.
In addition to the famous Norcia black truffles, fish and farro, a local cereal used in desserts, Lenticchie di Castelluccio appears as a prominent dish in the cuisine of the Umbrian communes. This is due to the quality of Castelluccio’s lentils, considered exceptional by connoisseurs of the product, mixed with salsicce, form the traditional dish.
7. Naples
It is the third most populous city in Italy, with more than one million residents, and more than four million in addition to the metropolitan area. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its music, history, natural charms and for being the birthplace of one of the most popular foods in the world, pizza. Italian from Naples stands out for its human warmth, and the difference can be felt from the tone of voice to the customs. Among its numerous tourist attractions, the Royal Palace, the Castle of the Egg, the Giant Fountain and the National Archaeological Museum stand out.
In Naples is one of the most sensational pizzas in the world. The quality and freshness of its mozzarella and tomatoes have made Naples pizza a World Heritage Site. But a good tip to whet your appetite while Neapolitan pizza doesn’t arrive is Montanara, a delicious snack made of fried, soft pizza dough, topped with tomato sauce, parmesan and basil.
Read: Top 8 Places to Visit in Italy
8. Capri
The island of Capri impresses its visitors from the first moment. A place full of cliffs and caves, which stirs the feelings of those who have the privilege of getting to know it. Another feature that leaves tourists awestruck is the spectacularly blue hue of its waters.
Ravioli Caprese is a typical dish in Capri, a delicious pasta filled with a typical cheese called caciotta and parmesan, with a touch of marjoram. The recipe goes very well with both the traditional fresh tomato sauce and butter and sage.
9. Sard00inia
Sardinia is a Mediterranean island that is part of Italian territory. In addition to being a territory apart from Italy, it has unique cultural elements, such as its costumes and various typical dances such as passu and ballu tundu. It also has instruments used only regionally, such as the, a kind of triple clarinet, and the sarda guitar, used to accompany the cantu, a type of melody so unique that it is reminiscent of Mongolian diphonic singing. Among its main cities are Cagliari, Nora, Barumini, Oristano, Bosa, Alghero, Sassari, Olbia, Orgosolo and Maddalena Island.
Religious destinations in Italy
If you’ve chosen Italy as a religious destination, you’ll have a huge range of options. Starting with the Vatican, where it is possible to reserve a full day or more to discover the city-state’s vast museum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Another mandatory destination is Padua, with the Abbey of Santa Justina, one of the oldest temples of the Christian faith, dating from 304 AD, as well as the Basilica of St. Anthony, which houses the body of the saint. Heading to Assisi, site of the sanctuary of San Francisco de Assis, one of the most popular saints, its crypt is the main attraction in the Basilica of San Francisco, a temple built on the ruins of the church built by the living saint himself.
What to pack in your hand luggage?
For a more comfortable trip, it is always good to carry in your hand luggage: documents, medicines that may be needed during the flight, camera, cell phone, coat, books/and or magazines. Here’s a tip and have a good trip!
