Italy, renowned for its wine and cuisine, is also celebrated for its olive oil, ranking as the world's second-highest producer of extra virgin olive oil after Spain. Olive oil holds a central place in Italian culinary tradition and culture, with a history dating back to ancient times.
Today, Italian olive oil stands out for its exceptional quality and diverse flavours, stemming from over 350 olive varieties native to the country. This diversity, coupled with Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), elevates Italian olive oil to one of the finest in the world, akin to wine and cheese. To explore the best Italian olive oils, today we're embarking on a tour of the country's renowned olive oil regions and areas, each offering unique tasting experiences and the perfect idea for an Italian foodie holiday in 2025.
Why is olive oil so popular in Italy?
Olive oil is popular in Italy for several reasons, deeply rooted in the country's history, culture, and culinary traditions:
- Abundant Olive Groves: Italy has a long history of olive cultivation, with olive groves covering extensive areas of the country, particularly in regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, Liguria, Puglia, and Sicily. The favorable climate and soil conditions in these regions make them ideal for growing olives.
- Culinary Tradition: Olive oil is an essential ingredient in Italian cuisine, used in cooking, dressings, marinades, and as a finishing oil. Italian recipes often highlight the flavors of olive oil, whether in simple dishes like bruschetta or in complex sauces like pesto. The use of olive oil is deeply ingrained in Italian cooking, passed down through generations.
- Health Benefits: Olive oil is known for its health benefits, including its high content of monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties. In Italy, where the Mediterranean diet is prevalent, olive oil is a key component of a healthy lifestyle and is associated with longevity and well-being.
- Quality and Diversity: Italy is renowned for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oils, known for their rich flavors, complex aromas, and exceptional quality. The country boasts a diverse range of olive varieties, each contributing unique characteristics to the oils. From robust and peppery oils to delicate and fruity varieties, Italian olive oils offer something for every palate.
- Cultural Significance: Olive oil holds cultural significance in Italy, symbolizing tradition, heritage, and craftsmanship. Olive oil production is often a family affair, with techniques and knowledge passed down through generations. Many Italian towns and villages host annual olive oil festivals, celebrating the harvest and the role of olive oil in Italian culture.
Overall, the popularity of olive oil in Italy can be attributed to its integral role in the country's cuisine, its health benefits, the diversity and quality of Italian olive oils, and its cultural significance.
Where is the best olive oil in Italy?
Italy is renowned for producing some of the finest olive oils in the world, with various regions known for their unique flavours and qualities. While these regions are known for producing excellent olive oils, the "best" olive oil can be subjective and depend on personal taste preferences. Exploring olive oil producers within these regions and trying different varieties can help you find the perfect olive oil for your palate. Here are a few regions known for producing excellent olive oils in Italy:
Tuscany
First up, we're taking a look at the best Italian olive oil from Tuscany. Renowned for its exceptional quality, Tuscany produces some of the finest olive oil in Italy, featuring rich and complex flavours. In addition to its celebrated wines, Tuscany is home to many vineyards that also produce olive oil, and the taste of Tuscan olive oil can vary greatly from estate to estate. The unique and distinctive taste of Tuscan olive oil is achieved through the use of a blend of three types of olives, typically selected for their exceptional qualities.
- Frantoio: these olives give the oil a fruity flavour, as well as a sharp a kick
- Moraiolo: this type of olive leads to an olive oil with spicy notes
- Leccino: this olive variety produces a sweeter and smoother olive oils
To top it off, Tuscany is also home to Italy's only Protected Geographic Origin (PGI) label for olive oil, making it a must visit area when it comes to trying the best olive oil in Italy.
Sardinia
This PDO includes almost the entire island of Sardinia where there is no shortage of spectacular Italian olive oil to be enjoyed. The unique flavour of the olive oil in Sardinia is down to the following local cultivars of olives: Bosana, Tonda di Cagliari, Nera di Villacidro and Semidana. To best enjoy this wonderful olive oil, try it with some liver pâté crostini or bruschettas, as well as using it to compliment red meat, soups and sauces.
For those interested in acquiring high-quality olive oil during their visit to Sardinia, we suggest a visit to Bonu in Cagliari. This establishment offers not only the finest olive oils produced on the island, but also a range of other local food products that are sure to pique your interest. Another excellent option is Sale & Pepe in Sassari, a classic delicatessen where you can purchase some of the most exceptional Italian olive oil. Additionally, you can relax and enjoy an aperitif or sample some of the best Sardinian cuisine at this location.
Lake Garda
To experience another exceptional variety of Italy's prized olive oil, consider a visit to the region surrounding Lake Garda. Here you will find some of Italy's most unique and unusual olive oils, as the land area where the olives are grown is relatively small compared to other regions. This rare Italian olive oil is characterised by its fresh taste, with slightly spicy notes, as well as those of herbs and artichokes. What really sets this olive oil aside is its colour, beautifully golden with a green tone thanks to the high chlorophyll content of the olives used in production.
To enjoy the best of the olive oil on offer in Lake Garda, we recommend Agraria Riva del Garda and the family-run Comincioli, both of which are award winning olive oils from the area.
Lazio
Olive oil production in Lazio has ancient origins, with manufacturing dating back to Etruschi and the ancient Romans. However, despite its long history, it's only recently that Lazio has started to really attract attention when it comes to its olive oil. The main olive variety used in Lazio is Itrana, giving the oil a unique tomato-like flavour, along with some herbal undertones.
We recommend heading to Casale del Giglio, where you'll find beautiful olive groves dispersed amongst archaeological sites, and here you'll be able to try some of the region's best olive oil offer.
Is olive oil from Spain or Italy better?
The question of whether olive oil from Spain or Italy is better is subjective and depends on personal preferences. Both countries are major producers of high-quality olive oil and have their own distinct styles and varieties.
Spain is the world's largest producer of olive oil and offers a wide range of options, from robust and peppery oils to milder and fruitier varieties. Spanish olive oils are often prized for their versatility and affordability. Italy, on the other hand, is renowned for its extra virgin olive oils, particularly those from regions like Tuscany, Umbria, Liguria, Puglia, and Sicily. Italian olive oils are celebrated for their rich flavours, complex aromas, and exceptional quality, often commanding higher prices in the market.
Ultimately, whether olive oil from Spain or Italy is better comes down to personal taste preferences and the specific characteristics you enjoy in olive oil. Both countries produce excellent oils, so it's worth exploring options from both regions to find the one that your prefer.
How to buy olive oil from Italy
Buying olive oil from Italy can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, especially if you're able to make the trip to Italy to do so. Here are some steps to help you find and purchase authentic Italian olive oil:
- Research: Learn about olive oil types and Italian regions known for quality.
- Look for Seals: Seek PDO/PGI labels or certifications for authenticity.
- Read Labels: Check for olive variety, region, harvest date, and extraction method.
- Trustworthy Retailers: Buy from reputable stores or directly from producers.
- Consider Taste: Choose a flavour profile you prefer, from robust to fruity.
- Freshness Matters: Opt for recent harvest dates for fresher oil.
- Storage: Keep in a cool, dark place away from light and heat.
- Experiment: Enjoy using it in various dishes to explore its flavours.
By following these steps, you can confidently purchase authentic Italian olive oil and enhance your culinary experiences with this beloved Mediterranean staple.
What is the best olive oil brand in Italy?
As we've seen, Italy is home to some of the world’s finest olive oils, with a focus on quality, tradition, and regional variety. The best brand depends on what you're looking for—everyday use or premium drizzling oil—but here are some of the most respected and widely recommended Italian olive oil producers:
Top-quality olive oil brands in Italy
1. Frantoi Cutrera (Sicily)
Known for its award-winning Segreto degli Dei and Primo oils, this family-run Sicilian producer offers intensely fruity, peppery oils made from local cultivars like Tonda Iblea.
2. Olio Roi (Liguria)
Famous for delicate and aromatic oils made from Taggiasca olives. Perfect for light dishes like fish, pasta, or vegetables.
3. Tenuta di Capezzana (Tuscany)
Historic estate near Florence producing rich, slightly spicy oils with grassy notes. Great for bruschetta, soups, and finishing touches.
4. Frantoio Franci (Tuscany)
Their Villa Magra line is internationally acclaimed. Expect a bold, complex flavour—ideal for those who love robust oils.
5. Agricola Doria (Puglia)
Producers of organic oils with a smooth, nutty profile—versatile for both cooking and dressing.
Widely available and reliable brands
- Monini – Popular and affordable; they offer both mild and robust oils.
- Carapelli – One of Italy’s best-known commercial brands; decent quality for cooking.
- De Cecco Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Reliable supermarket brand with a balanced flavour.
For the best experience, look for "100% Italiano", cold-pressed, PDO (DOP) or PGI (IGP) certifications, and early harvest oils in dark glass bottles. These indicate authenticity and better preservation.
Where to buy olive oil in Italy
In Italy, you can buy high-quality olive oil almost everywhere—from supermarkets to small producers. Here's a breakdown of the best places, depending on what you're looking for:
1. Supermarkets (Everyday to Premium Quality)
You’ll find a wide range of olive oils in most Italian supermarkets:
- Coop, Conad, Esselunga, Carrefour, Pam – stock both budget and high-end brands like Monini, Carapelli, Farchioni, and regional DOP oils.
- Look for labels like "olio extra vergine di oliva", "estratto a freddo" (cold-extracted), and "non filtrato" (unfiltered) for more artisanal oils.
2. Speciality Food Shops & Delicatessens
Gourmet food shops (alimentari, gastronomie, or enoteche) offer a curated selection of small-batch or regional oils. These often include top brands like Frantoi Cutrera, Muraglia, and Capezzana.
3. Direct from Producers or Olive Mills (Frantoi)
If you’re in olive-growing regions like Tuscany, Umbria, Puglia, or Sicily, visit a local frantoio (olive mill) or farm shop. You can often taste different oils and buy directly from the source—often fresher and better priced.
4. Farmers’ Markets (Mercati Contadini)
Local markets are great for discovering small producers and tasting before you buy. These markets often have unfiltered, seasonal oils in larger tins or bottles.
5. Online
Italian producers often sell directly online with shipping options across Europe:
- Eataly.it, OliveOilLovers.com, Gustiamo.com (for international delivery)
- Or directly from producers’ websites (e.g., Frantoio Muraglia, Quattrociocchi)
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