Italian gastronomy

Italy’s late-autumn sweets have far deeper roots than costume parties and pumpkin carving.

Alba, with its International Truffle Fair, Vigasio, with the Polenta Fair, and Castelfranco di Sotto, with its Porcino Mushroom Festival, are among the places that have seen an increase in Airbnb searches compared with last year. It reflects growing interest in these autumn food events, which a

Chestnut festivals take place throughout Italy from early October to mid-November, from the Trentino Alps to Sicily. The most anticipated events are in Castel del Rio, Marradi, and Soriano nel Cimino (all in October), Centa San Nicolò and Aritzo (late October), and Montella (between late October and November). Here's where to find the most popular Chestnut Festivals in Italy in 2026.

Typical Italian autumn desserts come from a centuries-old tradition built around simple ingredients such as chestnuts, grapes, grape must, walnuts and figs. These ingredients become small regional masterpieces, with recipes handed down through generations and often tied to local festivals, grape harvests and the wider harvest season. Here are 10 typical autumn desserts to try in Italy.

Central Italy holds a wealth of flavours that few other parts of the country can match.

Few experiences offer the same thrill as finding a porcini mushroom hidden among the leaves of a forest. Boletus edulis and its "cousins" represent a coveted trophy for millions of enthusiasts who set out every year at dawn. But where can you pick porcini mushrooms in Italy? From north to south of the peninsula, here's the best time to find them and the rules to follow before entering the woods.

Described as “the Mozart of mushrooms” by the celebrated composer Gioachino Rossini, the white truffle is among the most prized and sought-after ingredients in Italian cooking. It grows underground, cannot be easily cultivated, and has an unmistakable aroma that brings to mind fresh garlic, aged cheese and damp woodland. Its scent has won over some of the world’s most exclusive kitchens.

At the start of autumn, Italy prepares for the grape harvest. In this setting, grape and wine sagre — local food and wine festivals — are far more than simple village celebrations. They reflect centuries of winemaking tradition, celebrate the identity of each area and give visitors a taste of local food, music and popular culture.

October in Italy is the most anticipated month for mushroom pickers, food enthusiasts, and nature lovers- the time when the entire peninsula comes alive with festivals, village fairs, and food events dedicated to mushrooms. From the Dolomites to the Apennine hills, from the Umbrian woods to the

Central Italy is one of the country’s strongest areas for traditional sweets. Among hills scented with wine, medieval borghi clinging to rock and monasteries where recipes have been passed down for centuries, every region has at least one dessert that tells its story better than any tourist brochure. Between the wine biscuits of the Castelli Romani, crunchy Tuscan cantucci and Marche carnival sweets, central Italy’s traditional baking is a world worth exploring one bite at a time.

The International Alba White Truffle Fair returns to Alba, Piedmont, from 10 October to 6 December 2026.

Autumn is prime time for truffle season in Italy.

Autumn food festivals in Italy are a proper window into regional cooking.

Food festivals in Italy are one of the best ways to eat well without spending a fortune, particularly outside the big cities. Many are sagre: community events centred on a local ingredient, a seasonal harvest or a traditional dish.

A supermarket in Venice is drawing attention for a detail that has nothing to do with pasta offers or the weekly shop. Despar Teatro Italia occupies a former Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau theatre, where original decorative details and a ceiling fresco remain in place above the shelves.The unusual

Southern Italy also tells its story through its sweets. Each region preserves recipes born in convents, peasant kitchens, or pastry shops, often passed down for centuries and linked to religious festivals, weddings, and calendar events. The typical sweets of Southern Italy perfectly reflect the regions that created them, from Sicily to Sardinia, passing through Campania, Puglia, Abruzzo, Calabria, Molise, and Basilicata.

In Southern Italy, some of the most iconic cheeses in the world are produced. The stretched-curd traditions of Sicily and the creamy richness of Puglian burrata each tell their own story through milk, pastureland and the skilled hands of producers who still follow age-old methods.

Some trips are all about art galleries and architecture. Others revolve around switching off and soaking up the scenery. This time, though, it’s all about a proper food and wine itinerary in Italy. Here are five must-try first courses, each tied to a destination that deserves time on your itinerary. Start planning your food and wine trip to Italy and settle in for something memorable.

If you’re spending time in Italy, getting to grips with traditional pizza is part of understanding everyday life here.

Can a region be rebuilt with a handful of seedlings? In one Italian village, this is exactly what happened.

If you’re trying to get your head around the best supermarkets in Italy, it can feel oddly complicated at first.

Italy has long been considered a dream destination for foodies, but the latest data suggests that reputation is more than romantic nostalgia.

The best food in Southern Italy is bold, seasonal and deeply tied to history. Greek settlers, Arab traders and Spanish rulers all left their mark. Cooking leans on olive oil, vegetables, seafood and proper sun-ripened tomatoes rather than butter and cream.

Easter in Italy is less about chocolate bunnies and more about long, noisy lunches built around recipes people have been making for generations.

Easter in Italy is one of those moments when family and food take centre stage.