Italian food. Photo: Shutterstock Gastronomy continues to establish itself as one of the key factors in choosing a holiday destination. According to a recent study by TUI Musement, over 56% of travellers say that they are interested or very interested in culinary activities during their holiday.
The data also shows that 71% of travelers book their gastronomic experiences in advance, such as places at luxury restaurants. 60% of those surveyed chose evening or sunset experiences as the ideal time.
Based on Google search data for 2025, the company has compiled a ranking of the most popular European cities for food tours. Italy stands out in particular with six cities in the top 10 and beyond.
Photo: ShutterstockRome tops the list, with over 80,000 searches, thanks to its combination of rich history and culinary tradition, including pasta workshops and tasting tours of local markets. It is followed by Bologna, considered one of Italy's culinary capitals.
In third place is Lisbon, which offers dining experiences in historic neighborhoods, followed by London with diverse culinary tours that include markets, pubs, and international cuisines.
Also in the top ten: Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, Athens, Porto and Naples, yes, another city in Italy establishing itself as the leading country in the ranking for 2026.
The expanded ranking of the 20 gastronomic cities shows Italian dominance with cities like Venice, Florence. and Milan, alongside Spain's strengthening with Barcelona and Seville. In addition, countries like Austria, Hungary, Ireland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands are also represented on the list.
Ranking of the top 10 cities
1. Rome, Italy
2. Bologna, Italy
3. Lisbon, Portugal
4. London, United Kingdom
5. Amsterdam, Netherlands
6. Madrid, Spain
7. Paris, France
8. Athens, Greece
9. Porto, Portugal
10. Naples, Italy
Photo: Shutterstock