On World Chocolate Day: These Are The World's Best Destinations for Dessert Lovers

Whether it's a square of Belgian pralines handed out at 35,000 feet, a steaming cup of hot chocolate in the Swiss Alps, or a visit to a centuries-old chocolate factory, chocolate has become far more than a sweet treat for travelers.

As people around the world celebrate World Chocolate Day today, July 7, the spotlight is not only on one of the planet's favorite foods but also on its growing role in tourism.

The annual celebration is widely associated with the introduction of chocolate to Europe in 1550, after cacao made its journey from the Americas. Today, chocolate is enjoyed across virtually every corner of the globe and has become a key ingredient in countless travel experiences.

The Best Destinations for Chocolate Lovers

Belgium, the Chocolate Capital of the Word

The country remains one of the world's most famous destinations for chocolate lovers, with cities such as Brussels and Bruges home to historic chocolatiers, museums, and artisan workshops.

Chocolate Museum in Buelgium. Photo: Christophe KLEBERT / Shutterstock.com

The country is best known for its divine pralines, truffles, chocolate ganache, and chocolate mousse desserts. The country produces over 220,000 tonnes of chocolate each year while boasting hundreds of artisan chocolatiers. Whether you're after pralines, hot chocolate, or decadent desserts, the Belgian pralines, chocolate mousse, Belgian waffles topped with melted chocolate, chocolate éclairs, and rich hot chocolates at Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus (inventor of the praline), Godiva, Leonidas. and Wittamer are hard to beat.

Besides Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp are also unskippable locations for chocolate lovers visiting Belgium. 

Blegian chcocolate shop. Photo: Iryna Makukha / Shutterstock.com

Switzerland, the Land of Creamy Milk Chocolate 

The country is best known for its delicious milk chocolate, chocolate fondue, truffles, and hot chocolate. Zurich, Geneva, and Lucerne are the best cities to visit for a full tour of premium Swiss chocolate. 

Probably most exciting of it all, Switzerland allows visitors to board scenic Chocolate Express trains before touring famous chocolate factories and tasting freshly made confections.

Chocolate Express. Photo: Erika Cristina Manno / Shutterstock.com

France: the Land of Opera Cakes and Mousse au Chocolate  

• France is best known for its out-of-this-world chocolate soufflé, chocolate éclairs, opera cake, and mousse au chocolat, and Paris is by far the best city to visit to enjoy them all at their finest.
• Mousse au Chocolate. Photo: Shutterstock
• The country itself is most famous for its reputable pastry chefs who have elevated chocolate desserts into fine culinary art. Be sure to also shop at artisan chocolatiers where you will find handcrafted pralines, truffles and single-origin chocolates.
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• Photo: EricBery / Shutterstock.com
• Find world-famous chocolatiers and pâtisseries where you can taste must-try desserts like Hot chocolate at Angelina (often called one of the richest in the world), chocolate éclair, chocolate mille-feuille, with recommendations including La Maison du Chocolat, Pierre Hermé, Patrick Roger, and À la Mère de Famille (France's oldest chocolate shop).

• Austria, Home of the World's Most Celebrated Chocolate Cakes

• Austria is famous for its iconic Sachertorte in Vienna, one of the world's most celebrated chocolate cakes. The dense chocolate cake layered with apricot jam and covered in a glossy chocolate glaze dates back to 1832 and is one of Austria's most iconic desserts.
• Cafe Sacher. Photo: Shutterstock

• The most famous places to try are Café Sacher, known as the home of the original Sachertorte, where you can expect long queues, but also a classic Viennese experience, and Demel, appreciated for its own version of Sachertorte after a famous legal dispute over the "original" recipe.

• Photo: Shutterstock

Vienna also offers hands-on experiences at the Bo-Yo Chocolate Museum where you will have the chance to learn all about cocoa, watch chocolate being made, and even join chocolate-making workshops.

Photo: Jean-Marc Pierard / Shutterstock.com

Italy, the Land of Chocolate Gelato and Gianduja

The beautiful country is famous for its Gianduja chocolate, chocolate gelato, and chocolate tiramisu, with Turin and Florence known as some of the best spots to enjoy these delicacies.  Italy is considered a paradise for chocolate lovers, especially if you enjoy rich desserts, artisan chocolate, and regional specialties. While it may be better known for gelato and tiramisu, Italy is also the birthplace of gianduja, one of the world's most famous chocolate creations.sserts and is the birthplace of gianduja.

Photo: Emily Marie Wilson / Shutterstock.com

Some of the most recommended desserts are Gianduiotto (the iconic hazelnut chocolate), Bicerin (a layered drink of espresso, hot chocolate, and cream), chocolate gelato, and, of course, the Gianduja pastries and cakes at Guido Gobino, Venchi, and Pfatisch. 

Photo: Shutterstock

Other destinations for chocolate fans include Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica, interesting for visitors passionate about cacao plantations, bean-to-bar experiences and sustainable farming.

Chocolate tourism has become a niche of culinary travel, with many travelers planning itineraries around tasting experiences, workshops and festivals dedicated to cocoa and chocolate making.

On this World Chocolate Day, it seems one thing is certain: for millions of travelers, every great trip is just a little sweeter with chocolate.