The world’s best cities for culinary and cooking activities have been revealed – and the top spot’s just a short flight from the UK.
Italy dominates the list, with five of its cities named among the world’s best for hands-on culinary experiences.
As for the number one destination? Florence.
Not only is it a hotspot for foodies, but it’s also cheap to get to – with flights starting from £38 in January with budget airline Vueling.
Florence takes the top spot, offering an impressive 231 cooking classes, 74.5 per cent of which are rated four stars or higher.
This December, Brits can explore Florence’s famous food markets and pasta-making workshops for as little as £98 return from London.
Florence is known for its meat dishes, such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick-cut T-bone steak.
Another regional speciality is lampredotto, a unique sandwich made from the fourth stomach of a cow.
You don’t want to miss the city’s gelato, either, and – given this is Italy – pizza and pasta will be great too.
In second place is Palermo, the capital of Sicily, with 50 cooking classes available and an outstanding 88 per cent rated four stars and above.
Return flights come in at just £56 for Brits seeking a last-minute getaway.
Claiming third place, Bologna remains a dream destination for food lovers, celebrated for its ragù alla Bolognese.
Travellers can choose from more than 56 cooking classes, and visit the city this December for only £32 return.
Lisbon takes the spotlight for food lovers in Portugal, offering 60 hands-on cooking classes, with 82 per cent rated four stars and above.
Known for its iconic pastel de nata and vibrant Time Out Market, travellers can immerse themselves in Lisbon’s culinary scene for just £48 return from London this December.
Food tourism is surging, with three in four travellers now choosing their holiday destination based on food-related experiences according to research from Acorn, a tourism consultant site.
Top-ranked cities for culinary travel
1. Florence
2. Palermo
3. Bologna
4. = Lisbon
= Rome
6. = Brussels
= Barcelona
= Venice
9. Osaka
10. Hue
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Travel experts at Titan Travel analysed cooking class availability, ratings, pricing and global search demand to uncover the world’s top cities for culinary travel.
Cassie Strickland, product manager at Titan Travel, said: ‘Today, travellers want to do more than just see the sights.
‘They want to really experience a destination.
‘Food is such a fantastic way to do that, because it connects you directly to local life and tradition.
‘Taking a cooking class abroad allows you to do something, learn something, and return with a valuable skill.
‘When planning your 2026 travels, look for tours that include a hands-on cooking experience.
‘The best ones start with a market visit to get ingredients and end with you sitting down to enjoy what you’ve created. The most rewarding experiences tend to come from local chefs and family-run kitchens, where you’ll not only learn recipes but hear the stories behind them.’
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