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Italian culture

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Italian Culture: Facts, Customs & Traditions

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Italian culture traces its roots back to the ancient world and has influenced art, fashion and food around the world.

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Soccer is by far the most popular sport in Italy: more than 4,363,000 people play every year. The culture and history of Italian soccer (or football, as they call it) traces back hundreds of years. Italy’s national soccer association, known as the Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio or the FIGC, was formed in 1898. Today, it remains a part of the Union of European Football Association.

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Popular sports in Italy

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Did you know that Italy ranks among the top 10 countries in the world with the most Olympic medals? This accolade speaks volumes about the nation's rich sports heritage.

While Italy's prowess in soccer (or football, as it's locally known) is globally recognized, there's so much more to the sports in Italy. Beyond the football stadiums, there's a diverse array of Italian sports, each with its own set of dedicated fans and celebrated athletes.

On your next private Italy tour, don't forget to discover the world of Italy sports. From the snowy slopes frequented by skiers to the basketball courts echoing with cheers, Italy promises a sports experience like no other.

Whether you're a sports enthusiast or a casual observer, the passion and dedication of Italian athletes are bound to leave an impression.

Join us on a thrilling journey as we unveil the top 10 sports that captivate the heart of Italy:

Football (soccer)

The love for football, or "calcio," is unparalleled in Italy, it's the home of 4-time FIFA World Cup champions.

Recognized as the national sport of Italy, football has deep roots in the country's history and traditions. You can find someone with a football almost everywhere, trying to mimic the pros' moves. The sheer vibrance and enthusiasm of this sport draw anyone towards it.

More than 4,363,000 practice football in Italy, showcasing the sport's immense popularity. This passion is further evident in the country's top football clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, and Roma, which have garnered global attention and admiration.

As the national game of Italy, football isn't just a pastime; it's a way of life that resonates with every Italian's heart.

Basketball

Italy stands tall among basketball giants in Europe, sharing the stage with nations like Spain, Serbia, and Greece. With a storied history in the sport, Italy's proudest moments include gold at Eurobasket 1983 and EuroBasket 1999 and Olympic silver in 1980 and 2004.

As a testament to Italy's sports prowess, basketball is arguably Italy's most popular sport after football. The nation has also given the NBA stars like Danilo Gallinari. For enthusiasts, Italy's basketball scene offers a rich tapestry of passion, talent, and legacy.

So, if you're a basketball enthusiast looking to explore the sport outside its traditional strongholds, Italy offers a vibrant basketball culture waiting to be discovered.

Volleyball

Volleyball holds a special place in Italy. While football and basketball often dominate discussions, volleyball is another of Italy's most popular sports.

The Italian Volleyball League is globally recognized for its competitive edge, being one of the toughest leagues worldwide. Both men and women passionately participate, showcasing Italy's inclusive sporting culture.

Did you know? Italy is the current champion in the "FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship", and clinched their fourth title at the 2022 tournament, defeating Poland in a thrilling final.

Such accolades highlight Italy's volleyball prowess. For those exploring global volleyball landscapes, Italy's is an unmissable spectacle.

Cycling

Cycling in Italy is a celebrated gem of Italian sports. Italy, with its numerous World Cycling Championship victories, stands as a cycling powerhouse. The Giro d'Italia, a beacon in Italy sports, attracts global attention every May.

This grand three-week event is part of the elite Grand Tours, sharing the stage with the Tour de France and Vuelta a España. Italian legends like Michele Bartoli, Gianni Bugno, and Vincenzo Nibali have left indelible marks on the sport.

For enthusiasts and casual fans alike, Italy's rich cycling history and picturesque routes promise a captivating experience.

Skiing

Skiing, one of the prominent Italian sports, is a testament to Italy's diverse sporting culture. With over 2 million enthusiasts, mostly from the northern and central regions, it's evident why skiing is considered the most popular sport in Italy after football.

Italy's majestic Alps provide the perfect backdrop for this sport, attracting locals and tourists. Italian skiers have showcased their prowess on global platforms, clinching accolades in the Winter Olympic Games, World Cup, and World Championships.

For those exploring Italy's sports culture, the country's skiing landscape offers thrilling adventure and rich heritage.

Athletics

Italy's athletic prowess is a testament to its rich sporting heritage. The nation is celebrated for athletes who've carved a niche globally and consistently brought glory to Italian sports.

Italy's athletic achievements are vast, from legendary sprinters like Pietro Mennea, who held the 200m world record for nearly 17 years, to marathon maestros.

The champions have honored their homeland by clinching titles and gracing prestigious global events. Italy's track and field legacy offers a compelling and inspiring tale for those keen on understanding the heart of European athletics.

Combat Sports

From the roots of Italy's sports culture, combat sports shine bright. Fencing takes the lead as Italy's champion sport, known for its rich history and skilled athletes.

Beyond the elegant duels of fencing, you'll discover a robust community of boxers, martial artists, kickboxers, mixed martial artists, and amateur wrestlers. Each discipline reflects a unique blend of tradition, discipline, and modern competitiveness.

Italy's commitment to these combat arts isn't just about competition; it's a testament to the country's enduring passion for athletic excellence.

Motorsports

Italy's passion for speed is legendary, and it's home to one of the most prestigious names in motorsports, the Ferrari Formula 1 team.

Italy's love affair with motorsports extends beyond Formula 1, with a thriving racing scene that includes events like the Mille Miglia and the Italian Grand Prix. For motorsports enthusiasts visiting Italy, these events offer a chance to witness the country's rich racing heritage up close.

Whether you're an avid motorsports fan or simply looking to immerse yourself in Italy's sporting culture, the world of car racing in Italy promises an adrenaline-pumping experience that will leave you with lasting memories.

Tennis

Tennis in Italy thrives as a dynamic and captivating sport, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. Notably, Italy boasts professional tennis players consistently ranked among the world's top 100, a testament to their exceptional skills and dedication.

The sport enjoys a robust following from enthusiastic live spectators and television audiences.

One fascinating facet of Italy's tennis legacy is the remarkable doubles duo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci. They etched their names in history by securing the ITF champions title for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014, showcasing Italy's prowess in the doubles arena.

Beyond the courts, Italy's tennis culture is steeped in tradition, with a blend of passion, talent, and a commitment to excellence that inspires players and fans worldwide.

Rugby

Rugby, a sport deeply cherished in Italy, enjoys unwavering support, particularly in the northern regions. Introduced more than a century ago by the British, it has become one of Italy's beloved sports.

The country has continually nurtured and developed rugby, with the Italian national rugby team participating in prestigious championships and competitions.

So, if you're drawn to the rugged fields of rugby, the country's sporting culture is a rich tapestry waiting to be explored.

Let's Wrap It Up!

If you're eager to discover more adventures in Italy, discover the hidden gems that await you at our list of must-visit hot springs in Italy to make your trip truly unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is soccer the most popular sport in Italy?
Yes, soccer, known as "calcio" in Italy, is by far the most popular sport. It has a massive following, with Serie A being one of the top football leagues globally, and the Italian national team enjoying widespread support.
2. How successful is Italy in soccer internationally?
Italy has a rich soccer history and has won four FIFA World Cup titles, the most recent in 2006. They have also won the UEFA European Championship twice, in 1968 and 2020.
3. What other team sports are popular in Italy?
Basketball and volleyball are also highly popular team sports in Italy. The country has a strong presence in European basketball and volleyball leagues.
4. Are there any famous Italian basketball players?
Yes, Italy has produced notable basketball talents like Andrea Bargnani, Danilo Gallinari, and Marco Belinelli, who have played in the NBA.
5. What about individual sports in Italy?
Italy excels in individual sports such as cycling, tennis, and motorsport. They have produced famous cyclists like Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi and successful Formula 1 drivers like Alberto Ascari and Michael Schumacher.
6. Is tennis a popular sport in Italy?
Yes, tennis has a significant following in Italy. Players like Sara Errani and Fabio Fognini have represented Italy at the highest levels of the sport.
7. Do Italians participate in water sports?
Yes, water polo is a popular sport in Italy. The Italian national water polo team has won multiple Olympic and World Championship titles.
8. What are some famous Italian athletes in athletics and boxing?
In athletics, Italy has produced athletes like Pietro Mennea, who held the 200m world record for nearly 17 years. In boxing, Nino Benvenuti and Primo Carnera are among the most famous Italian boxers.
9. How can tourists experience sports culture in Italy?
Tourists can experience sports culture in Italy by attending live matches, visiting sports museums and stadiums, and even participating in activities like cycling tours through picturesque Italian landscapes.
10. Are there any major sports events or tournaments held in Italy regularly?
Yes, Italy hosts various international sporting events, including the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the Italian Open in tennis, and the Giro d'Italia in cycling.
11. Is youth development in sports a priority in Italy?
Yes, Italy places a strong emphasis on youth development in sports. Many sports clubs and academies focus on nurturing young talents to ensure a strong future for Italian sports.

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Planning for private Italy tour, make sure you check out these most popular sports of Italy and experience the passion that players have for them.

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Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642) was a mathematician and astronomer. He is often called the 'Father of Science' due to his big influence. He improved the telescope and studied the Milky Way which he found not to be nebulous but consisting of a multitude of stars and he was the also the first to observe sunspots. With his findings he supported Copernikus observations that the world circled the sun, not that the sun circled the earth as it was believed before. Galilei also discovered the four largest satellites of Jupiter which are called after him 'the Galilean moons'. An improved military compass was invented by Galilei along with many other instruments.

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The “festival of lanterns” occurs on September 7th and celebrates the pilgrimage of farmers and foreigners coming to celebrate the birthday of the Virgin Mary. Today, Florentines carry paper lanterns through the streets to their final celebration point of the basilica of Santissima Annunziata, which is dedicated to Mary’s worship.

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Throughout Florence, it is tradition for an old woman to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve. The Befana, like Santa Claus, is said to give sweets for the good and coal for the naughty kids. This holiday, which takes place on January 6th, is celebrated with a wonderful parade of people winding through Florence to the Piazza Duomo in Renaissance costumes to honor the arrival of the three Wise Men.

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Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519) was a real genius. He studied and explored new ideas throughout his life. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, engineer, botanist. His famous painting of 'Mona Lisa' can be seen in the Louvre museum in Paris. Da Vinci also invented many things and explored new concepts, like the calculator, a flight machine similar to a helicopter, a tank and concentrated solar power.

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Christopher Columbus, or Christoforo Colombo, as was his Italian name, was born in Genua in 1451. He worked as a cartographer in Italy before becoming a business man trading goods with many countries. He visited England, Ireland, even Iceland as well as Spain and Portugal and traded along the Western African coast during his trips. Columbus completed four travels across the Atlantic Ocean and was the first to reach the Americas in his search for a passage to the Orient. He explored the Americas and reached as far as Nicaragua and Honduras. Colombus died in Spain in 1506.

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The Vatican is home to some of the world's most priceless art and art collections. The centerpiece is the great Basilica of St. Peter, with the tomb of St. Peter and one of Michelangelo's most poignant works, the Pieta. Outside is St. Peter's Square, where the Pope addresses followers. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings by Michelangelo, and in the Vatican Museum, you'll see works by many of Italy's other most famous artists.

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Lake Como is one of Italy's most scenic areas, surrounded by mountains and lined by small picturesque towns. A haunt of the wealthy since Roman times, the lake has many opulent villas and palaces along its wooded shores, many of them surrounded by gardens that are open to the public. The mild climate that makes the lake shore ideal for gardens is also a draw for tourists, with characteristics similar to that of the Mediterranean. Along with the resort towns around the lake, there's an 11th-century abbey.

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A gondola ride through the canals of Venice is a tradition that travelers have been enjoying for centuries. Venice is a city of islands, and the canals have long been the city's main streets, connected by a labyrinth of narrow passageways. Lining the canals are old buildings that have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of years, adding to the romantic charm. The Grand Canal is the most famous of these waterways and one of the most photographed sites in Venice. The best way to see many of the grand palaces, whose fronts face the water, is from a Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal.

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The smells of Italy are intoxicating. Even in gritty urban areas where car horns cry out and scooters zip past, the sweet and spicy aromas are the only thing you'll think about.

Enjoy heaps of homemade tortellini in Bologna, grab a cone of fried seafood in Venice, and linger in front of bakery windows in Naples wondering if there is room for one more dessert - even though you've already had two or three that day. In Italy you will eat, but what you eat should depend on where you are.

The country offers much more than pasta drowned in tomato sauce, and the American plate of spaghetti and meatballs does not exist on Italian menus. Instead, search out regional specialties that showcase the abundance of land and sea from north to south.

Here are all the dishes you should eat, and all the tasty restaurants to eat them at:

Rome

Bring your stretchy pants and eat pasta, lots and lots of pasta. While some come to the Eternal City in search of ruins, artwork, or religion, I came to eat. And while I often travel solo, the best part of being in Rome with a group was the ability to pass plates around with friends so that we were all equally satisfied and stuffed on as many dishes as possible.

If you want to plan your day around food, start off with an espresso, but skip the croissant. They aren't that good. Instead, save the calories for lunch and dinner.

Dig into plates of cacio e pepe (pasta with cheese and pepper), twirl your fork around strands of spaghetti alla carbonara (there's no cream in the real deal), or dive into a richly satisfying bowl of bucatini all'amatriciana (red sauce with pecorino cheese and guanciale).
READ MORE: HOW TO GET OFF THE BEATEN PATH IN ROME
Head to the cobbled alley neighborhood of Trastevere to rub shoulders with locals and dine at unpretentious eateries. Da Enzo is a favorite hole-in-the wall. You'll need to queue for a table, but the wait is worth it for homey service, freshly-made pasta, and another classic Roman dish, carciofi alla giudia (Jewish-style fried artichokes). While in the neighborhood, also stop at one of the city's best gelato shops, Fior di Luna.

Street food is also popular in the capital city. Take away porchetta sandwiches, supplì (fried rice balls), and pizza al taglio (thick crust pizza sold by the slice).
CHECK OUT INTREPID'S RANGE OF SMALL GROUP TOURS IN ITALY
Florence

The Renaissance capital of the world, Florence is full of stunning architecture and priceless artwork. Yet even with a million-dollar atmosphere, the food is surprisingly humble and based on traditional peasant meals.

If you want to dine on a budget, stick to a local menu. White bean soup in winter and panzanella salad in summer are a must. Those with daring taste-buds should bite into a lampredotto sandwich (tripe topped with spicy sauce).

For a quick but delicious option, head to the Mercato Centrale - a foodie's paradise in the form of an upscale food court. Here you'll find pasta, snacks, pizza, and Florentine specialties, including focaccia-style sandwiches overstuffed with meat and cheese. The prices are reasonable and there's ample seating.
READ MORE: HOW TO SPEND THE PERFECT 7 DAYS IN ITALY
Want to splurge? Fungus lovers must try tagliatelle with porcini and truffles. The rich pasta dish can be found all over the city, but is at its best when truffle season peaks in fall. Meat lovers, grab a friend or four and feast on Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a giant T-bone steak served rare. The price is per kilo, and the steaks average 1-3 kilos (2 - 6 pounds).

Sure, you're full, but don't forget about the sweet stuff. Gelato was invented here, and it's where you'll find some of the smoothest frozen treats in Italy. Try Gelato La Carraia which uses locally-sourced and organic ingredients, or Venchi which boasts a chocolate fountain of dreams.
READ MORE: 5 MUST-VISIT RESTAURANTS IN FLORENCE
Venice

Venice's magical labyrinth of small streets and canals makes it one of the top destinations in Italy. However, there are still plenty of mom & pop restaurants that serve up local fare. For the best meal, step away from the Grand Canal and head towards the back streets.

Skip the pizza - a ban on most wood-fired ovens on the island make it one of the worst places in the country for a traditional pie. Instead, devour cicchetti (Italian-style tapas). Choose from small bites of fresh fish, cheese, and deep-fried goodness paired with an Aperol Spritz for the perfect canal-side lunch.

Bring cash, as many of the bàcari (small bars) don't accept credit cards. For a satisfying meal on the go, Acqua e Mais serves up the city's best street food, including fried seafood, polenta or veggies in a paper cone. Best of all, it's just steps away from the hectic Ponte di Rialto.
READ MORE: HOW TO BEAT THE CROWDS IN VENICE
Want a sit-down dinner? Walk past the prixe-fix tourist menus and head to restaurants that offer traditional Venetian fare including seafood risotto, vermicelli al nero di sepia (vermicelli with black squid ink), or risi e bisi (rustic rice and pea soup).

Take a gelato break at Grom boasting traditional flavors, or Gelateria Il Doge for classic and creative offerings.
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Bologna

If meat and cheese are your two favorite food groups, you'll eat like a king in Bologna. Given its status as the world's oldest college town, there are plenty of gut busting but extraordinarily delicious cheap eats, as well as high-end dining options in the medieval city.

Stroll the Quadrilatero, a small maze of streets just off the Piazza Maggiore. They're home to a host of vegetable, fish and cheese markets, as well as a number of cafes and wine bars. Satisfy a late afternoon snack attack with a hunk of mortadella and a glass of red wine at an outdoor cafe, but leave room for a rich dinner of pasta bolognese, the city's signature dish.

While you might not be able to smuggle a container of bolognese in your suitcase, you can do the next best thing - learn to make it yourself. One of the highlights of my Intrepid Real Food Adventure to Bologna was a pasta-making class where we learned to make homemade tagliatelle pasta topped with bolognese sauce and cheese-stuffed tortellini.

While the little navel-shaped pastas are easy to eat, it took the skilled hands of the instructor to guide me through the precise steps of rolling the egg dough thin enough so "you can see the hilltop church of San Luca through it." There's no going back to Barilla after savoring the homemade treasures.

Craving ice cream? Try some of the city's best gelato at Cremeria Funivia, a few blocks from the city center or La Sorbetteria Castiglione, which boasts several locations.
EAT TONS OF ITALIAN FOOD (AND MAKE YOUR OWN PASTA) ON THIS ITALY REAL FOOD ADVENTURE
Milan

Milan is the fashion capital of Italy, and the most cosmopolitan city in the country. Here, it's less about grandma's casual kitchen, and more about traditional dining. And given the location in the north, butter, rice and meat rule menus as opposed to basil and pasta.

While there are certainly budget options, including a budding street food scene, plan to spend more on dinners. Must-try dishes include risotto milanese flavored with saffron, pan fried veal cutlet, polenta, and Osso Buco (slow roasted veal shank).

Prefer to nibble on a budget? Head out for an aperitivo, the Italian version of happy hour. In many bars, if you order a drink (typically a wine, spritz, or beer) in the early evening, bite-sized food is free, including focaccia, olives, rice, pasta, cured meats or pizza slices.
READ MORE: 7 DELICIOUS ITALIAN DISHES TO TRY, BY REGION
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a cream horns or Panarello cake (almond-flavored angel food) at Panarello bakery, in operation since the late 19th century. And while the Milanese may eat less ice cream than their southern neighbors, high-quality gelato can be found at several shops including Il Massimo Del Gelato, which always carries at least 6 to 8 chocolate flavors, and La Bottega del gelato where seasonal varieties are the highlight.
READ MORE: 6 CITIES TO VISIT IN ITALY BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE DOES
Naples

If, like me, your family traces its roots back to Southern Italy, or you crave the kind of comfort food typically found in the restaurants of Little Italies around the world, go to Naples. A walk through the small streets of the the Spanish Quarter is like a trip to your Italian grandmother's house where the smell of olive oil, garlic and basil wafts through open windows.

The food of Naples is uncomplicated, and street food and homey trattorias rule the city. Pizza, of course, is the main attraction. The soft, chewy crust with slightly burnt edges will ruin you for life as you realize that outside of Naples, the thing you call pizza is not the same.

Try the Margherita at Pizzeria Brandi, the restaurant that invented it, or savor a slice at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele of Eat, Pray Love fame which has been serving up prized pies for five generations. For a quick snack, pizza fritta (deep fried calzone) can't be beat. Pizzeria d'è Figliole is the place that locals go for a late-night fix.

Head to one of the many locations of Cafe Mexico for a morning coffee (taken while standing at the counter), and always leave room for dessert. Sfogliatella is the city's signature pasty. For the best ones, seek out bakeries that serve the flaky pastry warm from the oven. Cool down after a hot day in the Naples sun with a gelato. Gay-Odin serves up some of the best gelato in their small shop where they also produce handmade chocolates.
Ready to eat your way through incredible Italy? Check out Intrepid's Italy Real Food Adventure and South Italy Real Food Adventure.

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Everything you need to eat in Italy: a city-by-city guide

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The smells of Italy are intoxicating. Even in gritty urban areas where car horns cry out and scooters zip past, the sweet and spicy aromas are the only thing you'll think about.

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Different foods in Italy

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1. Florence

Tuscany's capital regards itself as the birthplace of Italian gastronomy and it's hard to disagree when you wander past the mouthwatering stalls at the Mercato Centrale, Florence's main indoor food market.

While the olive is king, its prince is the bistecca alla fiorentina, the juicy T-bone steak traditionally made from Chianina beef. It's often served with cannellini beans - another Tuscan staple.

Robust Chianti reds go perfectly with plates of pappardelle in a wild boar sauce. Check out the restaurants in the Sant'Ambrogio and Santa Croce districts, along with the neighbourhood haunts across the River Arno in Oltrarno or San Gimignano. As for dessert, ice cream fans will be pleased to know that gelato was invented here, so you know you'll get some of the best scoops in Italy.
Looking for a trip to Florence and Tuscany? Try this...
2. Venice

To get a true flavour of Venice, explore the city on a giro d'ombra - a Venetian version of a pub crawl. Throughout the city - but especially in San Polo and Cannaregio districts - you'll find hole-in-the-wall bars called bàcari, where you can fill up on tapas-like cicchetti. These delicious morsels of bread are covered in everything from prosciutto and gorgonzola to creamy salt cod called baccalà, and a plate of these nibbles go beautifully with a glass of local wine.

Whet your appetite further by browsing the food stalls at the Rialto Market, especially the atmospheric fish market by the Grand Canal.
Like the sound of Venice? Take a look at our foodie trip there...

3. Naples

It's not all about the pizza in Naples, but it's a good place to start. Ripe red San Marzano's make the tomato sauce with creamy mozzarella and vivid green basil forming the classic pizza napolitana - equally wonderful in a cosy trattoria or on the street.

For more street food, the Pignasecca market tempts you with stalls offering deep-fried calamari, whitebait, artichokes and - in a peculiar Neapolitan way - pasta fritters called frittatine di pasta.

Among the seafood restaurants of the classy Chiaia waterfront district, you're certain to find another local speciality: spaghetti alle vongole (clams). Finish it off with limoncello liqueur made from lemons picked along the Amalfi Coast.
Try this...
4. Rome

Roman cuisine - cucina romana - is surprisingly simple, considering the wealth of history and art that fills the Italian capital. One of Rome's most famous dishes is spaghetti alla carbonara, which has all of about three ingredients - and cream isn't one of them.

Testaccio food market will give you an authentic taste of cucina romana among its 100 or so stalls, and you won't want to miss the spectacle of the morning market at Campo dei' Fiori.

Join the Romans for dinner in the laid-back restaurants in the Trastevere district across the River Tiber, or in the underrated Monti area near the Centro Storico.
See the best of Rome on this incredible trip...
5. Milan

Italy's fashion capital is one of the most fervent purveyors of that fine Italian tradition - aperitivo hour. For the price of a drink, you can help yourself to an astonishing amount of free buffet snacks that bars set out from about 6pm till about 8pm.

If you're still hungry after that, don't forget to try Milan's beautifully simple risotto alla milanese, or the heartier ossobucco Italian dish of slow-cooked veal shanks. The district of Ticinese hums during aperitivo time, and from here you can work your way up to Moscova where you'll find a dizzying range of places to eat.

6. Bologna

Bologna has some of Italy's best food, but it's curiously off the radar of many tourists. Yet this is where tortellini and tortelloni originated - not to mention tagliatelle al ragù, which bears little resemblance to bolognese sauce and pasta.

Dive into the maze of medieval lanes of Quadrilatero off Piazza Maggiore, where market stalls and cafés are tucked under arches and offer a tantalising introduction to the city's cuisine. To cut through the richness of the food, wash it down with lambrusco - fizzy red wine. And treat yourself to gelato - so good they even have university devoted to teaching how to make it.

7. Genoa

Liguria's capital has given the world two excellent inventions: pesto and focaccia. In the narrow streets of Genoa's Centro Storico, known as caruggi, there's no shortage of tiny cafés where you can snack on focaccia and the savoury chickpea pancake known as farinata.

For something more substantial, the Centro Storico teems with trattorias serving Ligurian favourites such as pesto with trofie pasta, or the ravioli-like pansoti with walnut sauce.

An Old Town highlight is the huge Mercato Orientale, whose Michelin-star worthy market stalls show off the best Ligurian olives, fresh pastas, meats and so much more.

8. Parma

No one does ham and cheese quite like Parma - not when the ham is prosciutto di Parma and the cheese is parmigiano reggiano. Then there's culatello di Zibello, a highly-prized ham that's made in only eight villages in the Po Valley near Parma. There's something in the air and soil of the valley that produces these sublime flavours.

In this cultured city - home of the Verdi Festival - they also take aperitivo time seriously. One of the best places to indulge in this ritual - during the early-evening stroll known as the passeggiata - is along Strada Farini just off Piazza Garibaldi.

9. Palermo

The island of Sicily, and paticularly it's capital, gives you an experience of street food like no other Italian city. Head to Palermo's lively Kalsa quarter, where you can watch fish, prawns and calamari being grilled on giant barbecues. Look out for moreish Sicilian fried snacks, including arancini (fried risotto rice balls with a savoury surprise in the middle), panelle (chickpea fritters) and potato croquettes.

A visit to the Mercato del Capo food market takes you to the heart of Sicilian food and reveals its many Arab influences, including the sultanas that go into the island's signature dish, pasta con le sarde (spaghetti with sardines and fennel).

10. Cagliari

The flavours of the surrounding rugged mountains and the Mediterranean coast mingle harmoniously in Sardinia's capital. If you want a meat feast, order porceddu - spit-roasted suckling pig that's so tender it falls on the fork. Seafood lovers can't leave without trying bottarga, cured mullet roe that's known as the poor man's caviar. Grated over spaghetti, it transports you instantly to the sea.
The narrow streets of Cagliari's old town, such as Via Sardegna, are filled with little restaurants serving other Sardinian specialities including malloreddus (shell-like pasta covered in a fennel-infused pork sauce) and the giant couscous-like fregula, which is gorgeous with clams.
Looking for a holiday to Italy? Take your pick...

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Italy's best cities for food - and what to eat while you're there | Times Expert Traveller

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Tuscany's capital regards itself as the birthplace of Italian gastronomy and it's hard to disagree when you wander past the mouthwatering stalls at the Mercato Centrale, Florence's main indoor food market. While the olive is king, its prince is the bistecca alla fiorentina, the juicy T-bone steak traditionally made from Chianina beef.