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.
If you’re searching for the best cities in the world for culinary travel, new research has revealed exactly where food lovers should be heading in 2026. With hands-on cooking classes, immersive market tours, and authentic local flavours rising to the top of travel wishlists, Titan Travel has analysed global search trends, class availability, ratings and pricing to uncover the ultimate foodie destinations for 2026.
Their findings show Italy’s gastronomic capitals dominating the list, from Florence to Palermo, while standout cities such as Lisbon, Barcelona and Osaka also make a strong appearance. Whether you dream of rolling fresh pasta with a Tuscan chef or mastering Japanese favourites in Osaka, these cities promise unforgettable culinary experiences for travellers who want more than just a good meal — they want to taste the world.
Top-ranked cities for culinary travel:
| Rank | City | Country | Google searches for culinary experiences* | Cooking classes | Average cooking class price | 4★+ cooking classes | 4★+ cooking classes (%) | Overall score /10 |
| 1 | Florence | Italy | 213,300 | 231 | £84 | 172 | 74.5% | 7.19 |
| 2 | Palermo | Italy | 111,600 | 50 | £89 | 44 | 88.0% | 6.98 |
| 3 | Bologna | Italy | 30,700 | 56 | £74 | 45 | 80.4% | 6.88 |
| 4 | Lisbon | Portugal | 22,900 | 60 | £74 | 49 | 81.7% | 6.46 |
| 4 | Rome | Italy | 99,640 | 340 | £77 | 232 | 68.2% | 6.46 |
| 6 | Brussels | Belgium | 15,260 | 19 | £39 | 14 | 73.7% | 6.25 |
| 6 | Barcelona | Spain | 21,600 | 84 | £69 | 72 | 85.7% | 6.25 |
| 6 | Venice | Italy | 54,200 | 52 | £90 | 39 | 75.0% | 6.25 |
| 9 | Osaka | Japan | 23,700 | 90 | £56 | 65 | 72.2% | 5.73 |
| 10 | Hue | Vietnam | 51,800 | 20 | £29 | 9 | 45.0% | 5.42 |
*(Oct 2024 – Sept 2025)
Italy is set to dominate foodie travel in 2026, with five of its cities named among the world’s best destinations for hands-on culinary experiences. Florence leads the way, offering an impressive 231 cooking classes, and 74.5% of them are rated four stars or higher.
Palermo takes second place for 2026, with 50 cooking classes available and an outstanding 88% rated four stars and above.
In third place, Bologna continues to be a dream destination for food lovers. Famous for its ragù alla Bolognese, the city will offer travellers more than 56 cooking classes to choose from in 2026.
Meanwhile, Lisbon stands out as Portugal’s must-visit foodie hotspot for 2026, with 60 hands-on cooking classes and 82% receiving four-star ratings or higher. From its iconic pastel de nata to the energy of the Time Out Market, visitors can expect a standout culinary experience next year.
Cassie Strickland, Product Manager at Titan Travel, comments on the rise of food tourism:
“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.”
You can find the research in full here: https://www.titantravel.co.uk/blogs/best-cities-in-the-world-for-culinary-travel
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