The best culinary trips in Europe to enjoy outstanding seasonal local dishes, month-by-month

I have been contemplating if I should compile a ‘travel by month’ list at all, given the many you see creeping up by the end of each year. So, is it worth to add another one? Moreover, published in January, when it’s almost too late to plan a trip this month?

Obviously, the answer was yes. And I don’t think it matters this list comes out in January. It could even come out in June and would work perfectly. After all, you will likely plan most of your trips at least six months in advance. In addition, think of such events like Carnival in Venice (when the delicious iconic local Carnival sweets will be offered all over the city), where you need to book accommodations often up to a year in advance.

A lot of the places below make great year-round destinations or would make fantastic travel destinations during other months as well. But if food is one of your top travel criteria, then timing your visit to fall into the suggested month means it will coincide with fresh seasonal offerings, local food festivals, or other seasonal highlights like local spring blossoms, ideal weather conditions, lower visitor number, you name it.

So, if you are planning a trip dedicated to outstanding culinary experience – or food is at least an important part of your travels – here is my month-by-month breakdown with the best destinations in Europe to visit. Safe this list for inspiration whenever you are planning your next food-inspired trip.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in January

  • Head to Burgundy, Dordogne and Provance in France for black truffle season. In the morning, browse the small historic truffle markets in Lalbenque, Richerenches, Sarlat or Carpentras (opening days and hours will vary, so make sure to check timetable ahead of your trip), while later in the day have dinner based around special truffle menus at one of the local restaurants.
  • The stunning Christmas Markets will be gone, but the Austrian capital, Vienna, is always worth a trip and January will be one of the few times in the year with fairly low tourist numbers. Spend your day sipping coffee at one of the many historic coffee houses between museum visits and exploring the many historic royal palaces. In the evening, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to gourmet dining. Think such local icons like the Michelin-starred Steirereck and Konstantin Filippou, the historic Figlmueller, opened in 1905 as a small tavern and today recognized as the place to go for Wiener Schnitzerl, or newcomers like Edvard in the newly opened Anantara Palais Hansen.
  • The Canary Islands are the perfect location to break away from the cold winter weather in most other parts of Europe. Enjoy warm sunny days and a still young but thriving local food scene embracing local dishes with a modern twist.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in February

  • February is peak season at Europe’s ski resorts. From the snowcapped Italian Alps, French and Slovenian Alps to Switzerland and Austria, days will be spent skiing, followed by apres-ski (literally an extended happy hour starting around 4pm) along with the hearty food of the mountains such as cheese fondues, dumplings, Swiss roesti, delicious Kaiserschmarren and more.
  • This year, the first half of February is peak carnival season. For those with a sweet tooth, this means Venice to enjoy historic street parades and the city’s famous Carnival sweets. 
  • Bergen, Norway’s second largest city hosts its annual seafood festival in February. Indulge in exquisite seafood like sea urchins, scallops, and caviar with dramatic fjord scenery dusted in snow.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in March

  • Sevilla, Spain will come out of the winter bubble from mid to end March, with already mild and sunny days and the local orange blossom season starting, while crowds will be still much lower. Enjoy tapas in one of the many tapas bars, fresh seafood, and the sweet, orange-infused desserts.
  • Head to Sicily, Italy, for mild weather and vibrant spring festivals like the annual almond blossom festival (sagrada del mandolo in fiore) in Agrigento. Indulge in delicious street food like arancini (small, deep-fried stuffed rice balls) and panelle (fried chickpea fritters), or the iconic local dishes like Pasta alla Norma, Fritto misto di mare (mixed fried seafood), Couscous Alla Trapanese, and delicious desserts like Cassata or Cannoli.
  • Increasingly popular thanks to a raft of new exciting hotel and restaurant openings over the past few years, including an increasing number of Michelin-star awarded places, Malta is another perfect destination for an early spring vacation. Located in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast, March means already pleasant spring-like weather ideal for sightseeing, early spring vegetation while the crowds will be still much lower. Dive into a cuisine characterized by a unique mix of Sicilian, North African, and British flavours alongside traditional Mediterranean dishes

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in April

  • In Germany, the annual Rheingau gourmet weeks will be back (this year running from April 24th to May 3rd). Over 100 winegrowers, wine taverns and restaurants in the Rheingau will open their doors to allow visitors to experience wines of the new vintage, regional cuisine and culture, often combined with music and an open-air atmosphere in vineyards and cellars. Meanwhile, local restaurants will feature dedicated wine tasting menus.
  • Another destination in Germany worth putting on your travel bucket list for April is Munich. From mid-April to early May, the city will celebrate its annual Spring Festival. An event that could be nicely summarized as the ‘little sister of Oktoberfest’. Held at the same spot, Theresienwiese, the event features two beer tents, live music, and more than hundred stalls and rides. Indulge in local treats like pretzels, roast chicken, pork knuckles, and various sausages. Keep in mind, the famous Bavarian Weißwurst (white sausage) is meant to be eaten for breakfast only and removing the inedible skin by either sucking it out or cutting it lengthwise and peeling with a fork/knife.
  • Amsterdam in the Netherlands once again will host its annual tulip festival which runs for the entire month of April, brining hundreds of thousands of tulips to the city. In addition, nearby Keukenhof will also erupt in spring blossoms.
  • Dubrovinik, Croatia is a fantastic destination in April, with already mild temperatures yet far lesser crowds then in the summer months. So, wander the charming lanes of the historic Old Town and stroll along the ancient city walls while taking in the stunning scenic coastal views. Indulge in fresh local seafood, the famous black risotto, and the iconic braised beef in red wine.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in May

  • May is peak asparagus season in Germany and while the popular vegetable will feature on menus across the whole country, it’s the main asparagus growing regions where various food festivals dedicated to the vegetable will be held. Hotspots include Baden-Württemberg, particularly around Schwetzingen, nicknamed ‘asparagus capital’, North Rhine-Westphalia, Beelitz in Brandenburg and the Lower Saxony Asparagus Route.
  • Celebrate white asparagus season in northern Italy. Asparagus festivals are hold in various towns near Lake Garda like Cavaion Veronese, Pastrengo and Rivoli Veronese. Another Veneto town famous for its white asparagus since the mid 1500’s and celebrating its own local asparagus festival usually early May is Bassano del Grappa.
  • Street food lovers should look out for the annual Brussels Food Festival (usually the second weekend in May) with over 100 food trucks featuring cuisines from various countries distributed over the city centre area.
  • Magnolia and wildflowers along with the famous Chelsea Flower Show are perfect reasons to visit London in May. Otherwise, the city is known for its unparalleled global culinary diversity, with restaurants virtually spanning every corner of the world. Add vibrant food markets and the famous English afternoon tea, and you know what you can expect.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in June

  • June means the start of the beach season on the Amalfi Coast while the peak tourist crowds have yet to arrive.So, enjoy the local delicacies like fresh seafood (the iconic street food cuoppo d’Amalfi, a cone of fried fish is a must) and lemon-infused local desserts. It’s also the time for the first sweet tomatoes, courgettes (particularly their flowers), eggplants, melons and apricots.
  • Provence, South of France: June in Provence/South of France not only means lavender fields in bloom. Markets are overflowing the fresh seasonal produce, from courgettes (try them deep fried or stuffed direct at market stands) to the first tomatoes, apricots, peaches, melons and cherries; and there is this special scent of olive trees in the air.
  • Berry festivals abound in Scandinavia, particularly in Finland and Sweden. Fresh strawberries are a central part of the Scandinavian Midsummer celebrations (usually in the second half of June). Meanwhile, June is also the best month for hiking and picking wild berries.
  • The largest Greek island, Crete, is Europe’s ‘Region of Gastronomy 2026’ while it’s capital city, Heraklion, is part of UNESCO’S ‘City of Gastronomy’ list since 2023. The island has also witnessed the opening of many exciting hotels with gourmet restaurants in recent years. So, enjoy the already warm temperatures, a beautiful, rugged coastline, the islands rich culture along with excellent regional food while tourist numbers are still on the lower side.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in July

  • If you are looking to combine a foodie trip with some beach time, Portugal’s beautiful Algarve is a great place to be in July. While the southern European summer can be often scorching hot, the southern tip of Portugal usually enjoys a lovely, cooling breeze that make it a great destination even during peak summer. Beautiful beaches, stunning nature endless hiking routes, and a large number of golf courts make fantastic reasons to visit, while in recent years the area has gained large recognition for its local gastronomy. From simple beach restaurants to local tavern and Michelin-starred restaurants, indulge in fresh seafood, piri-piri chicken and Arroz de pato, along with the excellent regional wines.
  • Brittany in France will be warm but far for the heat that will start to hit the south of France. It is also a still overlooked culinary gem! The coastal region is defined by fresh seafood, rich dairy (thanks to verdant meadows) and the iconic savoury buckwheat pancakes (galettes) and sweet crepes.
  • Swedish Lapland is the prefect destination if you want to escape the heat in southern Europe, and June is the perfect month to enjoy the midnight sun. Indulge in a unique local food scene characterized by pure, natural ingredients from the Arctic region. Local staples include cured fish (Arctic char, trout, salmon, and whitefish), rich game, and fresh berries used in desserts.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in August

  • Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, over the past decade has transformed into one of the world’s best destinations for food. While certainly a year-round destination, Denmark is becoming an increasingly popular destination for summer holidays. August usually means warm and sunny days but far from the sweltering heat across southern Europe. Moreover, during the last week of August the city welcomes the annual Copenhagen Cooking Festival, celebrating of Nordic food, sustainability and creativity all over the city.
  • Indulge in fresh seafood, game, and hearty dining experiences along with the occasional distillery tour in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city is also host to the huge annual Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts festival running for three weeks during August.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in September

  • Spain’s Basque Country is one of the most magical food destinations. Think of pintxos crawls (the equivalent to Spanish tapas), Michelin-starred restaurants in San Sebastian and the Rioja wine region for food and wine pairings. September is the perfect time to combine outstanding food experiences with the local cider (well apples) and grape harvests.
  • Franciacorta in Italy’s Lombardy region in the north of the country will stage its annual Franciacorta in Cantina festival (usually mid-September) with wineries opening their doors to visitors for tastings, tours, picnics, food pairings and other cultural events including life music. Otherwise expect still pleasant weather ideal for hiking and biking through the vineyards and taking boot tours on Lake Iseo.
  • Dublin/Ireland is the perfect destination for seafood lovers in September. While lots of fresh crabs, lobsters and prawns will start to appear already in August, the month of September will see a raft of seafood festivals taking place across the island. Most notably the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, Cromane Seafest, and Clarenbridge Oyster Festival.
  • Head to England’s wine country in the Southeast (Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire) and   Southwest (Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset) for beginning fall foliage, harvest events like grape stomping, and local wineries and restaurants offering awesome food and wine tasting menus.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in October

  • Istria’s truffle season peaks in autumn, especially for prized white truffles (September-January). Local festivals like the Zigante Truffle Days in Motovun/Livade will take place in October along with other truffle-themed events extending into the months of September and November.
  • A well-known foodie destination, Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region with cities like Bologna, Parma, and Modena will host a raft of autumn food festivals including Lambrusco Festival (the local red sparkling wine), and Brisighella (pork feast). Otherwise, enjoy the iconic local foods like Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, fresh egg pasta, such as Tagliatelle al Ragù (Bolognese), Tortellini in Brodo, and Lasagne alla Bolognese.
  • Budapest in Hungary is a year-round destination to indulge in hearty local dishes like goulash. Meanwhile October means the annual Csabai Sausage Festival takes place in the city of Békéscsaba, located round about two and a half hours from Budapest and easily connected by train from the capital. Expect competitions, traditional pig slaughter, music, and food stalls.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in November

  • This is the time to make your way to Italy’s Lange region in Piemonte, ideally via the city of Turin. It’s peak season for the world-famous white Alba truffles, foraged across the whole region. While the annual Alba truffles fair has transformed into a fairly touristy event, locally you will be spoiled with delicious truffles-based menus (accompanied by the region’s outstanding wines).
  • Head to Tuscany in Italy for the annual truffle festival in San Miniato (last three weekends in November) and many of the local restaurants offering special truffle menus. Otherwise, take advantage of low visitor numbers, more fall festivals (including olive oil harvest festivals), fall colours, and the regional cuisine featuring seasonal dishes like rich soups, game meats, and chestnut-based desserts.

Best European destinations for foodie travellers in December

  • Christmas Markets will be open everywhere across Europe, making it hard to advice on only one destination. That said, Germany clearly remains the major Christmas Market location. Any large or smaller city will feature festive decorations, and market stalls offering the traditional Christmas foods and mulled wine. Expect local restaurants to offer special festive menus, in many cases including roast goose and duck typically served with sides of red cabbage and potato dumplings.
  • Vienna in Austria while already mentioned before is hands down one of the most magical cities in Europe during the festive season. Various Christmas Markets distributed across the whole city will offer delicious food and mulled wine, the local coffee houses will be buzzing with visitors escaping the cold outside, and restaurants will offer special menus.
  • Head to London (also listed twice now) for a city full of Christmas magic, cozy cafés, and dedicated Christmas-themed afternoon teas.
  • Bruges in Belgiumwill transform into a magical place full of festive decorations tinging the medieval buildings and canals in glistening lights. Indulge in waffles, chocolates, and excellent local beer.

Where are you planning to go in 2026 for food experiences? Do any of the destinations mentioned above sound interesting?