Italy’s New Olive Oil Tourism Trend

Discover the charm of olive oil tourism in Italy. From exclusive tastings to walks among centuries-old olive groves, Italy offers unique experiences that celebrate its renowned extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Plan your trip by integrating these must-see stops.

What is Olive Oil Tourism and What Experiences Can You Have in Italy?
Olive oil tourism is an emerging trend that allows travelers to immerse themselves in the culture and traditions of Italian extra virgin olive oil. Experiences range from tastings of fine oils, guided tours of historic mills, cooking classes, and olive picking, to walks among ancient olive groves and participation in cultural and gastronomic events. Each Italian region offers unique experiences reflecting the characteristics of its EVOO, making it easy to integrate these activities into any travel itinerary.

Northern Italy

In Liguria, easily accessible from Genoa, Milan, and Turin, you’ll find one of the most fascinating areas for olive oil production, particularly around Imperia. Here, mills offer tastings of delicate and fruity oils like the famous Taggiasca, with a light and sweet flavor perfect for dressing fresh salads and fish dishes. Guided tours of the mills allow you to discover the history and tradition of this region.

Lake Garda, easily reachable from Milan and Verona and about two and a half hours from Venice, is another renowned area for EVOO production. Garda oils are light and fruity, with notes of almond and green apple, ideal for accompanying fish dishes and seasonal salads. Experiences here include tours of mills and tastings by the lake.

Even the Langhe in Piedmont are rediscovering EVOO production. During a gastronomic vacation in the Langhe, you can combine visits to mills with those to wineries, where prestigious wines like Barolo and Barbaresco are produced.

Florence and Tuscany
Tuscany is famous for its scenic olive groves and historic mills. Tuscan oils, such as Frantoio and Leccino, are robust and fruity, with notes of fresh grass and artichoke. These oils are perfect for dressing bruschetta, legume soups, and meat dishes. Experiences include tastings, visits to mills, and cooking workshops. You can combine these activities with food and wine tours, also exploring the famous Tuscan wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.

Rome and Central Italy
Abruzzo, accessible from Rome, offers fruity oils with a slightly spicy aftertaste. Here you can participate in cooking workshops and olive picking in a rustic and authentic setting. Abruzzo oils are ideal for accompanying pasta dishes and grilled vegetables.

Umbria, known for its high-quality oils, offers educational tours and hands-on experiences like olive picking. Umbrian oils, such as Moraiolo and San Felice, are intense and aromatic, perfect for dressing soups and bruschetta. During visits to mills, tourists can discover traditional production techniques and taste various oil varieties.

Southern Italy
In Campania, for those visiting Naples and the Amalfi Coast, the oils are robust and spicy, often used to enhance fish and pasta dishes. Mills offer tastings and guided tours in beautiful coastal settings, allowing you to discover the olive-growing tradition of the region.

Puglia, famous for its centuries-old olive trees, produces rich and fruity oils like Coratina and Ogliarola, perfect for accompanying grilled vegetables and salads. Activities include bike tours, picnics among the olive trees, and cultural events, offering a complete and engaging experience.

Basilicata, with Matera as a reference point, offers immersive experiences in historic olive groves and traditional mills. Basilicata oils, such as Majatica, are balanced and fruity, ideal for dressing legume and meat dishes.

Calabria and Sicily
Calabria, often overlooked by tourists, offers a quieter yet equally enriching experience with visits to mills and olive groves in a region known for robust and aromatic oils, ideal for meat and vegetable dishes. Calabrian oils, like Carolea, have a strong and slightly bitter flavor, perfect for traditional dishes.

In Sicily, EVOO is an integral part of the culinary culture. Sicilian oils, such as Nocellara and Biancolilla, are fruity with notes of tomato and almond, ideal for Mediterranean dishes. The oils from the Monti Iblei are particularly notable, characterized by a high concentration of polyphenols, making them perfect for dressing salads and fresh vegetables. Activities include tastings and cultural visits, offering a complete immersion in the island’s olive-growing tradition.

Sardinia
Despite being more famous for its beaches, Sardinia boasts distinctive EVOOs like Semidana and Bosana. Semidana is light and fruity, ideal for dressing salads and fish dishes, while Bosana has a spicier and bitter flavor, perfect for meat and grilled vegetables. Experiences include walks among centuries-old olive trees, tastings, and cooking workshops, offering a sensory journey through the island’s flavors and aromas.

A Journey into the Heart of Italy’s Olive Culture
Olive oil tourism represents a unique and engaging way to explore Italy, offering travelers the opportunity to discover the richness of local traditions and the quality of the famous Italian EVOO. Integrating these experiences into your travel itinerary allows you to fully experience the culture and gastronomic excellence of Italy, making every visit an unforgettable adventure among the flavors and aromas of the different regions.

This new trend in tourism not only enriches the trip with unique experiences but also supports local communities, promoting sustainable and respectful tourism of traditions. Whether you are a food lover, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for an authentic experience, Italy offers a journey into the heart of its olive culture. To further explore the authentic Italy and its roots, check out our article on Italian roots tourism.

Buy local products