The 25 Best Cities You Can Find in Italy to Satisfy the Love for Pizza

That moment when you bite into the perfect pizza – the crust with just the right chew, sauce that pops with flavor, cheese that stretches for days? Pure magic. Italy isn’t just the birthplace of pizza; it’s where this humble dish has been elevated to an art form worth building an entire trip around. With the Italian pizza industry valued at a cool €15 billion and supporting 100,000 full-time workers, this isn’t just food – it’s serious business.

I’ve eaten my way through Italy’s pizza scene, from Naples’ soft pillowy crusts to Rome’s cracker-thin slices, and I’m here to map out your ultimate pizza pilgrimage. Forget settling for that chain delivery joint back home – these 25 cities will rewire your entire understanding of what pizza can be. Ready to plan your carb-loaded tour through the motherland? Your stomach is about to thank you.

The Pizza Landscape in Italy: Beyond the Tourist Traps

Italian pizza isn’t one thing – it’s a wildly diverse landscape of regional styles, each with fierce defenders and distinct techniques. The country boasts 40,000 pizzerias (with 10% concentrated in Campania alone) plus another 15,000 focused on takeaway options.

But here’s the truth: not all Italian pizza is created equal. Just like you wouldn’t trust a random barber with your fade, you shouldn’t trust just any pizza spot with your taste buds. The real gems often hide in plain sight, sometimes in cities you’ve never even heard of.

Each region’s pizza tells a story through its dough, with variables like fermentation time, flour type, cooking method, and local toppings creating entirely different experiences. What unites them? An obsessive dedication to quality that makes even a simple Margherita feel like a revelation.

Naples: The Undisputed Pizza Capital

No discussion of pizza cities starts anywhere but Naples. UNESCO literally recognized the “Art of Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo” as an intangible cultural heritage, and TasteAtlas crowned Naples the #1 food city in the world for 2024-25, specifically for its Pizza Margherita.

What Makes Neapolitan Pizza Special

The authentic Neapolitan pizza features a soft, chewy crust with that signature puffed-up, slightly charred edge (the “cornicione”). Cooked for just 60-90 seconds in wood-fired ovens reaching 900°F, the center stays tender while the rim gets those beautiful leopard spots. It’s not meant to be crispy – if you’re expecting that, adjust your expectations.

Must-Visit Pizzerias

• Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria: Ranked #2 globally in 50 Top Pizza World 2024, this spot represents Naples’ pizza excellence.
• L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele: Made famous in “Eat, Pray, Love,” this historic spot still draws crowds for its perfectly executed simplicity.
• 50 Kalò: Coming in at #9 globally, they’ve mastered the dough’s consistency and texture.
• La Notizia: A true Naples institution ranked #18 worldwide.

Caserta: The Rising Pizza Powerhouse

Just 40 minutes north of Naples lies Caserta, which has emerged as a serious contender in the pizza world. Seven of Italy’s top 50 pizzerias are packed into this area, making it a legitimate pizza pilgrimage site.

The Caserta Pizza Revolution

Caserta’s pizzaioli have taken traditional Neapolitan techniques and pushed them into new territory, drawing inspiration from Michelin-starred restaurants rather than other pizzerias.

Standout Spots

• I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci: Tied for #2 globally, this place uses equipment you’d typically find only in fine dining – dehydrators, sous vide, the works.
• I Masanielli – Sasà Martucci: Ranked #16 globally (yes, there are two I Masanielli spots, with different owners).
• Cambia-Menti di Ciccio Vitiello: Coming in at #24 globally, another example of Caserta’s pizza dominance.

Rome: The Crispy Contender

Recently crowned the world’s best food destination for 2025 by TripAdvisor, Rome’s approach to pizza stands in delicious contrast to Naples’ softness.

Roman Pizza Varieties

• Pizza Romana: Features a thin crust that’s crispy throughout – think crackers, not bread.
• Pizza al Taglio: Rectangular pizza sold by weight, perfect for on-the-go eating.
• Pizza Bianca: Simple flatbread with olive oil and salt – Roman breakfast perfection.

Where to Get Your Roman Fix

• Seu Pizza Illuminati: Ranked #10 globally, masterfully executing the Roman thin-crust style.
• 180 Grammi Pizzeria Romana: Coming in at #29 worldwide.
• Bonci Pizzarium: The spot that revolutionized pizza al taglio, visited by Anthony Bourdain himself.

Milan: Northern Innovation Hub

Milan ranks as Italy’s second-best food city according to TasteAtlas 24/25, and while not traditionally known for pizza, its scene has exploded with creative approaches.

Milan’s Pizza Innovation

The city emphasizes contemporary techniques with alternative flours, longer fermentation processes, and creative toppings that reflect its fashion-forward mindset.

Top Milanese Pizzerias

• Confine: Impressively ranked #4 in the world, demonstrating Milan’s rising status in pizza.
• Dry Milano: Placed #17 globally, known for combining exceptional cocktails with outstanding pizza – it’s the whole package.
• Pizzeria Savò: Recommended by some of Milan’s top designers, offering different variations (Gourmet, Classic, Scrocchiarella) to suit various tastes.

Caiazzo: Small Town, Big Pizza Reputation

This tiny town has gained international recognition thanks to one remarkable pizzeria and pizzaiolo.

The Famous Pizzeria

• Pepe in Grani: Ranked #25 globally and run by Franco Pepe, named The Best Pizza Chef for 2024, this spot alone has put Caiazzo on the culinary map.

Lesser-Known Pizza Cities: The Hidden Gems

While the big names get all the press, some of Italy’s best pizza experiences hide in smaller cities and towns. These spots might require extra effort to reach, but they reward the pizza pilgrim with unique styles and fewer tourists.

Pozzuoli

Home to Raf Bonetta, ranked #48 globally, this coastal town near Naples offers pizza with seafood influences you won’t find elsewhere.

Succivo

This small town houses Pizzeria Da Lioniello (#21 globally), serving pizza that blends traditional techniques with modern presentation.

Pietrasanta

Apogeo (#41 globally) brings Tuscan influences to pizza in this charming town known better for art than food.

Montepaone Lido

Located in Calabria, BOB Alchimia a Spicchi (#39 globally) incorporates southern Italian flavors and ingredients into their unique pies.

Pizza City Matchmaker: Find Your Perfect Pizza Destination

Florence: Renaissance of Flavor

Florence ranks #4 in TasteAtlas’s best food cities, and while known for bistecca and ribollita, its pizza scene has developed a distinctive character.

Florence’s Pizza Approach

Florentine pizzerias often incorporate local Tuscan ingredients like pecorino cheese and locally-pressed olive oil to create pizzas with regional character.

Notable Pizzerias

• Giovanni Santarpia: Ranked #83 globally, bringing Neapolitan techniques to Tuscan ingredients.
• Il Vecchio e il Mare: Consistently ranked on the 50 Top Pizza list for six consecutive years.

Venice: Floating City with Rising Pizza Stars

Venice might be better known for seafood risotto than pizza, but several outstanding pizzerias have established themselves in recent years.

Venice’s Pizza Approach

Venetian pizzerias often incorporate local seafood and produce from the lagoon islands, creating unique variations you won’t find elsewhere.

Must-Try Pizzerias

• Birraria La Corte in Campo San Polo: Serving Neapolitan-style pizza with a variety of craft beers in a historic setting.
• Antico Forno: Offering pizzaccia—a unique combination of pizza and focaccia that’s distinctly Venetian.

Sicily: Island Pizza Traditions

Sicily’s pizza traditions differ significantly from mainland Italy, with unique regional styles influenced by the island’s diverse cultural history.

Sicilian Pizza Specialties

• Sfincione: Thick, rectangular crust topped with tomato sauce, breadcrumbs, onions, and anchovies.
• Scaccia: A folded pizza/bread hybrid filled with tomato sauce, cheese, and other ingredients – like a pizza calzone’s sophisticated cousin.

Turin: Northern Pizza Excellence

Turin’s food scene blends French influences with traditional Piedmontese cuisine, and its pizza offerings reflect this innovative spirit.

Turin’s Pizza Approach

Turin pizzerias often experiment with non-traditional ingredients and techniques while maintaining quality and craftsmanship.

Notable Pizzeria

• Sestogusto: Ranked #36 globally, showing Turin’s serious pizza credentials.

Bologna: The Food Capital Embraces Pizza

Bologna, ranked as the world’s #3 food city by TasteAtlas, might be better known for pasta and ragù, but its pizza scene has gained significant attention.

Bologna’s Pizza Character

Bologna’s approach to pizza often incorporates the rich culinary heritage of Emilia-Romagna, with toppings like mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and balsamic vinegar from Modena.

The Italian Pizza Pilgrimage: Planning Your Trip

If you’re serious about experiencing Italy’s pizza landscape, here’s your game plan:

Regional Pizza Tour Strategy

Start in Naples for the foundation, then head north to Caserta (just 40 minutes away) for the new-school interpretations. Continue to Rome for the contrast of thin, crispy styles, then up to Florence and Bologna for their unique regional approaches. Finish in Milan to see pizza’s future.

Timing Your Visit

The best times for a pizza tour are spring (April-May) and fall (September-October), when you’ll avoid both the summer tourist crowds and the August shutdown when many authentic local spots close for vacation.

Respecting Pizza Etiquette

• Don’t ask for pineapple. Just don’t.
• Pizza is typically eaten with knife and fork in sit-down restaurants.
• It’s completely fine to eat pizza al taglio (by the slice) with your hands.
• Many authentic places don’t offer substitutions or modifications – trust the pizzaiolo.

The Future of Italian Pizza: Tradition Meets Innovation

As we move through 2025, Italy’s pizza scene continues to both honor traditions and embrace innovation. While Naples remains the spiritual home of pizza, cities throughout Italy have developed their own distinctive styles that showcase regional ingredients and techniques.

The market continues to grow, projected to reach USD 935 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.15% from USD 728 million in 2023. This growth reflects pizza’s enduring popularity both within Italy and globally.

The cities on this list aren’t just preserving pizza traditions – they’re actively evolving them, creating new expressions of this beloved dish while respecting its roots. Whether you prefer the soft, chewy crust of a Neapolitan pizza, the crisp texture of a Roman slice, or the innovative creations emerging from Milan and Bologna, Italy’s pizza cities provide a culinary map worth exploring one delicious bite at a time.

What’s your pizza pilgrimage dream? Which of these cities makes your must-visit list? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking to compare pizza notes with fellow enthusiasts.