Do you dream of taking a trip where your taste buds are as spoiled as your wanderlust? Then a culinary road trip through Europe is just the thing for you! Known for its rich gastronomy, Europe offers several culinary destinations that every gourmet must have visited. From the fine wines of Bordeaux to the world-famous pintxos of San Sebastián and the innovative cuisine of Copenhagen, this article takes you through the best culinary hotspots of Europe. It takes you to the best local markets, starred restaurants and tastiest spots when it comes to street food. This is the place to be to taste the best of Europe!
1. Bologna, Italy: The beating heart of Italian cuisine
Bologna is known as the gastronomic capital of Italy. You travel here to sample the iconic dishes "tagliatelle al ragù" and "tortellini," since they originated here. This Italian city exudes a culinary tradition you won't find anywhere else, from authentic osterias to lively markets full of fresh produce.
Here's what to do in Bologna
Sample traditional dishes: visit Trattoria Anna Maria or Osteria dell'Orsa for classic bolognese specialties;
Visit the local market: stroll the Mercato di Mezzo and Mercato delle Erbe, where you can taste local delicacies such as mortadella and Parmesan cheese;
Take a cooking workshop: learn to make your own pasta during a traditional cooking class;
Take a trip to Modena: just a half-hour drive away you will find the city famous for its balsamic vinegar and Ferrari's.
How to get to Bologna?
From the Netherlands, Bologna is easily accessible by plane, with direct flights to Aeroporto Guglielmo Marconi from Amsterdam with KLM and from Eindhoven with Skycanner. From the airport you can take a cab or use public transportation, you will be in the city center within 15 minutes.
Also interesting to know is that Bologna has good connections by train to other Italian cities such as Milan, Florence and Venice. A fun combo trip!
2. San Sebastián, Spain: The culinary capital of the Basque Country
In San Sebastián, the art of gastronomy is mastered in every detail. It is famous for its pintxos (Basque tapas) and has no fewer than 3 Michelin restaurants. This makes San Sebastián a true gourmet's paradise. The city is beautifully situated on the coast, which means this is a destination where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood. Which is also characteristic of Basque cuisine.
Here's what to do in San Sebastián
A pintxos tour: Explore the narrow streets in the old town (Parte Vieja) and sample all kinds of pintxos (bar tips: Bar Nestor or La Cuchara de San Telmo);
The beach: Enjoy the sandy beaches; you're on the coast for a reason;
Markets: Visit the La Brecha fish market for the best and freshest local seafood and the Mercado de la Bretxa for an abundance of local produce;
Eating out at a starred restaurant: If you are in San Sebastián, you must eat at Arzak, Mugaritz or Akelarre for an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
How to get to San Sebastián?
There are no direct flights to San Sebastián from the Netherlands, but you can book a flight to Bilbao or Biarritz (in France). Both destinations are about an hour's drive from San Sebastián. If you want to rent a car to drive to San Sebastián, it's best to fly into Bilbao. If you drive from Biarritz, you will cross the border from France to Spain and pay a surcharge on the rental car. We personally always book our rental car through SunnyCars, check here supply of rental cars in Bilbao.
A fun, and increasingly popular, way to travel around is by train. It is a form of slow travel where you travel across the country and can see more of the surroundings. In Spain, you can very easily travel around by train between large cities as well as smaller ones.
3. Bordeaux, France: The wine capital of the world
Bordeaux is known worldwide as the wine capital, and rightly so. The Bordeaux region in France produces some of the best wines in the world. But Bordeaux is much more than just wine; the city also offers a rich gastronomic culture. From traditional French cuisine to modern culinary innovations. And of course, all the culinary developments here go perfectly with the local wines.
Here's what to do in Bordeaux
Tasting wines and visiting wineries: Visit a chateaux in the Bordeaux region and learn all about wine products. Enjoy a tour and tasting there;
Visit Marché des Capucins: This is one of the city's finest markets, where you can sample local specialties. From foie gras to local cheeses;
Dine at a Michelin restaurant: A luxury dinner with French finesse, for example, at La Tupina or Les Sources de Caudalie;
A culinary walk through the city: Explore the old town and sample delicacies at the city's many bistros and wine bars. Enjoy a canelé (a small pastry) or an oyster from the nearby Bassin de Arcachon.
How to get to Bordeaux?
The fastest and most direct way to travel to Bordeaux from the Netherlands is by plane. There are direct flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (Bordeaux Airport). The flight takes about 1.5 hours and is offered by the airline KLM/ Air France.
If you prefer to travel by train, you can take the Eurostar from Amsterdam to Paris and there change to a TGV to Bordeaux. Total travel time from Amsterdam to Bordeaux via Paris is about 5.5 to 6 hours.
Of course, traveling by car is also an option, especially if you prefer a road trip. On average, the distance is about 900 kilometers.
4. Porto, Portugal: The City of Port Wine
Porto is a city where traditional Portuguese cuisine and famous port wine come together. The city is known for its seafood, rich meat dishes and the iconic francesinha (a Portuguese sandwich). Porto is also home to the best port wine houses in the world, making the city a top destination for wine lovers!
Here's what to do in Porto
Port wine tasting: visit Porto's famous wineries, such as Sandeman, Graham's and Taylor's, and learn all about the production of port wine. Take a tour of the wineries and taste the different types of port;
Douro River: Take a boat ride on the Douro River and admire the vineyards that line the river;
Francesinha: Try the traditional Porto francesinha, a savory sandwich stuffed with meat and topped with melted cheese and rich sauce;
Markets and street-food: Explore markets such as Mercado do Bolhão, where you can buy fresh fish, local cheeses, and other delicacies. Try a pastéis de nata, a typical Portuguese pastry;
Eating out at a Michelin restaurant: Porto also has excellent restaurants, how about a delicious dinner at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova?
How to get to Porto?
The fastest way to travel to Porto from the Netherlands is by plane. There are direct flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Porto Airport (Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro), which usually take around 2.5 hours. Airlines such as KLM, Transavia and EasyJet regularly offer direct flights.
5. Istanbul, Turkey: A culinary melting pot between two worlds
Istanbul is the city where the flavors of Europe and Asia meet. This vibrant city on the Bosphorus is a gourmet's walhalla, with a cuisine deeply rooted in Ottoman traditions but also embracing modern influences. Think fragrant spices, freshly baked bread, roasted eggplant, grilled meat and of course: Turkish tea and sweets like baklava and lokum.
Here's what to do in Istanbul
Street food tasting: Stroll the colorful streets of Kadıköy (on the Asian side) and sample gözleme (Turkish crepes) and simit (Turkish sesame bread).
Visit the Grand Bazaar: immerse yourself in scents of cinnamon, saffron, cumin and rose water. In this centuries-old market, buy the tastiest spices, nuts, dried fruits and sweets.
Turkish breakfast like a local: start your day with a full Turkish breakfast, better known as kahvalti, with various cheeses, olives, honey, tomatoes, cucumbers, börek and fresh bread, served with strong Turkish tea.
Fine dining on the Bosphorus: Istanbul also has a growing number of fine dining restaurants that give traditional dishes a modern twist. Consider Ruby Restaurant, a personal tip from us.
How to get to Istanbul?
Istanbul is surprisingly easily accessible from all over Europe. From the Netherlands and Belgium, you fly directly to Istanbul in about 3.5 to 4 hours. Daily flights leave from Amsterdam (Schiphol) flights to the two airports in Istanbul:
Istanbul Airport (IST): the largest and most modern airport, northwest of the city. Most international flights land here, including Turkish Airlines and KLM.
Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW): located on the Asian side of the city, popular with low-cost carriers such as Pegasus Airlines and Ryanair.
From both airports you can easily travel to the center by airport shuttle, cab or public transportation. Within an hour you are already in the middle of bustling neighborhoods such as Sultanahmet, Karaköy or Kadıköy, ready to start your culinary adventure.
A culinary road trip through Europe
A culinary journey through Europe is so much more than just good food! It is an exploration of centuries-old traditions, hidden gems, hospitable locals and flavors you rarely forget. From charming wine routes in France to colorful markets in Istanbul and creative food scenes in Northern Europe, the continent is bursting with gastronomic highlights.
Tip: Are you looking for experiential travel? Then look into the best train trips worldwide. Train travel has long since ceased to be just a practical way to get from A to B. There is so much beauty to discover by train!
An unforgettable culinary tour
Each destination tells its own story, and you taste along. You'll return home with a suitcase full of memories, a camera full of food photos and maybe even a few new favorite recipes. And the best part? You don't have to figure it all out yourself. We are happy to help you put together your ultimate culinary road trip, fully customized, with taste.
