Celebrating National Pizza Day 2024 in Italy

Calling all pizza fanatics! Your holy day is fast approaching. February 9th is the official National Pizza Day – celebrated by pizza lovers around the world. But, forget the pepperoni overload and deep-dish monstrosities – true pizza aficionados know that the holy land of this cheesy masterpiece lies in Italy. And for that reason, there’s no better place to celebrate National Pizza Day than Italy. The love for pizza in Italy goes far beyond a single day. It’s woven into the fabric of their culture, a symbol of family gatherings, casual get-togethers, and late-night comfort food. So, how can you tap into this passion and truly celebrate Nazionale della Pizza while in Italy?

How and Where to Celebrate National Pizza Day in Italy:

• Embrace the local scene: Ditch the fancy restaurants and head to authentic pizzerias, often family-run establishments boasting generations-old recipes. Savor the atmosphere, the friendly banter, and the pure joy of watching a pizzaiolo work his magic in a wood-fired oven.
• Go regional: Italy boasts a dizzying array of regional pizza styles, each with its own unique personality. Immerse yourself in the Neapolitan tradition of thin-crust, pillowy pizzas, or discover the Roman love for square-cut, focaccia-like bases.
• Get hands-on: Take your experience to the next level with a pizza-making workshop! Flour your hands, unleash your inner pizzaiolo, and learn the secrets behind crafting the perfect pie. We offer workshops in Naples, Rome, and Tuscany – an unforgettable way to connect with this culinary art form.

Italy Pizza Guide

Before rushing off to Italy in search of the best pizza slice, consider the fact that pizza is made differently in almost every Italian city. Below, we’ll explore the differences between them all! Yes, believe it or not, a Rome pizza and a Venice pizza are not the same!

Naples Pizza: The gold standard, Neapolitan pizza is all about simplicity. Imagine a thin, hand-stretched dough, blistered by the scorching heat of a wood-fired oven, topped with just a few, high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, and fresh basil. Every bite of pizza in Naples is an explosion of fresh flavor and perfectly balanced textures.

Rome Pizza: Roman pizza takes a different approach. Forget the knife and fork – expect a thick, rectangular pizza cut into square slices, perfect for grabbing and savoring on the go. The crust is a delightful balance of crisp and chewy, often topped with classic Roman ingredients like mortadella, olives, and pecorino romano cheese.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tourist Italy (@tourist__italy)

Tuscany Pizza: Tuscan pizza reflects the region’s love for fresh, seasonal ingredients. Expect toppings like sun-ripened tomatoes, local cheeses, Tuscan sausage, and even white beans. The crust can range from thin and crispy to a focaccia-like style, and the flavors are bursting with the essence of the Italian countryside.

Venice Pizza: Venice, with its seafood-centric cuisine, naturally infuses its pizzas with the bounty of the Adriatic Sea. Expect toppings like shrimp, clams, mussels, and anchovies, often paired with local cheeses and bright herbs. The crust tends to be thinner and crispier, a perfect canvas for highlighting the delicate flavors of the sea.

Sicily Pizza: In Sicily, pizza takes center stage in a bolder, thicker form. Imagine airy focaccia crusts adorned with classics like marinara and pecorino, or bolder creations like caponata, tuna, or even pistachios. Don’t miss the “sfinciuni,” a masterpiece crowned with onions, anchovies, and caciocavallo. Sicilian pizza is an ode to fresh bounty and island passion – a slice of sunshine on every plate.

Celebrate National Pizza Day With Tourist Italy

What better way to celebrate National Pizza Day than by creating your own masterpiece? Our pizza-making workshops offer the perfect opportunity to learn the art from experienced pizzaiolos. In Naples, master the classic Neapolitan style with our traditional Neopolitan pizza workshop. When in Rome, join our Roman pizza-making experience to perfect the square-cut masterpiece. If you’re visiting Tuscany, discover the magic of fresh, local ingredients in our Tuscany pizza cooking class from Florence.

So, whether you’re in Italy or around the world, raise a slice to National Pizza Day! Remember, the true celebration lies in savoring the history, exploring the regional variations, and ultimately, getting your hands dirty and crafting your own pizza perfection. Buon appetito!