Mushrooms and Truffles in Italy

Where to Find Mushrooms & Truffles in Italy

For Visiting Italy in Autumn

by Anastasia Bakker Tuscany, Italy September 9, 2025

Tuscany in October - How to Roast Chestnuts ta home Mushrooms & truffles in Italy are among the most celebrated in the world, with porcini mushrooms from Italy standing out as a true culinary treasure.

From Alpine forests to Apennine valleys and Mediterranean hills, wild mushrooms in Italy inspire seasonal dishes, vibrant mushroom festivals, and trips to every charming mushroom town Italy has to offer.

Italy mushroom foraging is a timeless tradition where locals and travelers alike discover mushrooms found in Italy — porcini, chanterelles, morels, and even prized truffles.

Beyond their taste, truffles and mushrooms from Italy connect culture, nature, and cuisine, making truffle hunting Italy tours, autumn foraging walks, and Italian cuisine mushrooms unforgettable experiences for food lovers.

Where to Find Mushrooms & Truffles in Northern Italy

Northern Italy is a dream destination for mushroom and truffle lovers, where dense Alpine forests, rolling hills, and pristine valleys create the perfect habitat for wild mushrooms and best truffles in Italy. Mushrooms that grow in Northern Italy are porcini mushrooms in Italy, often considered the finest in the world, as well as chanterelles and morels.

Mushroom towns in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino-Alto Adige host lively mushroom festivals and markets that celebrate seasonal harvests. Alongside mushrooms from Northern Italy, the area is equally famous for its prized white truffles of Alba and black truffles from the Apennines, making mushroom foraging and truffle hunting in Northern Italy a must for foodies, travelers, and chefs alike.

Travel to Tuscany TipBox

Staying in Rome and want to experience the thrill of an authentic truffle hunt and taste fresh truffle dishes?

Piedmont (Piemonte)

Langhe & Monferrato hills → near Alba and Asti
Val di Susa → near Susa
Val Chisone → near Pinerolo
Cuneo area → near Cuneo and Limone Piemonte

Lombardy (Lombardia)

Valtellina → near Sondrio
Val Brembana → near San Pellegrino Terme
Val Camonica → near Breno or Darfo Boario Terme
Bergamo Alps → near Bergamo

Veneto

Asiago Plateau → near Asiago
Lessini Mountains → near Bosco Chiesanuova
Dolomites (Belluno) → near Belluno and Cortina d’Ampezzo

Trentino-Alto Adige

Val di Fiemme → near Cavalese
Val di Fassa → near Moena and Canazei
Val Pusteria → near Brunico (Bruneck)

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Carnic Alps → near Tolmezzo
Julian Alps → near Tarvisio
Montasio Plateau → near Chiusaforte

Liguria

Val d’Aveto → near Santo Stefano d’Aveto

Emilia-Romagna

Apennines near Bologna/Modena → near Porretta Terme and Fanano
Castel del Rio → near Castel del Rio (between Bologna and Florence)
Tuscan-Emilian Apennines → near Abetone or Pievepelago

Want to Know More About Mushroom Hunting?

Where to Find Mushrooms & Truffles in Central Italy

Central Italy is a land of rolling hills, medieval towns, and dense woodlands where mushroom foraging is part of everyday life. Forests in Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, and Lazio are especially rich in porcini mushrooms from Italy, along with chanterelles, Caesar’s mushrooms, and honey mushrooms.

Many mushroom towns in this region host traditional mushroom festivals, where locals celebrate seasonal harvests with food, wine, and culture. Central Italy is also a paradise for truffle lovers — the famous white truffles of Tuscany and Umbria, along with prized black truffles, make this area one of the best places for truffle hunting in Italy. Combining wild mushrooms, truffles, and authentic Italian cuisine, Central Italy offers a true taste of the country’s culinary heart.

Tuscany (Toscana)

Casentino Forests → near Poppi
Mugello → near Borgo San Lorenzo
Garfagnana → near Castelnuovo di Garfagnana
Monte Amiata → near Abbadia San Salvatore
Apuan Alps → near Carrara

Umbria

Monti Sibillini → near Norcia
Valnerina → near Ferentillo
Monti Martani → near Massa Martana
Monte Cucco → near Costacciaro

Marche

Monti Sibillini → near Visso

Lazio

Cimini Mountains → near Viterbo
Monti Simbruini → near Subiaco
Monti della Tolfa → near Tolfa
Bracciano woods → near Bracciano

Abruzzo

Gran Sasso → near Castel del Monte
Majella → near Sulmona
Marsica → near Avezzano

You might also be interested in:

Italian Coffee Types

Chestnut Roasting

Must Try Italian Cheeses

Top Tuscan Wines

Traditional Tuscan Crostini

Where to Find Mushrooms & Truffles in Southern Italy & Islands

Southern Italy and its islands offer a wilder, more Mediterranean take on mushroom foraging and hunting truffles in italy. From the Apennine forests of Campania and Basilicata to the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily and the rugged mountains of Sardinia, mushrooms from Italy’s south thrive in unique microclimates.

Here you’ll find porcini mushrooms, saffron milk caps, and other wild mushrooms in Italy that enrich local dishes with bold, earthy flavors. Mushroom towns in Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia celebrate their harvests with lively mushroom festivals, blending tradition and gastronomy. Truffle hunting in Southern Italy is also gaining fame, with rare black truffles found in Molise and Basilicata. Foraging tours in these regions reveal both mushrooms and authentic culture, making Southern Italy and its islands a must for adventurous food lovers.

Campania

Irpinia (Avellino area) → near Montella
Monti Picentini → near Serino
Cilento National Park → near Vallo della Lucania
Vesuvius slopes → near Ercolano

Calabria

Sila Mountains → near Camigliatello Silano
Aspromonte → near Gambarie (village in Aspromonte National Park)

Basilicata

Pollino National Park → near Rotonda
Lucanian Apennines → near Potenza

Puglia

Gargano Forest (Foresta Umbra) → near Vieste
Murge Plateau → near Altamura

Sicily (Sicilia)

Etna slopes → near Nicolosi
Nebrodi Mountains → near Randazzo or Cesarò
Madonie Mountains → near Castelbuono

Sardinia (Sardegna)

Gennargentu Mountains → near Fonni
Ogliastra forests → near Ulassai
Gallura → near Tempio Pausania

Mushrooms & Truffles in Italy on a Map

To make your mushroom foraging in Italy easier, I’ve created a map highlighting the best places to find mushrooms and truffles in Italy by region.

From famous porcini mushroom towns in Northern Italy to truffle-rich forests in Central regions and the unique wild mushrooms of Southern Italy and the islands, to rare white and black truffles, this mushrooms map will guide you through the top mushroom picking and truffle hunting destinations, and help you discover the most authentic spots for Italy mushroom foraging.

Map of the best places to find mushrooms & truffles in Italy by region – porcini, wild mushrooms, and truffle hunting areas across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy

FAQ About mushroom picking in Italy

Where is the mushroom festival in Italy?View Answer+

Mushroom festivals in Italy are held in many regions, especially during autumn when porcini mushrooms are in season. Some of the most famous include the Alba White Truffle Fair in Piedmont, the Sagra del Fungo Porcino in Albareto (Emilia-Romagna), and mushroom festivals in Tuscany, Umbria, and Trentino-Alto Adige. These events celebrate local harvests with tastings, markets, and traditional recipes.

Mushrooms foraging rules in Italyview answer+

Mushroom foraging in Italy is regulated to protect forests and ensure sustainability. Rules vary by region, but most require a daily permit, which can be purchased from local municipalities or tourist offices. Limits are usually set (often 1–3 kg per person per day), and collectors must use woven baskets (not plastic bags) to allow spores to spread. Always check local regulations before mushroom foraging in Italy.

What are the poisonous mushrooms in Italy?view answer+

Italy is home to several poisonous mushrooms, including some of the most dangerous in the world. These include the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa), Panther Cap (Amanita pantherina), and Galerina marginata. Mistaking these for edible species can be fatal, so beginners should forage only with experts or buy mushrooms from certified local markets.

What mushrooms are popular in Italy?view answer+

The most popular mushrooms in Italy are porcini mushrooms, considered a national treasure for their flavor and versatility in Italian cuisine. Other popular mushrooms include chanterelles (finferli), Caesar’s mushroom (ovulo buono), morels (spugnole), honey mushrooms (chiodini), and truffles, especially the prized white truffle from Alba and black truffles from Umbria.

What mushrooms are native to Italy?view answer+

Native mushrooms growing in Italy include porcini (Boletus edulis), Caesar’s mushroom (Amanita caesarea), chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius), saffron milk caps (Lactarius deliciosus), and honey mushrooms (Armillaria mellea). These wild mushrooms grow naturally in Italy’s forests, mountains, and rural landscapes, forming an important part of traditional Italian cooking and local heritage.