Guide to Italian Regions: Unveiling 20 Distinct Cultures

Italy is all about local identities, and you’re unlikely to find a food, tradition, or other aspect of life that doesn’t reflect regional roots. Before considering themselves Italian, locals pride themselves on belonging to their region, typically the one where they were born or have lived the longest.

A meal in the northern alpine valleys of Friuli bears little resemblance to a dinner along the coasts of Sicily; the bold Nebbiolo wines of Piedmont tell a completely different historical story than the ancient olive groves of Puglia.

Guide to Italian Regions: The Historical Roots

Italy was not a unified country between the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century AD and the 19th century. That alone can explain the lack of a strong national identity, especially when comparing Italy to other countries around the world.

Before unification in 1861, the Italian Peninsula was a collection of independent city-states that eventually occupied larger territories, each with its own ruling entity, currency, language, and culture.

For example, the Papal Kingdom took over most of central Italy, the Dukedom of the Medici Family controlled Tuscany, and the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily was ruled by the Spanish Crown and then by the Borboni Family. Austria later occupied the Republic of Venice.

In Piedmont, the Count of Savoy, Emanuele Filiberto, took Turin in the mid-1500s and soon after expanded to the entire region. In 1713, the young Duke Vittorio Amedeo II was crowned king after defeating the French.

The House of Savoy unified Italy, which was a monarchy until World War II. Today’s Democratic Republic was established on June 2nd, 1946.

How the Climate Shapes Italian Regions

Italy experiences a range of climates, from the continental and alpine climate in the north to the Mediterranean climate in the south. These differences affect daily life, including clothing choices, outdoor activities, seasonal celebrations, and overall attitudes and approaches to life.

Notoriously, life in the north tends to be more hectic, work-focused, and very active, while in the South, a more laid-back, slower pace has long been more typical.

If these older stereotypes of Italy belong mostly to the past, you can still find some of these differences among older generations today.

A longer afternoon lunch break is still a real thing in those areas of Southern Italy where the heat is an obstacle to everyday life. By contrast, the fast pace of life in larger cities, especially in the north, is much more similar to that of international metropolitan areas.

Italian Regional Food and Culture

One of the best things about traveling in Italy is the chance to sample the country’s delicious regional cuisine. Each region has its specialties, and trying these dishes is an essential part of the Italian experience. 

While tomato sauce, spaghetti, and pizza are iconic Italian foods, the real Italian cuisine goes way beyond those stereotypes. Read our post about Italian pasta and discover how many shapes, textures, and ingredients can be used to prepare regional pasta dishes.

In Northern Italy, be sure to try Milanese risotto, flavored with saffron and often served with ossobuco (braised veal shanks). And in Piedmont, don’t miss the chance to try the region’s famous tajarin pasta, which is made with egg yolks and served with a rich meat sauce.

In Central Italy, the famous Florentine steak, grilled over an open flame and served rare, is a must for meat lovers. And in Umbria, don’t miss the chance to try the region’s famous lentil soup, which is hearty and flavorful. 

From the famous spaghetti carbonara of Rome, made with eggs, pancetta, and pecorino cheese, to the Neapolitan pizza, made with San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, to the Sicilian arancini, which are fried rice balls stuffed with meat, cheese, and tomato sauce, these popular dishes won’t disappoint.