Scents evoke memories: as science tells us*, the sense of smell is the one that lingers in the brain the longest, and it can trigger powerful recollections, especially emotional ones. The smells of a destination are often all that remain of a trip.
Today, we want to embark on a virtual journey across the unique fragrances of Italy. We know that the one thing you cannot do in a virtual trip is smell.
Still, we hope that our olfactory tour will ignite beautiful memories if you have already visited Italy – or provide you with helpful, inspiring tips for when you will be able to travel!
Italian food scents
Italy is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, where each region boasts unique flavors and aromas.
Chocolate in Turin
Did you know that Turin is the birthplace of the chocolate bar?
The city’s chocolate-making tradition goes as far back as 1560. The local, innovative maestros discovered they could transform chocolate into solid bars, giving life to cioccolatini like bon bons, pralines, truffles and cremini.
Piedmont’s capital is full of artisanal chocolate shops, including historical ones like Cioccolateria Peyrano, founded in 1915 by forefather Antonio and handed down from generation to generation.
Once you enter it, you will never forget the unique scent of homemade chocolate!
Coffee in Trieste
Yes, we know: the all-pervading aroma of coffee is a characteristic of Italy. But if you want to dive deep into the world of coffee, you should visit Trieste, also known as La Città del Caffè (the city of coffee).
Its legacy started in the 18th century when it became a free port and received coffee beans from all over the world. Coffee houses began to open all over the city… and many still exist today! For example, Caffé Tommaseo has operated since 1830, while other historical places include Caffe Degli Specchi and San Marco.
Trieste Coffee Festival is usually held every year in November.
Spices and flowers in Florence’s 800-year-old apothecary
Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was established by Dominican monks after their arrival in Florence in 1221.
Once you step inside, you are engulfed by a potent fragrance of flowers and spices.
One scent that you can never forget once you smell it, is that of Santa Maria Novella’s potpourri: it is meticulously handmade using ancient methods, and each batch of organic herbs and flowers is collected by hand and fermented in centuries-old terra cotta jars for months before the potpourri is ready to be released.
Natural scents between islands and coastal areas
Italy’s coastal regions and islands are not only known for their breathtaking landscapes but also for their unique and enchanting scents.
Lemons and Handmade Paper in the Amalfi Coast
Do you know what handmade paper smells like?
Amalfi is home to authentic places where you can discover the history and characteristics of the local bambagina, a thick, soft, elegant paper appreciated by artists worldwide.
Make sure to visit the Museum of Handmade Paper and the operational paper mill of Cartiera Amatruda.
Along the Amalfi Coast, including the towns of Sorrento and Salerno, you will be greeted by the pungent scent of the bright yellow lemons cultivated in the typical terraced gardens!
If you like the idea of learning Italian in Campania, read our articles with tips for study experiences in Naples.
Zagara: Sicily’s Orange Blossom
Orange trees thrive in Sicily, especially around Mount Etna, thanks to the fertile volcanic soil.
When visiting the mesmerizing town of Taormina or other villages around the island, you will notice the delicate fragrance of the orange flower (zagara in Sicilian), particularly in April and May.
These beautiful little white flowers are used to make perfumes, and their essence is also used to prepare some desserts.
Myrtle in Sardinia
Whether you are visiting Alghero in the north or Cagliari in the south, Sardinia has one distinctive scent thanks to the small myrtle bushes that grow almost everywhere on the island’s rocks.
Known as mirto in Italian, this plant was already used in ancient times for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Today, its flowers are primarily used as a fragrance for perfumes, while its berries and leaves are at the heart of the popular Mirto liquor.
Urban scents in Italy
Italy’s historical landmarks and cultural heritage help create distinct urban aromas.
The Canals in Venice
Venice’s Canals are iconic for their beauty and history.
One common myth about them is that they always smell bad. But, the canals tend to smell during the low tide or occasionally during the summer.
Whether you like the smell or not, it’s unmistakable!
And it will trigger all the wonderful feelings this historical art city ignites in any visitor thanks to its awe-inspiring architecture and striking artworks.
Fashion in Milan
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy.
“We’ve got to admit, there is something in the air in Milan – and we’re not talking about pizzas, patisseries and cigarette smoke. It’s the ridiculous sense of style, the adoration for fashion and an almost sickeningly immaculately-dressed society”.
(Perfume Society).
The streets of the Quadrilatero della Moda (Fashion Quadrilateral) are filled with high-end boutiques.
Here, you can smell the fragrance of new leather goods and perfumes from shops like Gucci, Prada, and Versace, mingling with the city’s urban scents.
Do you want to study Italian in Milan? Read 6 tips for the perfect urban experience.
Ancient ruins in Rome
In Rome, history buffs can notice the scent of old stone and earth around landmarks like the Via Appia and the Terme di Caracalla.
The Appian Way once connected ancient Rome to modern-day Brindisi. The “Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica” preserves 16 kilometres of the ancient road and religious sites like the catacombs of Saint Sebastian and Saint Callixtus.
Terme di Caracalla was once the second-largest bathhouse in ancient Rome and is one of the best-preserved thermal complexes of antiquity. It was constructed under Emperor Caracalla’s orders between 212 and 216 AD.
To smell is to remember. Do you agree?
If you have traveled to Italy, what scents remind you of the Bel Paese? Did we forget any fragrances in our list? Comment below!
*For more on what science tells us about scents, read “Why Do Smells Trigger Strong Memories?”.
