From Naples to New York: The Story of Pizza and Where to Eat It Best

Pizza as we know it was born in Naples in the late 18th century, when flatbreads topped with tomato were sold to working locals as an affordable, filling meal. The defining moment came in 1889, when a pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella and basil was created in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy. Simple ingredients, cooked fast, eaten hot.

As Italians emigrated across Europe and North America, pizza travelled with them. What followed was not dilution but evolution. Every destination put its own stamp on it, shaped by culture, ovens, ingredients and pace of life.

Today, pizza is both everyday comfort food and culinary art. And for travellers, it has become a brilliant way to explore a destination through something familiar, inclusive and social.

🍕 Authentic pizza destinations worth travelling for

🇮🇹 Naples, Italy

Still the spiritual home of pizza. Soft, blistered dough, San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella, baked in seconds. The city is compact, vibrant and full of family run pizzerias where pizza is taken very seriously.

🇮🇹 Rome, Italy

Roman pizza is lighter, crispier and often sold by the slice. Pizza al taglio is perfect for sightseeing days when you want something flexible, informal and quick.

🇮🇹 Sicily

Expect thicker bases and bolder flavours. Sfincione is a local favourite, topped with tomato, onions and anchovies, reflecting the island’s layered history.

🇺🇸 New York City, USA

Large, foldable slices eaten on the move. Pizza here is part of daily life, not a sit down event. The city’s neighbourhoods tell their own pizza stories.

🇺🇸 Chicago, USA

Deep dish pizza turns the idea upside down. More pie than slice, it is slow baked and unapologetically indulgent.

🇪🇸 Barcelona, Spain

Not traditionally Italian, but Barcelona has embraced pizza with local ingredients and Mediterranean flair. It is also a brilliant destination for accessible city breaks with strong food culture.

🍕 Why pizza works so well for accessible travel

Pizza is inclusive by nature. Menus are simple, venues are often informal, and dining can be flexible around energy levels and routines. It works for families, groups and solo travellers alike. Most importantly, it allows disabled travellers to enjoy food culture without it feeling like a performance or a compromise.

That is why pizza led holidays work so well. Food becomes the connector, not the barrier.

🍕 Today’s pizza inspired holiday offers

To mark National Pizza Day, we are sharing a number of pizza inspired city and culture breaks today. Think Naples, Rome, Barcelona and New York. All planned with the same care as any other holiday, with accessibility checked, logistics handled and experiences designed to feel normal, not niche.

If pizza is your thing, today is a very good day to travel.