The 11 best places in Europe for chocolate lovers

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the EU capital, which also happens to be the chocolate capital of Belgium and one of Europe’s leading hubs for the sweet treat! Home to numerous producers of infamous Belgian chocolate, such as Neuhaus, Godiva, and Mary, a trip to Brussels won’t disappoint! Additionally, if you want to learn about everyone’s favorite candy, check out Choco-Story Brussels or the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate.

Home to world-renowned Lindt chocolate, the Swiss city also houses Teuscher chocolate (famous for its champagne truffle), Laderach, Vollenweider, and more. You can even take a ferry across the lake to tour the Lindt factory for a nice outing and educational day. Of course, Toberlorone can be found across the city — although, as of 2023, much of the production has been shifted to Slovakia. Thus the company can no longer claim to be “Swiss-made chocolate” and will soon have to cease using the Matterhorn on the packaging. 

Italy is known for its gelato and espresso, so it’s no surprise the chocolate found here is top-quality. Milan is famous for using Piedmont Hazelnut, which gives chocolate here a unique taste. You’ll find it featured in many desserts around the city.

The coffee house capital of Europe is also home to some amazing chocolate, including Demel, originally the royal confectioner, which is now a favorite among locals and tourists. Vienna is also the birthplace of the Sachertorte, Austria’s official dessert, dating back to the 1800s. The chocolate cake is layered with jam (typically apricot) and covered with a chocolate glaze. If you want to learn more about the history of chocolate in the country, don’t miss the Viennese Museum of Chocolate!

The Spanish are famous for their churros, which often come with melted chocolate. However, the country also produces delicious other forms of chocolate, particularly in Barcelona. Don’t miss Chacao Sampaka, Petritxol Xocoa, and Chocolates Brescó — all fantastic producers of the sweet treat.

There are numerous chocolate shops in the charming town of Bruges, and it can be difficult to decide where to go. The Old Chocolate House is known to have the best hot chocolate in the city. For locally-made candies, check out Olivier’s (where you can sample local beer), Galler for dark chocolate, and Chocolatier Van Oost for seasonal creations.

France is typically known for top-rate pastries, wine, and cheese, but don’t forget it's also home to chocolate truffles! Its most popular city is a must-visit for chocolate aficionados. La Maison du Chocolat is the place to go for truffles and hand-made caramels. And everyone knows Angelina’s is worth the wait in line for the famous hot chocolate.

This region known for wine is also great for connoisseurs of chocolate as it houses the little-known Chocolate Valley of Florence, Pisa, and Montecatini. Amongst the rolling Tuscan hills and in these cities are numerous small chocolate factories and shops. Definitely worth a stop in-between wine tastings!

The Christmas Capital of Germany is also the birthplace of Stollwerck Chocolate Company, a large exporter to the U.S. There’s also a large chocolate museum worth checking out, featuring numerous company histories around Europe.

This northern Italian city is known to be the country’s “capital of chocolate” and has been a center for chocolate production for centuries. Today, Turin is a great place to visit to learn about the production of chocolate in Italy — and to sample it, of course. Don’t forget to stop by the Chocolate Museum on your visit!

Most famous for Cadbury, the United Kingdom is a great place to visit if you’re a fan of chocolate. In recent years, though, the capital city has begun to turn out a large number of gourmet chocolatiers. So, if you’re looking for a city with a sweet tooth, London is a great option!