Truffle Season in Italy: White vs Black, Where to Hunt & Taste in 2025

Italy’s forests hide one of its greatest treasures: truffles. Autumn’s white truffle (October–December) is the most prized of all, shaved raw over pasta or eggs. Whether in Alba, San Miniato, or Umbria, you can hunt, taste, and celebrate truffles by train.

Alba at sunset

Romans considered truffles an aphrodisiac, while medieval cooks prized their aroma. In the 20th century, the International Alba Truffle Fair helped turn these fungi into luxury icons. Today, fairs in Alba, San Miniato, and Umbria combine centuries of tradition with modern food tourism.

What to Expect

• White truffle (Tuber magnatum pico): Oct–Dec, raw and aromatic.

• Winter black truffle (Tuber melanosporum): Dec–Mar, intense, earthy flavor.

• Summer black truffle (Tuber aestivum): May–Aug, mild and nutty.

Alba White Truffle

5 Things to Do

1. Attend Alba’s International White Truffle Fair (Oct–Nov).

2. Join a truffle hunt with guides and dogs in San Miniato.

3. Browse Gubbio’s truffle markets in November.

4. Pair Barolo and Barbaresco wines with truffle dishes in Alba.

5. Taste truffle menus in small trattorias in Tuscany and Umbria.

Where to Eat

• Alba: Piazza Duomo – 3★ Michelin, creative truffle menus. La Piola  – seasonal Langhe cuisine in a lively setting. Osteria dell’Arco – Slow Food osteria serving local dishes with truffles.

• San Miniato: Pepenero – modern truffle-focused fine dining. L’Upupa  – classic trattoria with hearty Tuscan flavors. Piccola Osteria del Tartufo – casual spot dedicated to truffle pasta.

• Gubbio: Taverna del Lupo  – refined Umbrian dishes in a medieval building. San Benedetto – modern restaurant with creative takes on local cuisine. Ai Cappuccini restaurant  – affordable truffle menus inside a former monastery hotel.

Where to Stay

• Alba: Hotel Calissano – elegant rooms near the center. Agriturismo Il Boscareto  – countryside retreat with vineyard views. Central B&Bs (budget) – simple, walkable to the markets.

• San Miniato: Villa Sonnino  – historic villa hotel. Hotel Miravalle – central and charming. Hotel San Miniato– modest but convenient.

• Gubbio: Park Hotel ai Cappuccini – spa and monastery setting. Hotel Bosone Palace – historic palazzo stay. Central guesthouses – affordable rooms near Piazza Grande.

Hidden Gems

• Truffle museums near Alba and San Miniato.

• Artisan shops selling truffle oils and cheeses.

Travel Tips

• Book tours and tastings weeks in advance.

• White truffles are shaved raw—never cooked.

• Use regional trains to reach Alba (via Turin), San Miniato (via Florence/Pisa), and Gubbio (via Perugia).