May 14, 2025, 12:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Pizza Prices in Italy Have Risen SignificantlyIn recent years, pizza prices in Italy have increased noticeably, according to a new study by an independent research center. The analysis also highlights where this trend is most pronounced and which city still offers the national dish at a relatively affordable price. Those who enjoy culinary trips to Italy will likely find the results intriguing. TRAVELBOOK shares the details.
You probably guessed Naples when it comes to this topic, right? After all, pizza is said to have been invented there, and the city is rightly considered the ultimate pizza capital to this day. Recently, a restaurant in the Pignasecca district was awarded for having the best pizza in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that a visit to the Campanian metropolis is high on the list for foodies from around the world. As a result, Naples–like many other Italian cities–is increasingly suffering from overtourism. Visitor numbers have been rising for years, which, as is well known, drives up prices. But pizza has become more expensive not only there.
Overview
Pizza Prices Have Risen Across Italy
Pizza should actually have the potential to be a fairly inexpensive food, as it consists of relatively simple ingredients. That was the original idea—the concept of fancy pizza restaurants, as encountered today in international metropolises, is rather new. Yet even in simple stand-up pizzerias, the prices for what was once Italy’s cheapest dish have risen. Currently, the average cost (with a drink) is around 12 euros, which represents an increase of about 18.3 percent over the past six years. This is shown by an analysis from the consumer research center Centro di formazione e ricerca sui consumi (Crc). A report by the news agency Ansa attributes this to the increased cost of basic ingredients like flour, tomatoes, and mozzarella, partly due to the war in Ukraine and the resulting raw material crisis. The study also reveals certain differences from city to city.
Where to Find the Cheapest Pizza in Italy
The cheapest pizza in Italy can be found in a city whose cuisine is actually best known for excellent seafood and fish: Livorno. The Tuscan port city is considered an authentic insider tip—it has largely been spared from mass tourism so far. Visitors won’t find a perfectly staged old town here; instead, simple eateries and harbor pubs characterize the scene. The atmosphere is down-to-earth, and everyday life is visible, not least through the bustling port. Despite these charming advantages, Livorno is often perceived as merely a stopover. With one of the best ferry connections in Europe, it is an important starting point for trips to Sardinia, Corsica, or Elba.
But again: A stopover is worthwhile–perhaps also because of the pizza. According to the analysis, the average price for a pizza with a drink in Livorno is only 8.75 euros; an outlier on the low end in the nationwide comparison.
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Cities with the Most Expensive Pizza in Italy
The most expensive pizza can be found in a not-very-well-known Italian city—or have you heard of Reggio Emilia? It is the provincial capital of Lombardy, where you can eat very well, but not necessarily very cheaply. In terms of cities, the pizza here is the most expensive in Italy. According to the analysis, in Reggio Emilia, you have to pay an average of 17.58 euros for pizza with a drink. Similarly expensive, according to the evaluation, is Siena, again in Tuscany—only about 129 kilometers from the cheapest pizza in Italy. Here, the “pizza menu” averages 17.24 euros. The third most expensive pizza in Italy (averaging 16.25 euros with a drink) can be found in Macerata in the Marche region.