Truffle hunting in Italy is one of the few food experiences that still happens exactly where it always has: in the woods, with a trained dog and a hunter who knows the ground. It is also governed by law, tied to strict seasons and, since 2021, recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage.
This guide explains when each truffle is in season, where to go, what a truffle hunting tour in Italy actually involves, and how to time your trip around the great truffle fairs.
What is truffle hunting in Italy?
Truffle hunting is the search for wild truffles, underground fungi that grow on the roots of certain trees, using a trained dog to find them by scent. The hunter, called a tartufaio, then digs the truffle out by hand without damaging the ground around it.
In December 2021, UNESCO added “Truffle hunting and extraction in Italy: traditional knowledge and practices” to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as announced by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry describes it as “an extraordinary heritage of traditional knowledge and practices transmitted orally in the countryside in many regions of our country.”
Euronews explains that the practice combines “the truffle hunter’s expertise and the olfactory abilities of the dog,” with knowledge “handed down orally for centuries” through stories, practices and proverbs.
When is truffle season in Italy?
There is a truffle in season for most of the year, but the famous white truffle can only be harvested in autumn. Italy’s national truffle law, Law 752 of 1985, sets the white truffle season from October 1 to December 31 and the prized black truffle season from November 15 to March 15.
The same law allows regions to adjust these dates, so the exact calendar can vary slightly from one region to another. The table below shows the national framework.
| Truffle | Latin name | Harvest season (Law 752/1985) |
|---|---|---|
| White truffle | Tuber magnatum Pico | October 1 to December 31 |
| Prized black truffle | Tuber melanosporum | November 15 to March 15 |
| Summer truffle | Tuber aestivum | May 1 to November 30 |
| Burgundy truffle | Tuber uncinatum | October 1 to December 31 |
For most travelers, October and November are the most exciting months. The white truffle is in season, the woods are turning, and the major truffle fairs are running.
Where is the best place to go truffle hunting in Italy?
The two best-known areas are Piedmont, around Alba, and northern Marche, around Acqualagna. Both are famous for the white truffle, and both host major truffle fairs every autumn.
Alba is the international name. Its International Alba White Truffle Fair reaches its 96th edition in 2026. Acqualagna, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, is the reference point for central Italy. The town’s own tourism site describes its International Truffle Fair as “the most important event in central Italy dedicated to the Tuber Magnatum Pico.”
Acqualagna is also one of the few places with a truffle event in every season. Alongside the autumn white truffle fair, the town holds a regional fair for the fine black truffle in February and one for the black summer truffle in August, according to the same site.
If you want to combine truffles with Renaissance art and quieter roads, Acqualagna has one big advantage: it sits in the same province as Urbino, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What happens on a truffle hunting tour?
A truffle hunting tour is a walk through the woods with a licensed truffle hunter and his dogs, usually lasting a few hours. The dogs work ahead, the hunter reads their behavior, and when a dog starts to dig, the hunter takes over to extract the truffle by hand.
This method is not just tradition. Law 752 of 1985 requires that truffle searches be carried out “con l’ausilio del cane a ciò addestrato,” meaning with the help of a trained dog, and that digging is done with a small spade called a vanghetto, only at the spot where the dog has started.
Many tours end with a tasting, since fresh truffles need simple dishes: tagliatelle, fried eggs or bruschetta with a little shaved truffle. Some also include a visit to a local producer or market.
Can tourists hunt for truffles themselves in Italy?
Not independently. Under Italian law, anyone who searches for truffles must pass an exam and hold a tesserino di idoneità, a regional permit that is valid nationwide.
That is why visitors always hunt alongside a licensed tartufaio. It is the legal way to take part, and it is also the best way to understand what you are watching, because the hunter can explain how the dog is working and why truffles grow where they do.
Which dogs are used for truffle hunting in Italy?
Most breeds can be trained to find truffles, but Italy has its own specialist, the Lagotto Romagnolo. The American Kennel Club calls it “Italy’s adorable ‘truffle dog’,” a breed known for its curly coat.
Whatever the breed, Italian law requires the dog to be trained for the job, so the dogs you meet on a hunt are working partners, not pets along for the walk. Watching one work the ground is often the highlight of the whole experience.
When are the truffle fairs in 2026?
The biggest white truffle fairs in 2026 run through October and November. The International Alba White Truffle Fair runs from October 10 to December 6, 2026, according to the fair’s official site.
The 61st International White Truffle Fair of Acqualagna takes place on October 25 and 31 and November 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15, 2026, according to the Municipality of Acqualagna. Pairing a morning truffle hunt with an afternoon at the fair is a natural way to spend a day in northern Marche.
How do you plan a truffle hunting trip in Marche?
The easiest way is to base yourself between Urbino and the Adriatic coast and plan the truffle hunt for a weekday morning, with the fair on a weekend. Acqualagna is inland, so a car or a private driver makes the day far more relaxed than public transport.
At Sweet Life Italy, we include truffle hunting in our wine and truffle experiences and in our culinary holidays in Marche, with private transport from our own chauffeur service. For more ideas on food-focused travel, read our guide to a culinary holiday in Italy.
If you would like to build a truffle hunting tour in Italy around your dates, tell us about your trip. The first estimate is free, and we start with a video call to understand what you are looking for.
About Sweet Life Italy. Sweet Life Italy is a certified incoming tour operator and destination management company based in Castelraimondo, in the Marche region, founded by Marco and Ilaria. We design bespoke Italian holidays with private transport from our own chauffeur service.
