Bakery tourism is on the rise. Following the success of franchised TV shows like Bake Off and Master Chef, in April 2025, the UK’s Guardian reported on the growing phenomenon of “bakery pilgrims”, holidaymakers who shape their vacations around the chance of tasting, or even making, delicious and regional baked goods. So for those who want to prove their loaf rather than just loaf around on holiday, here are Travel Tomorrow’s recommendations, fresh out of the oven.
Helsinki, Finland
Few people know the joy of a calorie-rich treat with a warm drink better than the Finns. The Levain brand of welcome is available at three locations in the city, in the Töölö, Ullanlinna, and Punavuori neighborhoods. All offer excellent coffee in an airy yet cosy eatery, while at the third, there is a bakery on-site. Though rye bread is considered a national dish in Finland, Levain specialises in sour dough, which they call the “king of breads”. They bake all day to ensure everything from muffins to brioche sandwiches are fresh to order.
Just around the corner from Levain’s Punavuori HQ is Moko Market Café and Store, a thirty-year-old family-run vintage collectables store with a cafe offering breakfasts, brunches and more, with bread from Levain.
Naples, Italy
Hot summer weather might put some off visiting a bakery but in Naples, undisputed home of pizza, there is a baked good suitable for all climes. In a lively, working-class district, Da Attilio has been serving traditional thin-crusted Neapolitan pizzas since 1938. With rave reviews from locals and the Michelin Guide, its two small dining rooms are rarely empty and, with no reservations possible, would-be diners will need to learn patience.
New York, USA
A must-try bakery and diner for those in the City that Never Sleeps is Junior’s, Brooklyn. Established in 1950 and still going strong, the place has become legendary for its traditional New York cheesecake, with a silky-smooth proprietary filling on a sponge base, water-baked to perfection.
On the subject of water-baths, for bagels, Tompkins Square Bagels and Liberty Bagels get the thumbs up from many reviewers.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Bread is a symbolic national staple for Uzbeks, whose loaves of different shapes and designs reflect personal tastes, regions, and events. Samarkand, the capital of the eponymous region and a city on the Silk Road, is no exception and has developed a distinct history forged by the traders it catered to.
One type of prized bread, renowned for staying fresh for a long time (valuable for travelling clientele) is a heavy loaf made in a traditional tandour or clay-lined, boiler-shaped stove. Loaves are stuck to the walls and any that fall off, are considered sacred. Asliddin Khasanov runs a bakery started by his grandfather where tour guides take curious visitors. To get the full effect, go during baking season between spring and summer in Uzbekistan.
Santarém, Portugal
This historic, highly Gothic town an hour’s drive north from Lisbon is fast becoming a foodie’s paradise, with an annual gastronomy festival, a batch of rising star chefs, and its very own jewel in Pastelaria Bijou, a bakery conveniently tucked into the heart of Santarém’s historic quarter on an impressive Jesuit square, perfect for morning refreshments.
Their pampilhos (a long butter pastry filled with cinnamon custard and named for the shape of cattle herders’ sticks) are hailed by some critics as the best in the world. Or why not sample their legendary Celeste cakes, made with almonds, egg yolks and sugar – a heavenly treat that originated with nuns at the nearby Santa Clara convent.
Stockholm, Sweden
Back to the Nordics, and if you don’t taste a kanelbullar (cinnamon bun) when in Sweden, then have you even been there? This writer went on the hunt for the best batch in town. Fabrique was recommended as having buns as big as one’s head, and they did not disappoint. Any dryness was offset by the requisite coffee.
To try one’s own hand at producing an irresistible version, seek out an afternoon’s baking class such as this one, listed by Visit Stockholm, taking place on 19 July and 16 Aug 2025, between 2:30 and 4:30 pm.
