The 2026 white truffle season arrives in Gubbio. From Friday 30 October, and for two weekends, the medieval town at the foot of Monte Ingino hosts its truffle fair: the first major event of a November that, across Umbria and Tuscany, will taste of damp earth and woodland. If you've already got a free day over the All Saints' bank holiday, now you know where to go.
Why white truffles are only hunted in autumn
There's something almost romantic about the white truffle. It can't be cultivated, predicted or forced. It grows on its own, underground, in the shade of oaks, poplars and willows, and the only ones who find it are a truffle hunter and his dog, usually at dawn, in woods whose location no one ever reveals. The hunting season begins with the first autumn rains and ends with winter, within the dates set by each region. November is the heart of the season: the month when the scent is at its fullest and villages celebrate it in the piazza.
Where to find white truffle in November 2026
Gubbio opens the season
Gubbio is the first stop, and not just because of the calendar. Climbing up to Piazza Grande, with the Palazzo dei Consoli suspended above the valley, then heading down to Piazza Quaranta Martiri among the truffle hunters' stalls, is one of the loveliest ways to experience autumn in Umbria. The dates are 30 and 31 October, 1 November, and then 6, 7 and 8 November: the full programme is on the Comune di Gubbio website.
The Alta Valle del Tevere and Città di Castello
A little further north, Città di Castello has for decades devoted November to one of central Italy's best-known truffle fairs. The Alta Valle del Tevere has been truffle-hunting country for generations, and the fair is also a chance to discover a Renaissance historic centre that many pass through without stopping. The dates for the 2026 edition haven't been announced yet, so it's worth keeping an eye on the Comune's official channels.
In Tuscany: Crete Senesi and San Miniato
Crossing into Tuscany, the white truffle changes landscape but not character. On the moon-like hills of the Crete Senesi, San Giovanni d'Asso is one of its historic homes: we told the story in our piece on the Crete Senesi white truffle fair. Further north, between Pisa and Florence, San Miniato closes out the month with its truffle-dedicated weekends beneath Frederick II's tower. To get your bearings among all of Italy's fairs, the most complete calendar is the one kept by the Associazione Nazionale Città del Tartufo.
Our day trip: tasting Umbria first-hand
With Una gita fuoriporta we've crossed Umbria many times, and every trip has taught us the same thing: you can only truly understand its flavours by standing alongside the people who guard them. In Scheggino, in the Valnerina, truffle is a family story that has become famous the world over. David Romano often sets off in search of truffles. He has followed truffle hunters into the woods at dawn, watched their dogs sniff the damp earth, and breathed in the intense scent of truffle freshly shaved over a fried egg. Each time the emotion is the same, because behind a truffle worth its weight in gold there are families, traditions and territories passing down age-old knowledge. That's why David proudly shares these experiences through Una gita fuoriporta, taking viewers among the market stalls and into the kitchens where truffle becomes a celebration.
We found the same spirit on Lake Trasimeno, explored by bike with the Cicloturistica "I Borghi più Belli d'Italia". There, David Romano put it like this: «There's a beauty here on the Trasimeno that goes beyond the postcards: it's in the way people live these places.» The same holds true for truffles. The joy of a truffle fair isn't just buying one, but stopping to listen to someone who spent the night in the woods and is eager to tell you about it.
How to choose white truffle without getting it wrong
Standing at a stall, your first tool is your nose. Then come your hands and eyes:
- The scent should be intense and clear-cut. If it's faint, the truffle is already a few days old.
- To the touch it should be firm and compact: leave a soft truffle where it is.
- The surface should range from cream to light hazelnut, smooth and free of bruises.
- Always ask where it's from: a reputable seller will happily tell you.
- Eat it soon: in the fridge, wrapped in absorbent paper changed daily, it keeps for only a few days. It should be served raw, in thin shavings, on simple dishes such as tagliolini, eggs or a fondue.
Planning the trip: a few tips
The fairs are at their best in the morning, when the stalls are full and the truffle hunters are still in the mood to chat. The afternoon is perfect for a stroll through the village and, in Umbria, for extending the trip among the hills: on Umbria Tourism you'll find itineraries and ideas for the weekend. And to choose your next destination, our site has every episode of Una gita fuoriporta available to watch on demand.
Frequently asked questions about white truffle 2026
When does Gubbio's 2026 white truffle fair begin?
Friday 30 October. It continues on 31 October, 1 November, and then 6, 7 and 8 November.
What are the white truffle fairs in November 2026?
Among the best known are Gubbio and Città di Castello in Umbria, and San Giovanni d'Asso and San Miniato in Tuscany. Dates should always be checked on the official websites.
What's the difference between white truffle and black truffle?
Prized white truffle is harvested in autumn, has a more intense aroma and is only eaten raw. Prized black truffle is a winter speciality and can also withstand brief cooking.
How should white truffle be stored?
In the fridge, wrapped in absorbent paper that's changed daily, inside a sealed container. It should be eaten within a few days.