From Paris to Bengaluru: Inside the global craze for 'Bakery Tourism'

Have you ever booked a flight just for a flaky croissant or walked an extra mile in a foreign city just to get your hands on a trending tart? Welcome to the deliciously whimsical world of Bakery Tourism.

What started as casual cafe-hopping is now a full-blown travel movement, with foodies traversing the globe in search of iconic pastries and hidden neighbourhood bakeries. Here is more about the newest travel trends.

What is Bakery Tourism?

Bakery Tourism has risen with a laser focus on baked delights like pastries, breads, cakes, pies, and everything in between. And no, it's not just about snacking. It's a cultural, visual, and emotional experience... often wrapped in parchment paper and drizzled with sugar.

TikTokers film themselves biting into pastel de nata in Lisbon, while Instagrammers pose with puff pastries in front of charming Viennese storefronts. The allure? Aesthetic appeal, indulgent taste, and a dose of nostalgia. After all, what better way to remember a city than by the buttery crumble of its signature tart?

Take Japan’s Harajuku district, where crepes come rolled like roses, stuffed with everything from matcha cheesecake to fried chicken. Or head to Istanbul, where baklava is served in gold-trimmed boxes and demands its own photo shoot before consumption. In Paris, travelers no longer just want to see the Eiffel Tower. They want to devour the pain au chocolate from Du Pain et des Idées, a bakery with its own cult following.

Even lesser-known cities are rising stars in the bakery world. Bengaluru’s jackfruit cake—a fragrant, spongy marvel inspired by local fruit—is drawing dessert devotees to South India.

Why the sudden surge?

So why are people suddenly planning trips around desserts? Part of it is pure escapism, travelling to taste something entirely different from your everyday diet. Another part is the deeply personal nature of baked goods: they’re warm, familiar, and comforting. And in a world that’s constantly changing, the joy of tearing into a fresh croissant or dipping churros into chocolate offers a universal sense of delight.

But let’s not forget the economic side: bakery tourism is giving a huge boost to small businesses. Local patisseries, often family-run for generations, are now appearing on international food maps.

So, is travelling for dessert a bit much? Maybe. But in a world obsessed with experiences, a pistachio tart can be just as meaningful as a mountain view. What do you think?