Must-Visit Destinations for Confectionery Enthusiasts

Sure, chocolate and sweets are readily available at the shop counter or supermarket. But have you ever wondered where some of the world’s best confectionery lives, and if you can sample some for yourself?

Maybe you’ve been a casual sweets and chocolates lover who’s ready to kick things up a notch. Or perhaps you’ve already been on a couple of chocolate pilgrimages and are looking for your next trip. We’ve got a list of confectionery must-haves for your travel map, from the UK to Europe and further afield.

Get ready to dive into a world of sweet treats on tap with our complete guide to must-have destinations for sweets and chocolate lovers. Let’s get started.

Cadbury World, Birmingham

We’re starting off with one attraction that’s closer to home - the Black Country is home to the beloved UK chocolate’s brand spiritual home, Cadbury World. It’s only natural that every visitor is treated to a tour of the chocolate factory, complete with delicious tastings along the way.

Kids will love dining with Cadbury characters in the Cadbury World cafe, 4D chocolate adventures, and the Cadabra ride. There’s plenty of fun for adults, too, including a trip down memory lane with Cadbury’s Advertising Avenue and Victorian street recreations, washed down with a delightful afternoon tea. Cadbury World is like a chocolatey mecca for any confectionary lover based in the UK.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, Pateley Bridge

Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales lies the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, which has been trading since 1827. This little shop from a bygone era still sells traditional sweets and chocolates from decades past, including aniseed balls, pear drops, and blackjacks. You won’t find wholesale sweets here - everything is made in batches for the day’s visitors.

Aside from being located in an idyllic part of the country, the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World has its own charm by handcrafting sweets and chocolates using traditional methods and tools. If you’re in the area, it’s a shop that’s well worth a visit for a delicious sweet treat.

Zurich, Switzerland

If you're travelling to Europe, any chocolate lover should make a stop in Zurich. The Swiss city is home to the Lindt Home of Chocolate, a chocolate museum, and a giant Lindt chocolate shop where you can find every Lindt flavour under the sun. You can even take chocolate-making courses, which are open to all ages.

Aside from the world-famous brand, there are plenty of delectable chocolate shops in Zurich with world-class confectionaries to sample. To make the most of your visit, indulge in a chocolate walking tour or stop at a café for Swiss hot chocolate.

Brussels, Belgium

Have you ever heard of Belgian chocolate, a candy type synonymous with quality and taste? Then head over to Brussels, a hub for the country’s chocolate production. With a richer cocoa percentage and made with cocoa butter, Belgian chocolate is a cut above the rest.

Home to the famous chocolate companies Godiva, Leonidas and Neuhaus, the inventor of the Belgian praline, there’s plenty to see and do in this capital to keep your stomach full and your heart happy.

Paris, France

We couldn’t miss the fine dining capital of the world off from the list. Paris is home to some of the most indulgent confectionary shops in the world, such as Angelina’s hot chocolate shop, La Maison du Chocolat and Pralus.

You can find patisserie and boulangerie shops selling high-quality chocolates and sweets across Paris - and of course, enjoying a pain au chocolat is an absolute must when roaming the streets of the romantic city.

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Did you know that the famous US chocolate brand is named after a town? That’s right—Hershey, Pennsylvania, is home to Hershey HQ and the H.B. Reese Candy Company.

Die-hard Hershey fans can visit the Hersheypark, complete with dining, entertainment, theme park rides and accommodation for the whole family. We’d say the highlights are Hershey’s Chocolatetown, complete with its own ice cream parlour and restaurant, and Hershey’s Chocolate World, where families can explore the chocolate factory and make their own candy bars.

Penny Candy Lane, Japan

Found in Kawagoe City, Penny Candy Lane has a rich history of sweets making, where over 20 shops still survive today. Each shop specialises in its own unique confectionary, such as the Tamariki Confectionary Shop’s hard candies or the Matsuriku Confectionery Shop’s sweets made with brown sugar.

If you visit in April, you might catch the yearly festival in Penny Candy Alley with traditional Japanese decorations and games. Look out for the eight animal statues dotted throughout the area as you feast on the sweets - some are harder to find than others.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Mexico is one of the biggest chocolate exporters in the world. In the city of Oaxaca, chocolate is embedded in everyday life for its residents after establishing itself on the ancient trading route as a centre for all things chocolate.

Hot chocolate is a big tradition in Oaxaca, traditionally served with milk, cinnamon, and almonds. Chocolate is also one of the key ingredients for mole, a thick and savoury sauce used in poultry and meat dishes. For those with less adventurous tastes, you’ll find more chocolate shops in the city than you can shake a stick at.

Final thoughts

If you’re feeling adventurous enough to go out and find delicious sweets and chocolate, there are many places to enjoy them worldwide. The UK is home to two of the world’s iconic confectionery locations, making them great days out for the family to enjoy.

Fancy something a little further afield? Not to worry. From the meandering streets of Japan to the vibrant Mexican markets, the best confectionary is out there—get your passport ready now.

If you’re after high-quality sweets and chocolate on your doorstep, Appleton Sweets is here to help. Wholesale confectionary is our speciality, and we have everything you need for your business or event to go off without a hitch. Check out our website today for our full range.