Bassa Fish Festival

A seafood festival in the heart of Tuscany

The Bassa Fish Festival has a curious destiny: a celebration entirely dedicated to seafood in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, far from the coast. It takes place in Bassa, a village in the municipality of Cerreto Guidi, in the province of Florence—a hilly area in the Empoli district better known for its wine and the Medici villa that overlooks the town. Yet, for over fifty years, this has been the site of one of the most popular and long-standing seafood festivals in inland Tuscany.

The roots of a tradition

The passion for fishing in Bassa dates back to the early 20th century, when the waters of the Arno were still clear. The festival itself was born in the 1970s, at a time when the first wholesale fish markets were developing in the area. The event was created with a very concrete goal: to fund the local Tamburello team, the historic sport that still gives its name to the field hosting the event. Since then, the festival has never stopped: in 2024, it reached its 50th edition, and the 2026 event represents one of the latest chapters in this long community history.

What to eat

The true star is naturally the fish, offered in a rich and accessible menu. Among the specialties that return to the table every year:

• Seafood appetizers
• Seafood risotto and spaghetti with seafood
• Crab penne
• Mixed skewers and swordfish
• Fried shrimp and squid

Accompanying the dishes is local white wine, produced on the hills of Cerreto Guidi and the Empoli area, a symbol of the bond between this seafood festival and the territory that hosts it.

Atmosphere and evenings

The soul of the Bassa Fish Festival is the convivial spirit of a village fair: long communal tables, a kitchen working at full capacity (routinely serving over 900 covers per evening), and, after dinner, live music and DJ sets on the dance floor, in a revival that recalls the historic discos of the area. The event is managed entirely by the Associazione La Sagra del Pesce di Bassa, which has been revitalized in recent years by a young and renewed board.

When to go

The festival is open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for three consecutive weekends, with evening openings from 8:00 PM. Admission is free and everyone is welcome: a delicious stop for those seeking authentic Tuscany, the kind of village festival that stands the test of time.