Busiata Festival in the Village

A feast of taste in the heart of one of Italy's most beautiful villages

The Busiata Festival in the Village takes place every August in the historic center of Salemi, a town in the province of Trapani, Sicily. Recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, Salemi hosts the festival by turning its streets and squares—from the striking Norman-Swabian Castle to Piazza Libertà and Piazza Italia—into a vast open-air food and wine trail. The event is organized by the City of Salemi in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Saleming Association, and has earned the national "Quality Festival" mark from the Italian National Union of Pro Loco (Unpli).

Busiata, the queen of the Trapani table

The star dish is busiata, a fresh, spiral-shaped pasta made by hand by rolling the dough around a thin stem (the "buso"), from which it takes its name. It is one of the symbols of Trapani cuisine, traditionally served with pesto alla trapanese made from almonds, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. During the festival, busiata is offered in numerous versions prepared by local restaurateurs, chefs, and producers: from the classic pesto to variations with eggplant and salted ricotta, sausage, shrimp, swordfish, speck, and pistachios, as well as whole-wheat, egg-based, and gluten-free versions for celiacs.

Music, folklore, and culture

Tastings are accompanied by a rich entertainment program: live and street music throughout the stalls, performances, cooking shows, and the International Folklore Festival, which brings groups and traditions from various countries to Salemi. There are also special openings of the city's museum complex, the Castle, and the Mother Church, as well as busiata workshops and play areas designed for families and children.

An environmentally conscious event

The festival is organized as a plastic-free event, using biodegradable materials at all tasting stations. During the evenings, the historic center is closed to traffic, and a shuttle service connects the parking areas to the village, allowing visitors to enjoy the illuminated streets of Salemi in peace. Admission to the event is free; you only pay for food and drink via tickets.