Cacciucco and Grilled Prawns Festival

A seafood festival in the heart of the Valdisieve

It might come as a surprise, but one of the most beloved gastronomic events in the Valdisieve valley is dedicated entirely to seafood. The Cacciucco and Grilled Prawns Festival takes place in Rufina, a small town in the Province of Florence best known for its Chianti Rufina wine, transforming the Municipal Stadium into a bustling seaside kitchen for a few days. Here, distance from the coast doesn't matter: what counts is the passion of the Audax Rufina Sports Club volunteers, who have been serving one of the best cacciucco stews in the Tuscan hinterland for years.

Signature dishes

The star of the menu is naturally the cacciucco, the famous fish stew from the Tyrrhenian tradition, served strictly boneless for an effortless dining experience. Alongside it, the grilled prawns reign supreme as the festival's true trademark, complemented by a wide selection of seafood offerings.

• Seafood appetizers
• Seafood pasta dishes
• Boneless cacciucco
• Grilled prawns
• Fried calamari and shrimp, mixed fried seafood
• Meat-based dishes for those who prefer an alternative

All this is offered at affordable prices, in keeping with the popular spirit of local festivals, where the quality of the ingredients meets a warm, convivial atmosphere.

Atmosphere and organization

The event is held at the Fabio Bresci Municipal Stadium, located in Piazza Fabiani, and provides both climate-controlled indoor seating and outdoor tables, perfect for spring and summer evenings. The festival traditionally coincides with the end of the Audax Rufina sports season and takes place in several sessions throughout the year, usually between spring and early summer, taking advantage of the long weekends around April 25th, May 1st, and June 2nd.

Why visit

For those exploring the hills of Chianti Rufina and the Valdisieve, this festival is the perfect opportunity to combine an enogastronomic tour with an authentic, reasonably priced seafood dinner. It is a genuine event, run by volunteers, that perfectly captures the convivial spirit of small Tuscan towns.