Capraia Squid Festival
Capraia's sea celebration, featuring a squid fishing contest and harbor-side dining
About Squid Festival
Capraia's Sea Celebration
On the island of Capraia, in the heart of the Tuscan Archipelago and within the province of Livorno, the squid is more than just a dish: it is a piece of local identity. The Capraia Squid Festival, established in 2000 and organized by the Pro Loco Capraia Isola in collaboration with all the island's restaurants, has become the signature event of the island's autumn. It attracts fishing enthusiasts, crews, and curious visitors from the entire Tuscan coast and Elba.
The festival takes place entirely along the Capraia harbor, the island's only port. This is where the fishing contest, communal tables, and stalls are concentrated, creating a village atmosphere that remains one of the highlights of this event. Capraia is the northernmost island of the archipelago and one of the least developed, largely consisting of a park and protected marine area: experiencing the festival also means discovering a corner of Tuscany far from the beaten tourist paths.
The Squid Fishing Contest
The heart of the event is the squid fishing contest, which sees nearly a hundred boats take to the sea each year. The departure of the flotilla from the harbor is one of the most evocative sights of the event. The competition includes various participant categories, both on land (from the cliffs and docks) and at sea, with separate rankings for sailboats and motorboats.
Upon returning, the catch is weighed by judges along the dock at the so-called Salata del Porto, followed by the awards ceremony. In recent editions, the Pro Loco has added educational moments to the contest, such as a masterclass with local fishermen to learn squid fishing techniques directly from the pier.
Harbor-Side Food Stalls
While the fishermen are at sea, food stalls managed by the Pro Loco and island restaurateurs light up along the harbor. The undisputed star is, of course, the squid, served in a myriad of ways: fried squid, squid risotto, squid couscous, squid with potatoes, herb-crusted squid, squid lasagna, crostini, and arancini. Every year the menu is enriched with new variations on the theme, but the raw ingredient remains the same: fresh and locally sourced.
When It Takes Place
The Capraia Squid Festival takes place over two weekends between October and November. For 2026, the dates announced by the Pro Loco are the first weekend from October 2nd to 4th and the second from October 30th to November 1st. It is a festival designed for those who love the sea and conviviality: you arrive by ferry from Livorno, eat outdoors on the harbor, and experience the day at the slow, authentic rhythm of the island.
Squid Festival — edition 2026
The Capraia Squid Festival returns in 2026 with its two-weekend formula: the first from October 2nd to 4th and the second from October 30th to November 1st. The dates have been announced by the Pro Loco Capraia Isola events calendar.
Once again this year, the heart of the festival will be the squid fishing contest, with land and sea categories and rankings for sailboats and motorboats, followed by the weighing of the catch along the dock and the awards ceremony. Food stalls will return to the harbor with squid in all its versions, from fried to couscous, from risotto to lasagna.
At the moment, the detailed schedule for the 2026 edition has not yet been published: the Pro Loco will release the contest calendar, rules, and times in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Squid Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition has not yet been published by the Pro Loco Capraia Isola.
Based on previous editions, the event typically follows this structure over each of the two weekends:
- Squid fishing contest — afternoon registration, with land and sea categories (sailboats and motorboats); departure of the flotilla from the harbor.
- Weighing of the catch — at the Salata del Porto, in the evening, in the presence of the judges.
- Awards ceremony for the winners of the various categories.
- Food stalls along the harbor, featuring fried squid, squid risotto, couscous, squid with potatoes, lasagna, crostini, and arancini.
Precise times, rules, and details will be communicated by the Pro Loco on their official website and Facebook page closer to the event.
Highlights Squid Festival 2026
- The departure of the flotilla of nearly one hundred boats from the Capraia harbor.
- The squid fishing contest with land, sea, sailboat, and motorboat categories.
- Harbor-side food stalls featuring squid in dozens of island recipes.
Prices Squid Festival 2026
Practical information — Squid Festival
Getting There
Capraia Isola can only be reached by sea, via the ferry from Livorno (operated by the shipping company serving the island). The crossing takes approximately two and a half hours; in high season and during events, advance booking is recommended, especially for those bringing a car.
Where It Takes Place
All festival activities are concentrated along the Capraia harbor, where you will find the competition docks, food stalls, and island restaurants.
Information and Contacts
The event is organized by the Pro Loco Capraia Isola APS. For information on the program, contest, and registration: phone +39 347 7714601, email [email protected], or visit the official Facebook page and the website www.sagradeltotano.it.
Tips
Capraia has limited accommodation: those wishing to stay overnight should book well in advance. For the fishing contest, it is necessary to consult the official rules and register within the timeframes indicated by the Pro Loco.
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Where does it take place — Squid Festival
Porto di Capraia
Porto di Capraia, 57032 Capraia Isola