Festival of Flavours

A feast of taste in the middle of the sea

The Festival of Flavours is the late-May event that brings Piazza Milano in the village of Capraia Isola, in the province of Livorno, to life. It is one of those festivals that tells the story of a territory better than any brochure: the absolute star is Capraia cuisine, consisting of simple, honest recipes born from the encounter between the vegetable garden, the Mediterranean scrub, and the sea surrounding the island.

Organised by the Pro Loco Association of Capraia Isola, the festival transforms the town square into one large open-air dining table. Visitors stroll between the stalls, tasting and voting: the heart of the event is the best dish competition, a friendly contest featuring the island's residents, who act as guardians of recipes passed down through generations.

Capraia, the wildest of the Tuscan Archipelago

To understand this festival, you must know the place that hosts it. Capraia is the third-largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago after Elba and Giglio, the only one of volcanic origin, and is almost entirely included in the Tuscan Archipelago National Park. It is an island of only a few hundred inhabitants, mountainous and lush, where nature dictates the rhythm of life. In such a context, a festival dedicated to flavours is not just superficial folklore, but a concrete way to share and keep alive the gastronomic memory of a small, proud community.

What to expect

• Tastings of traditional Capraia recipes prepared by the locals.
• The best dish competition, with entries judged during the festival.
• A convivial and family atmosphere in the heart of the village overlooking the sea.
• The chance to discover the island outside the summer beach tourism circuits.

When to go

The festival is traditionally held in May: the 2026 edition is scheduled for Sunday, May 31st in Piazza Milano. It is a half-day event, ideal for those visiting Capraia for a day trip or for those spending a few days on the island at the beginning of the season, when the Mediterranean scrub is in bloom and ferries connect the island to Livorno.