Fish Festival

A seaside celebration in the heart of Salento

The Fish Festival takes place in Torre San Giovanni, the main seaside district of the Municipality of Ugento, in the Province of Lecce. Overlooking the Ionian Sea and dominated by its unmistakable red-and-white striped lighthouse, Torre San Giovanni has been a fishing village for centuries: here, the day's catch still arrives directly from the small boats moored at the harbor, and the festival was born to celebrate this maritime heritage.

Fish takes center stage

The heart of the event is the tasting of Salento's seafood specialties. At the stalls set up in Piazza del Porto, you can savor locally prepared dishes:

• mixed fried "paranza" (small catch), anchovies, and calamari;
• grilled bluefish and crispy fried seafood;
• seafood appetizers, mussels, and shellfish;
• maritime specialties accompanied by bread and typical Puglian products.

The quality of the catch is guaranteed by the proximity to the port and the tradition of artisanal fishing in the Ugento shallows, a stretch of sea famous for the richness of its seabed.

Folk music and festive atmosphere

The festival is organized by the I Calanti Musical and Cultural Association, a group deeply rooted in the tradition of Salento folk music. The evening thus combines tastings with a live concert, featuring rhythms and sounds that evoke the pizzica and the folk music of Salento, creating a celebration that engages residents and tourists until late at night.

Torre San Giovanni and the Ugento marina

During the summer, Torre San Giovanni is one of the most popular seaside destinations in lower Salento, with its light sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lively promenade. The Fish Festival is part of the marina's rich calendar of summer events, offering visitors an authentic opportunity to discover the flavors and traditions of this corner of Puglia bathed by the Ionian Sea.

An open-air experience

Set in the evening, just a stone's throw from the sea, the event retains the genuine character of village festivals: shared tables, the scent of frying, live music, and the sea breeze. An event that tells the story of the identity of Ugento and its coastline, where the culture of fishing is still a living part of the community today.