Mercatino del Gusto
Seven days of flavors, craftsmanship, and culture in the historic center of Maglie
About Mercatino del Gusto
The gastronomic heart of Salento
The Mercatino del Gusto is one of the most anticipated summer events in the province of Lecce and the entire Puglia region. Every year, at the beginning of August, the historic center of Maglie—a town in lower Salento known for its elegant main street and nineteenth-century palaces—comes alive with lights, aromas, and flavors, welcoming thousands of visitors through its alleys, courtyards, and small squares. Founded in 2000, the market has grown into a true festival dedicated to good, clean, and fair food, in line with the philosophy of quality gastronomic culture.
A themed journey through the city streets
The format is that of a large traveling market organized by thematic areas, each dedicated to a world of taste. Strolling through the center, you will encounter the Wine Square featuring Apulian labels, the Gastronomy Street, the Olive Oil Street with Salento's extra virgin oil, the Sweets Street, the Spirits Street with distillates and liqueurs, the Coffee Corner, and the Gelato Square. There is also space for Slow Food Presidia and Food Communities, the Craftsmanship Street showcasing artistic trades, and the Street Food area, where you can sample freshly prepared specialties.
Much more than a market
The Mercatino del Gusto is not just about tasting; it is also about culture, encounters, and entertainment. Every evening, the historic center hosts live concerts featuring Salento Jazz and folk music, while taste workshops, show cooking, the Literary Salon, the Pasta Experience, and the Junior Market for children enrich the program. The historic Villa Dinners at Palazzo Romano, the Gusto Labs, and the exhibitions set up in the city's iconic landmarks complete an offering that blends gastronomy, art, and Mediterranean tradition.
A look at the Mediterranean
In recent years, the event has taken on an increasingly international dimension, with foreign delegations and producers hosted among the streets of Maglie. The dialogue with Greece and the Epirus region, in particular, has brought the flavors and traditions of the other side of the Ionian Sea to the city, highlighting Salento's role as a natural bridge in the heart of the Mediterranean. It is a free-entry event that, for one week, makes Maglie the capital of Apulian taste.
Mercatino del Gusto — edition 2026
For its 27th edition, scheduled from August 1st to 7th, 2026, the Mercatino del Gusto chooses 'Collaboration' as its keyword, in contrast to the logic of competition: the event aims to be a place for meeting, exchange, and shared creation. The historic center of Maglie hosts approximately 100 exhibitors distributed across the usual thematic areas, with tastings, live music, and cultural events for seven days.
Programme Mercatino del Gusto 2026
The streets of taste
The historic center is divided into thematic areas with about a hundred exhibitors:
- Wine Square — labels and wineries from Puglia
- Gastronomy Street and Food Communities
- Olive Oil Street — Salento's extra virgin oil
- Sweets Street, Gelato Square, and Coffee Corner
- Spirits Street — distillates, liqueurs, and craft beer
- Street Food and Craftsmanship Street with artistic trades
New for 2026
- A street entirely dedicated to traditional Greek products, set up in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of Arta, in Epirus: the Greek delegation returns after the 2025 experience.
- Exhibition 'The Taste of Speed — A journey through food, design, and Formula 1' curated by Cintya Concari and Roberto Marcatti and Roberto Marcatti (RMA Studio) with Umberto Zapelloni, held at the Civic Museum of Paleontology and Palethnology of Maglie from August 1st to October 31st, 2026.
Scheduled events
- Gusto Lab — taste workshops (August 1-5)
- Villa Dinners at Palazzo Romano
- Salento Jazz — live concerts every evening and folk music
- Literary Salon, Pasta Experience, and Junior Market for children
The detailed program with times and guest names is updated on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Mercatino del Gusto 2026
Prices Mercatino del Gusto 2026
Practical information — Mercatino del Gusto
How to get there
Maglie is located in lower Salento, in the province of Lecce. By car, it can be reached via the Lecce-Maglie-Otranto expressway (SS 16 and SS 275). By train, the Maglie station is served by Ferrovie del Sud Est with connections from Lecce. The nearest airports are Brindisi (approx. 75 km) and Bari.
Entry and hours
Admission to the Mercatino del Gusto is free. Stands generally open in the late afternoon and continue until night. Some initiatives (dinners, workshops, guided tastings) may require payment or reservations.
Information
For the detailed program and reservations: Associazione Mercatino del Gusto, tel. +39 329 166 2759, [email protected], website www.mercatinodelgusto.it.
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Where does it take place — Mercatino del Gusto
Centro storico di Maglie