Saracen Mussels Festival
Mussels cooked Saracen style in an outdoor dinner in the village of Borgomaro
About Mussels Saracen Style
Mussels Take Centre Stage in Borgomaro
The Saracen Mussels Festival is one of the most beloved summer events in Borgomaro, a village in the Maro Valley in the province of Imperia. Despite being nestled in the mountainous inland area, the village celebrates a seafood dish here: mussels, known as 'muscoli' in the Ligurian dialect, cooked according to the special 'alla Saracena' recipe, which gives the festival its name.
An Outdoor Dinner Under the Stars
The heart of the festival is the grand outdoor dinner, served at long wooden tables that fill the village streets and squares. The Saracen-style mussels, flavourful and aromatic, are paired with local wine and a dancing evening that lasts until late, creating a convivial atmosphere typical of Ligurian inland village festivals.
An Almost Forty-Year Tradition
Organized by the 'U Castellu' Association, the festival boasts a long history: in 2025, it reached its 38th edition, a testament to its rare continuity and strong roots in the community. It is traditionally held in the first half of July, attracting visitors from all over the Maro Valley and the Imperia coast.
Borgomaro and the Maro Valley
Amidst olive groves and mountains, Borgomaro is a charming village in the Imperia hinterland, rich in history and traditions. The Saracen Mussels Festival reflects its welcoming spirit, bringing the flavour of the sea to the hills during one of the most anticipated evenings of the summer.
Mussels Saracen Style — edition 2026
For 2026, the Saracen Mussels Festival returns to Borgomaro, faithful to its mid-July summer appointment. The 'U Castellu' Association will serve mussels prepared according to the 'alla Saracena' recipe in a grand outdoor dinner, set up on long wooden tables in the village. The evening, accompanied by local wine and music for dancing, will continue until late. The precise date for the 2026 edition will be announced by the organizers closer to the event.
Programme Mussels Saracen Style 2026
July 2026 Evening — Borgomaro
- Outdoor dinner with Saracen-style mussels on wooden tables
- Local wine
- Dancing evening with music
The precise date will be announced by the organizers.
Highlights Mussels Saracen Style 2026
Prices Mussels Saracen Style 2026
Practical information — Mussels Saracen Style
How to get there
Borgomaro is reached from the Imperia Ovest (A10) motorway exit, heading up the Maro Valley. It is an inland village; a car is recommended.
When
The festival is traditionally held in the first half of July, with an outdoor dinner in the evening. The precise date for 2026 will be announced by the organizers. Free entry; dinner is paid.
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Where does it take place — Mussels Saracen Style
Borgomaro