Sortino Honey Festival

A tradition spanning over forty years

The Sortino Honey Festival is one of the longest-running and most iconic gastronomic events in the province of Syracuse. Established around 1980, it takes place every autumn in the historic center of the town of Sortino, in the Iblean Mountains, and in 2025 it reached its 43rd edition. The festival is part of the official event calendar of the Sicilian Region and is organized by the Municipality of Sortino in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Regional Association of Sicilian Beekeepers.

Iblean honey, a thousand-year-old excellence

The undisputed star is Iblean honey, famous since antiquity: Virgil, Ovid, and Theocritus all praised its quality. In Sortino, honey harvesting is still entrusted to the "fasciddari", local beekeepers who preserve traditional methods passed down through generations. During the festival, visitors can sample numerous varieties of wildflower honey, as well as typical products linked to beekeeping such as the beekeepers' liqueur ("spiritu ri fascitrari"), "piretti" biscuits, "sfingi" pastries, and traditional sweets called "sanfurricchi".

In the squares of the historic center

The event transforms the squares of Sortino—specifically Piazza Verga and Piazza Santa Sofia—into a vast trail of food stalls, photography exhibitions, markets, and tasting points. Among the most popular attractions are the parades of Sicilian carts, exhibitions dedicated to beekeeping, and evening musical performances that enliven the nights. Dedicated spaces also host conferences, book presentations, and educational workshops.

Culture, family, and entertainment

The Honey Festival is not just about gastronomy: every edition offers a rich calendar of cultural and entertainment events. Competitions dedicated to the best Sicilian honeys, beekeeping workshops for adults and children, activities for kids, theatrical performances, cabaret, and concerts make the festival suitable for the whole family. Special openings of museums and historical sites complete the offering, highlighting the cultural heritage of Sortino and the Iblean Mountains.

An autumn appointment in Sicily

Firmly established among the autumn events of south-eastern Sicily, the Sortino Honey Festival attracts thousands of visitors, curious travelers, food enthusiasts, and tourists every year. It is an ideal opportunity to discover a village rich in history in the province of Syracuse, taste local specialties, and get an up-close look at the fascinating world of Iblean beekeeping.