Tourist's Dinner

A thank you to tourists in the heart of Salento

The Tourist's Dinner is one of the most original and symbolic summer initiatives on the calendar of Pulsano, a town on the Ionian coast of Salento in the province of Taranto, Apulia. The event was born from an idea as simple as it is affectionate: to concretely thank the tourists who choose this seaside location for their holidays. It is not just a show to watch, but a real gala dinner offered to the town's guests, who become the absolute protagonists of the festival for one evening.

How it works: 25 couples drawn by lot

The mechanism is what makes this event unique. Among all the guests of the numerous accommodation facilities in Pulsano, 25 couples of tourists are drawn by lot and invited to participate for free in a refined open-air dinner. Serving at the tables are not waiters, but the event organizers themselves, together with the Mayor and members of the promoting association: a gesture of hospitality that reverses roles and transforms the evening into a moment of authentic Salento welcome.

The setting: Castello De Falconibus

The dinner takes place in the scenic Piazza Castello, at the foot of the Castello De Falconibus, an imposing fortress dating back to the 15th century that today houses the City Council and the Historical Museum of Traditions and Human Activities. Dining in this monumental courtyard, under the ancient walls and the starry August sky, offers guests an experience that combines history, art, and conviviality.

Salento flavors and pizzica under the stars

The menu celebrates the traditional cuisine of Salento: typical local dishes served paired with local wines, in a journey of genuine flavors that tell the story of the Apulian gastronomic identity. The soundtrack to the evening is pizzica, the traditional folk dance and music of Salento, which accompanies the dinner and transforms the square into a festival of traditional sounds and rhythms under the August moon.

Pulsano, pearl of the Ionian coast

Awarded the Blue Flag for the quality of its waters and beaches, Pulsano is one of the most appreciated destinations on the Ionian coast of Taranto. The Tourist's Dinner is part of a rich summer program and represents one of the moments in which the Municipality of Pulsano and local associations best express the spirit of hospitality that characterizes all of Salento.

The 2026 edition

The event, which reached its eighth edition in 2025, is confirmed as a fixed appointment of the Pulsano summer, traditionally held in the second half of August. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been announced: it is recommended to follow the official channels of the Municipality and the organizing association to know the updated calendar.