Tripe Festival

The Tripe Festival in the village of Acaya

The Tripe Festival is one of the most cherished food and wine events in Acaya, a small hamlet in the municipality of Vernole, in the province of Lecce. Every year in September, the historic center of this Salento village transforms into a large popular gathering dedicated to a symbolic dish of Southern Italian peasant cuisine: tripe, the star of evenings filled with flavor, music, and community.

A tribute to Salento peasant cuisine

Tripe, a humble ingredient of the farming tradition, is served at the food stalls according to traditional Salento recipes, slow-cooked in tomato sauce and served hot. Alongside the main attraction, you will find pezzetti di cavallo (horse meat stew), another cornerstone of local Lecce gastronomy, and various typical dishes of Salento, from baked goods to seasonal side dishes. It is a festival designed to rediscover the authentic flavors of the province of Lecce, the ones that once defined the lives of the village families.

Music, dancing, and festive atmosphere

The Tripe Festival is not just about food: the event is accompanied by a rich musical program with live concerts and folk dances that enliven the village squares until late at night. The atmosphere is typical of Salento village festivals, characterized by conviviality, intergenerational meetings, and outdoor joy under the September sky.

Acaya, a fortified jewel of Salento

The setting makes this festival a special appointment. Acaya is one of the few examples of fortified cities remaining intact in Southern Italy: its Renaissance layout, commissioned in the 16th century, is dominated by the Castle of Acaya and enclosed by walls. Walking among the festival stalls means crossing a village steeped in history, just a few kilometers from Lecce, the Adriatic coast, and Otranto.

A stop on the Salento summer

Held in September, when the tourist season is winding down but Salento is still vibrant, the Acaya Tripe Festival is an ideal opportunity for those who wish to combine the sea, historic villages, and the traditional gastronomy of Apulia. A popular, free-entry event that attracts residents, curious visitors, and tourists in search of the most authentic local flavors every year.