Vicoli di Mare – Taranto Mussel Festival

The first edition, May 17-18, 2025

The first edition of Vicoli di Mare brought the Old Town of Taranto and the Porta Napoli district to life on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 6:00 PM until midnight. More than thirty restaurants and venues served Taranto mussel dishes starting from 8 euros: gratin, fried, peppered mussels, cavatelli and pasta with mussels, seafood sandwiches, and creative offerings.

The cultural program was incredibly rich: guided tours of the hypogea and historical sites (10-13 euros), walks through the fishermen's quarters, boat excursions in the Mar Piccolo to discover mussel farming (15 euros), the Sea Museum in the Clock Tower, the "Circum" photography exhibition at the GATA gallery, and the "Sollemnitas" exhibition at the MuDi – Diocesan Museum. There were also workshops for children and live music throughout the alleys.

The event, promoted by Taranto Grand Tour with Confcommercio Taranto, the Basilica of San Cataldo, and CSV Taranto, attracted thousands of visitors, confirming the success of a festival with strong identity value. In the autumn of 2025, the formula was replicated with new stages, including the one on Saturday, October 4, included in the "Taranto Vecchia 2025: Sea, Sounds, and Memories" program.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

• 10:30 AM — Guided walk through the fishermen's quarters (12 euros, free under 12)
• From 6:00 PM — Opening of the widespread event in the alleys of the Old Town and Porta Napoli
• From 6:00 PM — Guided tours of hypogea and historical sites (10-13 euros)
• 7:00 PM — Boat excursion to discover mussel farming (15 euros)
• From 7:00 PM — Taranto mussel tastings in over 30 venues (from 8 euros)
• Jonian Kids workshop for children aged 6-10 (15 euros)
• Evening — Live music and art installations

Sunday, May 18, 2025

• 11:00 AM — Boat excursion in the Mar Piccolo (15 euros)
• 6:30 PM — "Spacche e mange" tasting experience (13 euros)
• From 6:00 PM — Tastings, guided tours, and exhibitions
• Evening — Concerts and narrated walks

For both days

• 9:00 AM-1:00 PM — "Sollemnitas" exhibition at the MuDi Diocesan Museum
• "Circum" photography exhibition by Andrea Petrosino at the GATA gallery
• Sea Museum in the Clock Tower

A debut with thousands of attendees, black mussel tastings in over 30 venues, boat excursions on Mar Piccolo mussel farming, and visits to the Old Town hypogea.