Fish Festival in Riposto

Every day, with ancient and now almost ritual gestures, the fishermen of Riposto land with their load of very fresh fish; swordfish, above all, is among the blue fish, the most coveted in the area.
To celebrate the main activity of the seaside village overlooking the Ionian Sea, every year in July, the Fish Festival in Riposto.

From fish to bruschetta, the flavors are intense: as evening falls, the stoves light up in the square, while all around the atmosphere is lit by music and the popular games of the area come to life in the streets.

In addition to the recipes on the table, there are also plenty of activities in the town: conferences and guided tours, aperitifs and music, readings, painting, astronomical observations and even the screening of films at sea, among the boats in the port. A combination of events and taste, which will make your stay in Riposto special!

The history of the Fish Festival in Riposto

In 1999 the Culture Department of the Municipality of Riposto, with the patronage of the Sicilian Region and thanks to the sponsorship of local fishing companies, gave life to the Riposto Fish Festival, an event which has grown more and more over the years, bringing the flavors and tradition of fishing to the streets, to make everyone aware of the main activity of the village.

When the Fish Festival takes place in Riposto

Il 23 and the 24 July, in the splendid Sicilian summer, the absolute protagonist is the blue fish. The Fish Festival in Riposto starts at 19 pm.

Where the Fish Festival takes place in Riposto

The Fish Festival is held in Archirafi Tower, maritime hamlet of the municipality, about 2,9 km away from the port of Riposto.

What to do during the Fish Festival in Riposto

The Fish Festival is much more than a simple tasting: by participating, you will discover the scents and flavors of the sea, you will learn about the history of the village, you will make friends with the local inhabitants and even the little ones will be able to have fun in safety, in the spaces specially designated for them dedicated. And what's more, you will have the opportunity to explore what is called the "Port of Etna", a seaside village a few steps from the mountain, a junction between the sea and the Etna Park, for a truly unique panorama.

So, let's start with the beauties of nature that you will find in the area: the sea it is transparent, even to the marina and here we recommend you take a long walk on the seafront Edoardo Pantano; of course if you love mountain landscapes, dedicate a day toEtna, where at the Park you can choose one of the many hiking routes available, based on your preferences, or you can accompany your children to the Etna Adventure Park, for an afternoon of fun. Other stops not to be missed are Stazzo beach, where you can spend a few hours on the beach.

Once back in town, visit the port, the Saint Peter Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of the Letter; with a stop at Palazzo Comunale, you will have seen almost all the attractions of the centre. Continue your walk in Riposto, to discover all its beauties and at lunch and dinner time, choose the restaurants in the town, to also taste the Sicilian salads, the maccu and the tasty meat recipes of the Catania tradition. Conclude the meal with a cannoli or cassata and to drink, order a glass of the excellent Etna wine!

How to get to Riposto

To easily get to Riposto, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, choose the journey by car or train: by car, take the A18 Messina-Catania and exit at the junction for Giarre, about 4,4 km from Riposto, while on the train you can get off directly at Giarre-Riposto station, which is only 1 km from the town centre.