Sagra del Pesce, Camogli
Camogli’s fish festival, held since 1952: fish fried in a world-record pan and handed out free on the harbour. 8 to 10 May in 2026. 2027 dates not yet published.
At a glance
- Fish fried in a world-record stainless steel pan, in use since 2001
- The fried fish is handed out free on Piazza Colombo, by the harbour
- Born in 1952 on the feast of San Fortunato, patron saint of fishermen
- Thousands of visitors over three days, says the Pro Loco
- Last edition: 8 to 10 May 2026. The 2027 dates are not yet published
How the festival runs
The San Fortunato market opens 8 am
On the 2026 festival Sunday, the Mercatino di San Fortunato filled Via della Repubblica and Via XX Settembre until 8 pm.
Blessing of the pan 9:45 am
The pan and the fish are blessed on Piazza Colombo.
Frying and free distribution from 10 am
The giant pan starts frying, and the fish is handed out free to the crowd.
Lunch at La Sagra in Tavola noon
The stand of Ligurian specialities on Largo Ido Battistone served lunch on the Saturday and the Sunday in 2026.
What to taste
Pesce fritto (fried fish)
Fresh fish fried in the giant pan and given away on the Sunday, on Piazza Colombo.
Ligurian specialities
At the La Sagra in Tavola stand on Largo Ido Battistone, at lunchtime on the Saturday and the Sunday in 2026.
Gluten-free fry
A fry for people with coeliac disease was served on Piazza Gaggini in 2026.
Focaccia di Recco
The cheese-filled focaccia of Recco, the next town, is the local bakery classic. It is not a festival dish.
In Camogli the fish is fried in a stainless steel pan that holds a world record, and then given away. The Sagra del Pesce, organised by the Pro Loco, the village’s tourism association, fills Piazza Colombo, the square on the little harbour, each May. In 2026 it ran from 8 to 10 May, for what ANSA counted as the 74th edition.
From a fishermen’s feast to a giant pan
The festival began in 1952, during the feast of San Fortunato, patron saint of fishermen, with an idea the Pro Loco still tells: fry fresh fish on the square to welcome the tourists.
- 1952: the first fry, for the visitors arriving by steamer.
- 2001: a new stainless steel pan, a world record, becomes the star of the festival.
- 2026: 26 quintals of pan and 3,000 litres of oil, according to ANSA.
“Quintals of fish are fried and handed out free to thousands of guests”, says the Pro Loco of Camogli.
Three days on the Riviera
The Sunday is the big day, but the festival lasts three days. Camogli sits on the coast east of Genoa, at the start of the Portofino promontory, with tall painted houses along the harbour.
In 2026 an extra night train left Recco at 00:57 after the festival Sunday: check the extra trains when the 2027 programme is out.
Before you go
- Free fish: handed out from 10 am on the Sunday in 2026, after the blessing at 9:45 am.
- Train: get off at Camogli-S. Fruttuoso station.
- Buses: lines 773 and 973 were adapted for the 2026 festival.
- Coeliac visitors: a gluten-free fry was served on Piazza Gaggini in 2026.
- Crowds: thousands of visitors come over the three days.
Where to eat at the 2026 Sagra del Pesce
| Place | What | When |
|---|---|---|
| Piazza Colombo | Free fried fish from the giant pan | Sunday from 10 am |
| Largo Ido Battistone | La Sagra in Tavola, Ligurian specialities | Saturday and Sunday, noon |
| Piazza Gaggini | Gluten-free fry for coeliacs | n/a |
Source: Mentelocale, 2026 programme.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sagra del Pesce in Camogli in 2027?
Not yet announced. The 2026 festival ran from 8 to 10 May, and the Pro Loco says the fish is fried on the second Sunday of May.
Is the fish free at the Camogli fish festival?
Yes. The fried fish is handed out free. In 2026 the distribution began at 10 am on the Sunday.
How big is the Camogli frying pan?
A world-record stainless steel pan, in use since 2001. For 2026 ANSA reported a weight of 26 quintals.
How do you get to the Sagra del Pesce?
By train to Camogli-S. Fruttuoso station. Bus lines 773 and 973 were adapted in 2026.
Is there gluten-free food at the Sagra del Pesce?
Yes. In 2026 a fry for coeliacs was served on Piazza Gaggini.
Sources
- Pro Loco Camogli: news and events (2026 dates) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Pro Loco Camogli: traditions (the pan, free distribution) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Pro Loco Camogli: 2026 leaflet (history, San Fortunato, pan since 2001) consulted on October 15, 2026
- ANSA: Sagra del Pesce 2026 (pan, fish, oil) consulted on October 15, 2026
- Mentelocale: 2026 programme, times and getting there consulted on October 15, 2026
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