Enjoy The Fish Festivals: Eat Eels in Comacchio and Blue Fish in Cesenatico

Even if Emilia-Romagna is famous for its tortellini and Parma ham, the region has much more to offer. Its territory is wide and varied, and many culinary traditions and gourmet events are well worth discovering. In this article, we explore the strong fishing heritage of the Adriatic coast and two unique festivals that celebrate seafood and local culture.

Emilia Delizia has selected for you the Sagra dell’Anguilla in the town of Comacchio, celebrating eel fishing tradition, and the Fish Festival of Cesenatico, an autumn event highlighting the typical fish of the Adriatic Sea.

Eel Festival in Comacchio

This autumn, be tempted by the sinuous queen of the lagoons, the European eel — an image often associated with Comacchio. This charming town, characterized by canals in its centre, has practiced eel fishing since ancient times, and it was a main source of income for centuries.

Situated in the Valli di Comacchio, an area of wetlands formed by brackish lagoons that are part of the Regional Park of the Po Delta, it’s a spectacular natural environment worth exploring. We recommend booking a tour aboard traditional boats to learn more about the eel and the fishing activities traditionally carried out in the typical “casoni.”

Since 1999, Comacchio has celebrated the eel — the delicious protagonist of many local dishes — at the annual Eel Festival (Sagra dell’Anguilla). This event, part of the Wine & Food Festival Emilia-Romagna, gives you the opportunity to taste not only eel but also other gourmet fish such as sea bass, gilt-head bream, and other products of the region during the first two weekends of October.

To fully enjoy the local flavour of eel, try a dish of eel soup accompanied by polenta, or grilled eel at a typical restaurant in town.

Fish Festival in Cesenatico

If you would like to combine a gastronomic tour with a stroll in a relaxing harbour, head to Cesenatico, about an hour’s drive from Bologna. This is the perfect place to enjoy the gentle Adriatic Sea breeze and discover typical dishes based on the “poor” fish that locals have eaten for centuries.

Already famous among summer travellers for its beaches and seaside resorts, Cesenatico is more than a summer destination. The town also holds a strong gastronomic tradition celebrated during the Fish Festival, usually organized between the end of October and the beginning of November.

The festival, known in Italian as “Il Pesce fa Festa,” features about 80 stalls promoting the food and wine of the area, a local fish market, tasting tours along the Canal Port, and activities in the quaint town centre. This event is the perfect occasion to enjoy the so-called “blue fish” of the Adriatic Sea, known for its outstanding organoleptic qualities and unique taste.

Museums and Maritime Heritage

If you love learning about the fishing traditions of the Adriatic coast, you should also schedule a visit to the Museo del Carico della Nave Romana and the Manifattura dei Marinati, both in Comacchio, as well as the Museo della Marineria dell’Alto e Medio Adriatico in Cesenatico. These museums showcase the maritime culture and history that underpin the region’s coastal life.

While inland Emilia-Romagna has its Renaissance castles and artistic cities, the coastal food traditions add a complementary dimension to any itinerary. From the canals of Comacchio to the warm harbour of Cesenatico, the Adriatic coast reveals a different but equally fascinating side of the region.

To expand your trip inland, explore nearby historical and cultural destinations such as Ferrara, a forgotten gem of the Italian Renaissance, or start from our homepage to discover more unforgettable experiences across Emilia-Romagna.