Recco Focaccia Festival 2026: programme, dates and free focaccia

The Recco Focaccia Festival (“Festa della Focaccia di Recco”) returns on Sunday 24 May 2026 with a full day dedicated to one of the most famous symbols of Ligurian gastronomy: Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP. As every year, the centre of Recco will come alive with food stands, free tastings, music, food challenges and events attracting thousands of visitors from across Liguria and beyond.

Organised by the Consorzio della Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP together with the Municipality of Recco, the event traditionally takes place on the fourth Sunday of May and has become one of the most anticipated food festivals of the Ligurian spring.

If you are planning a weekend in Genoa or a trip to the Golfo Paradiso area, the Recco Focaccia Festival is a great opportunity to discover authentic local flavours, regional traditions and one of Liguria’s best-known food events.

What Is the Recco Focaccia Festival and Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

The Recco Focaccia Festival is a one-day event dedicated to one of Liguria’s most iconic food products. Every year, on the last Sunday of May, the centre of Recco becomes an open-air laboratory where visitors can taste freshly baked focaccia, take part in events, discover recipes, watch the artisans at work, and immerse themselves in a long-standing local tradition.

It’s worth attending because it’s a unique chance to witness how an entire town comes together around a shared culinary heritage. It’s not just about eating—it’s about connecting with a culture made of passed-down gestures, community, and local identity. People come for the flavour, of course, but also for the atmosphere: real, lively, and unfiltered.

What You Should Know About Recco Cheese Focaccia (IGP)

Recco’s cheese focaccia (Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP) is a baked specialty made with simple ingredients: soft wheat flour, water, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and fresh cheese. It contains no yeast and stands out for its handmade preparation, which requires both skill and precision. The dough is rolled out paper-thin, filled with cheese, and topped with a second layer of dough. After baking at high heat, the top becomes lightly crispy while the inside remains soft and perfectly melted.

It’s not to be confused with traditional Genoese focaccia. The main difference is in texture: Genoese focaccia is thick, soft, and leavened, often topped with oil and salt. Recco’s version is flat, unleavened, and encloses the cheese between two thin layers—completely different in both taste and bite.

Authenticity is guaranteed by the Consortium of Recco Cheese Focaccia, which protects the original recipe and monitors its production. Only authorised bakeries and restaurants located in Recco, Camogli, Sori, and Avegno can use the IGP label. This European certification protects the focaccia from imitations and ensures each tray meets established quality standards.

When Is the Recco Focaccia Festival 2026?

The Recco Focaccia Festival 2026 will take place on Sunday 24 May 2026 in the centre of Recco, Liguria. As per tradition, the event is held on the fourth Sunday of May and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Italy every year.

The festival will be preceded on Saturday 23 May by activities dedicated to children and food workshops focused on the preparation of the famous Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP.

Throughout Sunday, visitors can enjoy free tastings of classic focaccia, onion focaccia and Focaccia di Recco IGP, alongside live music, entertainment, live cooking demonstrations and the traditional food challenges organised throughout the town centre.

According to the first information released by the organisers, the programme is expected to run from morning until late afternoon, with free tastings organised in different areas of Recco town centre. However, the final schedule and detailed timings may still be subject to change in the days leading up to the event.

What to Expect: Recco Focaccia Festival 2026 programme

The Recco Focaccia Festival 2026 programme will feature a full day of tastings, food events and entertainment throughout the town centre. Throughout the day, historic bakeries, food stands and the Consortium will offer free tastings of different varieties of the famous Ligurian focaccia.

Some of the highlights expected for the 2026 edition include:

• free distribution of classic focaccia and onion focaccia;

• tastings of Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP;

• live demonstrations showing how focaccia is prepared;

• music and entertainment in the town squares;

• activities for children;

• the traditional “No Limits Challenge”, the food competition that attracts participants and spectators every year.

Free tastings are usually organised in several areas of Recco town centre and attract large crowds from early in the morning. For this reason, arriving early is recommended, especially if you want to take part in the most popular tastings.

According to information released by the organisers, some of the historic bakeries and venues linked to the tradition of Focaccia di Recco are also expected to participate in the 2026 edition, including businesses belonging to the Consorzio della Focaccia di Recco col formaggio IGP.

The detailed programme and official timings may be updated shortly before the event.

How to Get to Recco and Where to Park During the Festival

If you're staying at Hotel Astoria in Genoa (explore our offers!), getting to the Recco Focaccia Festival is easy and convenient. The hotel is just a short walk from Genova Brignole Station, where direct trains regularly depart for Recco. The train ride takes about 25 minutes, with frequent service throughout the day.

Alternatively, AMT buses also run between Genoa and Recco, with a travel time of 30–40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Although reaching Recco by car is possible, we recommend avoiding this option during the festival due to the large number of visitors and limited parking availability. Public transport is the best way to enjoy the event stress-free.

Parking Info and Sustainable Mobility

During the festival, Recco implements measures to promote sustainable transport and reduce environmental impact. Dedicated parking areas with discounted rates are set up outside the town centre, and shuttle buses connect them to the event area.

The festival is certified as an Ecofesta, meaning that tastings and food stands use biodegradable and compostable materials.

If you do choose to arrive by car, make sure to check the official event website or visit the Pro Loco Info Point in Recco for up-to-date information on parking options and any road restrictions.