Did you know that every year, more than 16,000 kg of pasta are prepared at the largest gastronomic festival in Italy dedicated entirely to first courses? The I Primi d'Italia festival returns to Foligno from 25 to 28 September 2025 for its landmark 25th edition.
In this article, Villa Allegria guides lovers of traditional Italian cuisine on how to make the most of this unmissable culinary event.
The event at a glance:
Since its founding in 1999 by the municipality of Foligno, I Primi d'Italia has established itself as the only national festival exclusively dedicated to Italian first courses. This singular focus makes it a structuring event for the regional economy and a true ambassador of Umbrian culinary tradition — all the more so given that the festival holds the APCI (Associazione Professionale Cuochi Italiani) certification, which guarantees the authenticity of the recipes and culinary techniques on display.
The 2025 edition promises to be exceptional, with the introduction of the "Strade del vino" wine trail, showcasing the DOC wines of Foligno — including those from the Tenuta San Lorenzo estate with its prestigious Sagrantino DOCG grape variety — as well as extended transport hours running until midnight.
Organisers expect tens of thousands of visitors to flock to the historic city centre, transforming Foligno into the pasta capital of Italy for four intensive days. The atmosphere will be all the more festive as the festival coincides with the spirit of the Quintana di Foligno, the historic medieval celebration that influences the decorations and ambiance throughout the city centre.
The festival's tourism impact extends well beyond Umbria's borders. Renowned chefs such as Cristina Bowerman (a specialist in contemporary Roman cuisine), Gennaro Esposito (master of the Campanian tradition) and Davide Scabin (a pioneer of Piedmontese innovation) regularly take part in the event, drawing an international audience in search of authentic gastronomic experiences. Umbrian culinary specialities such as Strangozzi, Zuppa di Roveja and the famous Rocciata — Foligno's beloved traditional dessert — become the undisputed stars of a culinary event unlike any other.
Please note: As the festival's official website is available in Italian only, we recommend that non-Italian-speaking visitors arrange for the assistance of an interpreter or local guide to help with bookings and navigation during the event. This language barrier can be easily overcome by contacting the Foligno tourist office, which offers accompaniment services.
From 25 to 28 September 2025, the 2025 gastronomic programme is built around three major events among the 17 distinct activities running simultaneously. "A Tavola con le Stelle" offers fine dining experiences with Michelin-starred chefs at the Auditorium Santa Caterina. These exclusive evenings, priced at €50, begin at 9pm and require advance booking from 10 August on the official platform.
The Villaggi del Gusto form the beating heart of the festival, with 12 historic taverns serving the finest regional specialities on a continuous basis. Accessible with tickets priced at €5 or €10 (or just €3 during morning tastings before noon), these spaces offer an immersive taste of traditional Italian cuisine in a convivial atmosphere. The tavern happy hour between 6pm and 7:30pm also offers advantageous pricing.
For families, I Primi d'Italia Junior provides educational workshops where children learn the artisanal craft of making fresh pasta. The "La Pasta della Nonna" workshop, priced at €10, initiates younger visitors into the time-honoured gestures of Umbrian culinary tradition. The "Un Primo Verde" cooking show at 3:30pm on Piazza della Repubblica rounds off this family-friendly programme with spectacular live demonstrations.
Strangozzi dell'Umbria — durum wheat pasta typical of the region — are among the festival's must-try dishes. Zuppa di Roveja, an ancient dried legume soup, bears witness to the local expertise in hearty, soulful cooking. And no visit to Foligno would be complete without tasting the Rocciata, the traditional dessert that is the pride and joy of local pastry makers.
Among the participating establishments, the restaurant Il Cavaliere — ranked number 2 out of 215 restaurants in the city — offers a menu specially crafted for the occasion. La Taverna del Capitano captivates with its reinvented Neapolitan specialities, while UNE bets on bold contemporary cuisine. Ada Gourmet, a recognised starred restaurant in Foligno, elevates traditional recipes with a modern touch that delights the most discerning palates.
Local produce takes centre stage, with dedicated stands showcasing award-winning organic olive oil from the Viola family, recently honoured with a gold medal at an international competition, as well as wines from the Terre dè Trinci and Tenuta San Lorenzo estates. This Umbrian wine tasting experience offers visitors a chance to discover native grape varieties rarely found abroad, providing a truly unique oenological encounter at this September festival in Italy.
A real-life example: Maria and Giovanni, a couple from Turin, planned their visit by booking their table at Cristina Bowerman's starred dinner on 26 September back in March. Arriving on the 10:15am Trenitalia train, they avoided the midday rush by starting their tastings at 11am using the €3 morning tickets. After a break at their accommodation on the outskirts of the city, they returned to the centre via the 6:30pm free shuttle to enjoy the tavern happy hour — saving nearly 40% on their tasting budget for the day.
Located less than 10 minutes' walk from Foligno's historic centre, Villa Allegria — your holiday home in Umbria — is the perfect Foligno September accommodation for making the most of the festival. With capacity for 12 guests and a heated private swimming pool, this Umbrian festival villa offers a peaceful retreat after intense days of tasting. Its proximity to the free shuttle stops (every 30 minutes from Piazza della Repubblica until midnight) ensures effortless mobility throughout the event.
The accommodation rate during the harvest season (21 September – 20 October) is €255 per night — a worthwhile investment for a truly memorable gastronomic stay in Italy. The privileged view over the Abbey of Sassovivo adds a cultural dimension to your stay, allowing you to combine gastronomic discovery with historic heritage.
For those who prefer other options, several partner hotels offer preferential rates through the festival's official platform. Rentals in the historic centre are an interesting alternative, but require booking at least 6 months in advance given the high demand and infrastructure saturation during the event. Securing quality villa accommodation in Foligno then becomes a race against the clock.
Ideally, planning your stay begins in March 2025 with a Villa Allegria reservation. Tickets for the dinners with renowned Italian chefs go on sale on 10 August at shop.iprimiditalia.it and sell out quickly. This forward planning guarantees access to the most sought-after events of the festival, while avoiding last-minute organisational headaches when faced with 17 simultaneous activities.
For transport, the Perugia–Foligno rail line is the most practical option, with a 43-minute journey costing between €4 and €8. Foligno station is just 500 metres from the historic centre, allowing immediate pedestrian access to the festivities. Trenitalia, the festival's official partner, increases its frequency to trains every 15 minutes and extends services until midnight. For drivers, the Parcheggio Centrale (Via Pascoli) offers secure parking at €1 per hour with 24-hour CCTV surveillance.
Practical tip: To avoid infrastructure overload (crowded stations and fully booked restaurants), prioritise off-peak time slots. Visit the taverns before 11am or after 3pm, take advantage of reduced morning tastings (€3 instead of €5), and make the most of the happy hour between 6pm and 7:30pm. These budget-friendly windows significantly cut your costs while helping you sidestep the crowds.
Colfiorito potato gnocchi rank among the unmissable tastings, as do the pappardelle made during the family workshop. The extension of transport hours until midnight means you can fully enjoy the evenings without any travel constraints.
Villa Allegria is here to accompany you in discovering this exceptional festival, offering far more than simple accommodation. Our in-depth knowledge of the region and our local partnerships make it easy to organise your gastronomic stay, from booking the best tables to advising on the events you simply cannot miss. Contact us now to turn your visit to I Primi d'Italia 2025 into an unforgettable experience at the heart of authentic Umbria.