Borghi dei Tesori Fest: first weekend in Balestrate and Piana degli

Borghi dei Tesori Fest: first weekend in Balestrate and Piana degli Albanesi

When: May 9–10, 2026. Where: Balestrate and Piana degli Albanesi (province of Palermo). Times vary—check the official site for schedules and reservations.

The Borghi dei Tesori Fest returns to promote the discovery and enjoyment of small Sicilian towns. This opening weekend features two historical centres offering a mix of heritage, food experiences and family-friendly routes.

Highlights in Balestrate

• Visit the Chiesa Madre, with stories linked to rector Filippo Evola and his care during the cholera outbreak.
• Explore a library preserving more than ten thousand valuable volumes.
• Meet local gelato makers who combine tradition and innovation.
• Tour the historic cellar of the Princes of Valdina, now a contemporary winery space.
• Family-friendly urban routes and a walk to the mouth of the Jato river, where an ancient Roman kiln was found.

Highlights in Piana degli Albanesi

• Cannolo workshop and local tastings.
• Visits to Byzantine-rite churches: the Cathedral of San Demetrio and the Church of San Giorgio.
• The Musarb, a museum telling the story of the Arbereshe community.
• Walks through the Sheshi district, revitalised by street art.
• Excursion to the ghost town of Borgo Schirò (Ascosi Lasciti), visits to the Pizzuta greenhouses and the Garrone cave—home to the prehistoric fern known as Lingua Cervina—and a wartime bunker overlooking the Jato valley.

Tickets and practical info

Tickets are issued as coupons valid across participating sites:

• €18 coupon valid for 10 visits.
• €10 coupon valid for 4 visits.
• Single entry €3 (where available).

Practical tips: book in advance for tastings and guided tours with limited seats. Coupons can be bought on the Le Vie dei Tesori platform and at local info points. Consult the official website for full schedules, route maps and detailed descriptions of each site.

The festival aims to enhance local heritage through historical walks, food experiences and activities for families—an excellent opportunity to discover and support Sicily’s small towns.