Premio Bindi 2026 — Santa Margherita Ligure’s Songwriter Festival

The Premio Bindi returns to Santa Margherita Ligure in July 2026, bringing Italy’s finest emerging singer-songwriters to the stage in the town’s most elegant setting—the gardens of Villa Durazzo. Named after the legendary Genoese composer Umberto Bindi, this festival has become one of the most respected platforms for Italian cantautorato since its founding.

A Festival for Songwriting, Not Spectacle

Unlike the massive TV-driven Sanremo Music Festival, the Premio Bindi is an intimate affair focused on craft. Ten to twelve finalists perform original songs before a jury of music journalists, producers, and established artists. The winner receives a cash prize and, perhaps more valuable, the attention of industry insiders who have launched careers from this very stage.

Past finalists include artists who went on to national recognition, and the festival regularly attracts guest performances from established names in Italian music who come to pay tribute to Bindi’s legacy—the man who wrote “Il nostro concerto” and “Arrivederci.”

The Setting: Villa Durazzo

The concerts take place in the open-air theatre within the gardens of Villa Durazzo, a 17th-century noble residence perched above the sea. The villa’s Italianate gardens, with their cypress-lined paths and panoramic terrace overlooking the Golfo del Tigullio, provide one of the most atmospheric concert settings on the entire Italian Riviera. During the day, the villa and gardens are open for visits.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Villa Durazzo is a 10-minute walk uphill from Santa Margherita Ligure station. Follow the signs from the port through the centro storico, or take the short taxi ride from the station square.
• Tickets: Check the official Premio Bindi website for ticketing—some daytime events are free, while the evening finals typically require tickets (€10–20).
• Where to stay: Santa Margherita has excellent accommodation options across all budgets. See our guide to the most romantic hotels in Portofino and Santa Margherita.
• Where to eat: Before the concert, try a pre-show dinner at one of the 10 best restaurants in Portofino and Santa Margherita.

For more cultural events along the coast, browse our Things to Do in Liguria section.