Pizza Festival Casal Velino Marina

Three evenings dedicated to pizza on the Cilento coast

The Pizza Festival in Casal Velino Marina is a gastronomic event that, in mid-June, effectively kicks off the summer season along the coast of the Casal Velino municipality, in the province of Salerno, in the heart of Cilento. For three consecutive evenings, ovens are lit just steps from the beach, and the seaside hamlet fills with families, early vacationers, and curious visitors from the inland villages.

The formula is simple and proven: doors open at 6 PM, tastings continue until late, with outdoor seating and the sun setting over the Tyrrhenian Sea as a natural backdrop. It is not a monumental event, but a local festival built around a product that needs no introduction in Campania and which holds a distinct identity in Cilento, separate from the Neapolitan tradition.

Master pizzaiolos and featured pizzerias

The 2026 lineup featured some well-known names in the Campania white art scene. Working the ovens were Pizza Masters Luciano Sorbillo and Vito Monaco, joined by local establishments that showcase the region:

• La Cilentana
• Napulè
• Il Grappolo

The mix of big names and local pizzerias is the hallmark of the event: the public can move from one stand to another in the same evening, comparing doughs, baking styles, and toppings without having to travel more than a few meters. It is a direct, informal way to understand how pizza varies from one oven to the next, even within the same province.

More than just pizza: desserts, coffee, and a kids' area

Beyond the savory offerings, the festival dedicates space to sweets and family entertainment. Within the event area, you will find:

• Il Paradiso dei Dolci da Pina, for a sugary end to the evening
• I Colori del Caffè, serving coffee and drinks
• Junglepark Gonfiabile, an inflatable play area designed for children's fun

This detail matters more than it seems: the presence of the inflatable area allows parents to dine at their leisure, transforming the festival into an evening truly suitable for all ages, not just for those coming to taste.

Casal Velino Marina, between Velia and the National Park

Casal Velino is a municipality in coastal Cilento: the old village sits on the hills, while the Marina hamlet stretches along the sea with its promenade, tourist port, and a popular beach during the summer months. The municipal territory is part of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park and is located a short distance from the Velia Archaeological Park, the ancient Elea of Parmenides and Zeno, one of the most important Magna Graecia sites in Campania.

Those arriving for the Pizza Festival have the opportunity to build a complete weekend: a morning among the ruins of Velia or along the hillside trails, the afternoon on the beach, and the evening among the ovens. Furthermore, in mid-June, the Cilento coast has not yet reached the peak crowds of August and maintains a decidedly more relaxed pace.

What to expect from an evening

Access to the event is regulated by a 15-euro entrance ticket. The evenings are structured simply: arrive after 6 PM, choose your stand, eat at the outdoor tables, and stay until the promenade clears out. Those who want to avoid the queues at the most popular ovens should arrive early, especially on Saturday, when attendance is traditionally higher.

For those unfamiliar with the area, it is recommended to arrive a bit early and park in the outer parking areas of the Marina: on event nights, local traffic can easily become congested, and a ten-minute walk along the promenade is a great way to start the evening.

Pizza in Cilento

Talking about pizza in this part of Campania means touching on a theme broader than just dining. Over time, Cilento has developed its own interpretations of the product, linked to local flours, tomatoes, and vegetables, and pizza has always been one of the dishes accompanying patronal feasts and summer festivals in the villages. A festival like the one in Casal Velino Marina captures this collective habit and brings it to life for three days, combining the popular dimension of a village fair with the gastronomic curiosity of those who want to compare different styles and signatures.