Sapori d'Autunno

An autumn festival in the heart of Cilento

Sapori d'Autunno is the annual October event that brings the historic center of Laureana Cilento to life—a town of just over a thousand residents in the Salerno province, Campania. The village overlooks the hills sloping down toward the Gulf of Salerno, just a few kilometers from Agropoli and Castellabate, within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. For three evenings, the narrow streets around Via del Mercato fill with stalls, lights, and music: it is the festival with which the community bids farewell to the tourist season and welcomes autumn.

The food and wine trail

The heart of the event is a widespread tasting trail through the alleys of the historic center, with stands dedicated to local excellence. The menu follows the seasonal calendar, featuring products that Cilento offers in October:

• chestnuts, roasted or in chestnut-based desserts, the stars of the hilly autumn;
• cheeses and cured meats produced locally;
• homemade pasta prepared according to traditional Cilento recipes;
• traditional sweets and baked goods from the village;
• wines from local wineries, including Cilento reds and whites.

Tastings can be purchased directly at the stands using small-denomination tickets, allowing you to freely compose your own route as you wander from one alley to the next. The 2025 edition also featured a lunch service on Sunday, in addition to the usual evening openings.

Live music every night

Each evening is accompanied by live concerts held in the village squares, with a lineup alternating between Cilento folk music groups, cover bands, and local singer-songwriter projects. The tradition of the tarantella and Cilento folk music takes center stage, with ensembles bringing drums, accordions, and dialect songs into the streets. The 2025 edition featured performances by Nikipop, Temeia, and Manuel Scarpitta & Folk Band, with shows starting around 8:00 PM and roving music during the day on Sunday.

The Artisan Alley

Alongside the culinary trail, the event reserves space for local craftsmanship: the so-called Vicolo degli Artigiani (Artisan Alley) gathers stalls showcasing handmade creations, autumn products, and small temporary workshops. It is a way to highlight local trades and introduce visitors to the traditional crafts of inland Cilento.

Organizers

The festival was born from the initiative of the Laureana Cilento Youth Forum, which promotes it together with the Municipality. It is one of the most successful examples of youth engagement in the area: the local youth manage the setup, kitchen, hospitality, and musical program, involving local associations and businesses. The event has grown with each edition, reaching its sixth edition in 2025.

The village and the territory

Laureana Cilento retains the typical layout of Cilento hill villages, with stone houses, arches, and narrow alleys that suddenly open onto panoramic terraces. From the upper part of the town, the view stretches to the sea of Santa Maria di Castellabate and Punta Licosa. The municipal territory also includes the hamlets of Archi and Matonti, where ancient noble palaces and olive mills are preserved. The festival period, with its mild days and hills turning into autumn colors, is one of the most pleasant times to visit this part of Cilento, far from the summer crowds.

When it takes place

The event is firmly scheduled for the second half of October, usually on the second weekend of the month, spanning three days from Friday to Sunday. The exact dates are announced by the Youth Forum and the Municipality on their respective social media channels, typically a few weeks in advance.