Sapori del Mare

Sapori del Mare: the opening night of the Festival del Mare

Sapori del Mare is the culinary highlight that inaugurates the Festival del Mare, an event promoted by the Municipality of Castellabate to celebrate the renewal of its Blue Flag status. The evening takes place in Santa Maria di Castellabate, the seaside district of the town in the province of Salerno, Campania, specifically on the Punta dell'Inferno square, one of the most picturesque spots on the Cilento coast.

The 2026 edition took place on Saturday, July 11, starting at 7:30 PM, launching two days of festivities for the 28th Blue Flag awarded to Castellabate: a milestone that honors the quality of the water, local services, and the community's ongoing commitment to coastal environmental protection.

Bluefish takes center stage

The heart of the event is the bluefish tasting organized by the Associazione Punta dell'Inferno, serving up the day's catch prepared according to traditional Cilento maritime recipes. This choice carries deep significance: bluefish has always been the humblest yet most iconic ingredient of this coast, forming the foundation of the Mediterranean diet for which the Cilento region is world-renowned.

The organizers describe the spirit of the evening as follows: when the sea calls, we respond with aromas, flavors, traditions, and a table that tells the story of the land. It is more than just a food festival; it is a collective narrative of the bond between the village and its sea, built on genuine ingredients and culinary techniques passed down through generations of fishing families.

Live music and creative markets

The gastronomic experience is complemented by entertainment. The square hosts the Officina Creativa markets, featuring stalls with local crafts and handmade creations perfect for an evening stroll, and most notably the Dutty Beagle concert, a band that blends gipsy punk, rumba, and ska into a sound designed to keep the square dancing until late at night.

• Tastings of bluefish curated by the Associazione Punta dell'Inferno
• Markets by Officina Creativa
• Concert by the Dutty Beagle, featuring gipsy punk, rumba, and ska
• Free entry to the event area

A two-day program

Sapori del Mare is not an isolated event; it is the first of two nights of the Festival del Mare. The following day, Sunday, July 12, the Notte Blu (Blue Night) brings Corso Matarazzo and Lungomare Perrotti to life with street performers, live music, shows, and entertainment for all ages, in collaboration with the Castellabate Merchants Association. At 10:00 PM in Piazza Lucia, the official 28th Blue Flag award ceremony will take place, accompanied by a special philatelic cancellation dedicated to the Island of Licosa created with Poste Italiane and a concert by a Negramaro tribute band.

Santa Maria di Castellabate and the Cilento region

The setting is one of the most protected stretches of the Campania coastline. Santa Maria di Castellabate is the main coastal district of the municipality of Castellabate and is part of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park; in front of the town lies the Marine Protected Area established in 2009, with seabeds rich in posidonia meadows and Mediterranean biodiversity. Pastel-colored houses, golden sandy beaches, and crystal-clear water explain why the Blue Flag has accompanied this location for nearly thirty years.

Attending Sapori del Mare means experiencing the village in its most authentic form: a summer evening with tables set just steps from the water, the scent of fried seafood, music drifting from the stage, and the lights of the gulf in the background.

Why it's worth attending

• Authentic local maritime cuisine, not tourist-oriented, curated by a local association
• A unique panoramic location in the seaside village of Punta dell'Inferno
• A free event suitable for families
• The perfect opportunity to combine the evening with the Notte Blu the following day