Sentieri del Gusto

A festival overlooking the Gulf of Naples

Sentieri del Gusto is the premier summer food and wine event in Pimonte, a charming town in the Monti Lattari mountains in the province of Naples, Campania. The village sits along the ridge separating the Vesuvius plain from the Amalfi Coast: from here, you are just a few kilometres away from both the chestnut forests of Monte Faito and the breathtaking views over the Gulf of Naples. It is in this setting, specifically at Piazzale San Michele, that the Pro Loco Pimonte sets up stalls, long tables, and a stage every August for a festival that celebrates rural cuisine, music, and community.

Sagra di Qualità: the 2026 national recognition

In March 2026, Sentieri del Gusto received the Sagra di Qualità (Quality Festival) mark in Rome, awarded by Unpli (the Italian National Union of Pro Loco). This prestigious recognition was granted to only 44 new festivals out of over twenty thousand surveyed across Italy that year. The mark rewards organisational excellence, transparency, and, above all, the presence of traditional agri-food products recognised by the Campania Region on the menu. The award ceremony was attended by Pro Loco President Vincenzo Esposito and Mayor Francesco Somma, who linked the event to the 'Pimonte Oasi Verde' territorial promotion project.

The star products

This is no generic food fair: the festival revolves around five local culinary treasures, all grown or processed just a short distance from the square.

• Pimonte cannellino tomato — the symbol of the event, sweet and thin-skinned, the heart of the famous Sentieri pizza;
• Monte Faito chestnut, harvested in the chestnut groves surrounding the village;
• Pimonte cherry, a local variety from the traditional hillside orchards;
• Monti Lattari cacioricotta, a fresh cheese from local mountain herding traditions;
• PDO extra virgin olive oil from the Sorrento hillsides.

What to eat

The food stalls offer simple, authentic Campanian mountain cuisine: charcuterie and cheese boards, sandwiches and panuozzi, traditional rustic pasta dishes, freshly baked pizzas, and fried desserts. Recent editions have also included gluten-free options, a rare detail for village festivals that contributed to the Unpli recognition. Local wines and craft beers are available to pair with your meal.

Music, comedy, and the Ferragosto atmosphere

Every evening features a show: over the years, the stage at Piazzale San Michele has hosted beloved Campanian comedians and singers, tributes to Neapolitan music, tammorra and pizzica folk groups, dance nights, and popular contests. The formula is the classic August Campanian festival style, with stalls opening in the late afternoon and shows starting after dark, culminating around Ferragosto, when the village population doubles with returning emigrants and coastal visitors.

Why it's worth the trip

Sentieri del Gusto is one of the best opportunities to experience authentic Monti Lattari cuisine, far from the tourist menus of the nearby Amalfi Coast. Visitors arriving from Sorrento, Castellammare di Stabia, or Naples will find popular prices, generous portions, and a warm welcome managed entirely by volunteers. It is also a perfect starting point for a day in the mountains: Monte Faito, the CAI hiking trails, and the panoramic views of the gulf are just minutes from the town centre.