What to Do in Abruzzo in July: Discover the Campovalano Summer Truffle Festival
Looking for something truly unforgettable to do in Abruzzo in July? Don’t miss the Campovalano Truffle Festival (Sagra del Tartufo Estivo)—one of the most delicious and aromatic events of the summer! Held just outside the village of Campovalano, this beloved sagra is a celebration of Abruzzo’s prized black summer truffle (tartufo estivo) and one of the best ways to experience the region’s food culture firsthand. In 2025 it runs from Monday 7th July to Sunday 13th July.
From the moment you arrive, the air is thick with the earthy scent of truffle—intoxicating, rich, and unmistakably luxurious. This isn’t just a food fair; it’s an invitation to indulge in some of the best truffle-based dishes you’ll find in Italy. Whether it’s fresh pasta showered in shaved truffle, creamy polenta, or a juicy meat dish enhanced with truffle oil, the variety and quality are exceptional. It’s honestly some of the best food I’ve ever had at a sagra—no surprise it draws such a big crowd.
If your only encounter with truffles has been a shaving or drizzle in a fancy restaurant, this is the place to get closer to the real thing. Did you know the word “truffle” comes from the Latin tuber, meaning lump! These knobbly little treasures have been prized since ancient times—not just for their taste, but for their mysterious, musky aroma, which the Greeks and Romans believed to be an aphrodisiac. That earthy scent mimics a pheromone called androstenone (yes, like manly sweat), which explains why female pigs once made the perfect truffle hunters!
While you’re in Campovalano, take advantage of a guided tour of its remarkable necropolis, where 621 tombs dating from the 14th to 3rd century BC have been uncovered; many of the treasures found are displayed in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale in nearby Campli, which participates in Italy’s “First Sunday of the Month” free museum entry scheme. The museum is particularly good if you are looking to get out of the heat!
Jewellery found in the tomb
Try the Recipe for White Ragu & Black Truffle Cannelloni
More Details
official Commune website
Tartfufi Tassoni – V. Nazionale Campovalano 1 64010 Campovalano TE
Truffle Facts
– Christened by Rossini “A Halo of Perfumed Ecstasy”
– Female truffles are stronger than their male counterparts
– Summer truffles have less aphrodisiac qualities to their winter cousins
– White truffles have been described as having more of a garlic, gas leak, seedy barroom flavour by food writer James Peterson
- Useful Vocab
Summer Truffles – Scorzone or Tartufo Estivo - Truffles are tartufo & truffle hunters are called trifolau
- Useful website about Abruzzo Truffles – Abruzzo Tartufi
Author: Sam Dunham
Sam is a freelance SEO content creator and IGCSE Geography and English teacher at Istituto Cristo Re in Rome. She also runs the Life In Abruzzo Cultural Association, sharing stories and insights about this captivating region.
Alongside raising a teenager, Sam hosts guests at her family’s traditional home, the Little House of the Firefly in Abruzzo, offering a warm welcome and insider tips on local culture, food, and hidden gems.
