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The Gastronomic Village
Gastronomy is one of the elements that define the cultural identity of La Vila Joiosa, but it is also, without a doubt, a major asset for the local economy and a winning draw as a tourist attraction. With this in mind, and to highlight the municipality’s rich culinary heritage, the City Council of La Vila Joiosa created the “La Vila Gastronómica” brand. This label encompasses the various events and initiatives promoting La Vila Joiosa’s cuisine, particularly its three main pillars: seafood, chocolate, and restaurants.
These promotional activities, which take place throughout the year, also reflect the spirit of Villajoyosa's gastronomy, as different times of the year feature recipes, products, and culinary traditions that define our identity. In March we celebrate the Mostra de Cuina Marinera (Seafood Cuisine Fair), the G de Tapas (Tapas Festival) in May, the Concurs de Pebrereta (Pebrereta Pepper Competition) in June, the Mostra del Ví (Wine Fair) in September, Setmana de l’Arròs (Rice Week) in October, and Xocolatíssima (Hot Chocolate Festival) in November.
Villajoyosa, our colorful town, is also the "fish town" and the "chocolate town." Fishing and the chocolate industry are essential parts of our gastronomy, our lifestyle, and our identity as a tourist destination. In 2025, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of La Vila Gastronómica, an initiative that has positioned us as a benchmark for haute cuisine nationwide.
Throughout this quarter of a century, La Vila Gastronómica has featured the participation of great chefs such as Ferran Adrià, Joan Roca, Susi Díaz, Quique Dacosta, Ricard Camarena and many others, who have highlighted our culinary tradition and our local products.
With the celebration of this anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to continue growing as a quality gastronomic destination and to keep our culinary legacy alive.