Second to Turin, Perugia is home to some of the best chocolate in Italy. Every year, the cobbled streets of Umbria’s cultural capital come alive with Eurochocolate, one of Europe’s largest chocolate festival. This year, festivities take place over 10 glorious days of chocolate-themed tastings and workshops, allowing chocolatiers to present their finest and most intricate masterpieces.
If you’re staying in one of our villas near Perugia, there’s endless potential to personalise your chocolate-themed itinerary. Wander the capital’s cobblestone streets and buzzy piazzas to discover a variety of chocolate from local and international artisans, before an in-villa masterclass of your own. Our local concierge can help organise workshops and tastings to elevate the experience, allowing guests of all ages to join in on the fun.
Whether you’re a chocolate lover or not, Perugia offers a treasure trove of cultural experiences to enjoy this winter. Prep your palate with our dedicated guide to Eurochocolate, including the best times to visit, how to get involved with the festivities and where to stay to soak it all up.
Perugia: The Chocolate Capital of Europe
Rivalling the likes of Brussels, Paris and Turin, Perugia has a rich heritage in confectionery craftsmanship and is famed for the hazelnut-and-gianduia Baci Perugina. Since the early 1990s, Eurochocolate has expanded year-on-year to include tastings, workshops and life-size sculptures by top artisans. The festival has historically attracted close to one million visitors and is regarded as one of Europe’s largest celebrations of chocolate.
When and where is the chocolate festival in Perugia?
Nestled in the charming medieval city of Perugia, the 2026 edition of Eurochocolate will take place between 13-22 November. Throughout the festival, the streets of Umbria’s capital will transform into an immersive open-air festival, showcasing the city’s longstanding chocolate traditions.
One of the best ways to experience the festival is simply to slow down, wander and explore. Make your way to the city centre and follow the tantalising scent of cacao through the city’s alleyways. From one of our private villas, the drive to Perugia is scenic and seamless.
Eurochocolate 2026 programme
Eurochocolate’s 2026 programme offers tastings, workshops and live events throughout the historic centre. Start your trip with a tour of the Perugina factory, on the outskirts of the city, where these tantalising treats are still crafted today.
Casa del Cioccolato will take you through the city’s chocolate origins, which began in the 20th century and was shaped by pioneering entrepreneur Luisa Spagnoli. Spagnoli’s story is particularly inspiring considering how much the odds were stacked against women entrepreneurs at the time. Walking through the factory today, you’ll get to see parts of the production process, subject to the factory schedule, and uncover the story behind the Baci Perugina, the iconic chocolate ‘kisses’.
Perugia is now home to a new chocolate museum in the heart of the city centre. Opening its doors in 2025, Città del Cioccolato (City of Chocolate) is the world’s largest experiential museum dedicated to cacao and chocolate, inviting visitors to delve deeper and discover its fascinating journey from bean to bar.
Then make your way to the historic centre to soak up the celebratory atmosphere. Workshops and tastings will take you through the chocolate-making process in more detail, from the origins and processing of cacao to moulding and crafting the final product by hand. Speak to renowned chocolatiers and chefs, who will be hosting the tastings to offer their top chocolate-making tips.
As you wander through Perugia’s medieval alleyways, keep an eye out for Eurochocolate’s mesmerising chocolate sculptures. These edible masterpieces are a feast for your eyes – and palates – designed with intricate precision by some of the best chocolatiers in Italy.
Where to stay in Perugia
We have a selection of handpicked villas in Umbria. Take your pick from our portfolio of country retreats, restored farmhouses and cosy countryside homes. Every villa in our collection comes with a private swimming pool and access to our award-winning concierge.
Stay at Torre della Duchessa, a grand 17th-century Umbrian villa near Perugia, or the palatial Santi Terzi, which is just a 60-minute drive away. Located in the heart of Umbria, Solomonio is ideally located for exploring the larger Umbrian towns of Todi, Orvieto, Spoleto, Assisi and Perugia.
Contact our Villa Specialists
Our Villa Specialists are here to offer personal guidance while visiting Eurochocolate. Let them pair you with the perfect villa in Umbria, so you can come and go as you please throughout the 10-day event.
Looking to extend your stay? Part of what makes Eurochocolate so unique is its setting. Our concierge can arrange local experiences, from private museum visits and vineyard tours to bespoke in-villa cooking classes.