Eurochocolate in Perugia: Visitor Guide for 2026

Eurochocolate is Perugia’s chocolate festival, held every autumn in the old town since the 1990s. For around ten days, stands along Corso Vannucci and the surrounding squares sell chocolate from Italian and international producers, with tastings, workshops, cooking shows and displays. The 2026 edition is announced for 13 to 22 November, later in the year than the traditional October slot. A weekday visit, a car left at the bottom of the hill and a room booked well ahead make all the difference.

This page is an independent visitor guide. Programme, opening hours and any paid areas are published on the organisers’ website, eurochocolate.com.

What to expect

The festival spreads across the main streets and squares of the old town. Each year has its own theme; for 2026 the organisers chose a wordplay theme around fairies and sweets.

Part of the festival	What happens there
Stands and market	Chocolate bars, pralines, spreads, pastries, ice cream and hot chocolate to buy
Tastings and workshops	Short sessions with producers, chocolate making for adults and children
Cooking shows	Chefs and pastry makers working with chocolate
Displays	Themed installations and occasional large sculptures

Expect plenty of sampling, but also plenty of selling. Prices vary widely, from simple bars to high-end pralines. If you want to bring chocolate home, buy towards the end of your visit so you do not carry it around all day, and keep it out of the sun.

Why Perugia and chocolate

Perugia has a long history of chocolate making. One of Italy’s best-known confectionery companies was founded in the city in the early twentieth century, and its factory on the edge of Perugia has a visitor centre with a museum and tastings, which works well as a side trip during the festival. The festival builds on this tradition but is a separate, independent event.

When to go

• Weekdays are much quieter than Saturdays and Sundays, when coaches and day trippers from across central Italy arrive.
• Mornings are best on any day. Crowds build from late morning.
• Opening day and closing weekend tend to be busy.
• Weather in November can be cool and rainy. Bring layers and a waterproof; many stands are outdoors.

Getting there and moving around

From elsewhere in Italy

Perugia is reached by train from Florence and Rome, usually with a change. From the main station, the Minimetrò takes you up towards the old town. During the festival, extra trains or special offers are sometimes announced; check with the rail operators and the organisers.

By car

Avoid driving into the old town. Use the car parks at the foot of the hill and the escalators through the Rocca Paolina, or park near a Minimetrò station. On festival weekends, park-and-ride shuttles are often set up. Our guide to getting around Perugia without a car explains the options.

On foot in the old town

The streets are narrow and the slopes steep in places. Wear comfortable shoes and agree on a meeting point if you are in a group, because phones often struggle in dense crowds.

Where to stay

During Eurochocolate, hotels in the old town fill quickly. Options:

• Old town: walk straight out of your door into the festival, best for an evening atmosphere.
• Lower town near the station or a Minimetrò stop: often better value and easy access.
• Assisi, Lake Trasimeno or the countryside: quieter evenings, but you need to plan your daily trip in.

See where to stay in Perugia for a closer look at the areas.

Making a weekend of it

Eurochocolate fits neatly into a short autumn break. In the morning, walk the stands; in the afternoon, step away from the crowds to see the Fontana Maggiore, the National Gallery of Umbria and the underground streets of the Rocca Paolina, all covered in our Perugia sightseeing guide. November is also olive oil season, and many restaurants serve the new oil; our page on Umbrian food explains what to order.

Practical notes

• Check whether the organisers sell any card or pass for discounts or tastings before you go, and read what it includes.
• Cash is useful at small stands, although many take cards.
• Toilets are limited in the old town. Cafés expect you to order something.
• Other events take place in Perugia at the same time; our festival calendar has the wider picture.