Catalonia Dedicates November to Olive Landscapes and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Across the region, olive groves come to life and mills fill once again with intense aromas and the bustle of farmers, cooperatives, and producers who transform the olive fruit into extra virgin olive oil — one of the emblems of Catalan gastronomy.

From Les Garrigues and Baix Ebre to L’Empordà, Priorat, Segrià, and Bages, the olive landscapes form a unique mosaic that combines tradition, biodiversity, and territorial balance. The olive harvest sets the rhythm of autumn. This is when the work of an entire year becomes visible: caring for the fields, harvesting, carefully selecting, and cold-pressing the olives — turning effort and respect for the land into a product that symbolizes quality, health, and Mediterranean identity.

As part of the distinction “Catalonia, World Region of Gastronomy 2025,” the month of November shines a light on this living heritage: the olive landscapes and extra virgin olive oil, which connect territory, culture, and gastronomy.

The First New Oil Market in Barcelona

Among the activities scheduled for November, the highlight is the first Mercat de l’Oli Nou, promoted by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food, which will take place from November 21 to 23 in Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona. About fifty producers from 21 Catalan counties will bring their first-press extra virgin olive oils, turning the square into a major showcase for the finest oil in the country.

Visitors will be able to discover, taste, and purchase the most prized product of the season: the first flow of new oil. The event includes cooking workshops, guided tastings, culinary activities, and direct sales — all designed to bring the culture of extra virgin olive oil closer to the public, give visibility to the Catalan olive oil sector, and reaffirm the value of local products as a central element of Catalan cuisine and identity.

Other Highlight Events Throughout the Month

Throughout November, Catalonia fills with fairs and events celebrating the richness and diversity of autumn products. Tastings, culinary demonstrations, and activities centered on extra virgin olive oil will allow visitors to discover Catalonia through its liquid gold, learning the stories, traditions, and quality behind every bottle.

October 30 – November 2: “Brots. Olive Oil in a New Light” (Baix Empordà) – Part of the Brots Festival, combining music, theatre, dance, photography, digital arts, and gastronomy featuring olive oil. Includes tastings and creative dishes like bread with oil and salt, oil and sugar, oil and chocolate, and more, along with Empordà wines.

November 1–30: “Salou, Culture of Olive Oil” (Salou) – Events dedicated to extra virgin olive oil from century-old and monumental trees, with guided tastings, expert talks, and dishes highlighting Salou’s oils.

November 1–30: “Extra Virgin Fork Breakfasts” (Garrigues Altes) – Local bars in Les Garrigues Altes serve traditional fork breakfasts featuring local extra virgin olive oil every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning.

November 1 – December 14: “Les Garrigues Gastronomic Exhibition” (Les Garrigues) – Restaurants serve dishes prepared with new oil and local products. Visitors can complement the experience with oleotourism routes, exploring the region’s cultural heritage from prehistoric rock art to castles and dry-stone architecture.

November 1: Presentation of the book “Recipes with Memory” (La Granadella) – Live cooking by chef Maria Nicolau, with tastings of local olive oil dishes.

November 2: “Morning Among Olive Trees: Breakfast, Oil & Music” (Les Garrigues) – An immersive experience with a countryside breakfast, guided oil tasting, harvest workshop, and live music, celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of olive oil.

November 4–8: “Embutada 2025” – 9th Edition (Tarragona) – A unique festival dedicated to new wine and the tradition of tasting it directly from the cellar. Includes cultural events, concerts, and on November 8, a wine fair with 25 wineries, food, and music in Plaça del Rei.

November 8–30: “Oil and Clotxa Days” (Ribera d’Ebre) – The region celebrates the Clotxa festival, a traditional rural dish featuring local olive oil, followed by gastronomic days with participating restaurants.

November 7–9: “Oil Time” (Calafell) – A festival celebrating native flavors, seasonal products, and traditional recipes passed down through generations.

November 9: “Children’s Workshops and Olive Oil Pairings for Adults” (Pla d’Urgell) – At the Artisan Cheese Fair of Ponent, visitors can enjoy tastings and pairing sessions featuring local olive oils.

November 8–29: “Entre Molins” (Les Garrigues) – Over four weekends, top restaurants will move into local mills to cook live, offering exclusive tasting dinners for 30 guests, with wine pairings included.

November 14–16: “29th Olive Oil and Mediterranean Fair” (Santa Bàrbara) – One of the most important events in the olive, agricultural, and culinary fields in Terres de l’Ebre.

November 22: “EVOO Day” (La Bisbal del Penedès) – Organized by Torclum, featuring tastings, a round table with experts, and live cooking sessions with chefs and pastry chefs from the Terra i Taula collective.

November 26: “Olive Oil Route Presentation” (Les Borges Blanques) – Launch of La Carretera de l’Oli, a 130 km route linking 16 municipalities in Les Garrigues, celebrating olive oil, wine, farming, and Mediterranean landscapes through an interactive online experience.

All activities can be found on the official calendar at somgastronomia.cat