Vilanova de Arousa has reason to celebrate. The Mussel and Cockle Festival, one of Galicia’s most iconic gastronomic and cultural events, has reached a historic milestone after more than 30 years, having been officially declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
This prestigious recognition not only rewards three decades of hard work, tradition and the flavours of the sea, but also cements our town’s status as an essential tourist destination in the heart of the Rías Baixas.
A historic recognition of Vilanova’s authenticity
The process leading to this important national distinction was finalised on 27 May 2026 with the signing of the resolution by the Secretary of State for Tourism, announced on 25 June and ratified by its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 3 August. With this prestigious seal of approval underpinning its deep-rooted heritage, Vilanova celebrated the thirty-second (XXXII) edition of its major summer festival between 6 and 9 August.
The official presentation of the accreditation certificate took place at a ceremony held at the Teatro Real in Madrid. An institutional delegation travelled to the capital, led by the mayor of Vilanova de Arousa, Gonzalo Durán, alongside the Councillor for Urban Planning and Deputy Mayor, Nuria Morgade, and the Councillor for Education, Áurea Bermúdez.
Pride, teamwork and an eye on the future
For Vilanova de Arousa, this award recognises the ongoing dedication of local residents, shellfish gatherers, hospitality industry staff and municipal workers who, since the first edition in 1994, have poured their passion into showcasing the treasures of our sea.
The mayor, Gonzalo Durán, emphasised that being awarded this seal is “an honour and a source of pride that demonstrates the good work of our local authority in the field of tourism”. He also emphasised that this achievement marks “a new chapter” in the town’s tourism strategy, setting a new target of securing the designation of ‘Festival of International Tourist Interest’ within five years and continuing to consolidate Vilanova’s status as the true ‘Mussel Capital’.
For her part, Councillor Nuria Morgade highlighted the scale of a project that has been consolidated over more than three decades, expressing her satisfaction at seeing “the very positive regard the rest of Spain has for our cuisine, customs and traditions”. Similarly, Councillor Áurea Bermúdez recalled that this recognition “rewards the effort and hard work of many people in Vilanova who have been working on this festival since the 1990s”.