Discover Ibi: Toy Museums, Nature and Lively Festivals

Ibi showcases its unique diversity through museums, festivals and landscapes. Here you can learn about the town’s toy-making heritage, discover historic sites, experience Mediterranean nature and combine traditional events with unusual customs.

Toys and Local History

The Museo Valenciano del Juguete preserves, researches and presents the heritage of toy-making. It is housed in the historic buildings of the former Payá Hermanos, S.A. factory in Ibi. The Museo de la Fiesta provides a different cultural focus: it is located in the imposing home of the Pérez-Caballero family, known as “La Casa Gran”. Thus, both the industrial history of toy-making and the town’s festival culture take centre stage in Ibi.

The historic development of the town also includes the Molí de Paper paper mill. It began operating in 1860 and ceased its intensive activities in 1920, when the production of tin toys displaced paper manufacturing in Ibi. The exterior of the Molí de Paper can be visited. The site’s history reaches back even further: a chapel was built on the ruins of the 10th-century “Castell Vermell” castle.

Mediterranean Landscapes and Nature Experiences

The Estación Biológica de Torretes covers 53 hectares, features a rich diversity of flora and fauna and is an example of a Mediterranean landscape. It offers guided and self-guided visits. Its annual educational activities include insect observation, mycological days and the Fireta de l’Herberet. In addition, the Museo de la Biodiversidad is an exhibition and educational venue intended to convey the importance of nature conservation.

Another landscape area is the Barranc dels Molins in the north of the municipality of Ibi. The natural area includes forests, mountains and a spring. It also has a prepared recreational area with barbecues, tables and benches. The Font Roja nature park is one of the sights along the PR-V127 “Camí dels Geladors”.

Festivals with Their Own Character

The winter festivals Enfarinats, Tapats and Danzas were recognised as festivals of autonomous tourist interest in 2009. Els Enfarinats is particularly distinctive: every year on 28 December, following the one-day takeover of local power, a battle takes place using flour, eggs and gunpowder. Ibi is also known as “La Cuna del helado” and celebrates the traditional Festa dels Geladors every year. As part of this festa, ice cream is distributed to the public for tasting.

Video Game Culture and Bowling

The Museo Arcade Vintage is Spain’s first interactive video game museum. It offers 300 arcade machines and bowling lanes. Alongside festival culture, landscapes and regional history, Ibi therefore also adds the themes of video game culture and bowling.

Other Places in the Same Travel Region

To the overview of the wider travel region: Alicante.