Festival of national tourism interest

The Snail Festival at the end of the May brings to a close the busiest month of the year in terms of festivities. Declared a Festival of National Tourism Interest and a National Festival of Traditional Interest, it is the city's most heavily attended event, and one of the most important gastronomic celebrations anywhere in Catalonia.

Over the course of three days the Camps Elisis see some 12,000 locals comprising 100 different groups, each with their own designated area, stage a festival at which 12 tonnes of snails are eaten. Visitors have access to a catering area set up on the site and serving a range of menus, along with the chance to taste the various types of snail at affordable prices.

Original competitions, such as snail racing, and more traditional events including tug-of-war, along with the ever-present brass bands, create a festive atmosphere which suffuses the whole city. Thousands of visitors from all around are drawn to attend the event. The parade of the culinary groups on the final day of the festival is a hugely colourful affair.

During the previous week the groups organise a range of cultural events.

Snail Festival website