Every year, the town of Valls becomes the epicentre of one of Catalonia’s most authentic and beloved gastronomic celebrations: the Calçotada Festival. This event is a tribute to a tradition that combines good food, culture and the festive spirit of the region. The calçotada is not just a typical dish; it is a unique experience that brings together families, friends and visitors from far and wide to enjoy the famous calçots, their delicious romesco sauce and a day full of popular activities.
The Calçotada Festival stands out not only for its gastronomic offer, but also for the numerous activities that accompany it, such as competitions, castells (human towers) exhibitions, traditional dances and markets of local products. On this day, the aroma of roasting calçots fills the streets of Valls, inviting everyone to immerse themselves in tradition and celebrate the culinary and cultural richness of the region.
Beyond the tasting of calçots, the festival pays tribute to the agricultural roots of the region and the efforts of the farmers who make this delicacy possible. Shuttle2Sun offers its shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, so you can get to Tarragona and Costa Dorada, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
What does a calçotada consist of?
The calçotada is much more than just a meal; it is a gastronomic and social celebration that features the calçot, a variety of tender, elongated onion that is grown mainly in the counties of Tarragona. This tradition is based on roasting the calçots over a grill with a live flame, usually made of vine shoots, until their outer skin is blackened. Once roasted, the calçots are wrapped in newspaper to preserve their heat and characteristic flavour until they are served. The ritual involves peeling off the charred skin with the hands to reveal the tender, juicy interior, before dipping them in the irresistible romesco sauce.
Romesco sauce is an essential part of the calçotada and one of the great treasures of Catalan cuisine. This delicious sauce is traditionally made with ingredients such as roasted almonds and hazelnuts, roasted tomatoes and garlic, bread, olive oil, vinegar, ñoras (a type of dried pepper) and salt. Its thick texture and deep flavour, which combines sweet, sour and slightly spicy nuances, are the perfect complement to enhance the smoky flavour and mildness of the calçots. Preparing a good romesco sauce is an art in itself, and each family or restaurant has its own recipe that it is proud to keep.
The calçotada experience does not end with the calçots. After tasting this dish, the menu usually continues with grilled meats, such as lamb, sausages and other cured meats, accompanied by wine or cava from the region.
Beyond the food, the calçotada is an occasion to share laughter, anecdotes and a festive atmosphere in the open air or in traditional farmhouses, making this tradition an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.
Come and enjoy a good calçotada in the counties of Tarragona! Shuttle2Sun puts at your disposal shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, so you can get to Tarragona and Costa Dorada, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and AVE Camp de Tarragona train station.
Valls: The birthplace of the calçotada
Valls, a small town in the Alt Camp region, is considered the birthplace of the calçotada and the place where this tradition has reached its peak. According to legend, the origin of the calçotada is attributed to a peasant from Valls, known as ‘Xat de Benaiges’, who in the 19th century discovered the technique of roasting onions in this way. Since then, this practice has become a tradition that has gained popularity over the years.
The town also hosts the Calçotada Festival, where every January thousands of people come to enjoy a day that combines tradition and culture. In Valls, calçots are not only a typical dish, but also a symbol of identity and an economic driving force for the region. Moreover, the town has been responsible for preserving this tradition and making it known beyond the Catalan borders, turning the calçotada into a benchmark of local gastronomy and a renowned tourist attraction.
The Calçotada Festival in Valls
The Calçotada Festival 2025 in Valls promises, once again, to be an unmissable event for lovers of this gastronomic and cultural tradition. Held on the last Sunday in January, this year, 26th of January 2025, this festival turns the streets of the town into a great stage full of activities for all ages.
The day begins with demonstrations of growing calçots and preparing the traditional romesco sauce in Plaça del Blat, offering attendees a unique opportunity to discover the secrets behind these two essential elements of the calçotada.
One of the most anticipated moments of the day is the Calçot Eating Competition, in the Plaça del Pati, where participants compete to see who can taste the most calçots in a limited time. This event, full of humour and good atmosphere, attracts both locals and curious visitors.
You can also buy your tasting pack, which includes 12 calçots, a bottle of cava and a bottle of water, romesco sauce, bread, dessert and a special offer to visit the Museu Casteller de Catalunya. In addition, the streets of Valls are filled with more stalls selling and tasting; performances by popular culture groups, such as ‘castells’ and parades, which add a festive and traditional touch to the celebration.
For those who wish to enjoy a more complete experience, local restaurants offer special calçotada menus until April, allowing visitors to savour this typical dish in a welcoming setting.
With this varied agenda, the Calçotada Festival 2025 not only celebrates Catalan gastronomy, but also strengthens the community’s bond with its cultural heritage, making this festival an unforgettable event for all attendees. Remember that Shuttle2Sun offers its shared transfer services and private transfer services, low-cost and sustainable, to go to Tarragona and Costa Dorada, from Barcelona airport, Barcelona port, Reus airport, Girona airport and Camp de Tarragona AVE train station.
