Today, Feira de Santana remains the second largest city in Bahia and an important stopping point for travelers.

Feira de Santana is famous for its parties and festivals, particularly St Anne's Day (Senhora Sant'Ana) in the last week of July, which features activities such as bumba-meu-boi, segura-a-véia, and burrinha.

[clarification needed] The Micareta carnival party is held 15 days after Passover; the Festival of Violeiros in September; and the donkey race in November.

The city boasts of several interesting tourist destinations including a market for local artists, a museum of contemporary art, and the Antares Astronomical Observatory.

Feira de Santana is home to numerous historic structures, many designated as Brazilian federal or Bahian state monuments.