Zahara de Los Atunes - Tuna Festival
Pickup Times & Location:
- 09:30 Torremolinos
- 09:45 Benalmadena
- 09:50 Minerva
- 09:55 Arroyo
- 10:15 Fuengirola Fairground
- 10:30 Cala de Mijas
The bluefin tuna season begins when summer approaches and the killer whales (the tuna's main predator) begin to haunt the Strait of Gibraltar. It is then when from the coast we can see the boats that form the almadraba, a fishing technique used to catch wild bluefin tuna, and which comes from a thousand-year-old tradition maintained from generation to generation by the fishermen of the area.
The Tuna Route usually takes place in May, coinciding with the start of the almadraba fishing season, and lasts approximately one week. At the opening of the route, a tuna is cut up live so that tourists can see first-hand the parts of the tuna and what dishes each part is usually used for.
Visit the Ruta del Atun facebook page for more information and photos of this incredible event!
The trendiest beach bars in Zahara de los Atunes
During the route, the bars and restaurants in the area prepare exclusive and unique tapas for tourists, always based on bluefin tuna, but with the creative freedom that the chef of each place wants to give to the tapa. In this way we can taste bluefin tuna in as many ways and forms as there are restaurants and bars taking part in the event. We can find everything from tapas based on traditional tuna stews to the latest trends in cuisine, including Asian touches.
Tourists can participate in raffles by voting for the best tapas they have tasted and the best waiters through the so-called Tapa-porte, where the restaurant stamps their drinks. In addition, the restaurants are divided by zones so that tourists can better locate those participating in the Tuna Route.
