Ruta del Atún in Zahara de los Atunes 2025
Ruta del Atun - Tuna Route
Lovers of tuna come from all over Spain to enjoy the various festivals and routes on the Cadiz coast celebrating the almadraba season in May. The towns have their own Rutas del Atun, which list restaurants and tapas bars offering inventive, beautifully-presented atun de almadraba tapas at reasonable a set price, for example 4 euros; maps are available to show you where participating restaurants are.
Known as atun rojo (red tuna, thunnus thynnus) here in Spain, this dark red-coloured fish is highly prized - if you've ever tasted its sweet, dense yet tender flesh, you'll know why. Almadraba tuna is not cheap: around €25/kilo for the basic cuts, rising to nearly €40/kilo for the prized barriga (belly). Over 80% of the Almadraba is exported to Japan - filleted, frozen and air-freighted within hours - to make sushi and sashimi. In Spain it is generally eaten raw, as tuna tartare, since its flavour and texture means it is best appreciated without cooking.
You can also taste atun de almadraba in restaurants all over Spain, but it's best when fresh from the sea. If you're lucky enough to try almadraba tuna in Andalucia, as well as savouring its extraordinary flavour, try to think about the arduous and complicated journey it has taken to arrive on your plate.
In May, the different towns on the Costa de la Luz and Campo de Gibraltar celebrate the Ruta del Atún, during which bars and restaurants offer special tuna-related tapas and dishes as part of a promotion. Both locals and visitors enjoy this opportunity. Pick up a list of participating venues and enjoy your Ruta del Atún (Tuna Route).
We will update the page as dates become available, this is usually in the preceding April.
Semana Gastronomica del Atún en Barbate
Barbate traditionally holds its "Feria de Atún" (Tuna Fair), which features stalls, exhibitions, competitions, cooking demonstrations, and a Ronqueo demonstration. The Ronqueo involves skinning and filleted a freshly caught tuna by hand. The Antigua Lonja (old fish market) hosts special flamenco tours, master classes, and other events. Flamenco workshops, singing, and performances are also held in the fairgrounds opposite the fishing port. Previously, the Feria de Atún took place from May 29 to June 3, 2026 (XVII edition), and from April 30 to May 4, 2025. This is preceded (and sometimes followed) by the Ruta del Atún, in which about 30 participating restaurants compete for the best tuna tapa. Previous editions took place from May 29 to June 3, 2026, and from April 23 to May 4, 2025. More info at larutadelatun.com
Ruta Gastronómica del Atún Rojo de Almadraba de Conil - XXI - 8th May to 8th June 2026
Conil de la Frontera also hosts the longest running Tuna Route officially called Ruta Gastronómica del Atún de Conil de la Frontera. This includes a tapas competition. Previous years' dates were May 8 to June 8, 2026; May 9 to June 9, 2024; and May 5 to June 4, 2023. Around 30 bars and restaurants participate. There are also events at the Almadraba Tuna Interpretation Center in La Chancla, Conil, where the traditional ronqueo del atún rojo takes place on the opening day. This involves skinning and filleted a freshly caught tuna by hand. La Chancla and the Almadraba Tuna Interpretation Center are open year-round.
Ruta de Atun, Zahara de los Atunes
Zahara de los Atunes hosts the Ruta del Atun (Tuna Route) in the second or third week of May. Organised by the local business association, it has been held every year since 2008 and lasts five days. A full programme of events includes special tapas in local bars and restaurants, exhibitions and a competition for the best tapa or tuna dish. Well supported by locals and visitors alike. Lively atmosphere. Pick up a guide map. Previous years' dates were 12th to 17th May 2026 and 13th to 18th May 2025.
rutadelatun.com
Ruta de del Atun, La Linea de la Concepcion - 3rd to 7th June 2026
La Linea also has a Ruta del Atun (Tuna Route), which is smaller than some of the other towns and started in 2023. Organised by the local Hosteleria Association, 20 restaurants and bars take part and offer a Tuna tapa for 4,50€, There are also several musical performances on Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon. Participating restaurants include La Taberna, Bitacora, Carboneros 27, La Bodeguiya, Bodebar, El Meson de Lolo, La Chiminea, Barbas, El Noy, Bar Carlos y Eduardo, west, La Chicota, No me llamas Dolores, El Sanctuario, D'Mares, Don Giovanni, Alma, Chiringuito La Luna, Chabooo, Ohtels. Previous years' dates were were 3rd to 7th June 2026, 21st to 25th May 2025, 22nd to 26th May, 3 to 7 May 2023.
Ruta del Atun Rojo, Tarifa - cancelled in 2025 and not held in 2026
Tarifa The Ruta del Atun Rojo takes place in Tarifa at the end of May/beginning of June every year. As in other fishing villages along this part of the Costa de la Luz, such as Conil de la Frontera and Barbate. In the participating restaurants you can try a variety of dishes using this extremely tender and tasty red tuna, from the classic to the avant-garde. The event was cancelled in 2025 and not held in 2026. The previous dates were 5th to 9th June 2024, 14th to 18th June 2023 and 27th May to 5th June 2022.
Ruta del Atun, Algeciras - 24th May to 2nd June 2026
Algeciras, the big port town, also has a Ruta del Atun (Tuna Route), smaller than the others and started in 2023. 18 restaurants and bars take part and compete for the best tuna tapa. Visitors who have at least five establishment stamped into 'passport' can vote online for the besy tapa and enter a pridewinning draw. Previous years' dates have been 24th May to 2nd June 2026 , 5th to 15th June 2025, 5th to 9th June 2024 and 26 May to 4 June 2023.
THE ALMADRABA: CATCHING BLUE-FIN TUNA THE TRADITIONAL WAY
Every year in May, after the first full moon, fishermen from towns on the Cadiz part of the >Costa de la Luz, including Barbate, Zahara de los Atunes, Conil de la Frontera, and Tarifa, set up a complicated labyrinth of nets off the Atlantic coast, called the almadraba, to catch blue-fin tuna. This is a major social and gastronomic event, providing essential (if seasonal) work for fishermen, packing factories, restaurants along the coast. Read more about the Almadraba.