Experience fishing tourism in Spain: the sea from within

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From the seaside villages of the north to the white villages of the south or the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, fishing tradition is an integral part of the identity of many regions in Spain. Along its more than 8,000 kilometres of coastline, you will find experiences that allow you to discover the sea in a different and authentic way, connecting with the seafaring culture.Fishing tourism invites you to observe how the fish arrives at port, to accompany fishermen on their journey or to discover ancestral trades that are still very much alive thanks to local communities and initiatives such as the Fishing Tourism Network of Spain.Want to discover it?

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Fishermen. Calpe © Einar Magnus Magnusson

Visits to fish markets and ports

To stroll through a fishing port is to enter a universe of nets, boats and constant movement. And entering a fish market is to witness first-hand a tradition that has barely changed over time.- What can you do?We recommend booking a guided tour of the port to learn about the origins of fishing in each area, the fishing methods, and the most representative species. If you can, attend a fish auction: a vibrant spectacle where buyers and fishermen search for the best catch of the day.- Where to experience it?You can attend auctions in ports such as Almería, San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia), Sanlúcar de Barrameda (Cádiz) or Calpe (Alicante), among others.- How to complete the experience?Take the opportunity to discover other places: in Calpe, you'll be amazed by the views from the Peñón de Ifach; in Sanlúcar, book a visit to the Doñana National Park, and in Almería we suggest you discover the Civil War mountain refuges, with more than four kilometres of tunnels.
Sailor in Galicia

In the company of fishermen, goose barnacles and shellfish gatherers

Can you imagine setting sail at dawn and experiencing the start of a real fishing trip? Or accompanying barnacle pickers as they work among the waves and rocks in one of the world's most unique professions? And accompanying the shellfish gatherers of the estuary of Arousa in their work.- What can you do?Put on a mackintosh, climb aboard and help throw the nets into the sea. Or accompany the barnacle pickers as they gather this precious delicacy. You can also accompany the shellfish gatherers on the beaches of Galicia.- Where to experience it?You can go fishing in a traditional boat in Santoña, in Cantabria. Galicia is the ideal place to get to know the work of goose barnacle pickers at first hand. More specifically, in Muxía, in the heart of the Costa da Morte. And in Vilagarcía de Arousa, Pontevedra, you can be a shellfish gatherer for a day.- How to complete the experience?End the day by sampling the fish and shellfish you yourself watched being caught, accompanied by a local wine.
Sailing along the estuary of O Grove. Pontevedra © Concello O Grove

Sea and fishing museums

The seafaring museums help to contextualise the importance of fishing in different regions of Spain.- What can you do?Visit places such as the Palamós Fishing Museum, in Girona, which traces the history and fishing techniques of the area.To relive what life was like on board a beautiful ship, you can visit the deck, bridge, hold and cabins of the Reina del Carmen Boat-Museum, in Burela, Lugo, a traditional fishing boat built in the 1960s.- Where to experience it?In addition to the above examples, there are other interesting interpretative centres, such as the Maritime Museum of Sóller, in Majorca, or the Museo das Salgadeiras de Moreiras, in O Grove, Pontevedra.- How to complete the experience?Here are some ideas: in Girona, walk around the old town of Palamós. In Majorca, travel through the Tramontana mountain range on the historic wooden train dating back to 1912. In the Rías Baixas area you can sail among the mussel rafts tasting freshly extracted mussels.
Lobster and octopus

Gastronomic festivals

The gastronomy is a direct reflection of the seafaring culture. Seafood festivals, markets and specialised restaurants offer the opportunity to taste seafood. Try different dishes, ask about the best wine pairings... You'll take away great memories of the trip!- Where to experience it?The port of Burela, in Lugo, is one of the most important in terms of volume of tuna catches. Its Bonito Festival is an opportunity to try it in its many forms: seafood salad tapas, grilled, boiled, or in a pie.Galicia also hosts the O Grove Seafood Festival, with the best products from the estuary of Arousa and activities such as: mussel competitions, live cooking demonstrations and concerts.In the south of Spain, in the province of Huelva, another well-known festival is the Gamba, Chirla and Boquerón de Punta Umbría Prawn and Anchovy Fair, a tribute to the products of the Atlantic.- How to complete the experience?Make the most of your stay in Punta Umbria and visit the Casa Museo de los Ingleses (The English House Museum), a reminder of the historic wooden houses built by the English at the end of the 19th century.