Tuna Route

Almadraba Tuna Route combines the “in situ” of the artisanal fishery, through visits to the trap of Barbate and Zahara watching live how the “ronqueo tuna” is made, ie its cutting knowledge, scenic interest with this stretch of coast between Cape Trafalgar Punta Camarinal.

What is an Almadraba?
The word “almadraba” comes from Arabic and means place where to hit or fight. This is a fishing technique already used by the Phoenicians on the coast of Cadiz and later was used by the Romans. It is to install a labyrinth of networks over the tuna, which are usually situated near the coast, the Atlantic to the Mediterranean during the months of April to June. It is a fishing, not aggressive, and respectful of the species and the environment.

Itinerary

Traditionally there were traps in all the coastal towns of the province but is now concentrated in the coastal towns like Conil, Barbate, Zahara and Tarifa.

1 .- Conil is undoubtedly a key tourism sun and beach destination. It is one of the towns in the region with more atmosphere, especially in summer, prompted in part by the developments surrounding it. Large masses of pine forests, such as Roche or El Colorado come often to the beaches contributing to these have been preserved untouched. Over 14 km. coastal beaches stretch for all tastes, with fine white sand, clear waters allow the practice of all kinds of water sports and spectacular beauty.

Where to eat or buy

* Food market: small but stocked during the months of April to June will find tuna trap, to which must be added local species like the red porgy, the sea bream, snapper and sea bass
* Route tuna trap: for a month between May and June held this week where some thirty establishments in those days made a special menu dedicated to atún.Restaurantes Venta Melchor, La Fontanilla, Timon of Roche, El Roqueo involved, White and Green and bars as Feduchy Lounge, La Almazara, .etc … Besides other activities like the cover of tuna are done to taste tapas at a symbolic price in tents set up in a central square and in which It offers ronqueo (cutting) of a atún.Previamente the celebration of Route a gastronomic competition where traditional or innovative dishes are presented is done.

2 .- Barbate in the environment that the Greeks called “Pillars of Hercules”, this white villa and bright is linked since ancient sea and fishing, arranged around its picturesque fishing port. Was the Phoenicians who made an exporting port of Barbate, to implement the system trap that has been perpetuated until today. With the Roman Empire the town lived its greatest splendor, becoming a prosperous enclave due to the fishing industry and salting. The beaches are pristine and ideal for swimming and water sports.

Where to eat or buy

• Food market: to visit during the time of trap and buy
• Gastronomic Week tuna: is held in May each year
• Conserves: to buy all kinds of canned fish, La Chanca, El Rey de Oros, The ronqueo, Canned Cadiz, Herpac, the latter also can visit and be able to witness a “ronqueo” (cutting) tuna .
• Restaurants and bars: El Campero, La Bocana, Abelardo Tavern …

Zahara, this hamlet of Barbate is a charming seaside village full of flavor and Andalusian local color, with pristine beaches that preserve the intact natural wealth.

Where to eat or buy

• Restaurants and bars: Casa Juanito, Seafood Porfirio, Almadraba, Gaspar, La Botica, Restaurant Antonio, free agency ….
• Tuna Gastronomic Route: is held in May and you can taste this fish in many ways by the bars and restaurants of the town

3 .- Tarifa facing the sea, in the most southern of Europe and closest point to Africa, is one of the coastal cities with greater tourist projection, becoming the kingdom of windsurfing and kite surfing. You will see that the urban layout reminds the peoples of North Africa, with its white houses, squares, lively streets where visitors of all nationalities with tarifeños own mix. Idyllic and extensive swept beaches easterly winds make Tarifa a place of worship for lovers of water sports and diving, among others.

Baelo Claudia is located in Bologna, about 15 kms. approximately. This Roman city founded in the s. II B.C. achieved great economic and urban development, its main industry consisted of salted fish, obtained mostly by the system traps introduced by the Phoenicians, and the development of the famous “garum” sauce that throughout the Roman Empire was exported. We suggest that this visit is not lost.

Where to eat or buy

• Cannery Tarifa shops offering all kinds of canned fish. Next to trap tuna you can find “frigate tuna and mackerel” Fare products D.E. (Specific name) of Andalusia. Two brands, Tarifeña and Piñero, have made history in this sector.
• Restaurants and bars: El Ancla, El Picoteo, 4 Esquinas, El Francés, Los Mellis, Hurricane Hotel, Playa Blanca …
• Proposals for activities
  • Visit the canning Herpac to know the handmade process of canned fish. They also show the “ronqueo tuna”, how the cutting of a large fish is done. Contact the cannery
  • Visit the shop-museum of tuna in Barbate (Avda. Generalísimo, 142)
  • Gastronomic tours with the company Dampers, excursions to the trap, visits to canneries, watch a levantá
  • Boating through the Strait of Gibraltar to see the dolphins and whales – Turmares – Whale Watch Tarifa
  • Visit the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia (Bolonia-Tarifa) one of the most important of the Empire and the best preserved, where you can meet on its premises the salting factory used by the Romans for the conservation and management of tuna Roman cities.
  • Sports activities: enjoy nature hiking, scuba diving, mountain biking, cycling, etc. in the Natural Park of La Brena and marshes of Barbate with Nature Explorer