Estepona to Give Away 350 Kilos of Sardines at La Gran Espetada

A Celebration of Espetos Beside the Sea

Estepona will welcome September with an event dedicated to one of Málaga’s most representative dishes. La Gran Espetada will take place on Saturday 5 September, offering visitors a free tasting of 350 kilos of grilled sardines.

The event will begin at 8:00 p.m. on the fishermen’s storage building esplanade beside the breakwater at Estepona Fishing Port. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the sardines free of charge while supplies last.

Its location provides a particularly appropriate setting for the celebration. Guests will be surrounded by fishing boats and the traditional maritime atmosphere of the port while tasting one of the Costa del Sol’s best-known dishes.

Four Masters at the Fire

The sardines will be prepared by Miguel León, Alfonso Marín, Miguel Saint and Nicolás Joaquín Gavín. All four professionals have received awards at competitions specialising in the traditional art of preparing espetos.

They will skewer and cook the fish over firewood using the technique associated with Málaga’s coastline. Although the recipe may appear simple, achieving the correct result requires careful control of the heat, the distance from the embers and the cooking time.

The sardines must also be positioned correctly to prevent them from breaking or losing their juices. The finished fish should remain tender inside while developing a lightly grilled surface.

Preparing 350 kilos will require considerable coordination to serve the sardines freshly cooked and maintain a steady supply throughout the evening.

Paying Tribute to a Málaga Tradition

Espetos form part of the culinary identity of the Costa del Sol. Their image is closely connected with beaches, seaside restaurants and summer gatherings beside the Mediterranean.

The cooking technique has been passed down through generations and remains one of the most recognisable symbols of Málaga’s coastal cuisine. La Gran Espetada is intended to celebrate both the dish itself and the experience of the professionals who continue to preserve and perfect the tradition.

Holding the event at the fishing port strengthens this connection with the sea. Instead of moving the celebration to an enclosed venue, the sardines will be prepared and shared in an environment closely related to their cultural origins.

Charity Bar and Music

The free tasting will be accompanied by a charity bar managed by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Food and drinks will be available there at affordable prices.

The brotherhood’s involvement adds a charitable and community element to the evening. Our Lady of Mount Carmel also has a particularly close historical association with fishing and maritime communities.

A DJ will provide music throughout the event. The combination of local food, entertainment and a waterfront setting is designed to create an open celebration suitable for visitors of different ages.

Practical Information

La Gran Espetada will take place on Saturday 5 September 2026 from 8:00 p.m. The venue is the fishermen’s storage building esplanade beside the breakwater at Estepona Fishing Port.

The sardine tasting is free while the available 350 kilos last. As this is an open event, arriving early may help visitors avoid the busiest period and increase their chances of joining the tasting.

Food and drinks from the charity bar will be sold separately at affordable prices and are not included in the free sardine tasting. No advance registration requirement has been announced.

Full details are available through the official announcement from Estepona Town Hall.