14th July 2025 
Leave a commentDiscover our beautiful province during the popular gastronomic festivals in Malaga in August. Many of the gastronomic festivals are declared of Tourist Singularity.
Visiting inland villages are an excellent opportunity to savour the gastronomy, folklore, culture and history of Malaga.
For this month of August, the gastronomic fairs in the province of Malaga will take us to some of the highest white villages of the Axarquia on the eastern Costa del Sol. We can also visit `the orchard of Malaga´, the fertile Guadalhorce valley. And last but not least, if you prefer not to go far from the coast, you can visit the gastronomic events in Torremolinos and Estepona.
We leave you below the monthly agenda, so that you don’t miss the opportunity to sample the tasty local gastronomy.
Gastronomic Festivals in Malaga in August
Sardine Skewer Contest – Torremolinos
Torremolinos, the birthplace of tourism on the Costa del Sol and one of the most popular summer destinations, is conveniently located just 10 km from Malaga airport.
On the first Saturday in August this popular gastronomic competition takes place on the seafront promenade, where the best espeteros on the coast compete.
Did you know that…?
The espeto de sardinas (sardine skewer) is a very typical delicacy of Malaga that you should not miss and this could be a good occasion to taste it.
The sardine season in Malaga, especially for espetos, is considered to be from May to August. And for it to come out perfectly, it requires the expert hand of an espetero.
The espetero is a traditional profession in Malaga. It is dedicated to the roasting of fish on a spit on wooden embers in the Chiringuitos (beach bars).
This gastronomic event attracts every year many visitors eager to try the tasty blue fish of Malaga. And to liven up the evening there will be live music.
- When: 2 August, from 6 pm to 2 am
- Where: Costa Lago – Playamar, Torremolinos
- How to get there
Ham Festival – Estepona
Maybe you prefer a good ham instead of fish? Then come to Estepona!
For 10 days you have the opportunity to taste the best hams and Iberian products of the country. Along the promenade next to La Rada beach you will find 65 exhibitors of the best companies dedicated to the production of ham and its derivatives.
You can watch 200 professional ham cutters (another traditional profession), enjoy freshly cut Iberian ham, buy local products, queeses and wines with DOP Malaga. An excellent gastronomic souvenir or great gift, just to give you an idea.
As an additional highlight, every evening there will be free concerts by the sea.
This gastronomic event, which this year celebrates its tenth edition, attracts thousands of visitors every year.
- When: 8 to 17 August, from 7 pm to 2 am.
- How to get there
Bull’s Egg Tomato Competition – Coín
Another highly prized speciality from Malaga (literally, as it is the most expensive tomato in Spain) is the Huevo de Toro tomato, produced exclusively in the Guadalhorce Valley, the so-called ‘Orchard of Malaga’. This tomato not only stands out for its exquisite flavour but also for its considerable size and weight.
Grown in the open air, this variety of tomato is the most prized gastronomic product this summer in Malaga and is only available during July and August.
This gastro-event, which revolves exclusively around the most expensive tomato in Spain, will take place in Coín, with a tomato competition, tasting and auction, where not only professionals from the sector but also recently some celebrities come to get their hands on a box or two of tomatoes.
But there will also be tomatoes for everyday mortals! Specifically in the Plaza de la Alameda:
The Guadalhorce Farmers’ Association invites you to its Verbena Tomatera (Tomato Party) with live music, food, drink and, of course, lots of tomato in picadillo, gazpacho, meat with tomato, Huevo Toro tomato steaks, pinchitos with tomato and more.
- Further information
- When: 13 and 14 August
- How to get there
Gazpacho Festival – Alfarnatejo
Gazpacho is a typical summer dish served cold to combat the high temperatures, based on tomato, cucumber, pepper and olive oil.
We move to the high Axarquía on the eastern Costa del Sol, dotted with white villages of Arabic origin.
Alfarnatejo, with less than 400 inhabitants, is one of the highest villages in the province of Malaga, situated 900 metres above sea level.
On the first weekend in August it celebrates its unique Gazpacho festival, which is prepared in a peculiar and unique way in this village.
Visitors will be able to enjoy this refreshing delicacy and will also be accompanied by traditional Verbenas and Flamenco performances.
If you want to try it, it will be handed out for free on Saturday from 1.30 pm.
Interesting:
The scenic area of Alfarnatejo is also popularly known as the ‘Pyrenees of the South’, because of its impressive peaks of more than 1,600 that give the area an enormous visual richness.
- When: 2 August
- How to get there
Muscatel Grape Day – Iznate
Iznate is also located in the Axarquía. This white village of less than a thousand inhabitants is well known to produce the muscatel grape from which the famous sultanas and the typical wine are obtained.
The grape harvest takes place during the month of August. During the Fiesta de la Uva Moscatel the locals celebrate their grape harvest.
But there are not only grapes during this festivity. The inhabitants of the village go all out for their visitors, preparing typical dishes at home, which are then distributed along a gastronomic route through the streets of the village on stands decorated with typical farming objects and flowerpots. There will also be a craft market and live music.
- When: 9th August, from 8 pm onwards.
- How to get there
Wine Night – Cómpeta
Cómpeta is situated in the upper Axarquía, 630 metres above sea level. It is like a natural balcony that offers the visitor impressive views.
This village has also been dedicated to the cultivation of vines since ancient times. Every 15th August the village pays homage to its vine growers and invites to Migas with cod, arriera salad, muscatel grapes and local wine.
- When: 15 August
- How to get there
