Pickup Times

• 09:15 Torremolinos
• 09:25 24H
• 09:30 Minerva
• 09:35 Arroyo
• 10:00 Fuengirola Fairground
• 10:15 Cala de Mijas
• Return time 17:00

The same Atlantic village that celebrates its tuna every spring turns its attention to beef every autumn. Specifically, to the retinto — a breed of cattle native to the region, raised on the pastures between the Atlantic coast and the hills of Cádiz, and considered some of the finest beef in Andalucía.

The Ruta del Retinto works exactly like the Ruta del Atún: around 40 local restaurants each create an original tapa showcasing the beef, you pick up a guide at the town centre, and you wander from place to place at your own pace. Tapas cost around €5-6.

And wandering is easy — Zahara is one of the best villages in Andalucía for a tapas trail precisely because everything is so compact. Restaurants are clustered together, often just a few metres apart. No navigating a sprawling city centre, no getting lost. Just a relaxed afternoon moving from tapa to tapa with a fantastic atmosphere and some of the best beef in the region.

When you need a break from eating, there's the beach — one of the finest on the entire Costa de la Luz, stretching for kilometres with wide Atlantic views and crystal-clear water.

If you missed the tuna festival, this is your second chance to discover one of the best villages on the Atlantic coast.

HOW IT WORKS

• Pick up the official tapas guide at the town centre
• Wander from restaurant to restaurant at your own pace
• Try as many tapas as you like and vote for your favourite