Virgen del Carmen sea processions

July 16 is the feast of the patroness of fishermen, and every fishing quarter on the coast carries its image of the Virgin to the water. In Málaga's El Palo the procession leaves the parish church in the late afternoon and the Virgin boards a jábega, the traditional rowing boat, for a lap of the bay escorted by a flotilla; in Los Boliches the fishermen wade into the sea with the image on their shoulders. Estepona, Marbella, Fuengirola and Torremolinos all have their own versions, usually with fireworks after dark. It is free, deeply local and very crowded on the promenades, so arrive before 6 pm and stay for grilled sardines afterwards.

Recurs: annual, 16 July (some towns move the sea procession to the nearest weekend; up to 30 processions between Nerja and Manilva during the following ten days).