When & Where: The Friday before July 16, on Itsasalde and Juan XXIII Streets.
The Día de la Sardina of Santurtzi is a traditional and popular celebration on the Basque coast. Held every July, this festival pays homage to the town’s maritime roots and to the sardine, an emblematic symbol of Santurtzi’s fishing heritage. Located on the left bank of the Nervión Estuary, near Bilbao, Santurtzi has been historically linked to the sea and to the work of generations of fishermen and fishmongers (sardineras), who gave the town its distinctive character and identity.
The celebration forms part of the Santurtzi festivities, which takes place around the feast of the Virgin of Carmen, the patron saint of sailors. The Día de la Sardina stands out as the most anticipated event, attracting thousands of visitors to the port area and the surrounding streets. The main activity consists of the grilling and distribution of freshly caught sardines, prepared in the open air by local associations and volunteers. The aroma of grilled fish fills the waterfront, creating a festive and communal atmosphere where residents and visitors gather to enjoy simple, traditional food and local music.
Throughout the day, the town hosts a variety of activities linked to maritime culture, including boat parades, fishing exhibitions, concerts, and children’s workshops. Traditional songs and dances add to the sense of celebration, while the figure of the “sardinera”, dressed in the typical blue attire of the local fish sellers, remains a central symbol of the event and a tribute to the women who once sold sardines throughout the region.
Posted on October 29, 2025
