Mostra de la Tonyina: Tuna Festival in Port de Pollença

Mostra de la Tonyina: Tuna Festival in Port de Pollença

23.05.2026 — At the harbor of Port de Pollença this weekend it smells of sea, grilled fish and fried onions. The small bay fills with stalls, cooking stations and rows of chairs; tourists in sun hats mix with regulars, fishermen in oil-stained jackets stack crates, and seagulls circle above the quay. The "Mostra de la Tonyina" is underway, the festival centered on the Balearic Islands' regional tuna.

What's on the program

The program includes live cooking shows where chefs transform pieces of tuna into new tapas, practical workshops for hobby cooks and families, as well as concerts with local live music. A main attraction are the ronqueo demonstrations, the traditional filleting of a tuna: today and tomorrow, Sunday, at 11:30 experts explain the individual cuts and show the traditional technique step by step. Anyone who has stood on the quay knows the calm excitement when the knife is set and the flesh is separated into juicy portions.

Why the festival matters

The fair is more than a folkloric event. It shines a light on a craft tradition, brings producers, chefs and guests together and creates demand for local products. Small restaurants along the harborfront, near the Passeig and Mollet promenades, serve special tuna tapas – from simple tartare to seared steaks – and use the days to connect directly with the catch. For many businesses the weekend is a welcome boost outside the high season; at the same time other island events, such as the Fira de Sant Tómas in Sineu, also enliven the rural towns.

Everyday view from the Paseo

If you stroll along the Paseo late in the morning you hear the clinking of plates, the murmur of customers and the occasional laughter of children playing by the water. The wooden fish crates on the quay are a reminder that real work lies behind the stalls: boats, nets, early hours at sea. An older fisherman, often seen on the pier, adjusts his cap and dryly says that no festival in the world can replace the taste of a fresh day's catch – and he's right.

What visitors can take away

The festival is a good place to get to know regional fish and to ask questions: How is tuna processed? Which parts are suitable for which preparations? What role does fishing play in the island economy? The demonstrations make technical knowledge accessible; the tastings provide the practical evidence. There are often child-friendly workshops for families, and the short cooking shows are ideal for visitors with limited time who want inspiration for home.

Looking ahead

The Mostra gives local producers visibility and brings a lively atmosphere to the harbor. When the festival winds down and the stalls are taken down, there is often a wish to keep the offerings more visible year-round: regular market dates, collaborations between restaurants and fishermen, or learn-from-the-fisher projects for schools. The weekend shows that tradition and everyday life on Mallorca can still go hand in hand – with a plate of tuna on your lap. There are also different celebrations across Mallorca, from the pirate battles in Pollenca and Sant Elm to the autumn Festes del Turista in Cala Millor.

Practical info: Ronqueo demonstrations today and on Sunday at 11:30. Several harbor establishments offer special tuna tapas. If you arrive by car, plan to come early; the town center and parking fill up quickly.