The “milana” with a sardine was actor Paco Rabal’s favourite snack!

May 2026 in Águilas features the latest in a series of events commemorating the birth of the town’s most famous son, the internationally renowned cinema Francisco (“Paco”) Rabal, who would have been 100 years old on 8th March this year, with the presentation of a tapas route featuring one of his favourite local specialities, “torta de pimentón”.

“Pimentón” is the typical Murcian round red pepper or paprika which is dried out and ground to make a rich, pungent red pepper, with a deep colour and a smoky flavour. It is used in many recipes, but one of the most typical of southern Murcia is Torta de Pimiento (or Pimentón), which can be purchased in virtually any bakers baking and selling its own bread. It’s typically sold in slices, consisting of a bread base made using olive oil and lots of ground red pepper within the mix, creating a warm, satisfying product.

Often eaten alone as a snack, it is also fabulous with plump tomatoes, finely sliced red onions drizzled with olive oil, oregano and salt, olives, Spanish hams or oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel or dorado.

With a sardine it is sometimes known as a “Milana”, and this was reportedly Paco Rabal’s favourite snack!

And it is the Torta de Pimentón which is the star of the show in this tapas route lasting from 13^th to 31^st May, accompanied in general by a sardine and a glass of local wine to attract people to one of the most typical snacks in the countryside of south-western Murcia. At each establishment taking part the price of a portion is set at 3.50 euros (including the glass of wine), with visitors welcome at Bamboo, Casa Don Gato, Centro de Interpretación Cuatro Calas Costa Azul, Ibense, La Taberna Mediática, La Veleta, Miramar (Calabardina), Mi Barquito, Panadería Artesanal La Colegiala, Poseidón, Ramonetero, Tío del Puro, El Sombrerico, El Tiburón and El Varadero.

In addition, on 17th May a special “Ruta Rabaliana” is being held, consisting of a cultural tour concerned with Paco Rabal and the traditions of the Marina de Cope area. The tour begins at the fishing port of Águilas and continues to the actor’s birthplace in the tiny hamlet of Cuesta de Gos, where there is, inevitably a portion of torta de pimentón with a sardine and a glass of wine awaiting participants.

From there, it’s back to the Casa de la Cultura Francisco Rabal and the Taberna Mediática for a plate of salted “melva” with tomato!

Bookings for this tour can be made by email through info@hosteaguilas.com or online here and registration costs 15 euros per person.

Source: Hosteaguilas

For more local events, news and visiting information, contact the tourist office of Águilas (telephone 968 493285) or go to the home page of Águilas Today.

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