Fira de la Gamba de Palamós (Prawn Fair)

The Palamós prawn is the reason this town turns up on chefs' shopping lists, and once a year the working port hands it over to the rest of us. Around fifteen stalls line the dock, manned by local restaurants and producers, all doing something with the same sweet red prawn — rice and noodle dishes, fish stew, croquettes, ravioli, even a croissant crowned with prawn tartare. Tasting tickets get you eating; wine and beer vendors keep things moving.

It helps that the setting is the real fish market, not a car park. You can tour a couple of the trawlers that land the catch, watch the auction where prices are still shouted out, and catch a cooking demo if you turn up early or late. Boat tours need booking ahead, but they're free. It usually runs each June, noon till late.