Bolonia Village Fair

Bolonia is barely a village - a scatter of houses, a few chiringuitos, the great pale dune and the Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia looking out over the strait. For a few days each June the locals throw their feria, and it's about as far from a city fiesta as you can get. Expect a handful of casetas, plates of fried fish and cold beer, a band working through sevillanas while couples dance, and kids running about until late.

It's small, and that's the whole point. You come for the beach and the ruins anyway, so timing a visit to coincide gives you a warm, slightly chaotic local party as a bonus. Bring cash, go hungry, and don't expect anything polished - just a good night out by the sea with people who actually live here.