Costa Blanca is heaven for those who love fresh catch of the Mediterranean, over and above its golden beaches and scenic beauty being above why Costa Blanca remains famous in Spain. A place with a long history of fishermen, it is also heaven for sea food lovers in terms of the freshest and tastiest seafood. From lively fish markets to harborside restaurants, fresh catch on Costa Blanca defines any luscious foodie escapade. Be it prawns, clams, or hearty seafood paella, Costa Blanca has something for all the seafood enthusiasts out there. Let’s dive into the best seafood experiences in Costa Blanca .
Red Prawn of Denia: Jewel of Sea
The most precious seafood treasure in Costa Blanca is the Gamba Roja de Denia (Denia red prawn). This red, succulent crustacean is mainly prized for the sweetness of its flesh. It has been pronounced a local delicacy in the region. The red prawn often originates in the waters off the charming coastal town of Denia, whose annual Red Prawn Festival celebrates this seafood jewel.
Denia’s red prawns are often simply grilled and sprinkled with coarse sea salt, allowing their meaty flavor to prevail, although they are sometimes used in a more complex preparations-which could include incorporation into an upscale seafood platter-but can also be included in local rice dishes, for instance arroz a banda, in which the rice is actually cooked in a rich seafood broth. Denia’s restaurants boast of preparing this regional specialty, so you should visit the town to experience this celebrated prawn across the world.
Villajoyosa: Where Sea Meets Chocolate
While it is renowned for its wonderfully colored houses and chocolate heritage, this idyllic fishing town is also a haven for seafood enthusiasts. The best place to see the daily seafood auction is at the Villajoyosa Fish Market, where fishermen bring in their fresh catch directly from the Mediterranean. It is an exciting atmosphere and an experience to see the locals bidding on freshly caught fish and seafood.
An abundance of seafood, from the frequent appearance of octopus and squid to sardines and sea bream, occupies the Villajoyosa coastline. Menu specialties include grilled sardines or calamares a la plancha-grilled squid-of frequent accompaniment fresh-baked bread and local olive oil. Many of these seafood items appear very simply so the freshness stands out-a focus on quality and freshness of the ingredients rather than complex preparation methods.
Chocolate and seafood from Villajoyosa have been quite well accepted in the regional thinking, although it does sound a bit out of place. The local seafood is often used in the dessert menus to create unexpected yet delicious combinations.
Javea’s Fish Market: A Local Favorite
Another coastal gem in Costa Blanca is Javea, set between the stunning Montgó Mountain and the Mediterranean Sea. The town is famous for fresh seafood, and the Javea Fish Market sells a wide range of freshly caught local fish and seafood daily. Mussels, clams, monkfish, and mackerel have become regulars in a menu trying out every dish on its offering list.
Perhaps most famously of all, Javea is known for its fideuà, a Valencian version of paella but using short noodles instead of rice and stuffed full with seafood such as squid, prawns, and clams. It has a certain local flavor, and many seaside restaurants in Javea offer their own version. Served with a glass of good local white wine, this is an unforgettable seafood experience.
Calpe: Home of the Legendary Peix de Calp
Calpe is not merely a wonder of nature but a jewel for seafood enthusiasts as well. The town’s fishing fleet collects fresh catches on a daily basis, including Peix de Calp: fish and seafood such as tuna, mullet, and lobster. In the Lonja or fish auction house of Calpe, there is always a hot contest for the best freshwater fish caught on the day.
Sea food restaurants along the picturesque promenade at Calpe serve fresh grilled fish, seafood paella, and mixed platter with shrimp, mussels, and squid. To have the local flavor, try some “arroz del senyoret,” a seafood paella in which everything will be peeled and prepared to make eating easy, a choice favorite with locals and visitors alike.
Santa Pola: Anchovy, Sardines, and Seafood Galore
The Santa Pola Fish Market offers fresh fish of excellent quality and at reasonable prices. It is also one of the most important fishing ports in the Mediterranean. The town’s specialties include anchovies, sardines, and red mullet, sold throughout the year.
Stars of the show here are the anchovies and sardines, usually prepared in simple Mediterranean style—grilled or marinated in olive oil and lemon. Santa Pola is also well known for caldero, a traditional fisherman’s dish made with rockfish and rice, cooked in a rich flavorful broth. The main course is a humble dish but is an excellent highlight of the culinary scene of Santa Pola.
You can also go to seafood festivals during summer, especially when local chefs cook seafood with fresh catches. And if you get lucky, you might even catch a caldero cooking demonstration wherein the chefs will be cooking the dish on those massive cauldrons over an open flame.
Torrevieja: A Through Meld of Seafood Flavors
Torrevieja is now a busting town with a long history of fishing based on what was once a simple salt-mining village. It is indeed the place where one could taste the culture of the local seafood because at the Torrevieja Fish Market, everything-squid, octopus, cuttlefish, clams, and langoustines-is sold.
Among the specialties of the dishes from this region is zarzuela de mariscos-a very rich seafood stew, prepared with a whole variety of fish and shellfish, tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Costa Blanca was and continues to be like a melting pot for all that varied seafood flavor, and it bears out all over the dish. In many restaurants, alioli serves as a dip for served seafood accompanying grilled fish and shellfish.
Altea’s Marina: Seafood with a View
Altea is a small coastal resort town, picturesque with views and great seafood for sea lovers. Views of the Mediterranean Sea predominate the seafood restaurant-lined Marina in Altea. For the ideal, relaxing setting for seafood lunch or dinner, visit the Altea Marina. Fresh oysters, clams, and sea bass are specialties in many Altea restaurants, which prepare them to perfection and serve with many different sides from the Mediterranean.
Then, the Altea marina offers a wonderful place to try the pescaíto frito, a local delicacy prepared from lightly battered and fried small fish, with a squeeze of lemon. Enjoy your meal while gazing out at the view of the marina and the sparkling Mediterranean waters.
Conclusion
Costa Blanca’s significant fishing heritage and lively maritime culture indeed make it a seafood lover’s paradise. The Denia red prawns are world-famous, but the caldero in Santa Pola is a staple. Fresh seafood abounds throughout the region and pushes Mediterranean cuisine to its best. Whether it is a bustling fish market or trying seafood dishes at a festival at a seaside restaurant, Costa Blanca will impress you with its fresh and flavorful catch of the day.