Peñíscola has so many sides to it. There’s the Peñíscola of the beaches, the old town, the castle, and the restaurants—with or without a terrace. And then there’s the port, which has a bit of all of them.
Yes, yes, Peñíscola’s fishing port is one of the most attractive on the Costa de Azahar and one of the city’s most visited spots. Want to see it?
How to get to Peñíscola Port and what to do there
The port is at the southern end of the seafront promenade, very close to the old town and the access to Peñíscola Castle. If you’re staying in town, chances are you can walk there from your accommodation with no problem.
Coming by car? There are several parking areas nearby, although in high season it’s quite hard to find a free spot around here.
And since we’ve already warned you that parking is difficult, how about coming on foot? That way you can also take the opportunity to explore the area around the port, which has endless things to do.
#1 Learn about the tradition of Peñíscola’s fishing port
Peñíscola Port still keeps its long-standing seafaring activity—just with a few modern touches. In fact, it has a fantastic fish market where every afternoon the fish the boats have just brought in from the sea is auctioned—cuttlefish, red mullet, prawns, and mantis shrimp changing hands before ending up in the city’s restaurants.
Peñíscola has always been a town with a seafaring and farming tradition and, although tourism is now the city’s economic engine, fishing remains a fundamental part of its identity.
Hundreds of fishing families have passed the trade down from parents to children, and you can see it in the large number of boats that head out at dawn and return in the afternoon with whatever the sea has provided that day.
#2 Admire the views—another plus of Peñíscola’s fishing port
What not everyone knows is that Peñíscola Port is practically at the foot of Peñíscola Castle.
This fortress, built by the Templars between 1294 and 1307 on an Arab alcazaba, and which centuries later became the residence of Pope Benedict XIII—the famous Pope Luna, who gave Spanish the expression “mantenerse en sus trece”—sits on the rock right above the pier.
The result of this layout—port, castle, sea, and walls—is a picture-perfect scene that even the people of Peñíscola never get tired of. What a marvel!
What’s more, the Templar construction has the honor of having been a papal seat—a title held only by the Vatican, the Palais des Papes in Avignon, and this rock on the Costa de Azahar.
#3 Enjoy the local cuisine
Peñíscola’s fish market is one of five in the province of Castellón and, as we mentioned earlier, it’s the one that supplies the city’s restaurants with fresh fish. The auction starts around 4 PM with trammel nets and small-scale gear, followed by trawling, and you can taste the results that very night on the menus of the port’s bars and restaurants, as well as those in the center of Peñíscola.
If you fancy a tasty fish suquet, an all i pebre with monkfish and prawns, an arrossejat—a typical fishermen’s rice dish—a fideuà, rice with mantis shrimp, or a portion of punxenc snails, you’ll find them on the port restaurants’ menus—absolutely, for sure!
Some of the places you’ll come across in the area that offer variety and quality are La Mar Salá, Loalba, Boca, and Vista al Mar.
What to see and do in Peñíscola around the port area
After visiting the port, walk along the Peñíscola seafront promenade; this seven-kilometer stretch connects it with the rest of the city, and if you do it on a Tuesday afternoon, you can also enjoy the countless stalls set up for the weekly Peñíscola market.
Along the way, you’ll be able to make the most of the sea views and the many terraces dotted along the coast. A little stop, perhaps?
And once you’ve done the route, head into the old town of Peñíscola by crossing the fortress, stop by the Plaza de Armas, walk the walls, enjoy panoramic views, and learn a bit more about the history of Pope Luna.
Just outside the city—though very close—is the Sierra de Irta Natural Park, with attractions such as Torre Badum, an old Arab watchtower, and plenty of hiking routes.
And if you happen to be around here with kids—or even without them—take note, because there are two more highlights to see in Peñíscola. One is the Peñíscola Labyrinth, the largest in Spain with more than 4,000 plants and three kilometers of paths, and the other is the Parrot Garden, a zoological park with more than 50 species of parrots and macaws in semi-freedom.
You have no excuse not to visit Peñíscola Port
You can’t fool us—everything we’ve told you about Peñíscola Port and its surroundings has you hooked. In fact, you’re probably already dying to come and spend your vacation here.
The problem? Finding accommodation is always tough because you don’t know who to book with or whether it’ll turn out to be a dud.
Well, this time forget that dilemma and comparing different private owners and companies, because at Orange Costa we have a wide variety of apartments, houses, villas, and studios to choose from. It sounds like a lot, but with just a few clicks on the filters you’ll find the perfect one for you.
Let no one say we don’t make it easy for you to come and discover Peñíscola Port!
