Puerto and Lonja de Calpe, don't miss them!

If you are going to visit this Mediterranean city, you will already know that it has many corners worth visiting, for example, the beautiful beaches and Calpe's coves and its charming old town. However, there is an area that may not be as popular, but you also need to discover it—we are talking about the Port and Fish Market of Calpe. In the following lines, we explain why you must not miss them.

Why should you visit the Port and Fish Market of Calpe?

The Port and the Fish Market of Calpe are a unique resource that you won't find in many other places in Spain the way you can experience it in Calpe. Additionally, Calpe is a town with a strong fishing tradition, so the port and fish market are part of its history and soul.

Calpe Port

The Calpe port has an excellent location, as it is situated at the foot of the Peñón de Ifach. Although we will later show you how to reach the area, using this iconic place of the town as a reference will be very helpful.

Besides the port, it also houses the Yacht Club, which offers modern and attractive facilities. Furthermore, it is the perfect place to hire a guided tour of the Port, allowing you to get to know the area thoroughly.

Undoubtedly, the Calpe Port deserves a visit, but especially, you cannot miss the true heart of the area—namely, The Fish Market of Calpe.

Fish Market of Calpe

The Fish Market of Calpe is located in the Port of this town and is one of the most emblematic places in the municipality. You cannot miss planning a visit if you want to learn about the origin of this town, which is still a fishing village. Additionally, it is where the daily fish auction takes place. Although time has passed, the ceremony has preserved its original essence.

It is important to note that many years ago, before the Port or the Fish Market existed, the fish auction was held on Levante Beach or Fossa Beach; the latter was the first anchorage of the town. Over time, the auction started to be held at the port’s pier.

As we mentioned, the current fish auction has not changed much over the years. It is still conducted aloud, with fish classified by species and weighed in arrobas—remember that one arroba equals 13 kilos.

Until the fish are sold, they are stored in baskets with ice to keep the products fresh. Going back a bit to the history of the Calpe Fish Market, we must remember that the first market was built in 1979 and was operational until 1991. It was precisely in that year that the current market building was constructed, providing a more practical and functional space that facilitated the work of fishermen and buyers.

Unlike other fish markets, the auction here is held in the evenings from Monday to Friday around five and usually lasts about three hours. During this time, you can see boats entering the port in an orderly fashion, following an entry number assigned beforehand on a rotating basis by the Fishermen’s Guild.

The first four boats are obliged to unload their catch before the auction begins, while the rest of the fleet will arrive at the port gradually throughout the afternoon.

There is a walkway-viewpoint inside the fish market from which you can observe the entire process. Once all the fish are unloaded into crates, they are placed on conveyor belts that pass in front of the buyers. Meanwhile, on electronic screens, information about each lot appears, including the boat’s name, auction turn, weight of the catch, and starting price.

Unlike other auctions, this starting price will gradually decrease, meaning it will be lowered until one of the buyers presses the button indicating they want to purchase the lot.

Previously, the Fisheries Guild itself established a minimum price. When that price is reached, if the fish haven't been purchased yet, it becomes their property. Once the fish have an owner, they are prepared for transport in perfect condition.

As you already know, the Fish Market is located next to Calpe Port. The best way to get there is by car, using the AP-7 or the N-332 national road. Once in the town, you should drive along the avenues bordering the coast until reaching the Avenida de Formentera or the Avenida del Port, which are very close to the Fish Market. Alternatively, if you are staying at one of our villas in Calpe.

Now you know why visiting the Port and Fish Market of Calpe is a must, so don't miss out.