They are two of the indispensable products of the Mediterranean diet, and the most recognized of the gastronomy of Castellón. That is why, every year, the town located on the Costa del Azahar, north of Valencia, pays tribute to octopus and cuttlefish through its Gastronomic Days, which this year celebrate its ninth edition.

Until June 18, everyone who escapes to the small city open to the Mediterranean will have the opportunity to taste these two ingredients in the more than a dozen restaurants and bars in Castellón that participate in this event. It is another incentive to discover this municipality, unknown to many, surrounded by mountains and natural landscapes, with a privileged climate throughout the year.

The restaurants participating in the conference have created unique menus for the occasion in which octopus and cuttlefish from the marine waters of Castellón are the main ingredients. Octopus and cuttlefish rice, cuttlefish tornaeta al oli with pea cream, octopus and cuttlefish rice, rock octopus with potato sheet and aioli cream, octopus salpicón with vinaigrette, cuttlefish and prawn meatballs or octopus suquet and clochinas are some of the dishes in which each chef has deployed his particular vision to incorporate these tasty elements.

Rice from El Mirador del Port.

Among the outstanding restaurants that will participate in these days are: Casa Lola (Pº Buenavista, 5. Tel. 964 284 097), Casa Juanito (Bonavista, 11. Tel. 964 28 20 57), Casa Santiago (Bonavista, 36; Tel. 964 28 29 44), Tasca del Puerto (Av. del Port, 13; Tel. 964 28 44 81), Restaurante Mediterráneo (Bonavista, 46; Tel. 964 28 46 09), Ri&Co Restaurant (Avinguda de Castalia, 46; Tel. 964 28 62 53), Lo de Sancho (Canalejas, 53; Tel. 649 96 90 47), El Mirador Del Port (Treballadors del Mar s/n; Tel. 964 28 66 38), La Ballena (Bonavista, 4; Tel. 964 28 35 93), Nou Escull (Carrer d'Alcalà Galiano, 3; Tel. 964 28 16 19) and Brisamar (Bonavista, 26; Tel. 964 28 36 64). Each one, with its own style, will offer a different and conscientiously prepared culinary experience.

The menus are composed of three starters, a rice dish and carefully prepared desserts for an approximate price of between 35 and 40 euros per person, not including drinks (more information and reservations here).

Tourism

To lower the food, we recommend a walk through the historic center of the city (declared an Asset of Cultural Interest), starting with the Plaza Mayor, which presides over the Town Hall building, in classic Italian style (late seventeenth century), with a Tuscan façade and a porch with seven arches. Around this square are the most emblematic monuments of Castellón, such as the Cathedral of Santa María, a Gothic construction dating from the twelfth century and was destroyed in 1936. From the original temple there are three access doors and some ornamental elements. Another symbol of the city is the bell tower of El Fadrí (1440-1604), 60 meters high and octagonal structure, with 11 bells.

The tower-cmpanario El Fadrí and the co-cathedral of Santa María.

The old Lonja del Cáñamo (baroque building of the seventeenth century), today university headquarters; the Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, in a manor house of the eighteenth century; the Basilica of Lledó; the Old Casino (a palace of the eighteenth century); the Central Market, the neoclassical Episcopal Palace (s. XVIII) or the Liberal Wall, on the remains of the old medieval wall, are other jewels of the city.

For those who prefer to walk near the sea or lie in the sun on the beach, 4 km from the center is the Grao, the maritime district, whose nerve center is the Plaza del Mar. The lively area in which the fishing port is located has endless shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, as well as several essential enclaves such as the Moorish Building, of Arabic architecture, and the Castellón Lighthouse.

The marina.

Four kilometers of beaches follow one another to the neighboring Benicasim. El Pinar, with a recreational area, Gurugú and Serradal, with a dune protection area, are some of the most popular.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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