Pego

Local Information

This hidden gem of the northern Costa Blanca, sandwiched between orange groves, marshes and nine mountain ranges, is just twenty minutes from the hustle and bustle of Dénia and yet feels like another world. Originally a Christian colony surrounded by walls to protect itself from Cataluña, Pego has much to offer the curious tourist.

You can enjoy an immense tranquillity and feel totally at one with nature whilst exploring the green valleys, mountains and Moorish ruins via the network of walkers’ routes to be found in the area.
Pego rice is said to be famous the world over, or at least it certainly is in this area. If you have ever eaten arroz a banda (a rice dish with the fish served separately) or arroz con costra (oven-baked egg rice) it was probably made from Pego’s local produce.

Pego’s most famous annual fiesta is the carnestoltes, which takes place on a Saturday the week before Lent and attract tourists by the busload from as far away as Valencia. The carnestoltes ends the following Saturday with the ‘Burying of the Sardine’, which begins with a slightly sombre, black-clad parade, and ends with a huge firework display and the Correfocs (where the residents run through the streets carrying lighted torches).