Benissa, Spain: The Historic Town, Beaches and Coastal Walk

Discovering Benissa, Costa Blanca (Spain).

Benissa is a historical town on the northern Costa Blanca, in Spain. Walk along the coastal paths to a series of pebble coves and sandy beaches beside the Mediterranean Sea.

Benissa on the Costa Blanca

The municipality of Benissa is an attractive area of the Costa Blanca that reaches from the Sierra Bernia mountains to the Mediterranean Sea.  If you’ve driven along this stretch of the main N-332 road, passing through the busy town you may have caught a glimpse of the imposing church.

See our Related Post: Travel Guide to the Costa Blanca

Benissa Old Town

Stop awhile and discover the fascinating historic centre – the city was walled in the medieval age to protect the townsfolk from marauding pirates although little evidence remains today. Walk around the charming back streets and pretty plazas where time seems to stand still.

The notable historical legacy includes remarkable buildings such as the Town Hall (originally a hospital, 1790), Marina Alta University (XVIII century noblemen’s homes), Sala del Consell (XVI wheat grain warehouse), the Abargues Museum (XVIII-XIX century palatial residence and chapel), Library and Cultural Centre (XVI century palace), the Purissima Concepcion Franciscan Convent with a beautiful bell tower (1613) and the adjacent Franciscano Seminary (1915), and the Puríssima Xiqueta Church (1902) known as the ‘Cathedral’ of the Marina Alta.

Benissa is renowned for its excellent restaurants, trendy cocktails bars, traditional taverns, and eateries serving regional cuisine. A long list of cultural events and local festivities includes an agenda of concerts.

A celebrated three-day multicultural festival featuring colourful parades, traditional dancing and music, folklore and craftwork, and typical food tastings is held biannually by international residents over the first weekend in October.

Benissa Coast

A short drive away you can enjoy the four kilometres of Benissa Coast, pine clad hillsides with picnic areas, abrupt cliffs with panoramic views, sandy bays and pristine pebble coves.

Benissa Beaches

Benissa Beaches from north to south:

Look out for turnoff signs to the various beaches on the Moraira to Calpe coast road. You can walk from one beach to another paddling through shallow water and scrambling across rocks, or following the coastal footpath most of the way. We usually park our car near Cala Baladrar which we use as a base for a day out.

Cala Baladrar, Benissa

Cala Baladrar is an attractive pebble cove protected by cliffs and divided from Goleta cove by a rocky ledge. A picturesque setting with green pine trees reflecting on the clear aquamarine sea it’s an ideal place for relaxing or snorkelling.

There’s a popular ‘chiringuito’ restaurant set among shady pines on the cliff top with marvellous views overlooking the beach – which is reached down a flight of stone steps – and also a picnic area.

L´Advocat Beach, Benissa

L´Advocat beach is not far away – you’ll recognise it by the jetty and the small esplanade. The sandy beach is great for children and there’s a beach bar café in the summertime. By chance, local fiestas were being held on the day we were there – a typical band was playing and trestle tables were set out ready for an alfresco feast!

Cala de la Llobella

Cala de la Llobella is a small, quiet pebble cove where pine trees reach down to the sea, great for nature lovers and snorkelling.

Cala Pinets, Benissa

Cala Pinets is 10 minutes walk away – a rocky cove with pebble and sand. Just before you reach this beach you’ll see the ‘Mar Morta’ below the coastal path. The ‘dead sea’ is a long shallow rock pool running parallel to the sea – a great place for kids to have fun and paddle.

La Fustera, Benissa

La Fustera is Benissa’s most popular beach – a sheltered sandy bay with blue flag status, it’s a child-friendly beach with amenities for all the family: play zone, picnic areas under the trees, beach bar, seafront restaurants, lifeguards and tourist info booth. You can drive to the beach or walk down from the footpath which continues either side of the bay.

Les Bassetes Beach, Benissa

Les Bassetes beach is sheltered by a ridge of sandstone which forms part of a natural leisure harbour. Basettes yacht club and the diving school offer a range of nautical activities. A waterfront restaurant has terraces with panoramic views across the transparent turquoise sea, towards the Peñon de Ifach in Calpe.

Read our Related Post: Why Calpe Is A Must-See on Costa Blanca

Benissa Eco Trail

A scenic ‘eco trail’ path starts in Cala de la Llobella, following the coastline southwards towards neighbouring Calpe; a pleasant walk for all the family past shady picnic areas and rock pools. Information panels describe the local flora and fauna.

The yearly ‘Trobada D’art a la Mar’ is a most unusual exhibition – artists paint different views of the seascape from the vicinity of Fustera beach, which are then on public display beside the coastal path (approx. September 20 till October 20).

Benissa Country Walks

The surrounding countryside surrounding Benissa is ideal for walking – mountain hikes, nature trails and a number of routes through rural areas where you learn about past traditions.

See our related post on Costa Blanca Walks and Mountain Hikes

Walk to the chapels in outlying hamlets and villages within a 9 kilometre radius of the town centre; six were built in the XIX century, while Santa Ana chapel dates back to 1613. Distances: Santa Ana 1km, Benimarraig 2.5 km, Benimarco 4km, Lleus 5km, Pedramala 5km, Pinos 9km.

PR-CV 340 Sierra de Olta – 2 hour, 7km circular route, beautiful mountain and sea views.

PR-CV 7 Sierra de Bèrnia 3 hours 30 min., 8km. Medium to difficult walk around the Bernia Mountain south of Benissa. Takes in the Font de Bernia natural water spring, Forat ‘tunnel’ (a natural hollow in the mountainside through to the southern face) then the path continues to the ruins of Bernia Fort. It’s a wonderful hike with stunning views over Altea, and most of the Marina Baixa.

PR-CV La Solana 5.5 horas, 19.5km – easy walk, can be done in stages. Itinerary through Vall de Pop includes the rural towns of Benissa, Senija, Llíber, Xaló, Alcalalí, Parcent, Murla, Benigembla and Castell de Castells. Discover the traditional rural way of life which evolved over the centuries along the banks of the Xaló River.

PR-CV 388 Ruta dels Riberers (old road to Valencia) 4 horas, 14km. Enjoy the stunning views over the Marina Alta, as you walk along the Mallà Verda to the Font de la Mata natural spring.

SL-CV 136 Ruta del Molí del Quisi – easy 3 hour walk, 8.7km. The Molí del Quisi is a restored water mill (XV century). Other interesting sites along the way include: the public washing house Llavador del Pou d’Avall, Santa Ana Chapel, El Riurau del Tio Joan de Vallesa, and the Quisi bridge.

Benissa Markets

• Fruit and vegetable market on Saturday mornings;
• Organic produce market: 2nd Saturday of the month 09-14.00 (not July or August).

How to Get to Benissa:

By Road: AP-7 motorway (exit 63);
By train: Alicante to Denia TRAM stops in Benissa;
By Bus: ALSA bus service Alicante-Valencia (3 stops in the town centre);
Nearest airports: Alicante 80 km. Valencia 110 km.

Useful info on Benissa

See the official Benissa Tourist Info Site.

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