Benicàssim is a municipality and sea resort located in the province of Castelló, Valencian Community, Spain. Benicassim is located 13 km north of the town of Castelló de la Plana.
It’s a popular part of the Costa del Azahar of the Mediterranean resorts of Spain.
Tourism and main attractions
Parish Church of Santo Tomás de Villanueva. Built at the initiative of Francisco Pérez Bayer. It is Neoclassical in style. Its interior is decorated with works by José Camarón Bonanat. It was built between 1769 and 1776.
Monastery of the Discalced Carmelites (Monestir dels Pares Carmelites del Desert de les Palmes). Located in the Desert of Las Palmas. Contrary to its name, this is a national park surrounded by greenery. The medieval Carmelites found peace and solitude here. You can spend a night in the monastery. The monastery has a Carmelite Museum, which, among other things, shows the history of the production of the famous liqueur.
Bartolo’s Cross. Built on top of the mountain (Muntanya Bartolo) in 1902, and later in 1984 on the Bartolo ridge.
Montornés Castle (Castell de Montornés). Defensive system of the Muslims. In the 13th century it was besieged and taken by Jaime I the Conqueror (1233).
Tower of San Vicente. It was one of the 18 watchtowers along the coast of what is now the province of Castellón, and whose mission was to guard and defend its coasts. The interior is accessed through a single door, which is one meter above ground level. It was renovated inside and outside in 2018. Open to visitors.
The villages. The coastal area, where numerous summer houses began to appear at the end of the 19th century. The first of these was Vil·la Pila. Almost immediately, other summer residences of Valencian families began to appear. Today in this area, in addition to old villas, you can see a varied and complete tourist infrastructure: hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, nightclubs, café bars, etc.
Villa Victoria: Palatial building in the Valencian modernist style from 1911.
Festivals
Festivities of San Antonio Abad. The patron saint festivities are celebrated on January 17, dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Águeda. Paella Day is celebrated in Santo Tomás street and surrounding areas.
FIB (International Festival of Benicasim). It is a mass event of international fame sponsored by the Provincial Council, where its central interest is independent music, although it also welcomes other types of arts such as dance and cinema among others. It is celebrated in the middle of July, when thousands of young people from all over the world come together during the four days of the event.
International Classical Guitar Competition “Francisco Tárrega”. It is held annually between August and September. It is, after the one in Paris, the oldest classical guitar competition in the world.
Saint Thomas of Villanueva. The festivities in honor of the patron saint of the parish church are held during the week that includes September 22, with typical and popular events.
The Benicàssim MABE Art Show is organized by the City Council of this town and the Artevalencia Association. It is celebrated in Benicàssim on an annual basis.
Beaches
Voramar beach. Blue Flag beach located in the residential area of the promenade. Its situation allows to contemplate the villas of the early 20th century for which Benicàssim was known as the “Biarritz de Levante“.
Almadrava beach. This beach preserves this name in reference to the fact that one of these fishing devices used to be installed on it. It is the extension to the south of Voramar beach, so its characteristics are similar.
Torre de San Vicent beach. Also known as Torreón beach, named after the watchtower that dominates it. It is one of the busiest beaches in summer and all year round. Its embankment was reconstructed and turned into a pedestrian zone in 2012. Awarded with the Blue Flag.
Els Terrers beach. A place for sailing lovers. There are many villas on the beach. The owner of one of the first villas had direct access to the sea and a small private port, known by sailors as the “Portet de Carpi”.
Eurosol beach. This beach is located between “Els Terrers” and “Heliópolis”. Awarded with the distinctive Blue Flag.
Heliópolis Beach. It is an example of the urban growth that took place in the 60s of the 20th century. Along an extensive promenade and bike path of more than 2.5 km. Awarded with the distinctive Blue Flag.
Restaurants
There are no Michelin list restaurants in the city.
Transport
By car:
From Valencia 57 min (86.1 km) via AP-7
From Barcelona 2 hr 41 min (264 km) via AP-7
From Madrid 4 hr 24 min (433 km) via A-3
The nearest international airport is in Valencia.
The small Castellón Airport offers charter and general aviation services, as well as scheduled passenger services to London, Bucharest and Poznań.
The new Castellón-Costa Azahar airport, designed to serve international flights, was opened in 2011.
Main information
Area: 36 sq. km (municipality)
Coordinates: 40°03′19″N 0°03′51″W
Population: 18 360 (municipality)
Languages: Spanish, Valencian
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
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