If you’ve spent too long on the Costa Blanca coast dodging inflatable flamingos and full English breakfasts, Benissa is like a cold beer in a shaded plaza. This is a place where you’re not listening to all different English accents, babbling on about cricket, football and politics, while wondering where sells Carling lager.
Perched just 10km inland from Calpe, Benissa Spain offers history, charm, cobbled streets, and views that don’t involve high-rise hotels or sunburnt tourists eating chips at 9am.
In short:
It’s where you go for a bit of authentic Spain without having to drive for hours inland.
🏰 A Brief History of Benissa (Without Putting You to Sleep)
✅ Benissa is one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca.
✅ First settled by the Moors, conquered by the Christians, then passed around various Spanish kingdoms like a hot potato for centuries.
✅ The Old Town still has medieval architecture, narrow alleyways, and even the odd Gothic arch if you know where to look.
✅ Bonus trivia for pub quizzes: The name “Benissa” comes from the Arabic for “Sons of Isa” (Ben-Issa).
🌟 What’s Benissa Best Known For?
✅ Its well-preserved Old Town with Gothic and Baroque architecture ( Convent de les Germanes Franciscanes de la Immaculada)
✅ The Catedral de la Marina Alta (Church of the Puríssima Xiqueta)—massive for a town this size
✅ Traditional festivals, like the famous Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians)
✅ Benissa Coastline—a surprising stretch of small, rocky coves and clear waters that most tourists miss entirely
✅ Gastronomy routes—if you like eating your way through a town, Benissa delivers.
🗺️ Where Exactly Is Benissa?
✅ Located in Alicante Province, within the Marina Alta region
✅ About 75 km north of Alicante, and 35 km south of Denia
✅ Roughly 10–15 minutes inland from Calpe and Moraira
✈️ How to Get to Benissa
By Air:
Nearest airports:
✅ Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) – About 1 hour by car
✅ Valencia Airport (VLC) – About 1 hour 20 minutes by car
By Train:
✅ The TRAM narrow gauge line from Alicante to Denia stops at Benissa station (although don’t expect high-speed luxury… it’s more like a scenic chugging experience).
✅ Book via Omio or Renfe Feve line info.
By Car:
✅ From Alicante: Take the AP-7 motorway, exit at Benissa
✅ From Valencia: Same motorway, head south towards Alicante
By Bus:
✅ ALSA buses run daily services from Alicante, Valencia, and Benidorm
✅ Cheap, fairly reliable, but limited at weekends and fiesta days. Check OMIO for times and buying tickets.
🚶♂️ Are There Tours To Benissa?
✅ Some Costa Blanca day tours include Benissa, often in combination with Jalón (Xaló) or Guadalest.
✅ Food and wine tours sometimes include Benissa during gastronomy festivals.
✅ Walking tours of the Old Town are available through local tourism offices or private guides.
✅ Check Viator, GetYourGuide, and local providers for options.
🏞️ Things To See and Do in Benissa Spain
✅ Old Town Walkabout:
Wander cobbled streets, spot Gothic windows, and enjoy not being surrounded by tacky souvenir shops.
✅ Church of the Puríssima Xiqueta:
Locals call it the “Cathedral of the Marina Alta” for good reason—it’s huge.
✅ Benissa Coastline:
Drive down towards Cala Baladrar, Cala Advocat, and Cala de la Fustera for snorkelling-friendly coves.
✅ Ethnological Museum:
Small but interesting—basically a love letter to Benissa’s agricultural and seafaring past.
✅ Fairs and Festivals:
If you catch the Moros y Cristianos festival (late June/early July), expect big parades, loud bangs, and locals dressed as warriors and kings.
✅ Hiking Trails:
Benissa Ecological Walk along the coast is short, easy, and full of sea views.
🍷 Food and Drink in Benissa: What To Try (And Where)
✅ Cocas (like mini pizzas, but more rustic and olive-oily)
✅ Embutidos (local sausages)
✅ Paella Valenciana (the proper rabbit-and-chicken version, not tourist seafood paella)
✅ Muscatel wine from nearby Teulada and Jalón valley
Where to eat?
- Bar Frau: Great tapas, very local
- Casa del Maco: If you’re feeling fancy (and flush)
- Restaurant Giró: Well-reviewed Mediterranean food with local focus
- Any bakery in the Old Town: For a mid-morning snack that’ll ruin your lunch plans
🏨 Where To Stay in Benissa
✅ Rural guesthouses (Casas Rurales) in and around the Old Town
✅ Boutique hotels with sea views along the Benissa Costa
✅ If you want nightlife and more restaurant options: Stay in Calpe or Moraira, then day-trip into Benissa
🕑 Best Time to Visit Benissa
✅ Spring (March–May): Flowers, festivals, perfect walking weather
✅ Autumn (September–November): Warm days, cool evenings
❌ July–August: Hot and crowded along the coast, though Old Town stays relatively peaceful
✅ Festival season (late June/July): If you like a bit of noise and spectacle
✅ Practical Tips for Visiting Benissa
✅ Park on the edge of town and walk in—Old Town streets are narrow and parking is a nightmare during busy times.
✅ Wear proper shoes—those cobbles don’t mix well with flip-flops.
✅ If you’re heading to the Benissa coast for the day, bring water, sunscreen, and some shade—the coves are gorgeous but light on facilities.
✅ Avoid Mondays for sightseeing—lots of small museums and shops are closed.
✅ Plan your lunch—restaurants fill quickly on weekends with locals doing their full 3-hour Sunday lunch thing.
🚩 Quick Practical Info
- Accessibility: Steep, cobbled streets—challenging for wheelchairs or pushchairs
- Family-friendly: Yes, but not a lot of “kid attractions”
- Dogs: Welcome on hiking trails, but check beach rules
- Public toilets: Available at the tourist office and some public areas
- WiFi: Good in most cafes and bars
✅ Useful Resources for Visiting Benissa Spain
- Official Benissa Tourism Site
- Google Maps Location
- Trains from Alicante – Rail Europe
- Local Bus Schedules – Omio
- Day Tours – GetYourGuide
Final Word:
“Benissa Spain is what the Costa Blanca looked like before tower blocks, karaoke bars, and English fry-ups took over. Come for the history, stay for the food… and bring your walking shoes.”
Even if you only do a single day visit here, you’ll enjoy a taste of traditional Spain.
