One of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca, Benissa is much more than just another pleasant seaside resort. Although it is home to many small coves and beaches, the landscape here is much rockier than other parts of the coast; which also has the advantage of keeping the worst of the crowds away in the summer months. Although they are often quieter, the beaches here still offer the usual water sports activities that are popular with tourists, particularly scuba diving in the deep rocky pools that are found just offshore. Benissa is only a few kilometres along the coast from Benidorm and its various theme parks and family attractions, and there is a good bus and railway service to take you into the town. You can stay in the relative peace and quiet of Benissa, knowing that all the amenities of the larger resort are not too far away.
Benissa's main attraction is undoubtedly the old town, which perches nearly 300m above sea level on the rocky cliff top. The narrow medieval streets and churches have been well preserved and remain pretty much unaltered allowing tourists to take a break from the beach and the sun and enjoy some culture in the shade. In particular, the large Neo-Gothic church, also called the “Catedral de la Marina” is worth a visit. Many of the chapels are dedicated to the safety of local fishermen or in remembrance of those who lost their lives on the sea. Although Benissa was originally little more than a village, it has expanded in recent years and now provides a healthy variety of different restaurants and cuisines, with the emphasis on local specialities rather than British imports.
Unsurprisingly for such a historic town, Benissa is also home to festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year, many of which are unique to the local area and well worth taking part in if you happen to be there at the right time of year. In January, locals hold a medieval fair, with performances of music and theatre, exhibitions and specialist markets, while the Moros i Cristians festival in June commemorates battles between the two sides, with re-enactments, children's activities and fireworks. Perhaps the most spectacular of all Benissa's festivals takes place in April, celebrating the town's patron saint with sporting competitions, music, a procession through the old town streets and a running of the bulls, similar to the more famous version in Pamplona.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Benissa? Then below is a selection of apartments in Benissa and villas in Benissa that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
