Benitachell (cast. Benitachell, val. El Poble Nou de Benitatxell) is a picturesque Spanish town nestled amidst bays and cliffs in the northeastern part of Alicante province, in the Marina Alta region, on the northern Costa Blanca.
Key Information:
- Total Area: 12.7 km²
- Population: 4,276 (total), 2,552 (foreigners)
- Coastline: Approximately 2 km
- Nearest International Airports: Alicante (Aeropuerto de Alicante-Elche, ALC) – 92 km, Valencia (Aeropuerto de Valencia–Manises, VLC/LEVC) – 130 km
- Nearest Resorts: Jávea – 7.5 km, Calpe – 16 km, Dénia – 19 km, Altea – 28 km
- Municipality Website: elpoblenoudebenitatxell.com
History of Benitachell
Thanks to archaeological excavations near the Cueva del Moro (Moor’s Cave), scientists have established that the lands along this coast were inhabited as early as 18,000 years ago. The artifacts found indicate that the area of modern Benitachell, which traces its origins back to the Bronze Age, was home to settlements of Iberians, Roman conquerors, and Muslims who invaded in the early 8th century. According to one theory, the town’s name, Benitagell, may derive from this Muslim period, with the prefix “beni” possibly meaning “son” in Arabic, while the meaning of the second part of the word remains a mystery. The Muslims built a small fortress in the town, which served both as a lookout tower and a shelter for locals during attacks, of which there were many in the town’s history.
After the invasion of the troops of Aragon and Castile led by Jaime I the Conqueror (Jaime I el Conquistador) in 1244, the Arabs were forced to abandon these territories.
The subsequent Christianization was far from peaceful, and Benitachell was repeatedly subjected to destruction. It was not until 1698 that the town was rebuilt, and residents began to return. Since the settlement had to be almost entirely reconstructed, it was named Poble Nou de Benitachell (New Village of Benitachell). However, as there was no “Old Benitachell,” the town later reverted to being simply called Benitachell. Nevertheless, the official name in the Valencian dialect remains Poble Nou de Benitachell.
Economy, Gastronomy, and Tourism in Benitachell
The key sectors of Benitachell’s economy are agriculture and tourism. The surrounding area is filled with citrus orchards and a variety of vegetables. Since Roman times, winemaking has thrived here, and today the Moscatel (Muscat) grape variety is cultivated, used to produce homemade wines, raisins, and a local liqueur called mistela. In addition to raisins, almonds are frequently used in traditional desserts, with popular local sweets including Coca-María, Caspell con pasas y almendras, Pastissets, and the Easter treat Monas de Pascua.
As in the rest of the Valencian Community, Benitachell is known for preparing paella with seafood and meat, as well as other rice and fish dishes. Popular local dishes include Cruet (a dish made with rockfish), Calamars farcits amb blanque (stuffed squid), and Putxero de Polp (octopus stew).
Since the mid-20th century and the beginning of the new millennium, the service sector in Benitachell, as well as throughout the Costa Blanca, has experienced rapid growth. This was driven by increased tourist interest in the region, particularly from European citizens. Nowadays, EU residents frequently visit Benitachell to spend their retirement years in a beautiful and cozy place, surrounded by picturesque mountain and sea landscapes, in peace and safety.
The town’s popularity has led to a near doubling of its population over the past twenty years: from 2,312 in 2000 to 4,276 in 2019, with more than half of the residents being foreigners, predominantly of European origin.
Attractions in Benitachell
Benitachell is a town of not only stunning natural beauty but also fascinating historical landmarks.
The town center is situated on elevated terrain and retains the structure of a typical Mediterranean village, with most buildings reminiscent of Arab quarters featuring narrow, sloping streets on small hills. The walls of Benitachell’s earliest houses were connected to the church walls, forming a single fortified structure with two entrances, one of which still remains today.
Church of Santa María Magdalena (La Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena)
This majestic 18th-century structure is the town’s main attraction. The exterior is designed in a neo-Baroque style with classical features, and the beautiful dome, covered with white and blue tiles, is visible from nearly every point in the town.
The interior of the Church of Santa María Magdalena is simple yet refined and elegant. At its center stands an altar with a figure of the town’s patron saint.
Jaime Llobell Chapel (Oratorio de San Jaime Apóstol)
This is another architectural highlight of Benitachell. The historic structure consists of a small chapel, an inner courtyard, and former classrooms. The building dates back to the late 19th century.
Before heading out to explore the natural attractions, it’s worth paying attention to some man-made structures. For example, there are the so-called “caves” (las Cuevas) – small stone buildings attached to the cliff walls.
Another notable sight is the “pesqueras”, artificial structures made of ropes and ladders. In the past, local fishermen used these to descend the cliffs at night to catch fish. Boat tours along the Benitachell coast are organized to showcase these unique constructions in all their splendor.
Benitachell’s Coastline and Beaches
Benitachell’s coastline is exceptionally beautiful, with its beaches and coves, and its landscape is rich with unique features:
- Cala del Moraig: A cove approximately 250 m long and 40 m wide on average. It is easily accessible by road and offers tourist services.
- Cala de Llebeig: A cove about 100 m long and 10 m wide on average. Unlike Cala del Moraig, it cannot be reached directly by car, but it is accessible on foot.
- Cala dels Testos: A cove around 150 m long and 100 m wide on average. There is no road access by car, but a walking route is available.
- Cova dels Arcs: A cave located on the southern side of Cala del Moraig, formed due to the drainage of karst layers. Over time, this coastal cave transformed into an underwater one, with its walls shaped by the waves into impressive coastal arches.
- Falla del Moraig: This fault line runs parallel to Cala del Moraig, crosses the Cova dels Arcs cave, and reaches the sea. When descending the road to Cala del Moraig, a path on the right leads to a viewpoint where the surface of the Falla del Moraig fault can be observed.
- Moraig Underground River or Riu Blanc: This river flows deep within the caves, carrying its waters into the channel of the Benissa River. It has a wide main channel that later branches out. Studies by underwater speleologists indicate 2 km of passages reaching depths of 60 m below sea level.
- La Basenilla Fault: A rounded fault with vertical walls, containing numerous large fallen stone blocks inside.
Various exciting routes of different difficulty levels have been developed for exploring the caves, coves, grottos, and faults. The most popular ones include:
- La Ruta de los Acantilados (The Cliffs Route)
- La Ruta De La Falla (The Fault Route)
- La Ruta del Barranco dels Testos (The Testos Ravine Route)
- La Ruta Submarina (The Underwater Route)
For diving enthusiasts, the mysterious underwater cave Cueva Submarina de los Arcos (Los Arcos Underwater Cave) is a must-visit.
Festivals in Benitachell
It’s impossible to imagine vibrant Spain without its numerous fiestas, and Benitachell is no exception. The town’s festive calendar includes the following events:
- Holy Week (La Semana Santa): Colorful Easter processions, held from late March to early April.
- Rose Festival (La Fiesta de La Rosa): This fiesta begins on the first weekend of May and lasts for an entire week.
- Moors and Christians (Los Moros y Cristianos): A carnival-style parade takes place on the second weekend of July, on the day of Saint Sebastian.
- Patron Saint Festivals (Las Fiestas Patronales): Celebrations honoring the town’s patron saints, held from July 22 to 31.
- Christmas Market (El Mercado de Navidad): Organized on the Sunday before Christmas (Domingo antes de Navidad), featuring a rich fair of local products and plenty of traditional sweets.
Real Estate in Benitachell
According to data from the idealista portal for June 2025, the average cost of housing in Benitachell was 3,295 €/m². Despite the challenging global situation due to the coronavirus, property prices here have not only remained stable but have also shown slight growth: +0.5% over the past month, +3.6% over the past quarter, and +5.6% over the past year.
The average cost of apartments in Benitachell is: one-bedroom – around 180,000 €; two-bedroom – 300,000 €; three-bedroom – 550,000 €.
A cozy three-room bungalow with mountain views costs from 500,000 €, a villa with a garden and a community pool starts at 700,000 €, and a chalet with a stunning sea view begins at 800,000 €.
