{"id":224206,"date":"2020-09-07T13:01:24","date_gmt":"2020-09-07T10:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alegria-realestate.com\/?p=224206"},"modified":"2025-08-14T20:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:08:48","slug":"benissa-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alegria-realestate.com\/en\/articles\/city-of-spain\/benissa-spain","title":{"rendered":"Benissa, Spain: a charming town nestled between sea and mountains"},"content":{"rendered":"

Benissa is a municipality in the Valencian Community, Spain. It is located in the northeast of the province of Alicante, in the heart of the Marina Alta. The wonderful views of the coastline stand out, with its 4 kilometres of coastline bathed by transparent waters, which invite you to bathe and practice water sports. Benissa has a population of about 11,288 inhabitants (2020 data), of which more than 40% are foreigners, mainly from European Union countries, mainly Germany and the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n

The municipality, with a surface area of 69.7 km2, is characterised by a very rectangular and square shape, with a very heterogeneous orography: from the coast, formed mostly by small coves and cliffs; to the mountainous areas, formed by the mountain ranges of Olt\u00e1, La Solana, La Malla Verda and the most outstanding, the Sierra de Bernia; as well as forests and natural parks.<\/p>\n

Also, thanks to its coastal location, the mountain peaks offer spectacular views of the sea. In fact, you can fully merge with nature through the numerous hiking trails, which are of varying levels of difficulty; ideal for taking in the beauty and tranquillity of the natural surroundings, as well as enjoying the fresh mountain air.<\/p>\n

Benissa also offers a wide range of leisure activities related to the sea: diving, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, all this, and much more!<\/p>\n

How to get to Benissa?<\/h2>\n

Nationally, through the national road N-332, which passes through the centre of the town; and with Europe through the AP-7 motorway with exit Benissa. It also has a wide network of trains and buses.<\/p>\n

Climate of Benissa<\/h2>\n

The climate in Benissa is practically the same as in all the towns in the Marina Alta: not very cold and mild in winter, not very rainy throughout the year, and hot in summer.<\/p>\n

History of Benissa<\/h2>\n

Benissa is one of the oldest towns in the Costa Blanca. In fact, there were settlements here long before Christ, as evidenced by prehistoric cave paintings.<\/p>\n

In addition, numerous archaeological finds (coins, amphorae, tools, jewellery, etc.) from the Roman and Arab periods have been made here. The origin of the place name Benisa is Arabic: Beni Isa or “sons of Isa”, a name of a tribe. The names of many of the municipality’s districts are also Arabic in origin: La Alfama, La R\u00e1pita, El Rafalet. This confirms the historical thesis that, in 1248, when the troops of James I of Aragon arrived to annex this area to the Kingdom of Valencia, there was already an important Arab population centre here.<\/p>\n

Benissa, along with Altea<\/a>, Calpe<\/a> and Teulada, were owned by Roger de Lauria’s lordship. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the town suffered numerous attacks by Barbary pirates. Its population was still predominantly Muslim, with the Muslims living mostly in the countryside and the Christians in the town centre. After the Muslims’ expulsion from the city in 1609, the liberated lands were settled by natives from the Pyrenees, Aragon and Catalonia. It was they who built the city wall.<\/p>\n

The history of this place is conducive to the mixture of ideas and cultures that is reflected in the character of its people, who are used to the union of brotherly peoples.<\/p>\n

Economy of Benissa<\/h2>\n

The main economic activity, which in the past was agriculture, is nowadays the service sector, based on tourism. It also has several industrial estates with numerous companies from different fields.<\/p>\n

The main sights of Benissa<\/h2>\n

\"\u0411\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0441\u0441\u0430,
\nTo walk through Benissa is to enjoy its cobbled streets with a medieval flavour, its Moorish-inspired trellises, and the stately mansions of its old mansions. It is, in short, to savour history and ancestral customs. Benissa has been able to pamper a well-kept town centre in which numerous buildings and monuments can be admired. Of particular note are the old Hospital, a shelter for the poor and needy since 1790, now the Town Hall, and two notable houses, the Andr\u00e9s and Pere Bigot houses, now the campus satellite University of Alicante. The owner of the latter was a Spanish emigrant who became rich in Latin America – his real name was Pedro Ivars Sala – who emigrated to the United States in 1917. He returned years later and dedicated his life to making the inhabitants of Benissa happy: he collected different objects and decorated his large house with them, he told endless anecdotes to children and young people about his American adventures, and he even delighted them with his accordion.<\/p>\n

From much further back dates another interesting palatial building, the Abargues House Museum, from the 18th and 19th centuries, which conserves many of its original elements and is a faithful reflection of the noble atmosphere of the period: coats of arms, staircases, chests, chairs, dining rooms, the old kitchen, the stable, the private chapel, the noble and servants bedrooms. The mansion is an authentic piece of history that transports us to the leisurely way of life of the noble Alicante families of the time.<\/p>\n

The historic centre of Benissa<\/h2>\n

You will discover its historical centre, with a marked medieval character, which will take you through its history from the Middle Ages to the present day, with its monuments and buildings of great value. Along this street, you will be able to see stately houses with latticed balconies.<\/p>\n

The Town Hall<\/h3>\n

It is located in the Plaza del Portal. It was the Town Hospital in 1790.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pur\u00edsima Xiqueta and San Pedro Ap\u00f3stol Parish Church<\/h3>\n

Also known as the Catedral de la Marina. It is a neo-Gothic style church with three naves, in which the beauty of the central dome and its altar stand out. The church was completed in 1929.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Plaza de la Iglesia Vieja<\/h3>\n

The church-fortress of San Pedro, built in the 14th century, is located here. It was restored in the 16th century and destroyed in the early 1950s. Today, the square is used for various cultural events.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

University of Alicante Satellite Campus<\/h3>\n

The educational complex was housed in several 18th-century palaces and stately homes, offering courses under the auspices of the University of Alicante.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

La Lonja Stock Exchange<\/h3>\n

This is the oldest monument in the municipality and dates back to the 16th century. Today, it houses exhibitions of great cultural and artistic value.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Riberero<\/h3>\n

\"\u0411\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0441\u0441\u0430,
\nA symbolic figure of the inhabitants of Benissa, who travelled twice a year to the coastal area of the Valencian Community to plant and harvest rice. The monument represents the figure of a man praying, as the ribereros traditionally prayed before setting off.<\/p>\n

Casa de la Cultura<\/h3>\n

The Torres Ordu\u00f1a Palace, which today houses the library, the exhibition hall, the auditorium and the assembly hall.<\/p>\n

House of Juan Vives<\/h3>\n

Legend has it that the owners of this house welcomed pilgrims who gave them an image of the Virgin Mary, who became the city’s patron saint.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Casa de la Juventud<\/h3>\n

Historically, it was a commercial building. Its ground floor was used for the weekly market. It was also the headquarters of the Town Hall until it was moved to its current location. Today it houses the Youth Information Centre (Centro de Informaci\u00f3n Juvenil CIJ), an exhibition hall and several auditoriums.<\/p>\n

Convent of the Franciscan Fathers<\/h3>\n

The convent, founded by Franciscan monks who settled in Benissa in 1611, was inaugurated on 23rd September 1613. The new monastery served as another bulwark against pirate attacks. It is a sturdy Renaissance building in a simple and austere style. It has a small museum inside, which exhibits various objects belonging to the monastery and gifts left by the monks who have visited it throughout its long history.<\/p>\n

Location, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Franciscan Monastery<\/h3>\n

This is where young men from all over the country studied: here, they completed the first part of their education for entry into the Franciscan order.<\/p>\n

Gastronomy of Benissa<\/h2>\n

\"\u0411\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0441\u0441\u0430,
\nIn Benissa, there is a saying, “El diumenge a Benissa, pilota i missa” which refers to the main traditional dish of the area, pilotas. It is also worth trying the “putxero de polp”, an octopus stew. The recipe is almost identical to that of a traditional stew; however, the meat is replaced by octopus. Like all coastal towns, in Benissa, you will find a wide variety of delicious fish and seafood specialities.<\/p>\n

Other specialities are “sang amb ceba” -blood with onion-, the traditional tortas (coques) cooked on high heat: “coques de mullador” or “coques al calf\u00f3”, and the “dacsa” -made with cod, vegetables and sausages-. One of Benissa’s gastronomic treasures is its traditional sausages, some of the best in the Marina Alta region. The most popular types of sausages, available in the local butcher’s shops, are botifarras, blanquets and bufa. It is also worth trying sobrassada del budell cular or sobrassada de gener.<\/p>\n

In the bakery and pastry section, it is essential to try the panous, pumpkin fritters, coca mar\u00eda, moniato or almond pastissets, aniseed or orange rotllets, rosegons (hard almond biscuits), tort\u00e0 (almond flour cake), the cured sausage and salted meats, the coca farcida stuffed with peas.<\/p>\n

As for wine, Benissa, as a municipality with a rich wine-growing history, offers a wide range of varieties to suit all tastes. We recommend paying special attention to the muscatel and mistelas. The outstanding development of wine growing in Benissa is due to its favourable location, between the sea and the mountains, and to the sea breeze, known as Llebeig, which keeps the climate cool in summer and mild in winter, favouring the cultivation of excellent grapes, particularly the native Muscat of Alexandria.<\/p>\n

The Wine Route<\/h2>\n

\"\"
\nIt connects the regions of Vinallopo (municipalities of Algue\u00f1a, Mon\u00f3var, Novelda, Petrer, Pinoso, Salinas, Villena and Elche) with the southern regions of Marina Alta and Marina Baixa (municipalities of Alcalal\u00ed), Benissa, Senija, Ll\u00edber, Benigembla, Parcent, Castell de Castells, Murla, Xal\u00f3 and the municipality of Alfas del Pi to the north.<\/p>\n

All the information about the itinerary can be found on the official website: rutadelvinodealicante.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Benissa Festivities<\/h2>\n

Benissa’s main fiesta is the festivities in honour of the town’s patron saint, the Pur\u00edssima Xiqueta (the Pur\u00edssima Ni\u00f1a). It starts on the fourth Sunday of April and lasts ten days. During this festivity, there are free concerts, Bous al Carrer” (bulls in the street), religious processions, and much more.<\/p>\n

It is also celebrated in Benissa:<\/p>\n