A coastal town on Spain's Orange Blossom Coast, with 6 km of sandy beaches and a 19th-century villa district. Home to the annual FIB music festival since 1995.
Benicàssim stretches along Spain's eastern Mediterranean coast, with five sandy beaches below the Desert de les Palmes mountains. Walk past 1900s Art Nouveau villas on the seafront promenade, hike to the ruins of 10th-century Montornés Castle, or cycle the Via Verde path to spot hidden coves and cliffs. In summer, the town comes alive with the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB), bringing international music acts to this coastal corner of Spain.
Getting to Benicàssim
Three airports serve Benicàssim: Castellon (20 minutes by car), Valencia (1 hour), and Reus (1.5 hours). Regular trains and buses connect the town to major Spanish cities from Castellón de la Plana, 13 km south.
Five Blue Flag Beaches
The 6km coastline includes five distinct beaches. At Voramar Beach, swim in calm waters or relax on fine sand near the villa-lined promenade. A 16th-century watchtower overlooks Sant Vicent Tower Beach. Els Terrers Beach includes volleyball courts and transforms into an open-air cinema in summer evenings. Heliopolis and Almadrava beaches extend the shoreline with wide sandy stretches and swimming areas.
Art Nouveau Villa Route
Follow the signposted Villa Route along the beachfront to see over 50 Art Nouveau summer houses built between 1890 and 1930. Look for wrought-iron balconies, ceramic tiles, and decorated facades that earned the town its local nickname "the Valencian Biarritz." Each villa has an information panel explaining its history and architectural details.
Desert de les Palmes Natural Park
The Desert de les Palmes mountain range rises to 729 meters above sea level. Walking trails lead to Montornés Castle, where the remaining 10th-century Arab fortress walls frame views of the coastline. The park includes a former Carmelite monastery, and on clear days you can see the Columbretes Islands from several viewpoints.
Via Verde Coastal Path
Cycle or walk the 5.5-kilometer paved Via Verde path to Oropesa del Mar. This converted railway line follows the coastline past rocky coves and cliff edges. Stop at designated rest areas to watch boats pass or spot seabirds.
Music Festivals and Events
Since 1995, the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB) has drawn rock, pop, and electronic music fans to the town each summer. The annual calendar also includes the Rototom Sunsplash reggae festival. During the Night of San Juan in June, locals light bonfires on the beaches to celebrate the summer solstice.
Local Food and Drinks
Visit the Carmelite monastery's distillery, operating since 1896, to taste their herb-based Carmelitano liqueur. Local restaurants serve Mediterranean dishes, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and traditional rice dishes including paella valenciana.
