Benissa Old Town

Benissa Old Town is a gem hidden in plain sight. It’s easy to drive through on the N332, the national road that connect Valencia to Alicante, but it has much to commend a visit. The obvious place to start would be the magnificentchurch at the heart of the historic centre, the Parròquia Puríssima Xiqueta i Sant PereApòstol with its stunning altar and stained-glass windows, numerous side chapels and attractive vaulted ceiling. The church is a peaceful sanctuaryfrom the busy road that flanks its southern façade but do take time to explore the narrow streets and squares nearby where you can find cafes, shops and interesting architecture. Here you will find an interesting little museum called the Casa Museo Abargues. Set within a typical townhouse, the house retains much of its original furniture and fittings and is an insight into the lives of local merchants of the 19^th Century.

Towards the coast…

Benissa town lies at the heart of the commercial and historical centre of an area that extends all the way to the coast. On the way to the sea, you will drive through truly beautiful countryside with both traditional and ultra-modern properties jostling for those desired sea or mountain views. Closer to your destination, the vistas open to spectacular proportions, with views on your left all the way beyond Calpe to the Sierra Bernia Mountains that separates the Marina Alta with the Marina Baja. To the left, taking in a wide expanse of blue Mediterranean Sea, your eyes will rest upon the delightful resort of Moraira with its attractive yacht marina and Club Nautica.

Down at the edge of the sea, the coastline is mostly rugged because this is where the mountains meet the sea in a spectacular jumble of rock formations and pine forests with pretty coves for bathing. Leaving the car at the Benissa Tourist Office, there is a way to see this area up close by walking the so-called Paseo Ecológico, the Ecological Route. Take a map from the office and set off in either direction to walk the two parts of this 5-kilometre route which is child-friendly and not too strenuous.

Fustera Beach

First stop on the southern section of the walk is Fustera Beach, a lovely family bay backed by cliffs and pinetrees and with super soft small grained white sand and crystal-clear water. There are two beach bars and restaurants, bathrooms, playground, picnic area, lifeguard, nautical activities and access for people with mobility difficulties. Sufficient parking except at the height of the season.

Les Bassetes

Between La Fustera beach and Les Bassetes cove, you’ll find the remains of an old limestone quarry whose extracts were used to build the historic buildings of Benissa in the 16th century.

At the Bassetes Yacht Club you can enjoy wonderful views across to the Peñon de Ifach at the heart of Calpe.This is a great place to indulge in a variety of water sports, such as diving or snorkelling. The restaurant serves dishes such as paella and tapas as well as pizza, pasta and fish dishes. If you continue the path, you will reach the coves and beaches of Calpe.

Fun Fact - Posidonia

Did you know that the Oceanic Posidonia isa marine plant with flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, roots and stems? Exclusive to the Mediterranean Sea, the presence of Posidonia indicates good seawater quality, since it needs clear, clean, well-oxygenated and pollution-freewaters. Look out for the Posidonia meadows on your walk. In fact, this area is classified as a plant micro-reserve with species such as cat's head rockrose, a small spherical bush with floral buttons reminiscent of the head of a cat, and the Thymus zygis, also known inthe region as "Pebrella". It’s also possible to see sea tomatoes, a type of anemones of very intense red colour, which when closed resemble tomatoes.

Cala dels Pinets

North from the Tourist Office you will reach Cala dels Pinets, a small cove of boulders and rocks with an interesting geological history. Its calm and shallow waters make it a favourite with children for pond dipping with a net. Close by is an area Called Mar Morta i Roques Negres (Dead Sea and Black Rocks). The first owes its name to a small low level enclosure of sea that is protected by rocks from the waves. Next to it we have Les Roques Negres, which are rock formations with ferruginous components that give it a unique ochre-reddish hue.

Cala la Llobella

Along the path towards Moraira is Cala la Llobella, the wildest and most rugged of them all and where nature exists in its purest form. The cala is ideal for snorkelling.

Cala Advocat

Next stop is Cala Advocat, a small sandy beach with a breakwater along which you can walk and a beach bar for a refreshing drink.

Cala Baladrar

Finally, you will arrive at Cala Baladrar witha lively beach bar where you can eat, dine, have a cocktail and enjoy live music. The cove opens like a balcony towards the sea, between cliffs and with pine trees peeking out into the blue. To access it you have to descend some stairs and, already at sea level, a rocky inlet divides the cove into two sections: the Baladrar and the Goletainlets. The cove is protected from the Levante wind and its shallow depth, crystal clear waters and abundant marine fauna and flora make it perfect for diving.

Golf

Benissa has a golf course which is located on a hillside not far from the resort centre. San Jaime Golf Club is a nine-hole sixty par course.