Benissa
Discover Benissa – an authentic Spanish town on the Costa Blanca
Benissa is about 15 minutes’ drive from Moraira, some 10 km, and it has two faces: a historic town inland, and a quiet stretch of coast with small coves between Moraira and Calpe. You can see both in one day: the market and the church in the morning, a walk along the coast and a swim in one of the calas in the afternoon.
The historic centre
Benissa’s landmark is the Església de la Puríssima Xiqueta, a neo-Gothic church built between 1902 and 1929. Because of its sheer size, with two bell towers, three aisles and an octagonal dome above the altar, it is known as the cathedral of the Marina. Around the church lies the old centre, with narrow streets and merchants’ houses. After the market, take the time to wander: the church and the streets around it are a few minutes from the stalls.
Església de la Puríssima Xiqueta
Location: the historic centre of Benissa
From Moraira: ± 15 min by car
Google Maps
The Saturday market
Every Saturday morning, from 8:00 until about 13:30, there is a weekly market in the centre. Vegetables, fruit and local produce are in Calle Sant Josep; clothes, shoes, accessories and plants in Calle Sant Nicolau and at Hort de Bordes. Coming early pays off: there is still somewhere to park and the choice is widest.
The Benissa coast
Less well known is that Benissa has a coast of its own, with small, partly rocky coves that are often quieter than the beaches at Moraira or Calpe. The best way to explore them is the Paseo Ecológico, a coastal path along the cliffs.
| Paseo Ecológico Benissa | |
|---|---|
| Length | about 3.5 km one way, some 100 m of ascent |
| Difficulty | easy, suitable for families |
| Duration | about an hour |
| Start | Tourist Info Benissa Playa (Aula del Mar), with a car park and toilets |
| Coves along the way | Les Bassetes, La Fustera, Pinets, Advocat, Llobella, Baladrar |
Cala de la Fustera is the best equipped cove, with facilities on the beach. Cala Advocat has a beach bar in season; Cala Llobella is rough and undeveloped. The car parks at Tourist Info and at La Fustera fill up quickly in summer. For the way back there is a free minibus, the Benibús, running between the urbanisations and the coves.
Start of the Paseo Ecológico
Address: Tourist Info Benissa Playa, Cala de la Fustera
From Moraira: ± 10–15 min by car
Google Maps
If you want lunch at La Fustera, there is more about Mandala Beach Bar in Benissa. A comparison with the other coves nearby is under beaches near Moraira, and more coastal paths under walking routes around Moraira.
Inland
Between Benissa, Teulada and Moraira lies a hilly landscape of vineyards, almond and olive trees and narrow country lanes. It makes a quiet route for a drive or a bike ride, and a number of wineries welcome visitors. There is more about that under visiting the vineyards.
Practical details for Benissa
Tourist Info Benissa
Address Avenida País Valencià 97, 03720 Benissa
Telephone +34 965 732 225, also on WhatsApp +34 627 307 511
Email benissa@touristinfo.net
Website benissa.es
Open Monday to Friday 9.30 to 16.30; Saturday 9.30 to 14.00; closed on Sunday; public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist Info Benissa Playa (on the coast)
Address Avenida la Marina 307, La Fustera urbanisation
Telephone +34 965 732 225
Note this is also the start of the coastal path, the Paseo Ecológico
Opening hours of what you will see
Basílica de la Puríssima Xiqueta
Address Carrer Fray Humilde Soria 3, Benissa
Telephone +34 965 730 169
Open Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 to 13.00; Sunday 10.00 to 12.00
Admission free, and wheelchair accessible
Nickname the cathedral of the Marina, because of its size in so small a town
Casa Museu dels Abargues
Address Carrer Desemparats 7, Benissa
Telephone +34 965 734 038
Open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10.00 to 14.00; closed on other days
Admission free
Two walks worth doing
Paseo Ecológico (the coastal path)
Length 3.5 kilometres, three quarters of an hour to an hour, easy
Start at Tourist Info Benissa Playa, Avenida la Marina 307
Along the way past the beaches of La Fustera, Cala dels Pinets, Cala de la Llobella and Platgeta de l’Advocat
Waymarking blue and white markers; the path ends at a fitness park with a sea view
Access free, a public path
Ruta dels Riuraus
Length 8.33 kilometres, about four and a half hours, moderately demanding
Ascent 90 metres
Start Plaça Rei Jaume I, 03720 Benissa
Along the way past eight traditional riuraus, the open barns in which raisins were once dried, and the Els Molins viewpoint
Weekly market
When Saturday from 8.00 to 13.30
Where Carrer San Nicolás and Hort de Bordes
Nearby in Moraira itself the market is on Friday
Benissa: vineyards around the corner
The countryside around Benissa, with its vineyards and quiet village roads, is practically around the corner from Calamora.
A maximum of 4 guests may stay here (infants not included).
You will not be charged yet
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Frequently asked questions about Benissa
Where is Benissa?
Benissa lies inland from Moraira, up against the hills, with a historic centre around a church that its sheer size earned the nickname “the cathedral of the Marina”.
When is the market in Benissa?
On Saturday morning, from 8:00 until about 13:30, there is a market in the centre: vegetables, fruit and local produce in Calle Sant Josep, and clothes, shoes and plants in Calle Sant Nicolau and at Hort de Bordes.
Does Benissa have beaches as well?
Yes. Benissa has a coastline of its own with small coves such as Cala Advocat and Cala Baladrar — quieter than the beaches of Moraira, and about ten minutes’ drive from Calamora.
Book your dream stay today
Calamora is a new apartment complex in the center of Moraira with a garden and swimming pool.
Calamora is beautifully situated on the central roundabout with the beautiful old olive tree.