Best things to see and do in Benicàssim

Around the 15th century, the coasts of what we know today as the province of Castellón were frequently assaulted by corsairs and Barbary pirates who terrorised the population. It is known that there were a total of 16 watchtowers scattered along the coastline, which were used to predict the arrival of suspicious vessels and to be on the alert for possible attacks.

The Tower of San Vicente is located on the beach of the same name and was built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style, and is still in very good condition.

In the interior of Benicasim you can't miss the more than 3,000 hectares of unspoilt nature of the Desierto de las Palmas, so called because of the abundance of palm heart in the area and protected by law for more than 20 years as a place of high ecological value.

Undoubtedly, the viewpoints from where you can enjoy the best panoramic views of Benicasim and the surrounding area are a must-see. The Desert offers many options to discover it such as horse riding, cycling, cultural trails, lush vegetation, two monasteries, hermitages, caves, caves, fountains and springs....

Built in 1694 and destroyed a few years later, only the ruins of the original building remain, which gave way to another one located on the highest part of the mountain, where the Discalced Carmelite friars have lived since 1784.

The Desierto de las Palmas is not known as a desert because there is sand, but because in the Carmelite Order this is traditionally the name given to places where convents are located isolated from nearby towns. It is a very quiet place in which to find peace through meditation or prayer.

The Monastery's archives, library and museum are the most important cultural assets of the Desierto de las Palmas. Among its collections are preserved more than 600 works of art, documents and books of great historical value, despite having suffered numerous episodes of destruction and plundering over the centuries.

An enormous documentary and bibliographic collection that acts as a chronicler of the area and which the monks strive to study, catalogue and conserve, bearing witness to the historical and cultural relevance of the Monastery.

Liqueur Carmelitano and Muscatel wine are two drinks with a deep-rooted tradition in the town of Benicasim, dating back to their production by the Carmelite religious community of the Desierto de las Palmas Monastery in the 17th century.

The Bodegas Carmelitano Museum is located in the heart of the town and is the perfect place to learn how these special spirits have been made for centuries, as well as to attend tastings and samplings.

Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, a select group of businessmen from Castellón and Valencia chose Benicasim as their holiday destination, turning the then unspoilt bay into what was known as the "Valencian Biarritz" due to the construction of numerous villas of great beauty and architectural richness in the modernist style.

Villa Pilar was the first to be built, owned by the engineer in charge of the railway works, who decided to build a villa for his wife to live in during the works. The villas are divided into two areas: the "Inferno" area, which owes its name to the scandalous parties held by its neighbours, and the "Corte Celestial" area, which is distinguished by the calmness of its streets. The two areas are separated by the Comín gardens, popularly known as "El Limbo".

Located right in the centre of Benicasim, this is the main church in the municipality and its construction was completed in 1776 in the neoclassical style. The interior of the church has a Latin cross floor plan and the main altar is dedicated to Santo Tomás de Villanueva, patron saint of the town. The walls are decorated with frescoes by the painter Camarón from Segovia, as well as the painting on the dome.

The patron saint's festivities are held around the church in September, with different folkloric and popular events.

On one of the highest peaks of the Desierto de las Palmas Natural Park is the old Montornés Castle, whose origins date back to the 10th century, when it formed part of an ancient Arab defensive complex. Nowadays, only a few ruins remain, far removed from the splendid past of yesteryear.

Its history through the centuries goes hand in hand with wars and conquests and, according to legend, it was even occupied after a pitched battle by the Cid Campeador.

Music festivals are part of the DNA of the town of Benicàssim and the town council wanted to pay tribute to all the attendees with this nice gesture.

On Castellón Avenue, there is an outstanding bronze sculpture that symbolises those who attend the Benicàssim International Festival (FIB) every summer. The work, made by sculptor José Manuel García Cerveró, consists of a woman wearing a backpack and a cap with the festival logo.

The Columbretes Islands are one of the archipelagos of greatest ecological interest in the Mediterranean. It is made up of a series of islets located 30 miles off the coast of Castellón (about 56 km). Its name comes from the enormous number of snakes that inhabited these islands when they were discovered. They were even set on fire in the 19th century to get rid of them.

Nowadays it is possible to go on boat trips from the main ports of the province to spend a day hiking and bathing in a unique environment.

The path that links Oropesa del Mar and Benicasim is a 5.7 km. route built on the old railway line, which has now disappeared, along the coast.

It is a flat route that can be done both on foot and by bicycle. It also has rest and recreation areas to contemplate the beautiful landscapes such as Monte Bovalar, the coves of Renegà or Bellver or the watchtowers of Cordà and Colomera. A plan not to be missed.