Get know Peñíscola

The town of Peñíscola, in the north of Valencia, has a privileged location on the Spanish Mediterranean. The municipality measures some 79km2, 17km of which stretch along the coast. The territory is given over in equal parts to forest and warm-weather Mediterranean crops, including the emblematic oranges, olives and almonds.

The old town—crowned by a 14th century castle-fortress that was once the home of Pope Benedict XIII—stands on an imposing rock that rises 64m above the azure seas. It is connected to the mainland by a thin sandbar that waves used to wash over during storms, turning the town into an ephemeral island.

Contrasting with the old town are the modern streets and avenues of the tourist area. In summer and autumn, warm waters bathe the extensive, fine sandy beaches to the north of the citadel and the pretty coves flanked by steep cliffs to the south.