Benissa
Many people are attracted to Spain because of its beautiful beaches, bustling coastal resorts and vibrant cities. But, there is another side to this country; one where peace and tranquillity reign, nature is abundant and once you’re there, it feels like time has stood still.
This is what it’s like in the pretty, inland town of Benissa, which is located on the Costa Blanca, close to the more well-known holiday resorts of Calpe and Jávea.
The town of Benissa is situated 275m above sea level and is not as tourism-driven as some of its neighbours such as Calpe, Altea or Jávea. For those that prefer to see the ‘real’ Spain and how inhabitants of rural areas really live, a visit to Benissa would be perfect.
Mountainous area
The landscape that dominates this area is predominantly mountainous, giving rise to plenty of challenging walks, hikes and bike rides for those that revel in this type of environment. You can easily spend a full day climbing and exploring the mountain ranges in the Benissa area, which at their highest reach 1,200m in the Sierra de Bérnia. Other ranges in Benissa include La Solana, Oltá and Malla Verda. From the top of any of these mountain ranges, the stunning views of the panorama below are a sight to behold and encompass rich valleys, tiny whitewashed villages, terraced vineyards and even the coast in the in the distance.
Beaches
While Benissa is not a coastal resort and is found inland, the municipality itself does possess 4km of beautiful coastline that is mainly made up of hidden coves, small bays and rocky cliffs. The beaches themselves are largely unspoilt and protected from the masses of tourists, yet several of them are popular for practising varied water sports activities including snorkelling, scuba diving and sailing.
The most popular beach in the municipality of Benissa is La Fustera. This is a pretty little cove where the sea is a spectacular turquoise colour, although the seabed is pretty stony. There is a great walk across the surrounding cliff areas known as El Paseo Ecológico, or The Ecological Walk, which provides you with an opportunity to really take in the beauty of the area.
Other local beaches include Cala Advocat, Cala del Baladrar, Les Bassetes, Cala de la Llobella, Cap Blanc and Cala Els Pinets.
For those that prefer larger, sandier beaches with a wider range of bars, restaurants and activities, especially for children, Calpe and Moraira are just a short drive away in the car.
Property in Benissa
Being an inland area with a lot of open space and one that is not built-up with holiday homes, you will find many fincas with huge plots of land, country houses and luxury villas for sale in Benissa. They are generally very spacious, quiet, well-built and great value for money taking into consideration the close proximity of the coastal region. Property prices here are much lower than in nearby towns that are perhaps more popular with foreign buyers. The great thing about properties in the northern Costa Blanca is the variety of styles and construction, where each property is unique, has its own character and, in many cases, are very quirky. The town of Benissa has a fantastic range of apartments, townhouses, old-style traditional Spanish houses containing inside patios, and modern luxury flats, all interspersed with each other. Click here to view our portfolio of properties in Benissa.
History
Benissa is a town that is steeped in history and it has been shaped by all the different races that have settled there over the years, all of whom have left their mark in one way or another. Remnants and artefacts discovered in the area indicate that Benissa was inhabited during prehistoric times, although the history of the town dates back to Iberian times. The Romans also settled here, yet the town takes its name from the Arabs, who christened it Beni-Hisa, meaning “sons of Christ”. The Muslims conquered this region and settled in Benissa during the 8th century, and after five centuries of reign in this part of Spain, they were defeated and Benissa was returned to being a Christian Kingdom in 1248. Nevertheless, many Muslims continued to populate the area until the early 17th century and lived harmoniously with Christian settlers from other regions of Spain, such as Catalonia and Aragon.
Benissa town centre
The town of Benissa itself is very old and historic in nature. The main square depicts its medieval roots through the surrounding buildings and narrow cobbled streets that lead off from it. Many of the houses in the old quarter are whitewashed, have wrought iron balconies and pretty hanging baskets of flowers decorating each one. Many of the porches are of Moorish design and all the windows of the buildings are protected by the traditional ‘reja’ or bars.
Places to visit
If you are interested in finding out more about the history of Benissa, there are plenty of monuments and historic sites to visit.
• Iglesia de la Puríssima Xiqueta (Neo-gothic cathedral also known as Catedral de la Marina)
• Calle Desamparados (Good example of Benissa’s medieval character)
• Convento de los Padres Franciscanos (Franciscan convent)
• Museo Etnológico (Ethnological museum)
• Palacio de Torres-Orduña
• The town hall (old hospital)
• Lonja de Concentración
• Casal dels Joves (16th century building)
• La Torreta de Canor (Old defensive tower)
Highlighted properties in Costa Blanca North:
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Land in Benissa
Costa Blanca North, Spain200,000 €
10796m2
Farm in the area Canor , paved roads, open views to the sea , the mountains , very quiet.
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Detached Villa in Benissa
Costa Blanca North, Spain890,000 €
3
2
138m2
800m2
Located in Benissa, surrounded by nature and located in a strategic place, very close to the Baladrar, Advocat and Fustera coves and just 10 minutes from Calpe and Moraira. A development in which villa has been designed that are...
Click for more about this property -
Detached Villa in Benissa
Costa Blanca North, Spain2,595,000 €Click for more about this property
4
4
548m2
960m2
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