Hola! Welcome to Peniscola, one of Spain’s most beautiful coastal towns. It boasts a typical Mediterranean vibe with a charming old town full of white houses with blue ornaments and narrow cobblestone streets generously decorated with flowers. No wonder it was named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain! We won’t lie – this town stole our hearts in the blink of an eye. Keep reading and discover the best things to do in Peniscola. We hope it will win your heart too! Vamos!
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Peniscola, Spain FAQ
Peniscola is a small Spanish town located on Costa del Azahar in the Province of Castellon in Region of Valencia.
Absolutely! Peniscola is one of the most beautiful places in the Region of Valencia, definitely worth a visit. Whether you are into history, scenic beaches, delicious food, or charming old towns – Peniscola offers something for every type of traveler.
Peniscola is best known for its picturesque white old town, the unique house fully covered in shells, a medieval castle perched atop a small hill on Mediterranean shores, and beautiful sandy beaches perfect for sunseekers.
Things to do in Peniscola, Spain
Peniscola old town streets
One of the best things to do in Peniscola is to wander through its charming old town, located on a small rock overlooking the sea. Whitewashed houses, cobblestone streets, countless colorful flowers, and colorful shutters… All of that can be found here and creates a picture-perfect Mediterranean atmosphere. Just take your time, slowly discover the area, and don’t forget to take a peek at the side streets – they might hide some of the town’s most delightful secrets!
In Peniscola Old Town you’ll find places like the castle and its gardens, the House of Shells, El Bufador, the Church of the Virgin Ermitana, or the Lighthouse. Let’s go and take a closer look at them.
House of Shells
House of Shells (es. Casa de las Conchas) is one of the most unique and popular attractions in Peniscola. It’s a charming little house fully covered in shells, featuring beautiful Arabic-style windows. It was built in the ’60s by a local family of tour guides. Over the years, they collected a large number of shells, which they used to cover the facade of the house. Today, the House of Shells just can’t go unnoticed, and admiring it is one of the best things to do in Peniscola – don’t miss it!
El Bufador
El Bufador is another very interesting place in Peniscola. It’s a natural tunnel formed by waves that connect the city with the sea. It’s a dramatic sight when the sea is rough and the waves are big – the water floods into the cavity before whooshing out with great noise and force. When we were there it was very calm, but just look at this video – that’s rough!
Peniscola Castle
Visiting Peniscola Castle, which is also known as the Castle of Papa Luna, is another main attraction in Peniscola. This impressive 14th-century fortress was originally built by the Knights Templar on the remains of an old Arab citadel. Later it was converted into a papal palace and was home to Pope Benedict XIII (or rather antipope, also known as Papa Luna).
Peniscola Castle stands on a rocky hill 64 meters above the sea, right in the heart of the old town. Be sure to climb to the highest point to enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean and the town below – it’s one of the highlights of any visit to Peniscola! Also, just outside the entrance, you can spot a life-size statue of Papa Luna, a reminder of the castle’s fascinating papal history.
Entrance to Papa Luna Castle costs €5 for a normal ticket and €3.5 for a reduced one (May 2026). To check current prices and opening hours visit castillodepeniscola.dipcas.es website.
Travel tip. For amazing views over the Peniscola Castle from afar, head to the South Beach.
Church of the Virgin Ermitana
Church of the Virgin Ermitana is one of the most beautiful churches in Peniscola, attached to the castle walls. Built in 1717, this Baroque-style church is dedicated to the town’s patron, the Virgin of Ermitana, whose image is kept inside. It’s a must-see spot that blends history, faith, and stunning architecture in the heart of Peniscola old town.
Peniscola Lighthouse
Peniscola Lighthouse is located right next to the castle and was built in 1892. It’s only 11 meters high, but its signal reaches 56 kilometers, guiding sailors safely along the rocky coastline. Unfortunately, you can’t visit the lighthouse. But for similar views, be sure to visit Peniscola Castle.
Gardens of Peniscola Castle
Gardens of Peniscola Castle, also called Artillery Park, is a peaceful green space located right beside the castle. They offer stunning views of the town, the rocky coastline, and the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing stroll or memorable photos, and best of all, entrance is included with your castle ticket!
Fun fact. Artillery Park served as a filming location for Meereen in the famous Game Of Thrones TV show.
Peniscola walls and gates
In the 16th century, defensive walls were built around Peniscola old town to protect it from attacks by land. Three original gates still stand today: the Fosc Portal, the Portal of San Pedro, and the Puerta de Santa Maria, each offering a glimpse into the town’s rich history and architectural heritage.
Peniscola Beaches
Spending some time on one of town’s beautiful beaches is a must thing to do in Peniscola during any visit. The town is famous for its sandy shores, all offering stunning views over the surrounding coastline. The two most popular beaches are North Beach (Playa Norte) and South Beach (Playa Sur).
North Beach stretches for 5 kilometers, offering amazing views of the hilltop castle and old town – perfect for a long walk or sunbathing. South Beach is smaller and closer to the town center, providing a more relaxed, peaceful setting. Both beaches are ideal for enjoying the Mediterranean sun and sea.
How to get to Peniscola, Spain?
Peniscola is located about 70km from Castellon de la Plana, 150km from Valencia, 60km from Benicassim and 130km from Tarragona. The most convenient way to get to Peniscola is by car or by bus.
Where to park in Peniscola?
There are a few parking lots available in Peniscola, mostly paid ones. We left our car in this parking lot, only a 10-minute walk from the castle.
Airports near Peniscola
The closest airports to Peniscola are in Valencia (160km away) and Barcelona (215km away). From both airports, you can catch a train to Benicarlo, and then take a short ride by bus or taxi to Peniscola. To learn more about connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
To Peniscola by public transport
You can easily get to Peniscola from many places around by bus. For example, a trip from Castellón de la Plana will take about 50 minutes, 2 hours from Valencia, and 3 hours from Tarragona. To learn more about connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
Unfortunately, there is no train station in Peniscola. But from many places in southeast Spain you can arrive by train to the neighboring town of Benicarlo (only 7km away), and from it take a bus or taxi to Peniscola.
Camping in Peniscola
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camping La Volta, Camping Edén, or Camping Ferrer might interest you. They all are located close to Peniscola.
Explore local attractions
Things to do in Peniscola, Spain- Summing up
Peniscola offers a charming blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination on the Valencian coast. From exploring the medieval castle and wandering the picturesque old town streets to relaxing on sandy beaches and discovering unique spots like the House of Shells, there are endless things to do in Peniscola for every type of traveler. We hope that you’ll have an amazing time in this lovely coastal town and you’ll love it as much as we did. Enjoy!
Our opinion about Peniscola
For us, a visit to Peniscola was a day trip from Benicassim (combined with Morella and Ares del Maestrat), where we lived for a few weeks. We visited the town in late September and during that time there were still many other tourists around. In about 3 hours we explored all the places we had on our list and also spend some relaxing time on the beach.
Peniscola was the first Spanish white town we visited, and we fell in love with it in a blink of an eye. Perhaps that’s why it left such a lasting impression, but even after exploring dozens of other towns in Spain, it still ranks high on our personal list of favorites. Wandering through its charming streets, discovering hidden corners, and soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere was an absolute delight!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Peniscola?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Peniscola:
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