During our 6-week stay in the Province of Castellon we lived in Benicassim, a small and peaceful coastal town that’s perfect for relaxed beach holidays. It also makes a great home base for travelers and digital nomads looking to explore the beautiful Costa del Azahar. While a list of things to do in Benicassim itself isn’t too long, the good news is that there are several fantastic places to visit nearby! So, if you’re feeling a bit bored after days of sunbathing on Benicassim’s beaches, keep reading and discover amazing one-day trip ideas from Benicassim, Spain. All within 1.5 hours by car. Ready? Let’s go!

This website uses affiliate links thanks to which we may earn a commission for purchases you made at no additional cost to you. If you like the content, consider using those links to support us. Thank you!
Benicassim, Spain FAQ
Benicassim is located in the Province of Castellon in the Valencian Community on the Mediterranean coast known as Costa del Azahar. It’s just about 15km from Castellon de la Plana and 85km from Valencia.
Benicassim is best known for its warm sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and delightful blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Town also boasts nice hiking trails in the nearby mountains, and it’s home to the world-famous FIB music festival (Festival Internacional de Benicàssim) that attracts artists and visitors from around the globe.
Yes, absolutely! Especially if you’re looking for a peaceful holiday destination that’s not overcrowded with tourists. Benicassim offers a nice mix of amazing sandy beaches, crystal-clear Mediterranean waters, and scenic mountain backdrops. It’s a place where you can really unwind. For us, Benicassim remains one of our favorite places in Spain that we’ve lived during our digital nomad journey.
The closest airport to Benicassim is located in Valencia, about 90km away. The next ones are in Barcelona (260km away) and Alicante (270km away).


One-day trip ideas from Benicassim, Spain
Via Verde del Mar
Via Verde del Mar is a fantastic option for an outdoor activity for people of all ages and physical abilities (including people with reduced mobility). Rough seashore views, blue sea, sharp cliffs, hidden coves, pine woods, watchtowers… Via Verde has it all among its 5.6 km long path (one way). The best thing about this one-day trip idea? If living in Benicassim, you won’t even need to get into a car to get to the beginning of this picturesque route!


Desert de les Palmes Natural Park
Desert de les Palmes Natural Park is located only about 10km away from Benicassim town center. If you love spending time in nature, walking, hiking, or cycling – this place will be perfect for you. Spectacular views over Benicassim and Costa de Azahar are guaranteed from the various viewpoints in the park, or even the highest mountain peak (Bartolo, 729m a.s.l).


Peniscola
Peniscola is located about 60km from Benicassim. This white village with a typical Mediterranean charm can steal your heart in the blink of an eye! Whitewashed houses with blue ornaments and decorated with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets, charming squares, a house entirely covered in shells, a castle, and lovely beaches are waiting for you there. No wonder Peniscola was named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain! Without a doubt, it’s one of the best one-day trip ideas from Benicassim – don’t miss it!


Ares del Maestrat
Ares del Maestrat is a tiny, remote, and very charming village located about 85 km from Benicassim. It’s perched at an altitude of 1195 meters above sea level, which gives the village the title of the second highest town in the Valencia region! From various viewpoints, you’ll be treated with breathtaking views over the village and its surroundings. Add to that a picturesque old town filled with cobbled streets and traditional stone houses, and you’ve got a perfect destination for a scenic one-day trip idea from Benicassim!
Travel tip. A trip to Ares del Maestrat can be easily combined with a visit to Morella.


Morella
Morella is located about 120 km from Benicassim and is one of the most scenic day trips you can take in the region. This small and remote medieval town was officially named one of the prettiest villages in Spain in 2013 – and it’s really easy to understand why! Morella is wonderfully preserved, surrounded by impressive stone walls and crowned by a castle perched at an altitude of over 1000m a.s.l. The town looks amazing, both from a distance and from the inside of the walls.
Travel tip. A trip to Morella can be easily combined with a visit to Ares del Maestrat.


Valencia
Valencia is located about 80km from Benicassim. It’s the third-largest city in Spain and the birthplace of the world-famous paella dish. There, hundreds of years of fascinating history blend with modern times very smoothly. Even though Valencia offers striking architecture, magnificent beaches, a beautiful old town, and fantastic food, it’s often overlooked by many travelers. But some huge advantage comes with it – fewer tourists and smaller crowds than in other popular nearby destinations!


Castellon de la Plana
Castellon de la Plana, the province’s capital city, is located only 15km from Benicassim. The city is divided into three areas: the historic city center, the harbor, and the modern neighborhoods. In the historic center, you’ll find points of interest like Fadri Tower, the Cathedral of Santa María, the main square – Plaza Mayor, Ribalta Park, the Museum of Fine Arts of Castellon, and Mercat Central de Castello. For beach time, head to beautiful sandy Platja del Pinar or Platja del Gurugú.


Onda
Onda is located 35 km from Benicassim and only 20km from Castellon de la Plana, making it a perfect destination for a half-day or full-day trip. This historic town boasts a rich monumental heritage and a long tradition in the production of ceramics. The highlight is undoubtedly the 10th-century Castle of Onda, often referred to as the “castle of 300 towers”, which offers panoramic views and a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past. Also, take time to wander through Onda’s historic center, where you’ll find lovely streets, traditional architecture, and a peaceful, authentic atmosphere.
Travel tip. A trip to Onda can be easily combined with a visit to Castellon de la Plana.


Festival Benicassim – FIB music festival
Festival Internacional de Benicassim (FIB) is a renowned annual music festival that has taken place in Benicassim since 1995. For 4 days, starting every second Thursday of July, the Benicassim concert venue turns into a huge scene for various artists from all over the world playing different music genres. The Arctic Monkeys, The Chemical Brothers, Depeche Mode, Muse, The Cure, and The Offspring are just a few of the famous names that performed there.
So if you’ll be visiting Benicassim in mid-July, that might be one more great thing to do here. And if the Benicassim Festival is your main goal, you can use all the above day trip ideas to fill your free time before and/or after the concerts.
One-day trip ideas from Benicassim, Spain – Summing up & our TOP3
As you can see now, there are so many beautiful places to discover near Benicassim. We hope that this post was helpful, and now you’re one step closer to choosing the places you’d like to visit. Enjoy your time during one-day trips from Benicassim and share your experience in the comments.
As for us, Benicassim was our very first stop during our digital nomads season#1. We lived there for 6 weeks (September to mid-October) and during that time we were able to notice how the town was slowly going to sleep and emptying of holidaymakers. We quickly fell for the charm of this area and made some wonderful memories. Our TOP3 places? Peniscola, Morella and Via Verde del Mar.
Travel tip. Traveling by car is the fastest and most comfortable way of getting to all the mentioned places near Benicassim. So if you’re not traveling by one, we recommend renting one via the Rentalcars website.