During our 7-week stay in the province of Castellón we lived in Benicàssim. It’s a small town with a population of around 18.000 people, located 15 km from Castellón de la Plana, and 85 km from Valencia. Benicàssim is known for its nice weather, beautiful beaches, mountain areas, historic heritage, and surprisingly for various small and large-scale events.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do in Benicàssim itself (except lying on the beach, swimming in the sea, collecting seashells, walking, doing sports, watching beautiful sunsets & sunrises, and eating & drinking in restaurants), but luckily there are lots of places to visit nearby. So if you’re bored of sunbathing on one of Benicàssim beaches and you want to do something different I’m here to help you. In this post, we’ll show you some one-day trip ideas from Benicàssim, Spain.
One-day trip ideas from Benicassim
Via Verde del Mar
Via Verde del Mar is a fantastic option for outdoor leisure for people of all ages, and also for people with reduced mobility. By living in Benicàssim, you won’t even need to get in a car to get to the beginning of this picturesque route. Rough seashore views, blue sea, sharp cliffs, hidden coves, pine woods, watchtowers… Via Verde has it all.
Learn more: Via Verde del Mar – scenic route from Benicàssim to Oropesa
Desert de les Palmes Natural Park
Now we go to the mountains. Desert de les Palmes is just 10 km away from the city. From the various viewpoints or even the highest peak if you’re up for a hike (Bartolo, 729m), you can enjoy spectacular views of the coast.
Learn more: Things to do and see in Desert de Les Palmes Natural Park, Spain
Castellón de la Plana
Only 15km from Benicàssim you will find Castellón de la Plana, the capital of the Castellón province. The city is divided into three areas: historic city center, harbor and modern neighborhoods. The Fadri, Cathedral of Santa María, Plaza Mayor, and Ribalta Park are the places you can’t miss there.
Onda
A hidden gem on that list. Onda is located 35 km from Benicàssim. You can go there after visiting Castellón (20 km further). It’s a historic village that holds an important monumental heritage and has a long tradition in the production of ceramics. Place number one to see is Castle of Onda, known as the “castle of 300 towers”, which was built in the 10th century. After that just wander through the historic center and admire this charming little city.
Peñíscola
Peñíscola can literally steal your heart. It’s located 55 km from Benicàssim. In 2013 it was named one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. No wonder! The town has a typical Mediterranean vibe: white houses, blue ornaments, cobblestone streets, terraces…
Learn more: One day in Peñíscola, Spain. What to see?
Ares del Maestrat
Ares del Maestrat is located about 85 km from Benicàssim. It’s a small, charming village, situated on the elevation of 1195 m.a.s.l., which gives Ares the title of the second-highest town in the Valencian Community. A visit can definitely be combined with a trip to Morella.
Learn more: What to see in Ares Del Maestrat, Spain?
Morella
Morella is located about 120 km from Benicàssim, 30km further from Ares del Maestrat. It’s a small medieval town, which in 2013 was voted one of the prettiest villages in Spain. Morella is wonderfully preserved, surrounded by medieval stone walls and an impressive castle at an altitude of over 1000 m above sea level. It looks just amazing, both from a distance and from the inside of the walls.
Learn more: Best things to see in Morella, Spain
So far it’s all here, all one-day trip ideas from Benicàssim. Hope you’ll have an amazing time in Benicàssim, and the whole province of Castellón. Maybe you have some other places to recommend in that area? Let me know in the comments.
