| Benissa is typical of the small towns that lie a few | | | | your children enjoying themselves in the sea just |
| kilometres behind the shoreline of the Costa | | | | a few yards away or watch the boats as they |
| Blanca. | | | | sail in and around the bay that reaches as far as |
| Set 275 metres above the Mediterranean the | | | | Calpe to the South. |
| approach to its four kilometres of beaches and | | | | There is also an excellent restaurant on the first |
| coves is past deep valleys, small vineyards, | | | | floor of the club building where you can enjoy a |
| almond groves and other well kept, attractive | | | | meal or drink on the terrace and watch the sun |
| small cultivated areas until the windy roads | | | | go down behind the mountains. |
| become quite steep for the last kilometre of the | | | | There are a huge variety of holiday villas, and |
| five kilometre drive to the sea. | | | | apartments, with or without swimming pools, to |
| Behind Benissa lies the stunning mountainous | | | | rent either near the beaches or inland but not that |
| scenery of the area known as the 'Bernia', well | | | | many hotels. |
| known by local walkers, horse riders and rock | | | | Benissa is about a one-hour drive from both |
| climbers for its beauty and interest. | | | | Alicante Airport in the South and Valencia Airport |
| The town itself, despite being bisected by the | | | | in the North. |
| busy N332 road that runs the length of the Costa | | | | A 20-25 minute drive will take you to the nightlife, |
| Blanca, retains much of its mediaeval atmosphere. | | | | excellent amusement parks or even the shopping |
| Always bustling with activity, the pavement cafes | | | | experience of Benidorm. |
| around the charming town square and the | | | | No description of Benissa should omit to mention |
| neighbouring side streets add a very continental | | | | its fiestas. |
| atmosphere, particularly on Saturdays, the market | | | | Fira I Porrat de Sant Anton - January 7th to |
| day, when the town fills to bursting point as locals, | | | | February 1st |
| expats and summer visitors take advantage of | | | | The town celebrates with a medieval market |
| the fresh fruit and vegetables and other produce | | | | complete with jesters, birds of prey, and other |
| on offer. | | | | attractions of that era, a livestock market, fair, |
| Benissa is proud of its gastronomy, with locally | | | | sideshows and children's rides, assorted cultural |
| cured meats, particularly its own style of sausage, | | | | attractions and events. |
| and an endless range of rice dishes taking pride of | | | | During this festival a day is given over to the |
| place. | | | | blessing of the animals when a large parade of |
| Both in the town and only a short drive away are | | | | adults and children leading, riding or carrying their |
| some splendid 'haute cuisine' restaurants where | | | | animals or pets passes the Cathedral steps where |
| fine dining can be enjoyed at a very reasonable | | | | they are blessed by the local priest. |
| cost. | | | | This is a special event for animal lovers when it |
| While in Benissa take a stroll past the 15th | | | | seems every pet from a budgie, donkey, horse |
| century renaissance palace houses, the | | | | drawn carriages in full livery to high stepping show |
| Constitution Square, Calle Desamparados lined with | | | | horses with their riders dressed in traditional |
| stately houses adorned with coats of arms and | | | | colourful Spanish costumes, from pedigree dogs |
| with traditional wrought iron grilles and the splendid | | | | to mongrels come together to make this a |
| Cathedral de la Marina, and visit the oldest building | | | | memorable experience. |
| in the town that now houses the Ethnological | | | | Fiesta Patronales de la Purissima - fourth Sunday |
| Museum. | | | | of April |
| The beaches of Benissa are located in the small | | | | The holy patron of Benissa, when the when the |
| coves that lie between rocky cliffs with La | | | | town celebrates for twenty four hours a day |
| Fustera being the most popular and easily | | | | with live music, dancing, sports, parties, paella |
| accessed with plenty of nearby free parking. | | | | contests, crowning the festival queen, and, as |
| Granted a 'blue flag' it has a fine sandy beach in a | | | | everywhere in Spain and on any excuse, a lot of |
| small bay, a children's playground and a beach bar | | | | fireworks. |
| for drinks and snacks with several other bars and | | | | Running of the Bulls - April 28 - 30 This adds a |
| eateries close by. | | | | spice of danger for those who fancy their |
| Cala Pinets en L'Advocat and Cala Baladrar are | | | | chances of outrunning the bulls when they are |
| attractive small coves with pebbled and sandy | | | | released into the streets. There are plenty of |
| beaches ideal for swimming, snorkelling or just | | | | safe vantage points for those who want to |
| lazing in the sun. | | | | watch in safety. |
| La Llobella is another enclosed beach that gives | | | | The Moors and Christians - last week in June This |
| the impression of privacy and isolation from the | | | | fiesta celebrates the struggles that took place |
| realities of the outside world. | | | | along the Costa Blanca between the two parties |
| All along the Costa Blanca the underwater | | | | for nearly 400 years until the Moors were driven |
| scenery with its unique plant life, and if you are | | | | out in the 16th century. |
| lucky, shoals of small fish can be seen clearly | | | | Virtually every town and village on the Costa |
| through the crystal Mediterranean waters. | | | | Blanca celebrates this fiesta in the summer |
| Water sports are catered at the Club Nautico | | | | months with mock battle in costume accompanied |
| "Les Bassetes". Here you will find an experienced | | | | by music and dancing into the small hours, and, of |
| diving school, a well-equipped sailing school, kayaks, | | | | course, fireworks. |
| catamarans, and moorings for craft up to 8 | | | | In or around Benissa can make a great base for |
| metres long. | | | | visiting families to enjoy the exuberant Spanish |
| There is a typical Spanish bar/restaurant where | | | | way of life alongside all the benefits of a sun, sea |
| you can enjoy a drink while keeping an eye on | | | | and sand relaxing holiday resort. |