Presentation

The town of Peñiscola, in the north of the Valencian Community, lies in a privileged spot in the Spanish Mediterranean. The 79 km² belonging to the municipality, 17 of which run alongside the coast, are divided equally between forest areas and warm Mediterranean croplands, including no shortage of orange, olive and almond trees.

The Old Town, crowned by the former dwelling of Pope Benedict XIII, a fortified castle from the 14th century, stands on an imposing outcrop of rock that rises up 64 metres above the blue sea. It is joined to the mainland by a spit of sand that used to be swept away by the waves during storms, turning the city into an ephemeral island.

In contrast to the Old Town, a host of new streets and avenues can be found in the tourist area. In summer and autumn, warm waters are shared out between the vast beaches of fine sand north of the citadel and the beautiful coves flanked by steep cliffs to the south.