Benicàssim

Benicàssim got such name from the Banu Qasim tribe, who settled there during the 8th century. Located just 13 km north of Castellón de la Plana, Benicàssim has almost 19.000 residents as of 2021.

The town's primary source of income comes from tourism. Benicàssim has six kilometers of sandy beaches, all connected by a promenade. Voramar Beach stands out for its historical villas. In the end of the 19th century several families decided to create a ''Valencian Biarritz" by building a group of luxury villas by the sea. Personally, it is quite "refreshing" to see, as many seaside towns, especially the ones overwhelmed by tourists during the summer months, have huge hotels and tall apartment buildings built next to the promenades. On the contrary, Ruta de Las Villas (eng. the Villas Route) is a cozy walk giving you the opportunity to admire the architecture and even read about a big part of villas and their history.

Moreover, Benicàssim is hosting popular festivals such as the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim for pop, rock or electronic music fans and the Rototom Sunsplash for those who enjoy reggae music. We haven't had the chance to go to either of them, but it's definitely on top of our list.

So Benicàssim is a great blend of history, beach time and musical entertainment, definitely worth visiting. Personal tip: food is great, but if the sea view isn't so important, we suggest going inside one of the smaller streets for a cheaper and more authentic meal.

Now moving away from the town into the nature, we would recommend visiting two locations: Via Verde (eng. Greenway) and Desierto de Las Palmas (eng. Las Palmas Desert).

Feel free to send me your suggestions for must-visit places in the province of Castellón and beyond.