Peñiscola

View from Castell de Peníscola

Peñíscola (Valencian: Peníscola) is a town of 7,500 people (2018) in the province of Castellón on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. The town with its 5 km of beaches is one of the most heavily visited tourist destinations in Spain, popular with Spanish and foreign visitors; in summers the population of this small town explodes to more than 150,000 people.

Understand

Peñiscola is an ancient fortified seaport that was established by the Iberians in 1000 BCE. The port was conquered by the Phoenicians, later by the Greeks, and then by the Carthaginians, where Hannibal famously swore to never ally himself with Rome. Later the Romans and Moors controlled the seaport, until it finally came under Christian control in the 13th century.

• 1 Tourist Info Peñíscola, Paseo Marítimo s/n, ☏ +34 964 480 208, fax: +964 489 392, peniscola@touristinfo.net. Apr-20 Jun daily 09:30-19:00; 21 Jun-21 Sep daily 09:30-20:00; 22 Sep-Oct daily 09:30-19:00; Nov-Mar M-Sa 09:30-17:30, Su 10:00-14:30. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Tourist Info Peñismar, Paseo Marítimo Norte (Faro de Peñismar). Summer and Semana Santa: daily 09:30-14:00 16:00-20:00. (updated Jan 2016)
  • Tourist Info Puerto, Avda Marcelino Roca s/n. Summer and Semana Santa: daily 09:30-14:00 16:00-20:00. (updated Jan 2016)

Get in

By train

• 1 Estación de Tren de Benicarló - Peñíscola, Plaça de la Estación, s/n (7km N of Peñiscola), ☏ +34 902 240 505 (reservations). 06:45-22:00 (information). Long-distance trains connecting Valencia with Barcelona stop here, and regional trains connect the city with Castellón and Tarragona. There is a taxi stand (☏ +34 964 460 506) in front of the station. (updated Jan 2016)

By bus

All inter-urban buses stop at the 2 Plaça Constitució (Plaza de la Constitución).

Autos Mediterraneo runs multiple daily buses connecting Castellón with Vinaròs and points in between. A bus route and schedule can be downloaded here.

HIFE (☏ +34 902 119 814) runs a daily bus between Valencia, and Peñiscola, with a stop in Castellón. From Castellón the one-way fare is €6.05 and the journey takes just under 1½ hours. Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or online.

Get around

By bus

Autos Mediterraneo runs a bus service connecting Peñíscola with the nearby towns of Benicarló and Vinaròs. Buses operate daily 06:30-23:30 and leave every half-hour; a bus route and schedule can be downloaded here.

In late April and from the end of June until mid-September, HIFE (☏ +34 902 119 814) operates three routes (líneas urbanas) within Peñiscola; a time schedule and list of bus stops can be downloaded here.

See

House in the historic town centre

• 1 Castell de Peníscola (Castell del Papa Luna / Peñiscola Castle). 16 Oct - Palm Sunday: daily 10:30-17:30; Palm Sunday - 15 Oct: daily 09:30-21:30. Built on the remains of an older Arab fortification, most of the castle's construction was completed between 1294 and 1307 by the Order of the Knights Templar. The castle served as the residence of Pope Benedict XVIII (aka 'Papa Luna') from 1411 until 1423, and in the late 16th century a series of bastions and gates were added to the complex. The terrace overlooking the castle affords great panoramic views of the town to the north as well as to the Irta mountains to the south. €5 (adults), €3.50 (concessions), free (children under 8). (updated May 2016)
• 2 Església de Santa Maria de Peníscola (Iglesia de Santa María / Church of Santa Maria) (by the town hall). Built in 1234 atop the remains of an earlier Moorish mosque, the parish church was renovated in the Gothic style in the 15th century and expanded in the 18th century. It houses several valuable objects owned by Papa Luna and his successor Clement VIII, including a cross and chalice, and reliquary. Free. (updated May 2016)
• 3 Museu de la Mar (Museo de la Mar / Museum of the Sea), C/ Príncipe, s/n, ☏ +34 964 481 603, museu@peniscola.org. Oct-Mar: Tu-Su 09:30-15:30; Apr-Jun: daily 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00; Jul-Sep: daily 10:00-14:00 17:00-21:00. This small museum showcases archaeological and ethnological artificats from the area, as well as model ships and maps. It also has three aquariums devoted to Mediterranean marine life. Free. (updated May 2016)

Do

Festivals

Festes Patronals en honor a la Mare de Déu de l'Ermitana

• Festes Patronals en honor a la Mare de Déu de l'Ermitana. 8 September. Declared a festival of national touristic interest. Highlights include human towers, traditional dances, fireworks, and a Moors and Christians parade. (updated Jul 2017)

Beaches

• 1 Platja Nord (Playa Norte) (N of the castle). Closest to the old town and Peñíscola's most popular beach, it stretches 5 km and has lifeguard station and first aid stations, as well as disabled access, walkways, and showers. It is lined with a pleasant promenade, and has facilities for a number of water sports. (updated Oct 2016)
• 2 Platja Sud (Playa Sur) (S of the castle). This smaller beach, with great views of the castle, also has a promenade as well as full lifeguard and first aid stations, showers, and water sport facilities. (updated Oct 2016)

Hiking and biking

Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta

• 3 Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta (Parque natural de la Sierra de Irta / Natural Park of Serra d'Irta) (just south of Peñíscola). The combined mountain park and marine reserve offers good opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, and has several sights of historic and architectural interest. The park can also be accessed from Alcossebre, with many trail heads beginning in the south. The Peñiscola tourist office has an online list of hiking trails with trail descriptions in English; an official trail map (in Spanish) can be downloaded here. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 2 Centre d'Interpretació (Centro de Interpretación / Visitor Centre), Av Estación, s/n, ☏ +34 964 467 596, serra_mariola@gva.es. Tu-F 10:00-14:00, Sa Su and holidays 09:00-14:30. Has exhibits about the park and organizes guided activities. (updated Nov 2017)
  • 4 Castell de Polpís (Castillo de Polpis / Polpis Castle). Also of Muslim origin, the fortress was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and conquered by the Knights Templar in 1233, who heavily modified the structure. It was abandoned in the 16th century. Free. (updated Oct 2016)
  • 5 Torre Badum (Torre Almadun / Badum Tower). A seaside watchtower, believed to be Muslim in origin. Free. (updated Oct 2016)

Buy

Mercadillo

• 1 Mercadillo (street market), Carrer del Mestre Bayarri. M mornings. A weekly market for fresh local produce and other goods. (updated Oct 2017)

Eat

Mid-range

• 1 Mandarina Restaurant, Avda del Papa Luna, 1, ☏ +34 964 467 650. May-Oct: daily 13:00-16:00 19:00-23:00; closed Nov-Apr. Part of a bar-club establishment, with an outdoor terrace. Serves a range of dishes, from casual burgers to sushi and pasta. Take-away available; reservations can be made online. Mains €11-20. (updated Jun 2016)
• 2 Restaurante Casa Jaime, Avda Papa Luna, 5, ☏ +34 964 480 030, casajaime1967@gmail.com. Daily 13:00-15:30 20:00-23:00; in winter closed W. Specializes in seafood, with rice dishes especially recommended. Has a terrace overlooking the beach. Reservations by email not accepted. (updated May 2016)

Splurge

• 3 Restaurante Casa Dorotea, C/ San Vicente, 12, ☏ +34 964 480 863. Daily 13:00-15:30 19:30-22:30. Tucked away on a side street and with a homey, comfortable atmosphere, the established restaurant specializes in local seafood. Mains from €25. (updated Nov 2016)
• 4 Restaurante El Peñon, Carrer Santos Mártires, 22 (on the rd to the castle), ☏ +34 964 480 716, +34 635 538 097, fax: +34 964 480 298. Daily 13:00-15:30 20:00-23:00. This established hotel-restaurant serves seafood and other classic Valencian dishes. Set menu €18. (updated Jun 2016)

Sleep

Camping

• 1 Camping Edén, Crta CS-501 Benicarló-Peñíscola, km 6, ☏ +34 964 480 562, camping@camping-eden.com. Can accommodate tents, campervans, and caravans, and also has bungalows. Facilities include toilets and showers, pool, fitness centre, laundromat, supermarket, and cafeteria. Pets accepted. (updated Aug 2017)

Hotels

• 2 Gran Hotel Peñíscola, Avda Papa Luna, 136 (directly on the beach), ☏ +34 964 469 006, reservas@granhotelpeniscola.com. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00-24:00. Has non-smoking rooms, an onsite restaurant, an outdoor pool, and a fitness centre. Pets accepted. From €48, including breakfast. (updated May 2016)
• 3 Hotel Servigroup Papa Luna, Avinguda del Papa Luna, 6, ☏ +34 964 480 650, servigroup@servigroup.es. Check-in: 12:00-16:00, check-out: 12:00. Unbeatable location near the historic centre and the Platja Nord. Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, onsite bar/restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Private parking €10/day. Hotel is closed from the end of October to the beginning of April. Doubles from €70, including breakfast. (updated Dec 2016)
• 4 Casa Azahar, Edificio 'El Centro' (Urbanización Las Fuentes), ☏ +34 964 412 906, fax: +34 964 414 508, reservas@casa-azahar.com. Holiday apartments. (updated May 2016)