Benissa is located on the windy coastal road between Valencia and Alicante, and has a white church similar to the churches painted by Constable. The Church called the ‘Cathedral of the Marina Alta’ was constructed in the twenties by pious masons from Benissa who used their own physical strength and monetary contributions to build it. The church was consecrated during the ‘Festival of St Peter the Apostle in 1929’ and measures 56 metres in length and 29 metres in width. It includes a magnificent altarpiece in honour of the venerable patron saint of the village, the Blessed Xiquet and a statue attributed to Juan de Juanes. When visiting the cathedral, the curious light shining through the roof onto the altar is not to be missed. Interesting walks can be taken through the village starting from the Ayuntamiento - the former Hospital for the Poor - where you can see the magnificent ‘huerta’ and the beginning of the track used by the ancient ribereros (the workers who emigrated from Benissa to harvest rice on the Valencia coast).
Arrós amb polp, coques al calfú (pizza-like pastries), Mullador de Pelelta, bull amb Salsa and Faba pelá.
Wrought ironwork and woodwork.
Medieval suburb, Franciscan convent, Lonja de Contratación (exchange building), Casa de Cultura, Ayuntamiento (town hall) and neo-gothic church.
Major fiestas are held in honour of the patron saint on the fourth Sunday
in April. Moors and Christians pageants are held in honour of St Peter
on the 29th of June. Other fiestas of note are the Fira i Porrat in honour
of St Anthony in January, and the Carnival celebrations. In summer,
Corpus Christi and other fiestas are held in the rural areas of Saint Ana
and Benimarco.
Near Calpe and 6 km from the coast. It is easily accessible by train
and road as the N-332 passes through it and there is an exit off the
A-7 in Benissa. It is located 71 km from Alicante and 25 km from Benidorm.
Cave painting on the Pinós road. Sierra de Bernia and visits to the
hermitage.
Ifach Golf Club (96.649.71.14) Les Bassetes Yacht Club (96.583.12.13) and Horse Riding Club.
