Travel Tuesdays With Quilt: A 36-Hour Virtual Visit to Benicàssim
There are many places around the world known for sun-kissed beaches and music festivals, but Benicàssim is special. Referred to as “a jewel in the southern coast of Spain” by popular travel vloggers, it sits on the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast). An elegant Mediterranean sea-town with rich cultural history and home to one of Spain’s most electrifying music festivals, it could also very well be the sets of The Great Gatsby!
In this week’s virtual travel blog, we explore Benicàssim. With the much-awaited Festival International Benicassim lined up later this week (14th-18th July 2022), there are many reasons to explore this magnificent place. So what does our Culture AI have to say about it?
Benicàssim appears to be a foodie’s paradise and a celebration of everyday life based on Instagram posts. Travelers head there to escape into nature, embark on an adventure, and celebrate special events. Their days are full of creativity, making memories, and connecting with family and furry friends alike.
When it comes to the color palette of Instagram posts, we see shades of brown, green, and blue dominating posts.
Drawing from travel blogs, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts, here’s how we recommend spending 36 hours in Benicàssim (itinerary format inspired by the New York Times):
36 Hours in Benicàssim
DAY 1
10 AM: Tower Power
A 16th-century tower from the province of Castellón — a place constantly terrorized by pirates and hence had 16 watchtowers along the coastline — awaits you in Benicàssim. The tower of San Vicente stands tall on San Vicente beach and is built in the Renaissance style and used to keep watch and prevent attacks.
1 PM: Spanish lunch at El Mercado
Dig into an authentic Spanish meal at El Mercado. Get their gourmet set meal and pair it with wine or gin of your choice.
3 PM: Monastery of the desert
Desierto de las Palmas dates back to 1694 and was destroyed shortly after. Another one was built on the highest part of the mountain and remained home to Discalced Carmelite friars until 1784. A quiet place that’s perfect for exploration and reflection, we highly recommend spending an afternoon here.
6 PM: Evening at a distillery
End the evening on a high with a visit to the historical Museo Bodegas Carmelitano distillery. Sip their signature drink — an aromatic spirit made with native herbs — and truly travel back in time to the province of Castellón.
DAY 2
8 AM: Island Mornings
Made up on a bunch of islets 30 miles off the coast of Castellón, the Columbretes Islands are a great place to spend the morning! They are of immense ecological interest in the Mediterranean region and their name is derived from snakes that inhabited these islands when they were first discovered. Take a boat ride to enjoy the scenery or spend the morning hiking and swimming.
12 PM: The Castle of Montornés
Montornés Castle sits on the highest peak of Desierto de las Palmas Natural Park and dates back to the 10th century! Although it’s mostly in ruins today, it is a fun place to explore and imagine its distinguished past.
2 PM: Lunch in Les Barraques
We invite you to try the fare at Les Barraques for a different take on Spanish food. Don’t miss the paella and seafood — and if you’re vegan or vegetarian, there are lots of options for you here too!
3 PM: The Villas
The buildings and architecture of Benicàssim are fascinating and there is interesting history attached to it. Treated as a holiday destination by businessmen from Castellón and Valencia back in the day, numerous villas that are now referred to as “Valencian Biarritz” came into existence. Walk through this neighborhood and admire the mix of different kinds of styles, while you learn about local folklore associated with them.
5 PM: Oropesa del Mar
A 5.7 km route linking Oropesa del Mar and Benicàssim is worth exploring on foot or by bike while you’re in Benicàssim. Monte Bovalar, the coves of Renegà and Bellver, and the watchtowers of Cordà and Colomera all fall on the way, making the route all the more interesting and unique. Don’t miss it!
7 PM: Nuun Club
End the 36-hour adventure on a fine note at Nuun Club. Perfect for dinner and drinks, try the steaks paired with wine.
LOGISTICS
How to get there
Castellon de la Plana is the nearest airport to Benicàssim. Valencia airport is 77.4 km away while Ibiza is 171.8 km away. Barcelona airport is 219 km away (approx. 3h 44m). We recommend flying into Barcelona and taking the train to Benicàssim.
Places to stay
A mid-range hotel in Benicàssim can cost anything between $60 to $100. The top premium hotels are Intur Orange, Servigroup Trinimar, and Intur Bonaire. Other good budget options include Hostal Beni and Hotel Tramontana.
When to go
March to June and September to December are the most popular months to visit Benicàssim but if you want to attend the festival, July is the time to go!
Follow our page for more such travel itineraries. Write to anurag.banerjee@quilt.ai to learn about AI-powered research.
