Free walking tours in Benicarló and what to see

Must-sees

Benicarló is a coastal town in the Baix Maestrat, in northern Castellón province, between Vinaròs and Peñíscola. Its historic centre can be seen on a stroll: the church of San Bartolomé, with its free-standing octagonal bell tower, the Renaissance town hall, the Baroque Casa del Marqués and the Modernista Casa Bosch. The former convent of San Francisco now houses MUCBE, the town museum.

The sea shapes life in Benicarló. The fishing port is a good place for a walk at sunset, and the coast has town beaches with facilities, such as Morrongo, Caracola and El Gurugú, and more natural ones such as the Mar Xica. At the table, artichokes rule, with their own Designation of Origin, along with fish and seafood from the fish market. On the outskirts is the Puig de la Nao, an Iberian settlement.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours or Civitatis activities in Benicarló. The town is easy to visit on your own, with the historic centre a few minutes from the port and the beaches. If you are after organised tours, the choice is in Peñíscola, a few kilometres away, which has more tourist activities in season.

How long to spend

A morning is enough for the old town, the museum and a walk around the port. If you come in summer, add an afternoon on the beach and a dinner of fish or artichokes for a full day. With two days you can combine it with Peñíscola and its castle, or with Vinaròs, and do a route among the ancient olive trees of the inland Maestrat.

Where to stay

If you come for the beach, the seafront area and the developments along the northern and southern coast have apartments and hotels by the sea. The centre, near the church and the town hall, is more practical for getting around on foot and eating well. Peñíscola, next door, has much more choice in summer, and Vinaròs is another nearby alternative.