Benissa

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Benissa is a small town in Spain in the province of Alicante 275M above sea level, and one of the oldest towns on the Costa Blanca. The population in 2000 was 9,500 residents.

The town of Benissa was founded by the Moors ( Banu-Issa ). After the Christian reconquest and the expulsion of the Moors in 1609, the town was settled by people from the Pyrenees, Catalonia and Aragon. The medieval town centre has been largely preserved with its town square (plaza), narrow streets, churches. Ironwork balconies and heraldic shields decorate the historic buildings. The Palacio de los Torres-Orduña is open to the public as a cultural centre and library. Benissa also has a strong Catholic tradition with a Franciscan seminary that has educated many Franciscans followers thoughout Spain and a large NeoGothic church, the "Cathedral de la Marina".

The municipality of Benissa has 4 km of coastline linking the towns of Moraira and Calpe. The scenery of the area includes cliff tops, rocky coves, sandy beaches and tiny bays along the Benissa Costa. Benissa also contains beautiful countryside, terraced vineyards, mountains and palm trees. Spanish village houses, with doorsteps directly onto the street, internal courtyards and deceptively spacious inside. Old fincas (a farm or country estate) sit on large plots amongst vineyards with panoramic views to the sea.

The nearby town of Calpe has a sports harbour where you can find diving, windsurfing, kayaking and many other activities related to the sea. There are many luxury villas on the cliffsides as well as less espensive accomidations along this stretch of Benissa known as ‘Les Bassetes’. Nearby towns along the Costa Blanca are La Fustera, Cala dels Pinets, Cala de La Llobella, Cala l'Advocat, Baladrar and Cap Blanc before coming into Moraira.

[edit] Access

Travel to Benissa is easily made from Alicante or Valencia. By car, take highway A-7 to exit 62 "Benissa/Teulada". You can also take N332. The closest airport is "El Altet" in Alicante 70km SW. The closest Railway station "Trenet de la Marina" Denia is also in Alicante.