The city of Peniscola in Spain is a small town located in the province of Castellon as part of the autonomous community of Valencia. The population is only about eight thousand people. This city has always attracted a large number of tourists, as it is famous for its castle, built by the Templars in the late XIII - early XIV centuries. For some time there lived the antipope Benedict XIII, who ruled during the years of the Great Western schism in Avignon. It was in this city, where he fled after the Constantine Council of 1415, that he had his own court, which not a single state recognized. So in ancient Peniscola there is always something to see.
About city
Peniscola in Spain, according to the locals themselves, is one of the mainstays of classic Valencian cuisine. There are many fishermen who participated in the creation of recipes for various dishes based on seafood.
Here you can sit on a cozy and comfortable beach vacation, at the same time having examined many natural and historical sights located in the city or nearby.
How to get there
The nearest airport to Peniscola in Spain is in Reus, about a hundred kilometers away. However, most tourists prefer to get here through the more famous and tourist Valencia, at least fifty kilometers further.
Trains and buses run from Valencia to Reus or immediately to Peniscola in Spain, you can take a taxi if you wish. In particular, buses of Hife and Avanzabus companies regularly call into the ancient city itself. Seven kilometers from the city center is the Benicarlo-Peniscola train station. From it to the historic center can be reached by minibus or taxi.
Another travel option is to visit first the capital of Catalonia, one of the country's most popular tourist cities. The distance between settlements is about 230 kilometers.
Let's look at a few ways to get from Barcelona to Peniscola in Spain:
- This can be done by train. Once a day, the Tlg train leaves from the capital of Catalonia. After two hours and three minutes, you have to get off at Benicarlo station to catch the bus. They leave already to Peniscola every half hour. Travel time will be about twenty minutes.
- Traveling by bus from Barcelona to Peniscola will take you about three and a half hours. Every hour, buses leave from the Catalan capital to Tortosa Peaje. There you need to transfer to another route, following directly to the destination.
- Travel time by car, if you rented it when you arrived in Spain on vacation, will be more than two hours. On average, it will take you about eighteen liters of gasoline, that is, you will spend from 20 to 35 euros (1500-2600 rubles.).
Hotels
As in most coastal cities, Peniscola has a large number of hotels, inns and hostels. Here you can even rent cottages, chalets or apartments. A night in the most modest hostel will cost from 40 to 50 euros (3000-3700 rubles).
If you prefer to stay in a hotel located directly on the coastline, you will have to pay from 55 to 80 euros (4000-6000 rubles) per room. Hotels located in close proximity to both the sea and the city center cost from about a hundred euros per night.
You can rent a chalet or a private cottage in the coastal area for 220-250 euros (16,500-18,700 rubles). Most hotels have their own restaurants, as well as a swimming pool and information desk for travelers and tourists.
Kitchen
According to reviews of Peniscola, local restaurants are striking in their diversity. The fishing past of this town was directly reflected in the list of dishes that visitors offer to taste here. They are especially proud of local fish and other seafood, which are always abundant in local establishments. As a rule, they are prepared with vegetables and rice, which are collected from local gardens, so that all products are natural, environmentally friendly.
Experienced travelers are advised to definitely try a dish of sea eel and potatoes with spices and a variety of vegetables, called “ai and pebra,” as well as fish stew with a light fragrant sauce, known as Valencian noodles.
Fans of sweets should pay special attention to desserts. First of all, the local restaurants praise almond-curd pie, which is prepared from cottage cheese, pumpkin and honey.
By the way, sea delicacies are able to please tourists not only with their uniqueness and quality, but also with a relatively low price tag. Even in local fashionable restaurants you will not be charged a large 20 euros per dish (about 1,500 rubles). In more modest establishments, the cost of the entire dinner can be 10-12 euros (750-1000 rubles).
sights
Everyone comes to this city to enjoy a beach holiday and medieval attractions. First of all, this one he is famous for his castle of the Pope of the Moon. This is an impressive fortress, which stands on the very shore of the sea. It can be seen, perhaps, in all photos from Peniscola.
The decision to build it was made by the Templars, they laid the fortress back in 1294. It received its current name in honor of the worldly name of the antipope Benedict XIII. This is a very odious religious and historical figure, who in this city was known by the name Pedro de Luna.
When the church split took place, he fought for the right to sit on the papal throne until his death. Most of this struggle took place right within the walls of this castle, which today has become the main attraction of Peniscola in Spain.
You can get into it today for only 2.5 euros (180 rubles). Tours are organized in several languages. In summer, the castle is open to visitors from 9:30 to 21:30, and in winter it is open from 10:30 to 17:30.
Benedict XIII
Antipope Benedict is the most famous historical figure associated with this city. This was the second and last of the Avignon popes that appeared after the Great Western schism, when two applicants to the papal throne declared themselves its owners.
Sightseeing tour
According to reviews of Peniscola in Spain, a standard city sightseeing tour deserves attention in this medieval city. It is organized here on a small train.
The train runs along four routes, passing all the main attractions of Peniscola. For example, on the coastal street the Museum of the Sea operates year-round, which contains a unique collection of exhibits on fishing, the history of the region, and marine fauna. In the train itself you will find an audio guide in Russian. You can buy a ticket at the bus stop by joining the tour at any time.
If you want to get acquainted with natural attractions, then go for a rafting on the underground river flowing in the area of the caves of San Jose, or to the islands of Columbretes, located nearby.
There is an amazing natural anomaly near the fishing port, which is definitely worth seeing if you are in this city. This is Grotto Grotto or Bufador. This is a natural fault through which distorted sounds of surging waves are heard. If you believe the stories of local residents, with its help the sea communicates directly with them.
Beaches
You can relax on the coast on two public beaches. They are called Playa Sur and Playa Norte. Located in the city, in close proximity to the historic center.
The length of the Playa Norte beach is about five and a half kilometers. It begins in the area of the castle of the Pope of the Moon, and then stretches along the main walking street to the neighboring town called Benicarlo. On the way you will find a huge number of cafes, shops and restaurants. Here, fine and clean sand, a pleasant and gentle sea. This is almost an ideal place for a full family vacation. Paid sun loungers and free changing rooms are at guests' disposal, there is the opportunity to ride scooters, water skiing, and canoeing.
Playa Sur Beach is much smaller. Its length is only about 850 meters. It has significantly fewer tourists. But here is the Maritime School, in which everyone can learn kayaking, rowing, windsurfing.
Part of the beach is surrounded by the walls of the famous fortress, which gives it a particularly romantic and amazing look, and also protects from a piercing sea breeze. There are also several small beaches that fans of snorkeling have chosen. This is Playa del Russo, Playa de las Viudas, Playa de la Petksina.
Transport
It is most convenient to travel around the city by bus. In Peniscola, there is only one route line, so when landing it is enough to carefully read the destination written on the windshield to understand which direction the bus is moving to or from the city center.
Interestingly, these buses run not only in the city itself, but also in two towns located nearby - Vinaros and Benicarlo. So for just a few hundred rubles, you can explore the surrounding area.
Please note that buses do not stop in the historic city center. Therefore, you will have to walk or take a taxi. It is convenient to travel around Peniscola by bike; there are several rental points in the city. Small scooters and unusual bicycles for 3-5 people are also available for rent.