Benissa

Benissa combines one of the best-preserved historic centres on the Costa Blanca with a wild, unspoilt 4 km stretch of coves and cliffs between Calpe and Moraira. A noble medieval town inland, a string of hidden calas on the sea — Benissa offers an unusually complete Costa Blanca package without the high-rise development of its neighbours.

A noble medieval town fortified in the 13th century after the Christian reconquest, Benissa preserves an exceptional Gothic-Renaissance old quarter with stone manor houses, the Llotja medieval market and the neo-Gothic 'Cathedral of the Marina'. Its agricultural wealth came from almonds, raisins and the prized Moscatel wine.

Authentic, traditional and increasingly international. Life centres on the historic core for residents and on the coast for second-home owners. The 4 km Camí de Ronda coastal path links beaches, coves and chiringuitos and is one of the finest walks on the Costa Blanca.

• 1.Wander the Gothic old town and the Llotja medieval market
• 2.Walk the 4 km Camí de Ronda coastal path
• 3.Visit the Casa Museu Abargues 18th-century manor house
• 4.Try the local Moscatel wines at a bodega
• 5.Hike Sierra de Bernia from the inland villages

Traditional inland Valencian cuisine — putxero, rice dishes and grilled meats — alongside seafront chiringuitos on the coast and an emerging fine-dining scene.

Boutique hotels in restored old-town buildings, plus coastal villa rentals and a growing rural-tourism (casa rural) offering inland.

Continue exploring the North Costa Blanca.