Fishing, agriculture, industry and tourism. Benicarlo is a truly versatile town. With its small town infrastructure and a wide range of leisure and cultural activities, it is a comfortable place. Its cuisine, with its sea and vegetable gardens’ flavours, its important economic activity and it being the perfect location to play a great variety of sports in its very attractive facilities and settings all deserve a special mention. Benicarlo is proud of having once been a flourishing Muslim farmstead. Later, the town taken by James I the Conqueror, was renamed Benicastló and had to report to the castle of Peñíscola until 1359. A little tourist potential Going from north to south, the first beach is Mar Xica, with pebbles and is around 1 km long. Southward from the promenade is Morrongo beach, a cove with fine sand. Further south are Gurugú and Caracola beaches. Looking inland Benicarlo ’s proximity to the interior allows day trips inland. One option could be going to Benifassà’s Tinença, with sites such as the Ulldecona reservoir or the Santa Maria de Benifassà monastery. A sports town The town has three grass football pitches and an enclosed sports centre. The indoor pool allows swimming to be practiced all year round. The athletics tracks are located nearby. Several private clubs complete the offerings of sports infrastructures. Marine sports in general are booming. For instance, there is a Sailing School. Scuba diving can be enjoyed in privileged locations such as on the sea floor by the Columbretes Islands natural reserve.

The sea and vegetable gardens’ flavours The most appreciated and typical cooking ingredients come from the sea: “caixetes”, razor shells, monkfish, red mullet, shrimp and crawfish, among others. The orchards are rich in tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, beans, lettuce and artichokes, the latter being the only product of Castellón with its origin and quality guaranteed. Let’s not forget the oranges and lemons. Bulls in the sea The festivities of Benicarlo ’s patron saint take place during the second half of August and one of the major events is the bulls in the sea (“bous a la mar”). Benicarlo’s festivity of the artichoke in January must not be missed either.

Wikipedia articles for Benicarlo

• Benicarló