Peñíscola Playa Norte

Playa Norte is Peñíscola's great beach: a strip of fine sand that starts at the foot of the rock, with the Papa Luna castle in the background, and continues along Avenida del Papa Luna towards Benicarló. The tourism website gives it about 5 km on its points-of-interest page and 5.5 km on the beaches page. It has a Blue Flag and the Q for Tourist Quality, SICTED and AENOR certifications.

What's on the sand

It is an urban beach with all services, designed for spending the day. The town council spreads across its beaches two climbing-net pyramids, 16 volleyball courts, six children's play areas and two beach football pitches. On Playa Norte there is also a floating water park, in the area of 40 Avenida del Papa Luna, and there are jet-ski, paddleboard companies and watersports schools along the promenade; the family tourism page lists their contacts.

As it is so long, it pays to choose a stretch: the one nearest the old town has the castle in view and is a step from the rock's streets; to the north, the beach continues in front of hotels and apartments to Benicarló.

Playa Sur and other options

On the other side of the rock, next to the fishing port, is Playa Sur: smaller (tourism gives 470 m on one page and about 650 m on another), with calm water because a breakwater protects it. It has accessible access, showers, lifeguards and a play area with a pirate ship for children. For a quick swim after the castle, it is handier. Right next to it, separated by a small breakwater, is Las Viudas beach, which appears in Calabuch, the film Berlanga shot in Peñíscola.

If you are looking for something wilder, to the south, past the Badum tower, the Pebret and Russo beaches are already in the Sierra de Irta Natural Park, with parking and picnic areas.

How to organise it

The beach is free. The main swimming season runs from June to September, but the promenade beside the sand can be walked all year. You walk there from the old town; to get along the promenade there is a tourist train that leaves from 4 Avenida del Papa Luna. Bring a parasol and water if you are going to spend the day.

Several of our listings are on the front line: the Hotel RH Boutique Portocristo, next to the old town, and the Gran Hotel Peñíscola, about 4 km away. To eat on the same promenade, Casa Jaime is a seafood eatery from 1967. To combine with the beach, the old town and the Papa Luna castle are at the end of the sand.