Discover what to see and do in Peñíscola | Cultural and leisure activities

Discover Peñiscola, a real jewel of the Mediterranean

The city of Peñiscola, located on the north coast of the province of Castellón, is in a very privileged part of the Mediterranean and stands out because of its unique morphology: A rocky peninsula joined by a neck of sand to the rest of the land, dividing its coast into two very distinct parts.
And the exciting story of its emblematic Papa Luna Castle

The castle was originally a Roman fortress built by the Templars occupying the highest part of the rocky peninsula on which the city of Peñiscola lies. Benedict XIII of Avignon, known as Pope Luna, turned it into the Holy See during a long conflict over its legitimacy.
Coves and beaches of Peñiscola: A coastline of contrasts

Peñiscola stands out as being one of the areas with the most coves and beaches of the Eastern Spanish coastline. Along its beautiful shores you have the opportunity to take a swim at a kilometre-long sandy urban beach or relax in an isolated corner of the Mediterranean coast.
Enjoy unrivalled scenery in the Sierra de Irta Natural Park

The municipality of Peñiscola includes one of the most untouched coastal ranges on the Valencian coast, the Sierra de Irta. Because of its proximity to the sea, its hills descend abruptly forming 12km of coves, overhangs, marine reefs and cliffs with spectacular views.
Peñiscola’s local festivities, declared fiestas of international tourist interest of Spain

The patron saint festivities of Peñiscola in honour of la Virgen de la Ermitana have been declared fiestas of international tourist interest of Spain due to the wide variety and depth of the culture on offer, with a packed program of all types of activities that guarantee fun for both adults and children.
A different way of enjoying high quality family tourism

Thanks to the continuing improvement of the quality and quantity of the activities on offer for families, Peñiscola has become a cultural model for high quality family tourism here in Spain. It’s no surprise that it was the first destination to receive the Stamp of Family Tourism in Spain.

Amazing culture on offer

A range of cultural activities are on offer here in Peñiscola: festivals, concerts, gastronomic events, guided tours, walking routes, festivities, fun activities for the whole family… Come and discover!

Guided tours around Peñiscola

Get to know Peñiscola from inside with its wide variety of guided tours where you’ll discover many surprising things about its culture, history, gastronomy of natural surroundings. You won’t be disappointed!

Peñiscola “in film”

A fantastic tour around the most emblematic parts of the old town of Peñiscola, where films and series were shot. Apart from visiting the most characteristic filming locations, you’ll discover many strange and quirky anecdotes about the shoots.

Peñiscola Classical Theatre Festival

The classical theatre festival is held in the emblematic and solemn courtyard of Peñiscola castle. It stands out due to its ambitious cultural program which just gets better after every edition, with a fabulous lineup of plays and actors.

Peñiscola Opera Festival

Also held in the courtyard of the castle and at the same time as the Classical Theatre Festival, this new event aims to bring the general public closer to the masterpieces of composers such as Verdi, Mozart, Puchini, Gaetano or Donizetti.

International Festival of Ancient and Baroque Music

The festival, specialized in historicist interpretation and where some of the greatest exponents of the genre have participated, is already an international reference for music between the 12th and 17th centuries.

Peñiscola International Jazz Festival

Well known all over Spain as one of the most important Jazz festivals in the country, it is made up of three parts: A program of concerts in the Palau de Congressos (with international and local artists), Jazz a la Serena (with free access performances) and activities to try to bring Jazz closer to younger listeners.

Classical Music Concert Program

Peñiscola’s series of classical concerts is an unmissable event for classical music lovers. Every edition attracts some of the best soloists and groups to perform in the Gothic Hall of the castle.

Peñiscola Maritime Museum

Located in the old quarter, the museum pays homage to the maritime traditions of the community. With creative, dynamic and interactive exhibitions about fishing and sailing in old-time Peñiscola, it tries to protect, conserve and raise awareness of its heritage and popular culture.

Peñíscola On the Stage

Peñiscola welcomes a new music festival which is growing in popularity, with a lineup of amazing artists coming from the pop, rock, flamenco and electronic music scenes. All held in an unbeatable venue, right on Peñiscola’s beach front.

Peñiscola Holy Week

Holy week, with its processions, the solemn beating of its drums and its brotherhoods, turns the streets of Peñiscola’s old quarter into a hive of respect and devotion. From Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday.

Peñiscola Carnival

One of Peñiscola’s biggest events. Over the weekend there are parades, music, fancy dress and masked dances, culminating in a hot chocolate party and the burying of the sardine.

Lluch Brothers Horse Drawn Carriage Museum

After years collecting the intricate and classical carriages, this museum, created and launched by the Lluch family, shows us a wide variety of wooden carriages from different epochs, ages and uses.

Tiziano Art Gallery

An old house in the old quarter which has been totally transformed into a proper art gallery. It contains works principally bu the painter Alfonso Manuel, but you can find works from other great artists and sculptors.

Cinema on Peñiscola Beach

During the summer months Peñiscola also offers a packed program of cinema on the South Beach, right on the sand. The screenings are completely free and appeal to the tastes of both the young and the old.

San Juan Night

The magical night of San Juan, the shortest of the year, brings with it a series of events in Peñiscola such as a nighttime drum show, a parade combining rhythm, dance and pyro tricks, a Habaneras concert, bonfires and the cherry on top, a fireworks display on the beach.

Peñiscola gastronomic events

Over a series of days traditional cooking events are held where you can try set menus based on home seafood recipes and local produce, with particular emphasis on fish, shellfish and produce from the vegetable gardens around Peñiscola.

Dramatised nighttime visits to Peñiscola Castle

Every year the castle of Peñiscola is the scene of a range of more than 50 different activities. In highest demand among tourists are the dramatised visits, especially the spectacular nighttime ones.

Peñiscola Patronal Festivities

Celebrated in honour of the patron saint, la Virgen de la Ermitana, the festivities have been declared Fiestas of National Tourist Interest of Spain. The 8th and 9th of September are the main days, with the famous “danzas”, bringing together music, dance, rituals and fun activities. They end with the traditional parades of Moors and Christians.

What else to see and do in Peñíscola

Peñiscola Beach

Enjoy some of the best of Spain’s East Coast beaches: Playa del Norte, Playa del Russo, Playa del Pebret, Playa d´Irta, Playa Basseta, Playa Santa Lucía, Playa Sur orr Playa de las Viudas.

Hotel | Aparthotel & Spa Acuazul

Hotel | Aparthotel & Spa Acualandia