Peñíscola, a city on the sea...

The town of Peñíscola, situated in the north of the Community of Valencia, is set in a privileged part of the Spanish Mediterranean. The municipality of Peñíscola covers 79 Km2 , 17 of which run parallel to the coastline, an area which is fairly distributed between woodland areas and warm Mediterranean groves of oranges, olives and almonds.

The old city, which is crowned by a XIV century castle-stronghold and was the residence of Pope Benedicto XIII, stands on top of an impressive rocky crag which rises 64 metres above the blue sea. A sandy isthmus joins it to the mainland, which in the past was swept by waves in the midst of storms, turning the city into an ephemeral island.

Providing a contrast with the old quarters are the modern streets and wide avenues of the tourist area. Warm waters in summer and autumn are shared between the extensive beaches of fine sand which lie to the north of the fortress, and the beautiful coves flanked by steep cliffs which can be found to the south.

Sierra de Irta (Nature reserve)

La Sierra de Irta is located at the northern end of the Valencia Region, between the municipalities of Alcalà de Xivert, Santa Magdalena de Pulpis and Peñíscola. With typically Mediterranean flora and fauna and scenery made up of steep cliffs which go down to the sea, this nature reserve is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Valencia Region. The historical absence of important human settlements and the gradual abandonment of centuries-old farming and cattle exploitation, have permitted the presence of natural and ethnological values which turn this scenery into a privileged place on the Mediterranean.