8 Best Things to Do and See in Peniscola

Peniscola is undeniably one of Spain’s most beautiful coastal towns you’ll ever visit!

The “City in the Sea” is known for its medieval old town surrounded by ancient city walls and an impressive Castle, from where you can enjoy endless ocean views over the Azahar coast.

It is the ideal location if you are looking for beach vibes, pleasant strolls along the promenade at sunrise or sunset, and exploring narrow streets in the old town. But it also offers magnificent viewpoints and excellent places to have Mediterranean seafood and rice dishes! Peniscola is, without any doubt, the ideal location for families, couples, and solo travelers.

The best time to visit is from May until October, with July and August being the busiest months because of the high season.

Keep reading and discover the best things to do and see in Peniscola, with top food recommendations included. In addition, you’ll have access to practical travel tools to help you plan your trip and make the most of your holidays!

Best Things to Do and See in Peniscola

The Entrance Gate of Sant Pere, also known as “Papa Luna Gate”, is the best place to start exploring the medieval part of Peniscola. In fact, if you start your visit through this path, you will see the most significant sites in one tour, passing by many little shops, restaurants, and major attractions such as the Bufador, the House of Shells, the Lighthouse, and the Castle, and the Artillery Park. This way, you will cover the main sights to visit in Peniscola, and afterward, you can get lost in the narrow streets and discover charming caf’és, restaurants, and beautiful houses.

Top food places near the Entrance Gate: Creperie Blat Negre 

The Bufador is a natural blowhole, and taking a deeper look at it is undoubtedly one of Peniscola’s best things to do! 

In between buildings, you can see the hole in the rocks through which the waters of the Mediterranean Sea enter, and what you will hear is a “snorting” sound, which makes this site so popular to visit.  

Top food places near the Bufador: Bar El Salabre 

Right next to the Bufador, you will get to one of the best viewpoints in the old town!

Mirador Cerromar is a lovely corner that offers magnificent and peaceful ocean views. On a hot summer day, you can even feel the sea breeze.

It is, for sure, the best place to experience a peaceful moment watching the sunrise or sunset.

When walking up to the Castle, you will most likely stumble across this unique building decorated with shells. 

The House of Shells (Spanish: Casa de las Conchas) is a place you would not expect while exploring the historic part of Peniscola, and this is precisely a good reason to pass by and stop at this beautiful building. 

The story goes that a young couple who arrived in Peniscola with their three children had very little income. So, step by step, they welcomed the first tourists and gave guided tours for an extra tip. This way, they could build a house and decided to decorate the whole facade with shells. They could acquire so many shells in exchange for tobacco from sailors.

Tip: If you want to take good photos, go in the morning as there will be fewer people.  

Top food places near the House of Shells: Restaurant El Rebost / Restaurant La Cueva

Peniscola Lighthouse (Spanish: Faro de Peñíscola) is one of the places you don’t want to miss exploring when visiting this stunning coastal town.

The monument, built of white masonry, is a historical place that is very well cared for and located right below the castle. It has become the Castle’s Visitor Reception Center, where you can buy tickets for Peniscola Castle and the Artillery Park. 

Although you cannot go up to the viewing platform, you will still have exceptional views from the balcony area, where benches are also available for taking a break and taking in the calm atmosphere of this place. In addition to that, it is also an excellent place to experience an unforgettable sunset.

The Castle of Peniscola, also called “Castle of Papa Luna”, is a lovely and historic place to visit and, therefore, another of the best things to do in Peniscola! Not only do you have stunning panoramic landscape views, but you also have excellent views of the Artillery Park and the Lighthouse.

Pope Luna, Benedict XIII of Avignon, converted the castle into a pontifical palace and library about 600 years ago. Before that, it had been an Arab citadel. 

With your entrance fee to the castle, you also have free access to the Artillery Park, which is highly recommended! 

The Artillery Park is a green paradise full of palm trees and right below the castle. The gardens are very well cared for, making it a pleasant place to wander around and disconnect. You can admire the Castle, take in incredible sea views of the Azahar Coast, and check out the entire coastline of Peñíscola’s North Beach.

Check Opening Hours and Prices

Top food places nearby: Restaurant El Peñón / Bar Muralla & Tasca Al Masset

Located on a charming square (Plaza de Armas) and next to the castle, you can explore Ermitana Church (Spanish: Iglesia de la Ermitana). Inside the church, you can see an image of the patron saint of Peñíscola, “Our Lady of Ermitana”.

Peniscola Beach, also known as “North Beach”, is the best place to spend a relaxing day. The sandy beach is large and offers the most beautiful castle and landscape views you could wish for on a hot summer day.

There is also a good variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants along the 5-kilometer-long promenade, where you will find a lively atmosphere. It is also ideal for a stroll, preferably early in the morning or late in the evening during the summer season.

Museums in Peniscola

Browse through the list below for some of Peniscola’s best museums, and check entrance fees, opening hours, and location.