Peniscola....unknown Costa in Spain

Located 30-40km north of Benicassim, Peniscola is an ideal location to see the music festival, but also to explore a classic and picturesque part of Spain, with its traditional old town set into the harbour, and the old castle.

Peniscola

On a UK quiz show people were asked to name a Spanish costa, and bottom of their list was the Costa Del Azahar.
Now for those who do not know, the Costa Del Azahar centres around the holiday resort of Peniscola, on the east coast of Spain, 180 km north of Valencia.
Peniscola is a beautiful holiday resort, well worth a visit , with a beautiful Moorish castle , and 7 kilometres of golden sand. It probably has the finest beaches on the east coast of Spain. Far far nicer beaches than a Benidorm or Malaga.
The ancient castle was featured in the film ' El Cid' with Charlton Heston , and the money from the film went to local families, who used the money to develop the more traditional, modern part, so building up a network of bars, cafes, and restaurants. So now there is a mix of modern and traditional , so you can explore the Old Town and Castle , and also entertain the family on the beach, or just visit a club, bar, or try watersports.
There are several Fiestas throughout the year. The Fallas in the nearby town of Benicarlo in March, the International Jazz Festival in July, the Firework Display set to classical music in August, and the Moors and Christians parade in September.
Now if you are looking for accommodation, it is true that the hotels in Peniscola don't seem to know that there is a recession going on, but there are a few Hostals offering budget prices, and you can find them all within walking distance of town. Indeed in summer when parking is at a premium, a Hostal is probably a better option, as you avoid getting a ticket.
If you are travelling from Barcelona to Valencia, or vice versa, then i would recommend staying a few days in Peniscola, even if it means cutting down on the time spent in Valencia.
One traveller posting on here in 2009 took Peniscola off his itinery in favour of extra days in Valencia. I would say that this was a mistake, as Valencia is not that remarkable a city. A poor shadow of Barcelona, and infact a holiday maker would find Peniscola far more attractive.