On this occasion we invite you to enjoy a historic town in the province of Alicante that has suffered a significant depopulation over the years.
We are talking about Benilloba, a municipality of less than 1,000 inhabitants, highly recommended for a visit if you are staying in Alicante or Valencia.
Without a doubt, it is a very interesting excursion, especially if you are travelling with children and want to change the hustle and bustle of the beaches for the tranquillity of the interior.
How to get to Benilloba
From Valencia, the journey to Benilloba takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. From Alicante you will arrive in less than 1 hour directly on the A-7 road.
Exploring Benilloba
The streets of this town in Alicante reflect many years of historical events. The name Benilloba comes from the Arabic Bani Lúbba, alluding to an important tribe of the ancient Xarq al-Andalus, territories of al-Andalus during the Muslim period that today extend over Murcia, Valencia, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
Located on the right bank of the river Penáguila, the oldest part of the village is around the Calle Major, and the Plaza de l’Església, where you can see the town hall and the church of Santa María de Benillobal, built in the 18th century.
Also noteworthy are the ceramic altarpieces (18th century). In the streets of the village there are old ceramic altarpieces representing the saints that give their name to the street.
El Molí del Salt, a beautiful and easy route
If you are looking for an outdoor plan with children, this route in Alicante, of low difficulty, is the right one for you.
The route is relatively short; it takes about 40 minutes round trip and you can walk it comfortably without any physical preparation.
It is designed with a good infrastructure including stairs and some handrails, which makes it of low difficulty and suitable for the whole family and even pets.
Along the way, you will find well-placed signs to ensure that you do not stray from the route.
To get to the Salt de Benilloba you will cross other really interesting spots such as the Fuente de la Teuleria, the Molino de les Penyes, another charming old building from 1852, and even a beautiful stone bridge.
To appreciate the waterfall in all its splendour, we recommend you visit during the rainy season, when the water flows at its strongest.
The best option to start the route is to drive to the Els Molins car park, which is well indicated on Maps. It is a car park with plenty of spaces.
This same journey by car can be done on foot from the village in about 15 minutes along the road.
Once you are at the Els Molins car park, you will see an information sign and cross a path with picnic tables, ideal for eating or resting.
A few metres further on, you will cross the old stone bridge overlooking the Molí de les Penyes del Salt.
We follow the route and after leaving an olive grove on the right, we see the stairs that lead us to the mill.
At this point, just before descending the stairs, you will find a narrower path. Although less accessible than the rest of the route, it is worth following with caution to get a wider view of the spectacular waterfall from the old irrigation channel.
After descending the stairs, continue along the path that will take you to the old flour mill. This mill was converted into a hydroelectric power station in 1889 to supply the village and is now in a state of ruin.
Although it is not accessible because it is fenced off, go to the river to see the impressive Salt de Benilloba, which is approximately 20 metres high.
This is the end of the route as we will have to return the same way back to the car park.
Gastronomy and tradition: the flavours of Benilloba
Benilloba’s culinary delights are another irresistible attraction. From the delicious “Pericana” (recipe of peppers and cod) to the comforting “Olleta” (stew with vegetables and sausages), the local gastronomy is very attractive and at the same time different from that of the coast. Don’t forget to try some of the local produce at the town’s weekly market.
The festive life of Benilloba is very intense, the locality celebrates various festivals which attract many people in the region.
The day of San Vicente is celebrated with a popular barbecue where the most important thing is the experience of uniting the whole village.
There is also a traditional exhibition of old looms in the “Llar del Jove”, where you can see how these machines, which have been the economic engine of Benilloba since the beginning of the 20th century, work.
In August the town celebrates its main festivities, merging the ecclesiastical events dedicated to its patron saint with the impressive parades of the Moors and Christians festivities, celebrating both at the same time.
Another very interesting celebration is the “Danzas Típicas” which are held in honour of the Mother of God in September and are organised by the “mayorales”, the 18 year olds, who take to the streets in colourful traditional costumes to the sound of the dulzainas.
What are you waiting for? Escape to Benilloba and connect with history in a setting of great beauty. If you want to continue discovering the interior of Alicante, a few kilometres away you will find the town of Alcoy with a very interesting town centre, which has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
Activities such as hiking, climbing, horseback riding and other adventure tourism activities are also available in the area, so there’s no excuse!
