Benimarfull in the Vall de Travadell
Benimarfull can be seen as a village with its own distinct character and as a starting point for exploring the surrounding landscape. It lies in the Vall de Travadell, a valley that connects Gorga, Millena, Benillup and Benimarfull. In the village, agriculture, irregular streets, whitewashed houses, trees and plants shape its character. For planning your trip, it is helpful to distinguish between the two: the church and village history are part of a stay in the village, while a hiking route and the protected Serpis area take you into the surrounding countryside. This way, you can tailor the focus of your stay to your interests rather than treating a single attraction as a complete itinerary.
Getting There and the Landscape
To get to Benimarfull, take the N-340 to Muro de Alcoy, then continue along the CV-700. On older maps, the CV-700 is marked as the C-3311. If you compare different map versions, look out for both names. This route adds a practical reference point for getting there to the village’s setting in the Vall de Travadell.
When exploring the landscape, it is worth distinguishing between different features. A hiking route in the area leads to Font d’Albacar, where there is a recreation area with a pond. The protected landscape area Paisaje Protegido del Serpis can be explored from Benimarfull. Barranc del Sofre, meanwhile, is one of the ravines that drains the municipality and flows into the River Serpis. The route to Font d’Albacar describes an excursion to a named destination; Barranc del Sofre, by contrast, describes the connection between the municipality and the river. Your visit may also coincide with the blossoming of almond or cherry trees.
Church and Village History
The present-day church building in Benimarfull dates from 1663. The parish church of Santa Anna houses altarpieces, sculptures and paintings and is classified as a locally significant cultural asset under Valencian heritage law. The church’s 25-metre-high bell tower houses the parish museum. The building’s history, its artworks and the museum offer distinct ways to explore the village’s cultural heritage.
The springs offer another glimpse into the past. Benimarfull has several sulphur springs; the Fuente de Santa Ana sulphur-calcium spring operated from 1847 to 1936. The associated spa was permanently closed in 1940. The former spa consisted of two large buildings with 70 rooms. These details bring the former complex to life as part of the village’s history, while distinguishing the spring’s operating period from the spa’s later closure.
Festivals and Local Highlights
The August festival takes place on the first weekend of the month in honour of Santa Ana, San Jaime and the SantĂsimo Cristo de la Buena Muerte. Festivities include a parade of the Moros y Cristianos and a procession in honour of Christ. If you are planning to travel specifically for the celebrations, check the exact festival dates in advance. This will help you plan your stay around the event.
The local cuisine and everyday history also give the village its own points of interest. Pelotas de maĂz are among the highlights of Benimarfull’s cuisine. The public washhouse is another local place of interest. Together with the agricultural character of the village, these features complement its church and landscape attractions with insights into local traditions and character.
Discover more destinations: Portichol, Novelda, La Encina, Javea, San Isidro, El Tossal, Torrevieja, Tabarca
For the main travel guide: Alicante.
