The Barça futsal side were knocked out of the Spanish Cup at the semi-final stage on Saturday, going down to an 8-2 defeat against Peñíscola in the Palacio de los Deportes de Murcia. Barça went ahead early on in the encounter but their rivals' excellent finishing was too much for the blaugranes.  Barça say goodbye to the Spanish Cup and also lost Catela to injury, carried off on a stretcher after picking up a knee injury.  A goal after just three minutes saw Tino Pérez's side take the lead and the signs were hopeful for the defending champions. However, Peñíscola came roaring back with two goals in a minute to make it 2-1. The blaugranes did all they could to match things up but they came across an inspired Gus in goal for their opponents.  Before half time, Luciano Gauna added a third for Peñíscola with Dyego hitting the post for the blaugranes.  Just 22 seconds into the second half Pablo Muñoz made it 4-1 and the game started to slip away form Barça. Peñíscola moved into a 6-1 lead thanks to strikes from Diego Sancho and Víctor Pérez, before the injury to Catela further dampened the morale of the blaugranes.  Matheus pulled one back but two goals from Lucas Rocha late on sealed the win for Peñíscola and a place in the final.  Peñíscola: Gus, Lucas Flores, Luciano Gauna, Pol Salas, Diego Sancho -starting five- Agustín Plaza, Víctor Pérez, Juanqui, Yeray, Juan José, Pablo Muñoz, Cristian, Lucas Rocha. Barça: Dídac, Antonio, Dyego, Catela, Sergio González -starting five- Pito, Touré, Adolfo, Sergio Lozano, Eric Martel, Matheus. Goals: 0-1, Antonio (min 3). 1-1, Juanqui (min 6). 2-1, Juanqui (min 7). 3-1, Luciano Gauna (min 16). 4-1, Pablo Muñoz (min 21). 5-1, Diego Sancho (min 24). 6-1, Víctor Pérez (min 27), 6-2, Matheus (min 32). 7-2, Lucas Rocha (min 34). 8-2, Lucas Rocha (min 38).  A tough blow for the Barça futsal team at the Palau Blaugrana with Tino Pérez's going down to a 7-3 defeat against Peñíscola, the surprise package of the league season so far. The blaugranes had plenty of chances in the game but a combination of excellent goalkeeping and poor finishing condemned them to another loss in the league.  The visitors showed early on why they are the breakout team of the campaign in the league, taking the lead through Diego Sancho in the very first minute of the game after a mistake at the back from Barça. Fits struck back quickly for Barça to make it 1-1 but soon Peñíscola were ahead again when Gauna scored. Almost immediately Fits grabbed another to make it 2-2 but two defensive mistakes from the blaugranes allowed Juanqui and then Pani to give the visitors a two goal lead at 4-2 with just 11 minutes gone.  In the second half Adolfo reduced the deficit in the 27th minute with Barça back in the game at 4-3 down. However, Juanqui added a fifth for Peñíscola and then the visitors took advantage of Barça sacrificing their keeper to score twice late on to pile on the misery for the blaugranes and take a 7-3 win.  Barça: Dídac, Antonio, Touré, Catela, Fits -starting five- Adolfo, Pito, Erick, Matheus, Eric Martel. Peñíscola: Gus, Agustín Plaza, Luciano Gauna, Paniagua, Diego Sancho -starting five- Gio (gk), Juanqui, Yeray, Pol Salas, Quintela, Elías, Cristian, Pablo Muñoz.  Goals: 0-1, Diego Sancho (min 1). 1-1, Fits (min 2). 1-2, Gauna (min 9). 2-2, Fits (min 10). 2-3, Juanqui (min 10). 2-4, Paniagua (min 11). 3-4, Adolfo (min 27). 3-5, Juanqui (min 34). 3-6, Agustín Plaza (min 37). 3-7, Elías (min 38).  Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker causing flash flooding in parts of the provinces of Castellón Some areas recorded more than 40mm of rain in less than 1 hour The worst hit areas were the towns of Peñíscola and Benicarló along the coast where at least 6 vehicles were left stranded after flash floods inundated roads Teams of firefighters were called out to rescue stranded passengers and drivers from the trapped vehicles Benicarló was cut off for some time during the storm A state of emergency was declared in Peñíscola Areas of the region recorded intense rainfall during the early hours of 20 August El Toro in Castellón recorded 41.8mm of rain in 20 minutes Associació Valenciana de Meteorologia (AVAMET) said that Peníscola recorded 58.8mm of rain during the storm Benicarló recorded 42.8mm of rain during the storm Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) in Valencia reported record rainfall in Alicante This is the highest daily total for a summer’s day AEMET said that 41.2mm of rain fell in 1 hour from 03:30 AVAMET reported that Villalonga in Valencia Province recorded 204.6mm of rain in 24 hours to 21 August and La Vall d’Ebo in Alicante Province 167.6mm during the same period — CPBC (@SIAB_Castellon) August 20, 2019 En 160 años, nunca hasta hoy había llovido tanto en un día de verano en #Alicante: 86,8 l/m². La mayor parte de la precipitación se ha registrado entre las 2 y 8 de la madrugada, y en tan solo una hora (de 03:30 a 04:30) se acumularon 41,2 l/m². https://t.co/AjrNNeU1zx — AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) August 21, 2019 https://twitter.com/Ajunt_Benicarlo/status/1163736416733540352 en la estacion automatica de El Toro-avamet cayeron ayer 16mm en los primeros 5 min de tormenta acabamos el dia pluviometrico con 54,1mm tras el xirimiri de esta noche — El Toro (@ElToro1009) August 21, 2019 #Precipitacions (mm) ⛈️ més destacables hui (fins a les 21:00h): 58,8 Peníscola FACSA50,5 El Toro43,4 Alpuente/Cuevarruz CHJ42,6 Illes Columbretes42,8 Benicarló (meteoclimatic)42,0 Traiguera33,6 Canet lo Roig28,0 Salinas25,8 Puebla de San Miguel15,6 Elda15,4 Sinarcas pic.twitter.com/A1eQ2qLcmi — AVAMET (@avamet) August 20, 2019 — Ajuntament Benicarló (@Ajunt_Benicarlo) August 20, 2019 Cookies | Privacy | Contacts © Copyright 2025 FloodList ShareSaveLifestyleTravelEscape Valencia For A Weekend Trip To This 'Game of Thrones' LocationByLavanya Sunkara Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights I cover travel with a focus on conservation and sustainability.Follow AuthorApr 04 10:06am EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 6 years old.Peñíscola’s Papa Luna Castle is a must-see treasure in Spain Sitting atop a rocky tombolo jutting into the Mediterranean Sea the impressive Papa Luna Castle is one of Spain’s many filming locations of Game of Thrones The 13th century castle in the town of Peñíscola first filled in for the slave city of Meereen in Season 4 when Daenerys Targaryen chose it as her residence The castle’s Plaza de Santa Maria was transformed into a lively market You’ll recognize the familiar landscapes of Ramp of Felipe II Artillery Park gardens and Portal Fosc as you follow in the footsteps of Tyrion Lannister and Lord Varys is located 90 miles north of the city of Valencia on Spain’s southeastern coast It beckons visitors with its stunning medieval fortress wide palm-tree lined Paseo Marítimo promenade running along miles of beautiful sandy beaches Peñíscola was declared a Historical Conservation Area Built by the Templar Knights between 1294 and 1307 on the foundations of an Arab fortress the impenetrable castle had many occupants including its most famous: Pope Benedict XIII The abundance of fresh water from an underground river that sprung through cracks in the boulders allowed the occupants access to water even when they were isolated from the mainland The castle remained a place of final refuge for men whose time ran out it attracts scores of travelers wishing to walk the walls that bore witness to history Visit the castle early in the morning for unfettered access to the grounds and rooms and the surrounding hills from its rooftop terraces with a bronze statue of the Pope perched at its entrance It gets almost as much attention as the Iron Throne sitting right outside the entry to the peninsula and the guard corps bring the world of the Templars (1119-1314) to the life with filmed reenactments projected on the stone walls After they fortified the castle and protected the area Their architectural genius lies within the fortress walls of Papa Luna victories and defeats as you walk through the arches and doorways The castle’s courtyard opens to stunning views of the Mediterranean The Peniscola Castle Gardens Bird Sanctuary located at the foot of the climb to the castle The Festival of Classical Theatre is held outdoors at the castle in July Making the ascent to the castle takes less than a half hour on foot Take your time to enjoy the sea views as you travel up the winding cobblestone paths past whitewashed houses Admire the ceramic balconies of the old buildings in the historic quarter an architectural style left behind by the Moors who ruled Spain for hundreds of years Stop by the seashell encrusted walls of Casa de las Conchas built by the town’s first female tourist guide Halfway along the route brings you to the lighthouse of El Faro built in 1892 with its light reaching a distance of 35 nautical miles Legend has it that the stairway was built by Pope Luna in a single night Admire the church of Parroquia Santa Maria before the ticket office located in the most easterly wall of the promontory take a peek at souvenir and ceramics shops that line the streets for postcards Peñíscola is traditionally a fishing village an industry that still remains one of its economic activities spot fishing boats coming into the wharf and auctioning off their fish to restaurants and residents Dozens of high-rise hotels and happening eateries serve fresh authentic paella on beachfront Papa Luna Street The North Beach offers views of the walled city and is fully serviced by lifeguards during the high season the pristine beach offers activities such as volleyball explore the many hiking trails in the nearby Natural Park of Serra d'Irta A video introduction to Papa Luna Castle: Read today's Portuguese stories delivered to your email motoring has unveiled countless new and exciting places both for my family and myself Without having got into my car and driving I'd never have discovered so many great places in the UK Ilfracombe and lots of places in gorgeous Cornwall have suddenly appeared in the vision-splay of our car windscreen having stabbed a biro onto the open page of a road map a wonderfully picturesque coastal town in southern Spain (located on the Costa del Azahar) I'd never even heard of it until we stumbled upon it during a road trip from the UK Because I'm still (rather pathetically) partial to a spot of puerile humour Peñiscola is not a name I'm likely to forget the name means 'almost an island' and it references the location of the stunning Templar castle which overlooks the resort perched on a rocky 'tor' that's seemingly 'almost' surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea the heart of Peñiscola is its charming historic old town complete with the afore-mentioned (obligatory) castle Take a stroll through the beautiful old coastal town and see its blue-detailed whitewashed houses They seem to match the glorious cloud-free blue skies and stunning vistas of the shimmering turquoise Mediterranean Sea which nestles in the shallow bay below The best time to visit Peniscola is from April to October During these months you can count on some pleasant summer temperatures with hardly any rain Peñiscola has a population of around 8,000 but this grows enormously during peak season An off-season visit comes highly recommended as the resort is at its most beautiful when you're not weaving your way through crowded streets We enjoyed the relative peace and tranquility of this exceptionally picturesque seaside town With around 300 days of sunshine each year Peñiscola is known to be amidst the sunniest locations along the southern Spanish coast It's simply a perfect location for those who enjoy combining sun sea and sandy beaches with some occasional sightseeing From Peñiscola you can book numerous excursions such as visiting the natural park of Sierra de Irta or the marshlands of the Ebro Delta The city of Valencia can also be visited on a day coach trip The old historic town of Peñiscola is located on a 64-meter-high rocky outcrop and is crowned by the mighty castle The historic town offers many interesting attractions not least of all the beautiful castle garden as well as the so-called Artillery Park the beautiful long sandy beaches of the popular resort below can be fully admired Another of Peñiscola's highlights is the whitewashed old town's labyrinth of hidden side streets and alleyways tapas bars and quirky souvenir shops amidst some local artisan shops Castillo de Peñíscola forms the heart of the old town Built in 1307 by the Knights Templar on a former Moorish fortress it was later repurposed as a papal palace by Benedict XIII (known as Pope Papa Luna) A visit to the castle is an absolute must before indulging in a gentle sunset stroll along the town's delightful waterfront The snow-white old town is definitely unique for this region It reminds me of pristine whitewashed Portuguese towns and villages By gently meandering through the old town's picturesque alleyways we experienced Peñiscola's most beautiful side The whitewashed townhouses seemingly aglow in the strong Mediterranean sunshine with those rustic tapas bars cafés and restaurants inviting weary legs to linger just a little longer Calle San Roque is one of the most beautiful streets in the center of the old town You'll not miss the great city wall which grants access to the old town via three impressive gates with its eleven meter high octagonal tower is one of the most striking features of old town Peñiscola The lighthouse was first put to use in 1899 and still operates to this day The tower and lantern have retained their original appearance you can't really miss this unique attraction Playa del Norte (North Beach) is doubtlessly the most popular beach in Peñiscola signaling that the water quality is suitably clean to invite people for a cooling Mediterranean dip Playa del Norte is roughly 5-kms long and offers plenty of soft golden sand as well as a beautifully paved promenade which connects the town center with the somewhat more peaceful north of the resort Thanks to its length the bay has ample space for sunbathers and sandcastle-building kiddies alike It's just a perfect spot for folks to generally relax in the glorious Spanish sunshine Whilst splashing about in crystal clear waters you can savour the picturesque backdrop of old town Peñiscola which provides this dreamy beachfront a surreal picture-postcard backdrop a really quirky house awaits the clicking lenses of tourists' cameras The unique House of Shells (Casa de las Conchas) isn't all that old It was created just over 50 years ago by a local tourist guide The original facade has been completely decorated with native sea shells and has subsequently become a popular photo opportunity Not too far from the shell encrusted dwelling the winding cobbled pathways will lead you to The Bufador This is a large hole (cave) that is located beneath the old town and is directly connected to the sea you can hear the sound of the waves amplified by this eerie cave formation the waves gush upwards through the Bufador like a fountain Playa del Sur borders the southern end of the old town This is a true beach paradise for young families with small children The crystal-clear waters are particularly shallow along this section of the coastline It's perfect for both adults and kids to splash around in safety the ever-present old town will tower in the background it once again conjures an idyllic picture-postcard backdrop During the high season you can hire sunbeds colourful parasols or even rent kayaks and pedal boats for a full-on day of fabulous fun and seaside bliss there's a wide range of hotels and accommodation in Peñiscola It all adds up to make for a perfect holiday location to suit all tastes I enjoy both equally which (according to Carl Munson of Good Morning Portugal) makes me a bonafide Bi-berian Douglas Hughes is a UK-based writer producing general interest articles ranging from travel pieces to classic motoring.  We appreciate that not everyone can afford to pay for our services but if you are able to we ask you to support The Portugal News by making a contribution – no matter how small You can change how much you give or cancel your contributions at any time Send us your comments or opinion on this article Reaching over 400,000 people a week with news about Portugal Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Valencia’s myriad attractions are no secret and the Costa Blanca is never short on visitors; but you don’t hear a great deal about the province of Castellón after the long-awaited opening of the region’s airport so there’s never been a better time to explore its Mediterranean beaches The 700-year Moorish invasion had a profound effect on the shaping of Spain where ancient Arab methods of irrigation are still used in the fertile groves of orange but – in spring – its scent to this part of the world is a mix of quiet coves and built-up resorts at its best just before or just after the peak months of July and August the more workaday fishing port of Vinarós or the town of Benicàssim now a lively resort famous for its festival but once the summer retreat of the urban elite whose houses can still be seen along the seafront Dominating the northern stretch of coast, Peñíscola is a handsome medieval walled town sitting high on a rocky isthmus Its crowning glory is its 14th-century castle which was built by the Knights Templar on the remains of an Arab fortress The castle would later become the home of ‘Papa Luna’ as the Spanish know deposed Pope Benedict XIII Peñíscola’s other great claim to fame (in addition to its more recent portrayal as the city of Meereen in Season 6 of Game of Thrones) is as the setting for parts of El Cid They only add to the atmosphere of the picturesque old town whose winding cobbled streets are undeniably touristy but is still a charming place to while away an afternoon you’ll need to walk north away from the town or otherwise there are a couple of rocky coves to explore to the south A world apart from the frenetic coastal strip of the Castellón region the Maestrazgo (not to be confused with the adjacent Aragonese county of the same name) is a vast and sparsely inhabited region of low mountains and hilltop villages grazed by Merino sheep – another legacy of the Moorish invasion were responsible for the terracing of foothills meaning that crops could be grown on this inhospitable soil Another distinctive feature of the landscape are the long threads of dry-stone walling, a local craft so prized that a group of Maestrazgo villages have applied to Unesco for Intangible Cultural Heritage status, and the town of Vilafranca has an entire (and surprisingly interesting) museum dedicated to it, the Museo de Pedra en Sec from mountain biking to canyoning and spelunking and the area holds some splendid hiking and driving: as well as Vilafranca towns to look out for include Morella and north of it a peaceful place with a huddle of medieval buildings and some prehistoric cave paintings a lively town of grand buildings and tourist-free restaurants The coastal town of Benicàssim erupts every July for one of Spain’s biggest music festivals the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB) who descend in their tens of thousands for a line-up that in 2017 includes the Red Hot Chili Peppers as well Spanish favourites Los Planetas and Love of Lesbian It’s not hard to see what lies at the heart of its popularity with young foreigners more accustomed to UK prices and Glastonbury mud and what it lacks in rolling meadows FIB makes up for with the nearby beach which is where exhausted party people sleep off the excesses of the night before a hat and comfortable trainers (you’ll be four days walking on concrete) it’s worth shelling out for a VIP ticket or glamping since the campsites can get absolutely rammed which pulls in some of the best-known names from dub Toots and the Maytals and Mad Professor head a star-studded bill Much has been written about the approach to Morella which rises from the landscape like the fortress of an evil cartoon king the serfs’ houses huddled at the foot of its rather gloomy castle It is an undeniably spectacular sight from afar and is no less atmospheric (just a little less intimidating) within The city walls – an impressive two kilometres long – are still intact and punctuated with six gateways and 14 towers some of which have been turned into quirky museums charting aspects of the town’s history You could spend a day just wandering its narrow streets and sampling the local delicacies – sheep’s milk cheese artisanal honey – or shopping for textiles (blanket- and rug-weaving is a local speciality) and it’s worth factoring in time for lunch Morella has a good selection of restaurants where you can try the locally produced lamb and charcuterie as well as the paella and rice dishes more typical of the Castellón coast Composer Oscar Senen will premiere tonight a concert for oboe and orchestra composed especially for the closing evening of the “XXXIII Cycle of Classical Music Concerts – City of Peñiscola 2017” (held from 17-30 September) The music will be performed by the Peñiscola Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Salvador Garcia Sorli with composer Oscar Senen as guest conductor When: Saturday 30th of September 2017 at 8:00 p.m Where: Palau de Congressos de Peñiscola (Peñiscola Tickets: € 5 / € 3 Kids (Donation for the Peñiscola Music School) Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/134347693846504/ More information: http://www.peniscola.org/ver/9824/M%C3%BAsica-Cl%C3ssica-2017.html Discover a way to enjoy that music live in SoundTrackFest Here you will find all the information you need to live your favorite Soundtracks and meet the Composers the FC Barcelona futsal team are out of the Copa del Rey after losing 4-3 to Peñíscola in this one leg knockout match at the Pabellón Juan Vizcarro Plaza having to clear a Sergio Gonzalez shot off the line after nine minutes his shot into the top corner a minute later opening the scoring (0-1 Peñíscola appeared to have equalised but it was ruled out due to a refereeing error Juanqui getting the equaliser after 14 minutes Sergio Gonzalez scored again after the restart ending a good counterattack by Erick and Coelho at the far post (1-2 Aware of the one-legged nature of the game Peñíscola upped the tempo and go their equaliser wen Coelho scored an own goal after a Diego Sancho shot (2-2 skipper Lozano making it 2-3 at a vital time in the game (min there was still more drama as Juanqui scored twice in 30 seconds of the final minute to complete his hattrick to leave Barça without a chance to respond or to progress further in the Copa del Rey First win of the season for FC Barcelona in the league as they overcome Peñíscola 3-1 at the Palau Blaugrana in front of 1,612 fans After an early own goal for the blaugranes the visitors fought back to level things up but Barça went straight back ahead through Mateus A third from Catela secured all three points for Jesús Velasco's team The game began with chances for both teams Next Catela's effort was saved by the visitors' keeper Gus only to rebound off defender Jose Mario and into his own net Barça had chances to make it 2-0 but Dyego's shot rebounded back off the post Goalkeeper Feixas played his part for the blaugranes also in the opening period making a handful of vital saves The visitors were level just three minutes into the restart Juanqui finished nicely to make it 1-1 Yepes provided Matheus with a chance that he finished in off the post The blaugranes extended their lead in the 28th minute when Catela finished a one on one with keeper Gus Barça were able to hold off the visitors and record their first league win of the season your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt Two people have died after a three-storey apartment building collapsed in eastern Spain Rescue services said they had recovered the body of a missing woman authorities had confirmed that a 14-year-old boy had been killed in the collapse and his body had been found Spain's fire brigade confirmed that the victims are related and that there were no more missing people A 26-year-old man was also pulled alive from the debris on Thursday evening after an extensive search and rescue operation "It was a real miracle," Mayor Andrés Martínez told the state television station The incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the "Font Nova" housing estate in Peñíscola about 130 kilometres northeast of Valencia several residents were able to get to safety in time after hearing "strange noises" The cause of the collapse is not yet clear and the Guardia Civil police unit has launched an investigation is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain It is often said that knowledge is power, and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country, like Spain. Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture, rules, events, and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time. THE picturesque town of Peniscola in the province of Valencia is preparing for the latest film crews to arrive in the area. Council staff have started working on local historical monuments to make sure they are perfect for the filming of the sixth season of Games of Thrones. Peniscola is a popular location amongst film crews, as many TV programmes and films have used the town as a setting, including El Cid in 1961. Local Mayor Andres Martinez is more than happy to welcome the Game of Thrones film crew and the financial benefits, publicity and tourists it will bring with them for the medieval town. Game of Thrones has over 100 million viewers in more than170 countries and it has been said that when the show moved to Northern Ireland, it added £65 million into its economy. Four hundred and fifty hotel rooms are being organised those involved in the filming. Modern elements of the town such as metal plaques in Plaza Santa Maria will be covered with wood until the filming is over. The filming is scheduled to run from October 2 to 6. For the first time in the show’s six season history, Game of Thrones secured the title of Best Drama Series at Sunday night’s Emmy awards in Los Angeles. The show collected a recordbreaking 12 awards from its 24 nominations, the most any series has won in a single year. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! Known as the PEOPLE’S PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. And it’s FREE! Covering the Almeria, Axarquia, Costa Blanca North, Costa Blanca South, Costa del Sol , Costa Calida, Mallorca and beyond, EWN supports and inspires the individuals, neighbourhoods, and communities we serve, by delivering news with a social conscience. Whether it’s local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month, EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. Download our media pack in either English or Spanish. Top country was chosen by nearly a third of those polled I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Spain has topped a list of countries Britons are planning to visit this year revealed nearly a third (29 per cent) of respondents planned to visit the Med holiday favourite in 2022 Second most popular was the US with 18 per cent saying that they had plans to visit the States this year Third on the list was France - which has currently banned most British visitors - with 17 per cent saying they’d like to visit chosen by 16 and 10 per cent of those polled respectively while Canada and Turkey also made the top 10 list Spain had also topped ABTA’s list for 2021 while the US and France each moved up one spot this year Spain is currently open only to fully vaccinated British visitors, with no test required, while the US is open to fully vaccinated travellers who can show a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within the 24 hours before travel Of the countries on the list, all are open to some or all Britons except Australia - which has banned UK arrivals since the beginning of the pandemic and plans to lift restrictions in April 2022 at the earliest - and France “January is typically when people start to plan their holidays for the year ahead, so we’d encourage anyone who is thinking of booking a holiday to speak with an ABTA member,” said Graeme Buck, director of communications at ABTA. “Whether they’re looking to visit one of these popular destinations or somewhere else entirely, our members are experts at finding the best holiday for their customers – and at a competitive price. “They’ll also be there to look after their customers every step of the way, from doing all the research to keeping them up-to-date with any restrictions or changes they need to be aware of, so they can book and travel with confidence.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies The most highly-rated restaurant in Peniscola this is a place that really cares about food have unleashed their creativity on the simple yet sumptuous menu tuna carpaccio and baked lamb are done to perfection Everything including the bread is homemade using locally-sourced ingredients with a focus on slow food seek out this cute restaurant in a quiet spot in the mountains but chef-owner Sebastien cooks up a varied menu that’s more adventurous than most in town It’s just a short stroll from the beach for lunch at Tio Pepe The menu of Valencian dishes with a modern twist is mostly seafood-based and everything comes well-presented and reasonably priced Don’t miss their rice with red prawns and clams offers authentic regional cuisine cooked to a high standard This is a friendly place where no one will mind you licking your fingers (and possibly the plate) after dinner rice with lobster and good old seafood paella If you’re looking for fresh seafood prepared with love this cosy restaurant run by fisherman Dani is the place to go and when he’s not cooking he also organises fishing trips on his boat Try local specialities like the dramatic-looking baby cuttlefish cooked in its ink Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy If you picture yourself enjoying dinner while watching the sun setting over the Med there are plenty of places you can do that here in Peniscola This is a great pick either for a romantic evening or family lunch with a great location by the castle looking out to sea and a good-value menu of well-prepared seafood and rice dishes Within the old town but tucked away from the busier streets this popular local spot named after the owner is a great choice for seafood Unusual dishes such as cazuela de rape or arroz con bogabante are completely homemade Another central spot loved for its excellent seafood the pulpo or octopus prepared every which way Especially popular is their Galician octopus but there’s also grilled and fried octopus as well as a plentiful octopus salad and large octopus croquettes you’ll pass through a narrow street of blue and white painted houses next to the pretty church of Santa Maria a friendly locally-owned restaurant where the owners want to showcase Peniscola’s traditional dishes there’s a lot of focus on fish and rice dishes Prices are surprisingly reasonable and the dining room It can be difficult to judge the many restaurants in Peniscola’s Old Town Specialising in traditional rice and seafood dishes everything from the arroz a banda to the seafood platter is made with care and quality ingredients but for locals it’s also a perfect stop just for a vermouth before lunchtime Clare Speak is a travel journalist from Manchester England who has been living out of a suitcase for the past decade She currently writes about all things Spanish from her base in Valencia Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Sports The Most Epic Hiking Trails in Spain's Sierra Nevada US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd