🍷 TASTE AND ENJOY THE GASTRONOMY
Benicarló is a gastronomic destination, famous above all for its DO artichokes, its fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, and now also for its wines. Local restaurateurs have taken advantage of this vast 0-mile supply and await you with their finest creations. We've also selected the best gastronomic experiences within a maximum of 50 km of Benicarló. Can you imagine a getaway filled with intense flavors? We suggest several options for your gastronomic getaway:
1.
At any time of year, create your own restaurant route based on your preferences: Michelin-starred Raúl Resino, vegan/vegetarian Slow Food, beachfront terraces, rice restaurants... We make it easy with our selection of restaurants for couples, sorted by proximity to Inspiramar.
2.
Take advantage of the gastronomic events held in Benicarló: don't miss the Benicarló Artichoke Festival (DO) between January and February, and the Octopus Festival (Caduf) between September and November. Click here. here to see more gastronomic events taking place nearby, in Peñíscola, Vinaròs and other towns in the region.
3.
Visit the stalls of local producers at the Benicarló market and buy their quality products: seafood, fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables… A spectacle of color, bustle, and authenticity. At the market itself, the bars will cook whatever you bring them. Can you imagine having chosen your fresh prawns at the fishmonger and, immediately afterward, sitting down to enjoy them at the market itself? Fresher, it couldn't be! Another option, of course, is to cook locally sourced products in your loft, enjoying the fully equipped kitchen with complete peace of mind.
Wine tourism
Visit the vineyards, explore the wineries, savor the nuances on your palate... If the world of wine is your thing, this is the getaway for you. From Benicarló, enjoy the wine tourism experiences we've prepared for you:
a) Tours and tastings at the Vino Carlón winery in Benicarló. Learn about the impressive history of Carlón wine: from its splendor to its demise due to phylloxera, to its recent revival.
b) Visit the vineyards, enjoy a wine tasting, and enjoy a food tasting at the Besalduch, Valls & Bellmunt wineries in Sant Mateu. This winery is located in the former Sant Mateu cooperative, just 30 minutes from Benicarló. It's exciting to learn the story of its restoration: from the building's abandonment to its current enhancement. At the winery, they will passionately explain the restoration of this space, where you can tour its impressive wine tanks, descend into its underground corridors, and taste its wines. During the tasting, you'll sample the oil from its estates—the "coupage" oil and the Farga variety of ancient olive oil—accompanied by bread rolls. Also on offer are its white, rosé, red, and semi-sweet wines, as well as the exclusive Carlón de Sant Mateu wine (made with raisins, with an alcohol content of 18%). All these products can also be purchased at its farm shop. Choose one of the tour packages and, when booking, mention that you're coming from Inspiramar Benicarló to receive discounts on your visit. The winery is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To round off your morning, we recommend lunch in the winery's basement (a private room in the charming warehouse). Another option is to explore the town of Sant Mateu on foot, discovering its charm and cuisine. The old town is listed as a National Monument. You'll find the restaurant in its square. In Nostra: We recommend it for its great value and its meats. Another magnificent option is to go up to the hermitage of the Mare de Déu dels Àngels, where you will find the signature restaurant The ForgeThe place is spectacular for its magnificent panoramic view.
c) Visits to the family of producers of Canet lo Roig, La Canetana.
Oleotourism
Olive oil, "liquid gold" and the ultimate symbol of the Mediterranean diet, has the world's largest concentration of ancient olive trees in the Sénia region (a territory between Valencia, Catalonia, and Aragon). We suggest you visit the Route of the Ancient Olive Trees (oliveresmillenaries.com) and take the opportunity to taste its oil and explore its landscapes. These suggestions combine very well with wine tourism getaways:
a) Cervera del Maestre – Sant Mateu Route: A must-see is the Cervera Oil Museum, where you can learn about the traditional oil production process dating back to the Renaissance and see its spectacular wooden press. Afterwards, we'll head to Sant Mateu, with its beautiful historic center, where you can enjoy oil tastings and a visit to Besalduch, Valls & Bellmunt, in its impressive building. Check out their tour packages. here.
b) Traiguera – La Jana – Canet lo Roig Route.
c) Route of the ancient olive trees of the Arión district, in Ulldecona.
