Benissa town hall

Benissa Town Hall (Ajuntament de Benissa) stands on Plaza del Portal, the spot once occupied by the eastern gate of the old town's defensive walls. It is the seat of the local government, serving both residents and the many visitors who pass through this town in Alicante, on the Costa Blanca.

How do you get there?

The building sits right in the heart of Benissa's historic centre, a few minutes' walk from the main sights of the old town — the Purísima Xiqueta church and the narrow lanes leading up to the viewpoints on the hill. The square in front of the town hall is easy to reach from the car parks around the centre, and unlike several other spots on the old town's hill, the approach doesn't involve steep stairs. If you're driving, the simplest option is to park near the entrance to the centre and continue on foot — Benissa is compact, so distances between sights stay short.

What's the story behind the building?

The current town hall is not the oldest administrative building in town. It began life in 1790 as the municipal hospital, and only later took on a civic role — becoming the definitive seat of the town council in 1981, a function it still holds today. Before that, the council had its home elsewhere, in the so-called Ajuntament Vell (Old Town Hall), a mid-16th-century building that served as the seat of local government for more than a century, from 1860 to 1981. That older building led a busy life: its upper floors stored grain and hosted the council chamber and court, its ground floor held a fish market, and its basement contained prison cells. Today the Ajuntament Vell has been repurposed for social services, while full administrative duties rest with the building on Plaza del Portal.

What will you actually see?

The square itself, Plaza del Portal, is a natural starting point for exploring the old town — its name recalls the former town gate that once stood here, before the walls came down. Look at the town hall's architecture, typical of civic buildings from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and at the surrounding streets, which still carry the feel of an old market town. This isn't a sightseeing attraction in the classic sense — there's no museum or exhibition inside — but it works well as a reference point on a walk through Benissa, especially if you're curious about the local administrative history and the layout of small Costa Blanca towns.

When should you visit?

Early morning or late afternoon are the best times to walk around Benissa's centre, when temperatures are lower and the streets quieter — particularly in summer, when the Costa Blanca draws large crowds. Spring and autumn make for comfortable walking weather in the old town, without the heat typical of July and August. The square in front of the town hall also hosts local events and municipal celebrations from time to time, so it's worth checking the events calendar before a visit if you want a taste of town life outside the tourist season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Benissa town hall? It's a working seat of local government, so public access is generally limited to the public areas and office hours. It isn't set up as a museum.

What's the difference between the current town hall and the Ajuntament Vell? The current building on Plaza del Portal has served as the town hall since 1981, having previously been the municipal hospital from 1790. The Ajuntament Vell is the older 16th-century building that served as town hall from 1860 to 1981 and now houses social services.

Is it worth seeing if I'm not interested in local government? Yes — the square and its surroundings are part of the historic layout of the old town, and make a good jumping-off point for further exploring Benissa.

How long does a visit take? A few minutes is enough to see the building and square from outside — it's a stop along a walking route, not a destination in itself.