Peñíscola Castle
Peñíscola, Spain
A Templar castle on a rocky peninsula that became the seat of the antipope Benedict XIII. The walled old town fills the rock around it; park in the paid lots on the isthmus.
Peñíscola Castle stands on a rock roughly 65 m high, linked to the mainland only by a narrow strip of land. The Templars built the present complex between 1294 and 1307 on the remains of a Muslim fortress; in 1319 it passed to the Order of Montesa. From 1411 until his death in 1423, the antipope Benedict XIII, known as Papa Luna, lived here, refusing to give up his claim to the papacy during the Western Schism. The castle is therefore also called “Castell del Papa Luna”.
Later it served as a film location, including for “El Cid” (1961) and “Game of Thrones”. At the rock lies the sea cave “Bufador del Papa Luna”, where spray shoots up when the sea is rough. Find out about parking options before you travel.
- Nearest town
- Peñíscola, Spain
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 40.3593, 0.4078
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Camping FerrerCampsite1 km from Peñíscola CastleTentsCaravansElectricityWi-Fi
- El CidCampsite2 km from Peñíscola CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Sol d'OrCampsite3 km from Peñíscola CastleTentsCaravansElectricityWi-Fi
- Stop & Go La VoltaMotorhome stopover4 km from Peñíscola CastleCaravansMotorhomesToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Camping OrangeraieCampsite11 km from Peñíscola CastleTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Playa TropicanaCampsite19 km from Peñíscola CastleTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Peñíscola Castle?
Peñíscola Castle is in Peñíscola, Spain, at GPS 40.3593, 0.4078. It is about 51 km from Tortosa.
Can you camp near Peñíscola Castle?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping Ferrer, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 30 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Peñíscola Castle?
Peñíscola Castle is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Valencia to the Maestrat: Sagunto, Peñíscola and Morella.
What is there to see near Peñíscola Castle?
Places worth a stop nearby: Ebro Delta (48 km), Valderrobres Castle (61 km), Sagunto Castle (95 km) and Tarraco amphitheatre (110 km).
When is the best time to visit Peñíscola Castle?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)