Benicasim (Spanish: [benikaˈsin]); or Benicàssim (Valencian: [beniˈkasim]); officially Benicasim/Benicàssim[2] Arabic: بنو قاسم, romanized: banū qāsim, or بني قاسم, banī qāsim, according to numismatic findings)[3] is a municipality and beach resort located in the province of Castellón, on the Costa del AzaharinSpain. The Desert de les Palmes mountain range further inland shelters the town from the north wind. The name is derived from the Banu Qasim tribe, a segment of the Kutama Berbers that settled the area during the 8th century Moorish conquest of Spain.
| Benicasim/Benicàssim | |
Aerial view of Benicàssim
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Flag 
Coat of arms | |
Location of Benicàssim
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Show map of Valencian Community Show map of Spain | |
| Coordinates: 40°03′19″N 0°03′51″E / 40.05528°N 0.06417°E / 40.05528; 0.06417 | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Valencian Community |
| Province | Castellón |
| Comarca | Plana Alta |
| Judicial district | Castellón de la Plana |
| Government | |
| • Alcalde | Francesc Colomer Sánchez (2007) (PSOE) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.1 km2 (13.9 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population
(2018)[1]
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| • Total | 18,055 |
| • Density | 500/km2 (1,300/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Benicense Benicassut/da |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code |
12560
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| Official language(s) | Spanish and Valencian |
| Website | Official website |
Benicassim is located 13 km north of the town of Castellón de la Plana, at the north end of the Valencian Community. The town has a population of 18,991 (2021). Its economy is largely based on tourism; the town is well known for its beaches and its music festivals such as Festival Internacional de Benicàssim (FIB) and the Rototom Sunsplash.
Benicasim/Benicàssim has 6 kilometers of sandy beaches linked by a promenade. The five beaches in this stretch of coast are named
Just inland from Benicàssim lies the Desert of the Palms (Valencian: Desert de les Palmes; Spanish: Desierto de las Palmas). The area is not a literal desert, but a protected natural area and a small mountain range with a maximum elevation of 729 meters (at the peak of Mount Bartolo). The Columbretes Islands are visible from the top of the range on clear days.
The ”Vía Verde” (green way) is a 5.5 km long cycle and walking path along the rugged coast between the resort towns of Benicassim and Oropesa del Mar.
