Illeta dels Banyets, a unique archaeological site

Located in El Campello in the province of Alicante, Illeta dels Banyets is an impressive coastal archaeological site that is practically surrounded by the sea. Through Mediterranean in Action, we’d like to take you on a journey back in ancient history. 

The site is situated on a small islet that has been artificially connected to the mainland via an isthmus for almost a century. It is worth a visit for its setting alone. While here, you will have the opportunity to explore the remains of ancient civilisations that have shown us that the area was an important trade port for centuries. 

The oldest remains, which are a mind-boggling 5,000 years old, reveal that Illeta dels Banyets was a site of activity all the way back in the Bronze Age and the Iberian period. A number of ceramic pieces and weapons have been discovered from the latter period. When the Romans arrived, they built small fish farms in the banyets, which are thought to have kept the fish cool.

We highly recommend coming to take a look around – or enjoying a guided tour of – Illeta dels Banyets to find out more about this important heritage site. Information panels created by the experts at the Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ) will help you understand what you are seeing, describing each area and providing important historical context.

Before coming to visit Illeta dels Banyets, you can watch our video as many times as you like. We are sure this will serve as inspiration to start planning a getaway to the site and the incredible Provincial Archaeological Museum in Alicante. Keep up-to-date with everything that is new on Mediterranean in Action by signing up to our newsletter and giving yourself the opportunity to keep up to speed with the experiences and destinations that you can enjoy in the provinces of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. We can’t wait to see you.