Benidorm Island is small, but it’s packed with legends.
Just under two nautical miles from the town of Benidorm, north of Costa Blanca, this rocky islet has earned the nickname “pirate island” and is full of tales.
Some stories speak of pirates and giants. Others tie the island’s origin to Puig Campana, a nearby mountain. This is where the legendary Christian knight Roland is said to have lived. A famous warrior, Roland, was known for defending and expanding his lands.
One of the island’s most famous tales is about Roland’s forbidden love. He fell for a Muslim girl, which is something that upset many at the time. When word reached a powerful magician, he was furious. Disgusted by their love, he cast a deadly spell: the girl would die as soon as the last ray of sunlight disappeared from Benidorm.
Roland couldn’t stop the curse, but he tried to delay it. He took his love to the top of Puig Campana and, in a moment of desperation, swung his sword and carved a chunk out of the mountain. This created a gap where sunlight could shine through, giving them a few extra minutes together before the sun dipped below the horizon.
When the girl finally passed away, Roland was heartbroken. In a fit of grief and anger, he hurled the piece of mountain into the sea. That rock became what we now call Benidorm Island.
