Horní Benešov consists of two municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census):[2] Horní Benešov is located about 10 kilometres (6 mi) east of Bruntál and 20 km (12 mi) west of Opava.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, economic development of Benešov was driven mostly by textile industry.

Most populous religious groups were Roman Catholics with 3,766 (98.4%), followed by Protestants with 30 (0.8%) and the Jews with 25 (0.6%).

From 1938 to 1945 Horní Benešov was annexed by Nazi Germany and administered as a part of the Reichsgau Sudetenland.

The main landmark of Horní Benešov is the Church of Saint Catherine.