We’re all familiar with the beaches of Barcelona, the vibrant culture of Madrid — and the crowds of tourists that flock to these Spanish hotspots every single year.
But there’s another city in Spain, nestled just an hour from Valencia, where you can explore a vibrant city and relaxing beaches, without the crowds.
Castellon de la Plana is located on the Costa del Azahar, and it’s easy to get to: there’s return flights from just £36 if you fly into Valencia, or from £40 if you fly into the closer airport of Castellon de la Plana.
The city has been enjoyed by those who’ve visited, with one TikToker (@destinationlocator) saying: ‘[It] completely surprised me.
‘Walking through the charming squares with barely any tourists felt like a secret discovery. The hidden gem offered a refreshing contrast to the usual crowds.’
Temperatures even reach the low 30s in the summer months, making it the perfect place to top up your tan.
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But don’t just take our word for it, here’s everything on offer…
Things to do
There’s a whole lot to see and do, starting with the iconic central market at the epicentre of the city, which has been welcoming people since 1949 on an almost daily basis.
The market is housed in its dedicated building Mercado Central, which creates a bustling atmosphere where shoppers and few tourists alike browse the more than 80 stalls on offer.
Expect to try lots of the city’s finest produce and soak in the flavours of the Valencia region.
After, why not head to the nearby Town Hall – a stunning Baroque building from the 17th century – before admiring the Santa Maria la Mayor Church, which dates all the way back to the 13th century, although it had to be rebuilt after it was demolished in the Spanish Civil War.
You can take in the El Fadri gothic bell tower which is a major landmark in the city, although reviews suggest climbing to the top is slightly anticlimatic.
Then, make a pit stop in Ribalta park which tourists on Tripadvisor said is ‘great for a picnic’, to recharge before heading slightly further from the centre to visit the castle ruins atop a hill – the Hermitage of Santa María Magdalena.
In March every year its visited by locals carrying green ribbons for the Las Cañas Pilgrimage, to express their devotion to the Virgin Mary and commemorate the city’s founding.
If a museum is more up your street, there are plenty to choose from. The Museu de la Ciutat de Castelló will teach you all about the traditional trades and professions in the city, or the Fine Art museum has some gorgeous paintings.
Beaches
The city really has the best of both worlds. The largest of the three beaches on offer is the sandy El Pinar Beach, which stretches 1,750 along the coast.
It’s next to a lush green park (El Pinar Park) and focuses on preserving native birds and plants in its dunes. It’s a great place to spend the day with showers, games for children, and areas for volleyball and football.
There’s also lots of parking and dining options nearby – including Restaurante La Goleta which has ‘lovely calamari and paella’ according to Google Reviews.
Gurugú beach boasts similar facilities with several beach bars nearby for those who like a tipple. Close by there’s the Grao de Castellon, with restaurants and bars to stop you going hungry.
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What to eat and drink
For some divine (but pricey) seafood – a must try on the coast – you can venture to the Michelin recommended Tasca del Puerto, which has an a la carte menu focused on traditional rice dishes and fresh fish from the market.
For ‘genuine and unpretentious’ tapas, you can head to Restaurante Saboritja in the city centre, or if you fancy some paella try Entrefogones by JR.
Slightly out of the way in Villarreal sits the highly rated El Faro, which serves a traditional Spanish menu for an average price of just €30.
If an all-day affair is your vibe, then try Nudo Beach Club, where you can indulge in food and drink all day while you lounge by the pool, next to the ocean.
Visiting Nudo for lunch from Monday to Thursday will get you free access to the pool.
Travel and accommodation
As mentioned there’s return flights from just £36 if you fly into Valencia, or from £40 if you fly into the closer airport of Castellon de la Plana.
If you’re flying into the latter, you’ll need to go from London Stanstead, while Valencia flights operate out of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead – as well as Manchester and Birmingham.
A taxi is then typically between £34 to £44 from Castellon de la Plana airport to the city centre, with the drive taking about 45 minutes.
Are you keen to visit less-travelled European destinations?
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Yes, I'm keen to find hidden gems
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No, I like the tourist hotspots
The cheaper option is to get the airport bus service to the city centre which costs £10 each way, while children under four go free.
When it comes to accommodation, the average price of a rented apartment here is £62 per night, although they can be as cheap as £20.
If you’re one for hotels, a four-star stay will cost you about £100 per night, but prices fluctuate with the most expensive month to visit being July, and the cheapest April.
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