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The province of Castellón stretches
112 km along the Mediterranean coast of
Spain forming the so-called Costa Azahar.
Castellon is one of the most mountainous
provinces in the whole of Spain and offers
countless opportunities for travellers
who enjoy rural tourism, mountain walks,
sleepy villages.
On the coast, the beautiful,
well maintained beaches along the 'Costa Azahar' receive thousands of visitors
every year. In addition to tourism, ceramics and agriculture are other important
industries in the province.
Castellón de la Plana is a historical city
dating back to medieval times (13th century). It is situated between the sea and
the 'Desert de les Palmas' mountain range and has a population of 140,000. Nowadays,
the city is both modern and historical. The old quarter around the Plaza Mayor,
the Plaza de Santa Clara and the Plaza de la Pescadería has many ancient buildings.
Things to do and see in Castellon:
Walks: The city isn´t very
big and it is very pleasant to walk around
its orange-tree lined streets. A stroll
around the old quarter (the Plaza de Santa
Clara the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de
la Pescadería and adjacent streets) where
you can see Gothic and renaissance buildings
is a must. Also a walk along the 'Avenida
Rey Don Jaime' gives you another perspective
of the city - its full of modern buildings
and shops. In the Ribalta park, you can
see the people of Castellon taking their
daily walk or just passing the time of
day. Another meeting point is the 'Plaza
de la Paz', next to the 'Teatro Principal'.
A visit to the 'Fadri' shouldn´t
be missed.
- El Fadri: This is a 16th century, 58 metre high octagonal
bell tower. It is the symbol of the city and is located between the Cathedral
and the Abbey. The bell tower not only rings on the hour but it is also used to
announce important city events.
- Plaza de Santa Clara: an
open square which also serves as the market place. It has a system of modern archways
which go all around the square. You can also see a modern sculpture by Llorenç
Poy.
Palaces, Cathedrals and Churches
in Castellon:
- Saint Miquel Palace: 15th century
- located between 'la Lonja' and the
'Plaza Mayor'. The main door has interesting,
ornate carvings.
- The Town Hall: 18th century,
Tuscan style - it has amazing arched
windows. Inside you can find sculptures
by Viciano and Benlliure and paintings
by Oliet, Foz, Puig Roda, Pocar and
Doménechs.
- The Santa María de la Asunción
Cathedral: 13th century, rebuilt
in a Gothic style in the 14th century.
Demolished during the civil war it was
rebuilt again in 1940 (remaining to
this day unfinished). Some original
artifacts remain such as carvings dating
back to the 17th century, crosses used
in processions and tapestries by Oliet
and Ribalta.
- The Santa María de Lladó Basilica:
originally built above an ancient
chapel, a statue of the Virgin Mary
was discovered in the 14th century.
It was renovated in the 16th and 18th
centuries. Apart from the statue of
the virgin you can also see ancient
canvas paintings and ornate silver and
gold objects.
- San Miguel church: 18th century
- Barroque style interior, it is used
for historical exhibitions.
- Las Capuchinas Convent: 18th
century, it has paintings by Zurbarán
and scultpures from 17th - 18th centuries.
- San Agustín church and Convent:
Barroque facade. There are frescos
on the dome and paintings by Oliet in
the chapel.
Museums in Castellon:
- The Bellas Artes Museum: Located in an 18th century this
museum was opened in 1980. It is divided into 4 sections: archeology - Paleolithic
to the middle ages, ceramics - over 1000 pieces, paintings - Ribera, Romero de
Torres, Rodrigo de Osona, Sorolla and sculptures - Adsuana, Viciano, Gandarias
and Benllieure.
- The Ethnological Museum: Opened in 1983, it contains
old fashioned tools from various professiones such as: weaving, blacksmiths, shoe
makers, fabric makers, tailors...
- The Fadrell Municipal Ethnological
Museum: located in a green area next to the 18th century Sant Jaume of Fadrell
hermitage. Collection reflects rural and traditional customs of the province.
- The Santa María de la Asunción Cathedral Mueum: Religious art
from different periods. Works of art Joan de Reixach and Nicolau Falcó.
- Lonja
del Canamo: 17th century. It has 4 arches with Tuscan pillars.
- The
Casino: built in 1922 in a modernist style.
- The 'TeatroPrincipal'
(theatre): late 19th century, neoclassic. It has paintings by Pedro Ferrer
and Francisco Perez Olmos. Located in the Plaza de la Paz.
- The Orphanage
- Casa dels Orfens : 19th century, founded by bishop José Climent.
- The Ribalta Park: next to the station. popular with the people
from Castellon for strolling around and relaxing. You can see many different types
of vegetation there. During fiestas it has an arts and craft fair.
- The
Royo Gomez Geological Gardens
- The Calduch Botanic Gardens
The Planetarium: The latest cultural addition to Castellon.
It has a permanent exhibition and screenings.
Sports: Sailing,
fishing, winsurfing, diving, hiking, horseriding and cycling are jsut some of
the sports you can do in Castellon. There are 3 golf courses (2 in Castellon and
1 in Borriel). There is also an aerodrome (el aeródromo del Pinar) .  Cuisine
from Castellón: It is based on fish and rice dishes as in the rest of Levante.
We recommend the prawns, shellfish, sardines and anchovies. Typical dishes are
grilled fish, seafood, paellas, rice dishes with fish or meat (especially chicken
or rabbit). Also the 'Tombet del Maestrazgo' which is a type of soup. Typical
desserts are aniseed flavoured sweet pastry rings, sweet pastries with raisins
and walnuts, sweet almonds and any dessert containing oranges.
Eating
in Castellon: you can get some very good tapas especially in the bars in the
'Plaza de Santa Clara' and its adjacent streets. You can also find some very good
restaurants and tapas bars located in the Grao district around the port.
Restaurants in Castellon
Restaurants in the province
of Castellon: Casa Jaime in Peñiscola (964 480 030) creative seafood cuisine;
Casa Pocho in Vinarós (964 451 095) seafood; El Faro de Vinarós (964 456 362)
innovative and creative cuisine; Can Roig in Alcalá de Xivert (964 412 515); Mesón
de la Vila in Forcall (964 17 11 25) traditional cuisine; Casa Roque in Morella
(964 16 03 36) traditional cuisine; El Langostino de Oro in Vinarós (964 45 12
04)
Restaurants in the centre of Castellón:
Peñalén (964 234 131) Mediteranean and Basque cuisine; Rafael in El Grao (964
281 626) seafood; Tasca del Puerto in the Grao district (964 284 481) traditional
cuisine and good quality seafood marred by slow service, very crowded and overpriced
food; Pairal (964 233 404) seafood.
Hotels en Castellón: See our guide
to the best hotels in Castellón
and the Costa Azahar. See also Parador
of Benicarlo.
Castellón Province : There is
a marked difference between the coast
and the interior of the province. Villages
on the coast have excellent clean beaches
with marinas and watersports facilities
and with an average temperature of 17
degrees they are a good option for a relaxing
holiday. The best known beaches are Benicassim,
Peñíscola, Vinarós, Oropesa de Mar and
Benicarló. The interior is quite different,
the climate is cooler and there are only
a few touristic areas (Morella, Segorbe,
Benasal).
Villages in Castellón:  Els
Ports: Interior. - Forcall: Plaza Mayor 16th century, Asunción
church 14th century, Escalotes Palace.
- Morella:
Walled medieval town. St. María la Mayor Basilican15th century. Good for rural
tourism.
- El Maestrazgo de San Mateo: Good for rural tourism.
- La
Plana Alta (Plana Alta): coast.
- Benicassim: Beach town,
good nightlife.
- Oropesa de Mar: Beach town with a marina.
- Vilafamés:
Medieval town. Contemporary Art Museum.
- Borriol: Remains of
a Roman town plus prehistoric remains. good golf course
- L'Alt Maestrat
(Alto Maestrazgo): interior. Agricultural. Famous for its textile industry.
- Ares del Maestre: Originally a walled Roman city, later
it was taken over by the muslims. Prehistoric cave with wall paintings.
- Villafranca
del Cid: Important monumental heritage dating back to the 13th century.
Remains of the 14th century city can still be seen.
- Benassal:
walled city, 14th century. Caves with wall paintings. World heritage site since
1998. Touristic.
- La Plana Baixa (Plana Baja): Coast.
- Burriana:
The Orange Museum and El Salvador 13th century, Gothic church.
- Vall
d'Uixó: San José caves. Interesting old quarter, Arabic-Medieval.
- Vila-Real:
Famous for its ceramic tiles and agriculture.
- Moncofar: Beach
resort. L'Estanyol - natural reserve with great scenery.
- Onda:
Tile industry, remains of 13th century medieval city.
- Ribesaltes:
Tile industry, Arabic history..
- El Baix Maestrat (Bajo Maestrazgo):
Coast.
- Alcossebre: Beach resort.
- Benicarló:
Fishing village.
- Peñíscola: Papa Luna castle, 13th century.
Busy beach resort. Walled medieval city.
- Vinarós: Fishing
village- good for prawns.
Alcalá de Xivert: - Alto Palencia: interior.
- Segorbe:Famous for its fiestas with bulls. Given special
touristic status in 1985.
- Caudiel: Picturesque village. Iberian-Roam
remains. It has a windmill.
- L'Alcalaten: interior.
- Alcora:
Interesting historical remains. Ceramics
- Lucena del Cid: Bronze
age remains. Medieval castle.
- L'Alt Millars (Alto Mijares): interior.
- Fuente la Reina
- Montanejos: Moorish village.
Spa baths. Touristic.
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