Why You Should Visit Castellón Spain

Castellón is a province in the north of Valencia, Spain. A popular tourist destination for the Spanish, it is often overlooked by those of other nationalities but it shouldn’t be. I visited Peñíscola, Morella, and Benicàssim, on a recent trip and was amazed by the wealth of activities on offer here. This is why you need to visit the Castellón area of Spain.

For The Beaches

Benicàssim

This area of Spain is known for over 120km of coastline, 16 coastal towns, the many fine sandy beaches, and safe waters. Try water sports including sailing, scuba diving or kayaking or relax on one of the many beaches.
In Peñíscola, the 8km long North Beach is a firm family favourite. Take a boat from Peñíscola to visit the Sierra De Irta Nature Park, a marine and land nature reserve declared a protected area in 2002. Surrounded by mountains this is a fabulous area for walking, bird watching and cycling and is relatively undiscovered.

Playa Almadrava

In Benicàssim known for its music festival, the 6km of clean sandy beaches are really the stars. Enjoy a game of volley ball along Voramar Beach, or stroll by the villas on the Playa Almadrava to see how the other half live, and watch out for the spot where Ernest Hemingway stayed whilst in town.

For The History

Peniscola

Steeped in history Peñíscola is where sea and mountain meet. A visit here is a must to see Papa Luna’s castle high up on the mountain. To get here following the winding cobbled streets with an old world charm, passing by local shops selling handicrafts, cute little cafes with people chatting and tiny atmospheric bars. A filming location for the classic film El Cid and the 6th series of Game of Thrones, it’s a must see for history buffs everywhere.

Morella

Or visit the charming town of Morella, named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of Valencia’s top towns. Admire the gothic architecture, and visit the castle of Morella, St Marys Church, and St Francis convent. Dinosaur remains were found near by so the Time Of Dinosaurs’ Museum is worth visiting to see the fossils and full-size reproductions of dinosaurs.

For The Food

Paella at Mas Dels Doblons

Paella is the classic rice dish thought to originate from the Valencia area, so do try this tasty one pot meal while you are here. I recommend a trip to Mas Dels Doblons, a museum of Spanish living and culture to see how it is traditionally made. The labourers used to make the dish with whatever they had to hand, and what was on the land – rabbit, chicken, rice, green and white beans and snails as well as saffron. No seafood was used as this is a modern addition. An incredibly interesting place, we visited with an English speaking guide from Reser Tours.

Casa Guimera

Morella, perched on the top of a hill is known for its amazing truffles. In the day browse the artisan shops selling handmade soaps, locally produced honey, and gourmet sausages and by night eat at the restaurant at Hotel Cardenal Ram. With a menu serving local succulent lamb, pasta with truffles and traditional desserts, it’s the place to go for excellent food.

Seafood at Puerto Mar

A post on Valencia cannot be written without discussing the amazing seafood. Being on the Mediterranean sea, treat yourself to a plate of delicious prawns, the freshest mackerel or red mullet you will find anywhere or something more unusual like razor clams or octopus. One thing is certain Valencia has some of the best seafood in the world.

So these are my top reasons to visit Castellón. Tell me would you visit this area? Do you like Spain?

Why You Should Visit Castellón Spain – Pin For Later

* I was a guest of Castellon Tourism