25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CASTELLóN

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Are you thinking of new destinations for vacations? How about a getaway to Castellón? Enjoying a few days in the terreta is something that always feels good. Castellón is one of the most unknown provinces in the Mediterranean, but not less interesting. If you are looking for a quiet place (not boring), complete (from cultural visits, to the beach or getaways through beautiful villages) and where to put on your boots (and we do not talk about mountain boots ...) you will love it. In this post we will tell you 25 things to see and do in Castellón:

1. The Main Square It is an essential stop on a trip to the capital of Castellón. This is where the main monuments of the city meet, such as the town hall and the Hemp fish market, a baroque style building that today houses the cultural center of the Jaume I University.

2. It is also where the Co-cathedral of Santa María, which has a busy history: in 1936 it suffered a devastating fire and was destroyed almost completely. It was reopened in 1999 and today it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Castellón, thanks to its Gothic-Valencian and neo-Gothic style.

3. Next you will see the Fadri, a bell tower Gothic-Valencian style super characteristic and symbol of the city. If you dare to climb its 200 steps, a surprise awaits you at the top: from there upstairs the views of the city are a pasote. And best of all, uploading is free (from Tuesday to Saturday, from 12:00 to 13:00 hours). A curiosity: the bell tower is completely separated from the cathedral.

4. Another great attraction is the Plaza Mayor Market, one of the most colorful corners of the whole city. Definitely worth getting lost here, especially first thing in the morning. One tip: buy bread, oil and hanging tomatoes and you will have a delicious snack.

5. Do you want to stop along the way? Then go have a drink at Mercat Bar, run by the Bonet Family since 1972. It is best to coincide with the vermouth on Saturday (13.30h), when there are live music sessions. More info here.

6. A good date to get to know Castellón is March, in the cupcake party, when the city celebrates its big week in style. During these days there are concerts, gastronomic stalls, children's activities, mascletás and parades of gaiatas. These parties have been declared heritage of international tourist interest and are much quieter and more relaxed than the Valencian fallas.

7. During the Magdalena Festival, specifically the first Sunday of the celebrations, a very beautiful tradition is to climb in pilgrimage (Pilgrimage of les Canyes) until Hermitage of the Magdalena. If it coincides with your visit, do not hesitate to do so, it will be a unique experience.

8. If you are a festivalero, surely you will have heard about Benicassim International Festival (FIB), which takes place in mid-July and brings together pop, rock, indie and electronic bands from all over the world. A very good idea is to go to the festival and then take a few days off in Castellón, to recover between waves and rice.

One tip: to know everything that is cooked in the city, this website points out: Castellón Tourism. In the "agenda" section you can see all the events that are currently in the city.

9. Are you in Castellón and have you had the bad luck of catching rain? Do not worry because there is an alternative plan: go to museums. Hey, don't make a boring face for everyone! For art lovers are the Belles Arts Museum and the Espai d'Art Contemporani. For the curious, an interesting stop is the Ethnographic Museum and the Museum of the Sea. And if you travel with children the Planetary It is undoubtedly the best option. Always check the schedules in advance!

10. Come to know the neighborhood with more personality of Castellón: we talk about Grao, the maritime district, which is located about 4 km from the city center. Stroll savoring the charm of this district and, more importantly, eat!

11. And it would be a crime to go to Grao and not eat a good plate of rice a band. One of the best is prepared by the Mediterranean restaurant (€ 20). Other recommended dishes in the area are fish such as tuna, sea bass or dorado (both grilled and in sauce) and, of course, grilled cuttlefish.

12. A recommended place to eat a few portions (the cuttlefish and mussels are dead) and some snacks (the cuttlefish is divine) is the Las Planas Bar And it is also quite cheap.

13. If time accompanies, nothing better to lower the eater than a Stroll through one of the beaches of Castellón (It has more than 10 km of coastline). Choose between Pinar beach, the Gurugú Beach and the Serradal beach, all have blue flag.

14. In Castellón does not go for tapas, it goes from appraisal to the zone of the tascas. Between a third, a montadito, another third and a plate of mussels (or whatever you like), you can't start the night better. The atmosphere is never lacking, especially on Thursdays and weekends. Recommended the Tasca la Necora Y Tasca la Guindilla, but really, anyone is great. Where? Barraques Street and Isaac Peral Street.

If you are in the city in autumn and you like the tapas roll, you can not miss the Sample of Tapas of Castellón, where some of the best restaurants will use their skills to create the best tapas, and you can use yours to eat them!

15. The Ribalta Park It is the Central Park of Castellón: its green lung and the corner where you can find relaxation and tranquility to disconnect for a while, surrounded by trees and sculptures.

16. If you have several days, you have to visit Peñíscola, a beautiful town one hour from Castellón de la Plana. And with more reason if you are a fan of Games of Thrones: here were shot several scenes of the free city of Mereen! Do you have no idea that winter is coming, and Jon Snow seems like the name of an assistant to Santa Claus? Do not worry, Peñíscola is so beautiful that it will cost you little to enjoy this getaway.

17. One of the most spectacular places in Castellón are the San José Caves (Coves de Sant Josep), where you can navigate the Europe's longest underground river. It measures more than 3 km, although “only” you can explore about 800 meters by boat and about 300 on foot. The visit has a cost of € 10. More info here. Eye: currently the caves are closed (due to renovation of their lighting) but will open again in 2019.

18. Did you know that in Castellón there is a desert? Just don't expect dunes and Bedouins: we talk about Desert of the Palms, which is between Castellón and Benicassim and is full of palm trees (hence the name). If you like hiking, it is an ideal place! Here is also the Old Carmelite Monastery, which was ruined after serious floods in the eighteenth century, and the New monastery, sober but very elegant.

19. Just 16 km from this desert, high on a rock of the Sierra de les Conteneses the town rises Villafamés, whose streets and buildings still retain traces of their Arab origins. The castle and the medieval walls are the most important visits, also the Coat of the Castle, on the southern slope of the east, where there is a set of rock art Heritage of UNESCO. Although we recommend walking and getting lost in its narrow streets.

20. Another place to improvise a excursion is Morella, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Here the great protagonists are its walls and the castle, although if you travel with children they will tell you that the best is the Dinosaur Museum!

21. The region of Maestrat, north of Castellón, is home to an interesting surprise: largest millenary olive concentration in the world. If you do not have an allergy to this tree (I could not even get close!) Here you can enjoy almost 5,000 ancient olive trees scattered around different locations, being the epicenter Sant Mateu.

22. We cannot forget beach tourism. The province of Castellón is bathed by the so-called “Costa del Azahar”And has beautiful beaches where you can spend a relaxing holiday. Some of the best are the North beach in Peñíscola, La Concha beach and Morro de Gos beach in Oropesa, Els Terrers beach in Benicassim, wave La Romana beach in Alcocéber.

23. But you won't have to wait for summer to enjoy a good dip. The town of Montanejos is famous for hot springs of the Fuente de los Baños, whose natural pools keep their water at a temperature of 25 degrees throughout the year. It is also one of the most beautiful natural sites in the entire province.

24. Would you rather leave the towel and swimsuit at home and put on your walking boots? In the Sierra de Espadán there are innumerable hiking trails that pass through ancient villages of Arab origin, fountains, viewpoints and lush forests. It is one of the largest and largest natural areas in Castellón, so we will have to take advantage of it!

25. If we add to this that Castellón has hundreds of offers of Active turism (canyoning, cycling, climbing, water sports ...) and health tourism (spas, thermal centers ...), you will understand that we did not lie when we told you that Castellón is one of the most complete places to enjoy a weekend or a few weeks of disconnection.