Understated and elegant, buzzing with life but somehow preserving a laid-back way of life, Valencia is a city for connoisseurs.
Castellon
Located in the north of the Valencian Community, Castellon de la Plana has 174,264 inhabitants. The city is fantastic and is located within spitting distance of some of the busiest and best-known towns on the Costa del Azahar.
What is there to see in the capital city of Castellon?
Urban Art
The streets of Castellon are decorated with around 200 works of art, which have turned the city into a grand open-air museum of enormous cultural value. Ceramic is a material closely associated with this Valencian city, and it can be seen in countless buildings and facades.
Architecture
Castellon is a city brimming with history, which is reflected in the number of historical monuments lining the streets. The “Mediterranean Gothic” style takes pride of place, which arose in the 14th and 15th centuries and features in important public buildings such as the Town Hall, the Co-Cathedral and Torre del Fadrí.
Columbretes Islands
The Columbretes Islands Nature Reserve is a small volcanic archipelago located a mere 30 miles off the coast of Castellon. This large marine nature reserve is said to have been a refuge for fishers, pirates and smugglers in the past, the perfect platform on which to base tales and legends. The islands can be reached by private boat (free sailing) or by taking a small guided cruise departing from Castellon and other nearby towns.
What is there to see in the province of Castellon?
Castellon is the northernmost province of the Valencian Community. The region has multiple attractions for visitors: wide sandy beaches, rugged inland areas, nature reserves, medieval mountain towns and bustling coastal villages.
You will have a wide range of options to choose from on your visit: more energetic individuals can visit the region´s beaches or the spectacular Sierra de Irta (a coastal strip of steep cliffs and coves dotted with olive trees and ancient castles), or take a walk along the GR-7 trail leading to an old pilgrim route beginning in Castellon.
Moreover, Castellon airport (flights from the United Kingdom take 2 hours) provides the perfect opportunity for getting to know this corner of the Valencian Community.
Morella
Morella is a fortified medieval town located atop a hill. It was built as a Roman garrison, and its history is intertwined with the Muslim occupation, with Moorish influences evident in both the local cuisine and indigenous architecture. This beautiful town also sports evidence of sheep farming and wool production, drivers of the local economy for centuries.
If you go to Morella, we suggest you explore the cobbled streets and pay a visit to the striking castle. You can savour delicious traditional dishes such as homemade sausages, honey and mouthwatering cakes, and sweet foods in the town itself.
Peñíscola
Peñíscola has connections with the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Templars, Carthaginians and Moors, all of which have left their legacy in the town in one way or another.
Historically, this was a strategic place that played a vital role in the domination of the trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea. This has given rise to one of the most attractive coastal towns in Spain, featuring robust walls designed to fiercely guard the town centre, where, in addition to narrow streets, you will find dozens of tempting restaurants and small shops.
Taking a trip along the coast of Peñíscola by boat will enable you to enjoy beautiful views of the peninsula and the old town, with the castle clinging defiantly to the top of the hill.
Benicassim
Benicassim is one of the main tourist destinations in the province of Castellon and the Valencian Community. This coastal town came to life in the late 19th century following the construction of a new railway line linking Castellon and Tarragona. We recommend visiting the seafront promenade at night to see the Victorian mansions, famous for their lavish parties and ornate gardens, in addition to stunning nighttime views of the bay.
Benicassim has acquired recent fame due to the fact the FIB, one of the most important music festivals in Spain, is now held there, and If you´re looking for a different kind of tourism, we suggest you go to the north of the city to the so-called Desierto de las Palmas, a beautiful, peaceful natural spot amid nature surrounded by tall pine trees, that once served as a spiritual refuge. The ruins of a Carmelite monastery attest to this fact. This area is perfect for walking, hiking and immersing yourself in the peace and quiet.
Castellon - Campsites
Camping Bravoplaya is a vast site divided into two by a quiet road, with a reception on each side with friendly, helpful staff. There are three pool complexes (one can be covered in cooler weather and is heated), all of which are on the west side, whilst the beach (of shingle and sand) is on the east. Both sides have a restaurant – the one on the beach side has two air-conditioned wooden buildings and a terrace.
Camping Ribamar lies to the north of Alcossebre, tucked away within the National Park of the Sierra de Irta, a magnificent landscape of intense colours. Alcossebre is a delightful resort town which has retained its Spanish identity, unlike some of the larger resorts to the north, and offers three Blue Flag beaches and a wealth of cafés and restaurants. Although a little over two hours drive south of Barcelona, this is a very underpopulated region with excellent long-distance footpaths and cycle paths.
Los Olivos de Xivert is located on the Costa Azahar, in Alcala de Xivert, Castellon. It is located between the mountains and the coast of Alcossebre, close to the Sera d'Irta Natural Park. It’s spacious, well laid out with modern facilities and far reaching views of the mountains. It’s a modest sized campsite, dotted with tall palm trees and with more than one hundred pitches, each with electricity, water and drainage. The campsite is open all year and guests can enjoy a large swimming pool (open seasonally), and various services: bar, shop, laundry, indoor and outdoor gym, playground, pétanque and a dog park.
Camping Altomira is a terraced site in a rural hillside setting on the outskirts of a quiet village. It offers excellent views across the valleys and hills, an amiable welcome, and a Spanish and international clientèle.
Camping Los Cloticos is located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Alto Palancia region, between the Mediterranean coast of Castellon and the inland province of Teruel. The site is bordered by the peaceful River Palancia and nestles among the craggy outcrops of the Palancia Valley. It’s an idyllic, natural setting with loads of space, lush vegetation and walnut trees – a perfect place to escape the bustle of daily routine and unwind. Though they keep themselves to themselves, otters, Griffon vultures, eagles, mountain goats and wild boar are all local residents. The landscape of wooded rolling hillsides is largely unspoilt, with a nearby Roman aqueduct well worth investigating, a ruined fortress and even dinosaur footprints.
At Camping Alegria del Mar there is always a great ambience with a personal touch, ideal to relax or participate in organised activities like dances, live music, flamenco shows, BBQ nights, boules competitions, or even a traditional British Christmas lunch. The pebble beach is just 100m away via the site’s back gate, while the town of Benicarló, with its sandy beach, is a mile’s walk or cycle, and has a port, marina, shops and supermarkets. Peñiscola, very popular with Spanish holidaymakers because of its historic past, is only four miles away. The site has a bar/restaurant with a variety of international foods, paellas, tapas, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers -anything to suit your taste. The site has 120 gravel pitches, all with 6amp or 10amp electric hook-up points. There are also five mobile homes available to rent.
This is a great spot for a Mediterranean beach holiday, complete with gorgeous sandy beach just 250 metres from the campsite, and a launch pad for fantastic family days out. Camping Riberamar is set right on the Costa Azahar, a few kilometres away from the wonderful beaches of Oropesa del Mar in Castellon. It has all the ingredients for truly memorable sun, sea and sand holidays. There are plenty of activities like tennis, cycle hire, watersports and of course an attractive sheltered pool area adjacent to the handy bar terrace.
This is a large campsite in a wonderful spot, just steps away from the fine sands of Peñiscola beach and the warm waters of the Med. The seafront promenade is about 5km long and makes a lovely evening stroll as the sun goes down. The pool complex with its waterslide and toddlers’ pool is popular and pitches are well demarcated with pleasant shade from leafy trees and shrubs. A range of accommodation is also available for rent, notably modern chalets and bungalows. There is a well-run entertainments programme in high season with music, dancing and shows for all ages.
Camping El Cid is a welcoming family campsite located just North of Peniscola on the Costa del Azahar. A recent change of owners has brought some much-needed renovations to some of the facilities, including the sanitary facilities and further improvements are promised. Delicious woodfired pizza is available in the bar/restaurant. The pool is immaculately kept, with a slide in the children's pool. Entertainments are arranged in the high season including various parties. The Valencian paella party should not be missed.
Camping Ferrer is just 800 metres from the Old Town of Peñiscola and 500 metres from the famous south beach. In short, you’ll have everything on your doorstep. On site there’s plenty for all the family: swimming pool, playground, bar-restaurant and some activities in high season. Pitches are level and grassy, with welcome shade, and there are timber chalets available to rent.
Set just 800 metres from the lovely beach, this campsite is in a peaceful area surrounded by nature and offering a great base for discovering this renowned region. Camping La Volta is a family campsite, established more than 40 years ago, and it offers a range of facilities including a pleasant swimming pool with shady terrace, perfect for relaxing on a sunlounger. There’s an adjacent bar-restaurant with seating outside and under cover.
Set just a couple of kilometres from the bustling coastal resort of Peñiscola, this is a real family site. It’s certainly well equipped and well managed with swimming pool, spacious, airy bar and an enclosed sports area for ball games. There’s a good animation programme offering organised activities for youngsters of all ages in high season, as well as family-friendly music and evening entertainment. The terrace restaurant, with seating inside too, is popular and has space for all. Pitches are delimited and offer pleasant shade, as well as water and drainage, and several accommodation types are available to rent.
Set inland from the popular coastal resort of Peñiscola, Spa Natura Resort is set next to the Sierra de Irta Natura Park and Marine Reserve. This unusual development of residential and holiday park homes, designed and decorated in an environmentally friendly way, provides 110 level touring pitches. All pitches have electricity (6/10A) and access to water with wide, gravel roads. Amazingly, most are set on neat, artificial grass. Some shade is provided by young palms, pines and plane trees. The pitches are separated by small wooden fences and large units can be accommodated. Pitches are set between long rows of bungalows and there are very chunky elevated roofs over some. An impressive wellness centre is housed in a towering building, styled rather like a beehive.
Lying slightly inland and just to the north of Peñiscola castle, this is a great location for those wishing to avoid the hurly burly of large city campsites. Here, there’s a generally peaceful ambience, pitches are well shaded and there’s a small but attractive pool and the warm Mediterranean waters and lovely sandy beach are just 400m away.
Set in the Natural Park of El Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca, one of the most important wetland areas in Europe, this is a delightful family campsite. A key attraction is the sandy sweep of beach just 200m away. The waters here have been awarded the Blue Flag for their cleanliness and it's a popular destination for many families in search of warm safe waters. The site is open all year round, with a lush woodland providing plenty of welcome shade.
Oasis is a fairly unsophisticated site with ambitious prices. Past the two large, plastic camels at the entrance, you will find that the vast majority of the site is made up of permanents and bungalows. The 30 (80 sq.m) flat touring pitches with hedges and 6A electricity are mainly in one area of the site near the pool, spa and services. A small bar with connected restaurant and terrace overlooks the pool with its many plastic and stone animal figures. The beach is 200 metres away and very pleasant, as is the large pool on the site with its fountains; for an alternative to a cooling dip there is a heated outdoor spa in the pool area.
This is a well run, town centre campsite right on the Mediterranean with all amenities on your doorstep. La Concha beach lies just 50 metres away and is a sweep of fine sand with plenty of space for all. Pitches are hard standing and around 50m square, well laid out with shady trees.
Azahar campsite is located just a kilometre or so from Benicàssim with direct access to the vast fine sandy beach at Voramar. This is a laid-back, family friendly campsite with plenty for youngsters: the attractive swimming pool and toddlers pool are fringed with oleanders, there’s a playground and handy snack-bar/restaurant. Plenty of trees and shrubs provide colour in summer as well as welcome shade.
A well-organised site with extensive facilities that is popular all year. It is a 300 m. walk to a good beach, and parking is not too difficult. The site has 320 pitches (60-90 sq.m), all with electricity (6/10A), and a variety of bungalows, some attractively built in brick. There are dedicated ‘green’ pitches for tents.
Camping Florida is set on the Costa de Azahar, otherwise known as the Orange Blossom Coast. Palm trees line the main avenue and the sun shines here for 300 days a year and the average temperature from May to October is 23ºC. It’s a great location, just 200 metres from Heliopolis beach: a wide sandy stretch of fine sand that runs for miles in both directions. It’s backed by a pleasant promenade for evening strolls and parasols and loungers are available here. There’s a large swimming pool alongside a playground and bar-restaurant as well as an enclosed sports court for tennis, soccer and basketball. Good sized pitches with plenty of shade and a range of mobile homes and chalets are available for rent.
Lying north of Valencia, this is a family site just a 10 minute walk from the sandy beach of Benicassim. There’s a swimming pool with adjacent snack bar and pitches here are pleasantly shady with leafy trees and shrubs. Some accommodation is available to rent.
If you’re looking for a campsite where you can lounge on the beach one minute and be cycling or hiking in the mountains the next, then look no further. This site is half an hour north of the vibrant city of Valencia and right on the Orange Blossom coast. There’s direct access to the sandy beach and yet the mountains lie right behind you – head up into the Natural Park Desierto de las Palmas, where you can follow marked trails on bike or foot and get magnificent views back down to the coast.
This very neat, purpose built site is in the small town of Moncofa, just 200 metres from the sea and right beside a water park with pools and slides. There are 170 gravel based pitches arranged in rows off tarmac access roads. The 90 touring pitches all have 6A electricity, water and drainage. Hedges have been planted to separate the pitches but these are still small so there is little shade (canopies can be rented in high season). The site’s facilities and amenities are all very modern but small stone reminders of the area’s Roman and Arab history are used to decorate corners of the site.
Just to the north of Valencia, Camping Mediterraneo is right on the pebble beach where you can swim, sunbathe and sail. There’s a small pool, playground and evening entertainment during high season. Wooden chalets are available to rent. Nearby Xilxes offers shops and restaurants, as well as the sandy Les Cases beach. There’s a pleasant promenade stretching along the beach for 1500m or so and jutting out into the sea.
