Here’s the ultimate list of things to do in the Castellón region, a lesser-known gem on the eastern coast of Spain, which has been both my home in Spain and an inspiration for my Undiscovered Spain blog series focusing on hidden gems.

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Top Things to Do in Castellon

Where is Castellon

Along with Valencia and Alicante, Castellón is one of the three provinces of the Valencian Community region in Spain. The capital of this province is also called Castellón, although it is sometimes referred to as Castelló or Castellón de la Plana.

Located in eastern Spain, Castellón borders the provinces of Teruel and Tarragona and is conveniently situated along the route between Valencia and Barcelona. Both the city and the region of Castellón make for an easy day trip from Valencia. The Mediterranean coastline of Castellón is called the Costa del Azahar.

What is Castellon known for

The province of Castellón is known as one of the top places in Spain for ceramic lovers, with a long-rooted tradition of pottery making and a reputation as a hub for ceramic tile factories. Two of the most beautiful small towns in Spain, Morella and Peñíscola, can be found in Castellón.

Additionally, one of the highest mountain peaks in the Valencian Community, Penyagolosa, is located here and is one of the best hikes in the region. The popular beach getaway of Benicàssim, known for hosting FIB and a few other family-friendly festivals, is also near the city of Castellón.

Above all, Castellón is full of lesser-known gems and remains much less established on the tourist track compared to its neighbors, Valencia and Alicante.

How to get to Castellon

You can easily reach Castellón de la Plana by train from major Spanish cities like Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona, thanks to its well-connected rail network.

From Valencia (Nord Station), a regional train to Castellon departs approximately every 30 minutes. The AVE high-speed trains from Cuenca and Madrid arrive at Valencia Joaquín Sorolla Station (which is near Valencia Nord Station), so technically, Castellón is connected to even more destinations via Valencia.

In addition to the rail network, Castellón Costa Azahar Airport, located in the village of Benlloch, about 30 minutes from the Castellón city, serves the region. While it’s a small airport, it offers flights primarily operated by low-cost airlines, with several weekly connections to destinations like London, Madrid, and Bucharest.

During peak seasons, the airport expands its routes with additional European connections, including cities like Vienna and Brussels. You can often find great deals on platforms like Trip and Skyscanner, sometimes with fares as low as €20. One of the airport’s biggest advantages is its free parking, making it a convenient and budget-friendly option if you’re arriving by car.

If you prefer to drive, Castellon de la Plana is easily reached via the AP-7 motorway along Spain’s eastern coast. There are also regular bus connections linking the city with nearby towns and major destinations in the region.

Top Things to do in Castellon (Province)

Let’s talk about all the amazing places you can visit in Castellón. At the end of this post, I’ll include a list of my blog stories about Castellón, so you can discover even more places in the region. Also, be sure to check out my recent Castellón road trip.

1. Peñiscola

Peñíscola is one of the most beautiful small towns in Spain. It has become quite touristy in recent years, especially after being featured as one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones. Nevertheless, Peñíscola deserves every bit of its fame – it is undoubtedly one of the top places to visit in Castellón.

Rising 67 meters above the Mediterranean, the Peñíscola Castle was the residence of Benedict XIII (Papa Luna) from 1417 to 1423. You can read more about Peñíscola in this post.

2. Montanejos

Montanejos is a beautiful natural area that was chosen by the Moors in Spain (711-1492) as a perfect leisure spot. Here, they built thermal baths. Since 1863, locals have been able to enjoy the Montanejos hot springs year-round, as the temperature remains consistently around 25 ºC. Once a true hidden gem, Montanejos has become one of the most popular day trips from Valencia in recent years, especially thanks to the scenic hiking route Ruta Sendero de los Estrechos, which adds even more appeal for nature lovers.

3. The City of Castellon de la Plana

The city of Castellon (also known as Castellon de la Plana or Castello in Valencian) is the capital of the region. While it has fewer major landmarks compared to other cities in the Valencian Community, such as Valencia or Alicante, it makes up for it with its authentic, local atmosphere. If you’re interested in museums and larger cultural attractions, Valencia is an easy day trip, with trains running every 30 minutes from Castellon de la Plana.

At the same time, Castellon is perfect for slow travel, offering a more relaxed and non-touristy experience. You can check out a full itinerary in this post.

4. Desierto de las Palmas

Desierto de Las Palmas is one of my favorite natural parks in the Valencian Community. It’s a great place to enjoy a few hikes with stunning views, although the trails are not as well-marked as those in Spain’s national parks.

Even those who aren’t seeking an active, adventurous holiday can still enjoy this natural setting. Desierto de Las Palmas also has a beautiful lookout, Mirador Desierto de Las Palmas, which is easily accessible by car.

5. Morella

Morella is one of the top fairytale destinations in Spain, known for its hilltop setting, medieval architecture, and the unique Sexenni celebrations, which take place only once every six years, dating back to medieval times.

Rising 984 meters above sea level and surrounded by 2 kilometers of walls, Morella has always held significant strategic importance throughout history. Its murals have witnessed various civilizations – Romans, Arabs, and Christians. You can read more about visiting Morella in this post.

6. Beaches of Benicassim

Benicàssim is a small town located in the province of Castellón. If you’re a festival fan, you might have heard of it because of the FIB (Festival Internacional de Benicàssim) or the Rototom Sunsplash international festivals. Benicàssim is a true Mediterranean paradise, with its sandy beaches and beautiful coastline, yet it remains relatively undiscovered by international tourists – especially when compared to popular destinations like Costa Brava or Benidorm. It’s one of Spain’s top lesser-known beach spots.

What I love most about this charming town (aside from its stunning coastline, green palm trees, fine sands, and clear blue waters) is that you can always find a quiet spot on the beach. At the same time, in the summer, Benicàssim is full of life, with bars, clubs, restaurants, and a range of activities and festivals. The nearby Grao de Castellón port area adds to the appeal, offering plenty of fresh fish and seafood. You can read more about my recent Benicàssim beach getaway in this post.

7. Jardin del Papagayo in Benicarlo

Jardin del Papagayo is a beautiful park of parrots and birds. It has been one of my kids´ favorite places in Spain for years. You can read more details from my first visit to Jardin del Papagayo in this post.

8. Sant Joan de Penyagolosa

Mount Sant Joan de Penyagolosa is one of the highest peaks (1,814 meters) in the Valencian Community and the heart of the Penyagolosa Natural Park. Reaching the top involves quite a hike through the woods, mostly pine forests, and takes around 4.5 to 5 hours. In the past, you could park halfway up, but now access to the road leading to Penyagolosa Peak is restricted.

The designated parking area is located in the small village of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa. Nevertheless, it remains one of the mostunique hikes in the Province of Castellón. For more details about the hike, check out this post.

9. Fanzara

This tiny hidden village of Fanzara is one of the most colorful places in Spain. Visiting it is one of the top things to do in Castellón for street art lovers. Home to around 300 people, Fanzara was on the verge of becoming one of Spain’s dying villages until its streets were transformed into an open-air museum. You can read more about my visit to Fanzara in this post.

10. The Millenary Olive Trees of Canet lo Roig

If you love otherworldly landscapes in Spain, don’t miss the millenary olive trees in the small town of Canet lo Roig. Some of these giants have been in the region since the time of the Roman Empire, over 2,000 years ago. You can read more about my visit to Canet lo Roig in this post.

11. The Jump of the Bride Waterfall

If you enjoy mysterious places in Spain and unique Spanish legends, do not miss the waterfall Salto de Novia in the small town of Navajas. The name can be translated to English as The Jump of the Bride. This  60m-high waterfall is known for its creepy old legend. Check out this post to learn the details.

12. Zorita del Maestrazgo

If you’re drawn to Spain’s more unusual and lesser-known churches and Valencian hidden gems, don’t miss Zorita del Maestrazgo its Santuario Virgen de la Balma. This striking cave sanctuary was once believed to have healing powers, and people would bring those thought to be possessed by the Devil here (conditions that today would likely be understood as illnesses such as epilepsy). The site still has a remote, almost eerie atmosphere that makes it truly unforgettable.

Local tip: You can easily combine a visit to Zorita with nearby Morella, and it also sits close to some of the most beautiful hidden villages of Teruel, including Tronchon, Mirambel, and Cantavieja.

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