Castellón de la Plana

City · Castellón Province, 🇪🇸 Spain

Castellón de la Plana is a coastal city on Spain's Costa del Azahar, in the Valencian Community, about 75 km north of Valencia. It has a pleasant center, a modern port area (El Grau) and long sandy beaches.

It is a relaxed provincial capital rather than a major tourist city, which makes it good value. It suits a short stay, and it is a good base for the beaches and hill towns of the region.

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the best seasons, with warm weather and fewer people. Summers are hot and dry, and the sea is warm from June to October. Winters are mild.

The Magdalena festival in March is the biggest event, with a pilgrimage to a hermitage, parades and fireworks.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, October, November

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 5°–20°
9° at night
6 rainy days
14 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 4°–20°
9° at night
5 rainy days
14 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in March

Good

18° (feels like 14°) · extremes 7°–22°
11° at night
7 rainy days
15 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

20° (feels like 17°) · extremes 9°–24°
13° at night
7 rainy days
16 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 12°–28°
16° at night
7 rainy days
17 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

28° (feels like 27°) · extremes 16°–32°
20° at night
5 rainy days
20 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

30° (feels like 31°) · extremes 20°–34°
23° at night
3 rainy days
23 sunny days
11 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in August

Good

31° (feels like 32°) · extremes 20°–34°
24° at night
6 rainy days
20 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in September

Good

28° · extremes 17°–31°
21° at night
10 rainy days
15 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Great

24° (feels like 23°) · extremes 13°–28°
17° at night
8 rainy days
15 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

19° (feels like 16°) · extremes 8°–24°
13° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 6°–20°
10° at night
6 rainy days
11 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
UV index 1 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Top sights

Cocatedral de Santa Maria is the main church of the city, on the Plaza Mayor.
El Fadrí is an octagonal bell tower next to the church. It stands apart from the building and is a symbol of the city.
The Plaza Mayor is the central square, with the town hall and the market building close by.
The Basilica of Lledó is a sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint, in a park on the edge of the center.
The Castell Vell is a ruined medieval castle on a hill to the north.
The Magdalena Hermitage is a small chapel on a hill, and the destination of the festival pilgrimage.
The Espai d'Art Contemporani is a contemporary art center.
El Grau and the beaches (Pinar, Gurugú and Heliópolis) are east of the center.

Featured Lists

Krolosus Krolosez / CC-BY-SA

Castelló de la Plana Essentials

Castelló de la Plana centers on the historic Plaza Mayor, where the Gothic Co-cathedral of Saint Mary stands alongside El Fadrí, a distinctive 16th-century octagonal bell tower. The city's architectural landscape includes the 18th-century Baroque Town Hall and the neoclassical Teatre Principal. Cultural highlights range from the traditional Mercat Central, housing over 60 food stalls since 1949, to contemporary spaces like the Espai d’Art Contemporani. Monuments throughout the center, such as the statue of King James I, reflect the city’s medieval foundations and Mediterranean history.

10 places

What to experience

Spend a day on the beaches east of the city.
Walk or cycle to the Magdalena hermitage for views.
Try rice dishes in a restaurant in El Grau.

Tours & Activities

Castellón de la Plana — Map

Day trips

Benicàssim (about 12 km, 15 minutes): a beach town with a long promenade and a music festival.
Peñíscola (about 70 km, 1 hour): a walled town on a rocky headland with a castle.
Desert de les Palmes (about 20 km): a natural park with hiking trails and a monastery.
Columbretes Islands: a marine reserve of volcanic islets, reached by boat in season.
Valencia (about 75 km, 1 hour by train): the region's biggest city.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Coast: Benicàssim and Peñíscola.
City: Valencia.

Getting there

By air: Castellón airport (CDT) has few flights. Valencia airport is the main alternative, about 90 km away.
By train: Trains connect Castellón with Valencia, Barcelona and the coast. Book on Renfe.
By bus: Coaches run to Valencia, Barcelona and nearby coastal towns.

Getting around

On foot: The center is flat and compact. The beaches are a few kilometers from the center.
Cycling: The city is flat, and bike lanes link the center with the beaches.
Public transport: City buses and a tram-like bus line link the center with El Grau and the beaches.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Not for the city. A car helps for the hill towns and the northern coast.
Parking: Use an underground car park in the center.
Restrictions: Parts of the center are pedestrian only.

Food & drink

Castellón's food is Valencian, with rice dishes at the center. Paella, arroz al horno (baked rice) and fideuà (a noodle dish like paella) are common, and seafood from the port is fresh.

Oranges and other citrus fruits grow in the surrounding plain.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Castellón is a safe city. Summer heat is strong, so wear sun protection and drink water. Take care in the sea when red flags are shown.

History

The city was founded in the 13th century, when the Christian king James I moved the population from a hill fort to the plain. It grew as an agricultural center, based on oranges and the port.

It became the capital of its province in the 19th century, and it is now a ceramic-tile industry and university center.

Country facts

Quick practical facts for Spain at a glance:

Currency: Euro EUR € · Card payments · Widely accepted
Emergency numbers: 112
Electricity: Type C / Type F
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Spanish
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +34

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Castellón de la Plana