What to see in Castellón

What to do on a weekend away in Castellón?

Although Peñíscola, Benicàssim and Alcossebre with their rice and seafood dishes are the most common beach destinations in Castellón, the province contains many other charming places in which to enjoy unique and natural surroundings whilst sampling the seasonal produce offered by land and sea.

Nestled among the hills of the Sierra de Espadán and Sierra Calderona, and all within easy reach of each other, are the towns of Jérica, Segorbe and Montanejos, with enormous natural appeal. The mild summer climate, the option of cooling off in natural pools, and the variety of interesting walks on offer make this trio of towns - as well as the smaller towns that surround them - a more than desirable alternative for spending a few days of relaxation. The traditional sausages of the area and the 'olla segorbina' stew are the cherry on top of this tourist proposal.

And if you feel the call of the mountain, not far from the towns above but with its own distinct personality stands the Peñagolosa. This is the highest massif in the province and can be climbed on foot by different routes of greater or lesser complexity. One of the most special is that which leaves from the picturesque town of Vistabella del Maestrazgo, but if you wish to connect sea with mountain, there is also the route running between the peak and Castellón de la Plana. To get your strength back you might opt for one of the typical tapas of the province, the ximo - battered tuna, egg and tomato. If you have more of a sweet tooth, it is also worth trying panoli, made with flour, lemon and anise and stuffed with sweet potato, or flaons, rosegones and fig buñuelos.  

Monuments and outdoor urban art

The Castellón towns of Fanzara and Vilafamés must also be mentioned for their eye-catching and original nature. The latter is strategically located on a stone mass with incredible views of the magnificent white pine forests that surround the nearby municipalities. Its position and its walled construction have earned it the title of one of the most beautiful towns in Spain; but the town also has interesting churches, the Gothic palace of Batlle which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Grossa rock - an impressive stone that appears to have frozen as it fell. Various legends offer explanations of its origins, among them the one that recounts that , upon touching it, three wishes should be expressed, that at least one may be fulfilled. Tombet, barbecued meat with aioli and almond sweets stand out in the list of gastronomic attractions.

Fanzara, with just over 300 inhabitants and more than a hundred works of urban art, has become one of the largest open-air museums in the world. The streets of the town itself are given over to the artists, and the size of the murals they produce increases every year thanks to the annual Unfinished Museum of Urban Art (MIAU) festival, during which the artists are housed by the residents of the village. The traditional cuisine of the area uses seasonal vegetables, such as stews of cabbage, cardoon or game, in particular wild boar. All robust dishes to better prepare you for the demands of mountain life.