Castellón De La Plana: Culture, History and Coast

Castellón De La Plana brings together several themes for planning a trip: Andalusian and Roman history, city walks, museums and a protected dune system on the coast. When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first decide whether architectural and urban history, collections or the coastal landscape should be your focus. The sights offer different ways to discover the city.

Discover history on walking tours

Castell Vell is an Andalusian fortress on Cerro de la Magdalena hill, associated with the origins of Castelló. The visitor route to the fortress is 400 metres long, covers an elevation gain of 30 metres and passes seven marked stops that explain the fortress. The Muralla Medieval also makes history tangible in the urban landscape: the route follows surviving sections of the city wall dating from the 13th to the 18th century. Nine marked stops structure the self-guided visit; the route’s condition depends on municipal maintenance. It is therefore a good idea to check for current information before your visit.

The Castelló Republicano route takes you to ten marked sights identified by numbered plaques. It can be planned as a self-guided walk at your own pace and takes 90 minutes; explanations are available in Spanish, Valencian, English and French. The Tetuán air-raid shelter offers a different historical focus: it was built during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) and restored as a place of historical interpretation. It addresses the consequences of the war and a culture of peace. The Espacios de Memoria route explores Castelló’s recent past, the human cost of the Civil War and the effects of the post-war period.

Roman traces and museum collections

The Villa Romana de Vinamargo was inhabited from the 1st to the 5th century AD. With 3,000 square metres of excavated area, it is the largest excavated Roman villa in the province of Castellón. Visible archaeological features include a work area with mills, a pottery workshop and storage rooms. The self-guided visit takes 45 minutes and is available in Spanish, Valencian, English and French. El Fadrí can also be explored independently: the 30-minute visit is based on exhibition panels.

For both sights, the format and duration are useful for planning your time; visitor services may change depending on operational circumstances. Check for current information before your visit. El Fadrí is a 58-metre-high freestanding bell tower. Its terrace offers panoramic views over the city. The villa therefore centres on Roman domestic and working life, while the bell tower focuses on the building itself and the view from its terrace.

The Ethnological Museum of Castelló houses more than 2,000 objects related to crafts and urban life in the 19th and 20th centuries. The Museu de la Mar in Grau is dedicated to Castelló’s maritime culture and displays 274 objects as well as more than 70 photographs. The collections thus have different focuses: urban everyday life on the one hand, and maritime culture on the other.

The Museu de Belles Arts de Castelló combines a permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions with a library, auditorium, restoration workshops and archives for archaeological research. Its fine arts department includes paintings and sculptures from the 14th century to the first third of the 20th century. The archaeological department presents a chronological history spanning 200,000 years through multimedia features, interactive screens and recreated historical settings. The ceramics collection comprises more than 800 pieces, including medieval lustreware and Valencian folk pottery. The museum’s collections therefore range from art and archaeology to regional ceramic traditions.

Cityscape, tradition and coast

Built in 1912, Casa de las Cigüeñas is probably the best-preserved Modernist building in the city of Castellón. The Ruta cerámica modernidad offers another perspective on art in the cityscape: it showcases the city’s most significant murals as artistic features that stand apart from industrial production. Basílica de Santa María de Lledó is the most important centre of Marian devotion in Castelló. Ceramic panels in its landscaped forecourt depict chapels from across the municipality.

The Romería de les Canyes is part of the Fiestas de la Magdalena and commemorates the founding of Castelló. Since the annual programme is relevant to trip planning, it is advisable to check event dates before travelling. Platja del Serradal offers a natural highlight: the area is protected as a micro-reserve for plants and is home to Castelló’s only natural dune system. Depending on conditions and the seasonal programme, kitesurfing, surfing and other water sports are offered at Castelló’s beaches; there is also a promenade and a cycle path. These beach facilities should not be confused with the protected area at Serradal.

Discover more destinations: El Grau De Castelló, Vilanova D`Alcolea, Alcudia de Veo, Alfondeguilla, Nules, El Grau de Moncofa, Forcall, Lucena Del Cid.

For the broader travel overview: Castellon.