Castellón

Castellón de la Plana (in Valencian, Castelló de la Plana), often called Castellón, is a city of 171,000 people (2018) in the province of Castellón on the east coast of Spain. It's a calm and friendly seaside city with an historic centre and port (Grau), and orange orchards nearby. == Understand == It is located in the east of the Iberian Peninsula, on the Costa del Azahar by the Mediterranean Sea. The mountain range known as Desert de les Palmes rises inland north of the town. 1 Tourist Info Castellón, Plaça de la Hierba, s/n, ☏ +34 964 358 688, castellon@touristinfo.net. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-14:00. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Tourist Info Grao, Passeig de Bonavista, 28, ☏ +34 964 283 621, graocastellon@touristinfo.net. M-F 10:00-14:00. (updated Nov 2017) === Climate === Castellón lies far enough north that summers aren't too unbearably hot and far enough south that you won't freeze in the winter either. Its coastal location helps keep the weather mild and pleasant. === Language === The city has two official languages, Valencian and Spanish. == Get in == Castellón lies about 60 km (37 mi) north of Valencia and 280 km (170 mi) south of Barcelona from on Spain's Mediterranean coast. === By plane === 1 Castellón Airport (30 km north of Castellón). There are buses to Castellón for €12 and to Torreblanca train station for €1.65 (From Torreblanca to Valencia it's about 7€ by train). The schedules and website links to the bus operators are shown on the website of the airport. (updated Dec 2023) === By train === 2 Estació de Castelló (Estación de Castellón / Castellón Train Station), Carrer del Pintor Oliet, 2, ☏ +34 912 432 343. Renfe runs frequent trains from Valencia, and all Barcelona–Valencia long-distance trains stop here. Facilities at the station include storage lockers, a café, bookshop, and car rental office. (updated Nov 2017) === By bus === 3 Estación de Autobuses (Bus Station), Carrer del Pintor Oliet, s/n (next to the train station), ☏ +34 964 240 778. Hife runs several buses a day between Valencia and Barcelona, with stops in Castellón. Alsa buses run four times a day to and from Barcelona. (updated Nov 2017) === By car === The A-7 motorway links the city to Valencia and Tarragona further north. == Get around == === By bicycle === The city is so small and flat that one of the best ways to get around is by using the city bike-sharing system, Bicicas. It costs €2 per day, €6 per week, or €10 per month. See bicicas.es to read more details and to sign up. == See == === Landmarks === 1 Ajuntament (City Hall). Erected at the beginning of the 18th century. It features a Tuscan-style façade rising up over a colonnade. (updated Oct 2017) Concatedral de Santa Maria (co-cathedral of Saint Mary). Built in a Gothic-style in the 13th century and reconstructed one century later after destruction by fire. The present building is another reconstruction after the demolition ordered by the council during the Spanish civil war (1936). (updated Oct 2017) El Fadrí. The cathedral's bell tower (updated Oct 2017) The Llotja del Cànem (Hemp Exchange Market). Built during the first half of the 17th century to be used by traders in hempen cloth and ropes, a very important activity in the area at the time. Today the building is used by the university for cultural events and temporary exhibitions. (updated Oct 2017) Basílica of Santa Maria del Lledó (on the northeast edge of the town, at the end of a broad avenue decorated with orange trees). A basilica devoted to an image of the Virgin Mary found in 1366 by a farmer when he was ploughing his lands. The original 14th-century chapel was extended to its present Baroque form during the 16th century. === Museums and galleries === 2 Museu Etnològic (Museo de Etnología / Ethnological Museum), Carrer Cavallers, 25, ☏ +34 964 239 878. M-F 10:00-14:00 16:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-12:30 14:00-18:00. Free. (updated Oct 2017) 3 Museu de Belles Arts (Museum of Fine Arts), Av dels Germans Bou, 28, ☏ +34 964 727 500. Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Free. (updated Oct 2017) 4 Espai d'Art Contemporani de Castelló (EACC / Contemporary Art Space of Castellón), Carrer de Prim, s/n, ☏ +34 964 723 540, eacc@eacc.es. Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00. Free. (updated Oct 2017) 5 Museo de Historia Militar (Military History Museum), Acuartelamiento Tetuán, s/n, info@aulamilitar.com. M-Sa 10:30-13:00. (updated Oct 2017) 6 Museu de la Mar (Museo del Mar / Sea Museum), Carrer de Joan d'Austria (Grau de Castelló). Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Su and holidays 10:00-14:00. (updated Oct 2017) 7 Torre dels Alçaments, Plaça de les Aules, ☏ +34 964 227 556. M-F 08:00-15:00 by prior arrangement. (updated Oct 2017) 8 Planetario (Planetarium), Paseig Marítim, 1 (Grao de Castellón), ☏ +34 964 282 968, fax: +34 964 285 161, planetari@castello.es. (updated Oct 2017) === Parks === 9 Ribalta Park. (updated Oct 2017) 10 Parc del Meridià, Camí de la Donació. Park at the exact location where the 40th parallel north meets the prime meridian. Around 4 km from the city centre. (updated Mar 2026) == Do == Beaches Sea kayaking === Performing arts === 1 Auditori i Palau de Congressos de Castelló (Auditorio y Palacio de Congresos de Castellón), Av de la Mare de Déu del Lledó, 50, ☏ +34 964 727 550, fax: +34 964 225 543, culturalcas@culturalcas.com. Box office: Tu-F 09:00-14:00, Th 17:00-19:00, performance days: 17:00-; special exhibits: Tu-Sa 10:00-14:00 16:00-20:00, Su 10:00-14:00. A venue for theatre (in Spanish), modern dance, and classical and other music performances. There is also an art exhibition area with changing exhibits, along with an accompanying giftshop. The building was designed by Catalán architect Carlos Ferrater. Free admission to exhibitions; tickets to performances can be purchased at the box office or online. (updated Nov 2017) == Buy == 1 Mercat Central (Mercado Central / Central Market), Plaça Major, 1, ☏ +34 964 236 803. M-Sa 07:00-15:00. A standard food market selling local produce, meat, and fish, and has an onsite bar/café. (updated Oct 2017) === Street markets === 2 Rastro (flea market), Plaça de Santa Clara. 1st Sa morning of every month except Jan and Jul-Sep. A good place to find an assortment of second-hand goods. (updated Oct 2017) 3 Mercadillo. M mornings. A weekly street market for local produce and other goods. (updated Oct 2017) 4 Mercadillo del Grau, Plaça de la Mare de Déu del Carme (El Grao). F mornings. (updated Oct 2017) == Eat == === Budget === ==== City centre ==== 1 Tasca La Necora, Carrer Barraques, 6. (updated Feb 2023) 2 Restaurante Arnica, Calle Carcaixent, 7 (Plaza Mar Mediterráneo). (updated Feb 2023) 3 Pans&Company, Carrer Major, 28. (updated Feb 2023) 4 Taberna Karagols, Carrer de Crevillent, nº9. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Donde Marisa, Calle de Sanchís Abella, 8. (updated Feb 2023) 6 King Doner, Ronda de la Magdalena, 8. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Lyonburgo, Carrer del Mestre Ripollés, 10. (updated Feb 2023) ==== Marina ==== 8 Pizzeria Azahar, Carrer de Canalejas, 83. (updated Feb 2023) 9 Braseria Michanet, Av. Sant Pere, 56. (updated Nov 2022) 10 Bar Tapita Tapitas, Carre de Torrenostra, 20. (updated Feb 2023) 11 Bar La Concha, Carrer de Gravina, 13. (updated Feb 2023) === Mid-range === 12 Le Bistrot Gastronómico, Carrer de Temprado, 12. (updated Feb 2023) 13 Alfredo Restaurante, Carrer de Crevillent, 11. (updated Feb 2023) 14 La Llenega, Carrer del Compte Noronya, 27. (updated Feb 2023) 15 Fernando’s, Mlle. Puerto Recinto, 9C. (updated Feb 2023) 16 Restaurant Mediterráneo, Passeig de Bonavista, 46. (updated Feb 2023) === Splurge === 17 Restaurante Pairal, Carrer del Doctor Fleming, 24. (updated Feb 2023) 18 Restaurante Instinto Carnívoro, Av. de Lairón, Nave 13. (updated Feb 2023) 19 Restaurante Japonés - Roku, Carrer de Fola, 6. (updated Feb 2023) == Drink == == Sleep == === Midrange === 1 Doña Lola Hotel, Carrer de Llucena, 3 (across from Ribalta Park), ☏ +34 964 214 011, reservas@hoteldonalola.com. Has an onsite bar, nonsmoking rooms, and bicycles for rent. Free Wi-Fi, parking €10/day. Doubles from €50, including breakfast. (updated Nov 2017) 2 Eurohotel Castellón, Carrer del Pintor Oliet, 9 (across from the train and bus stations), ☏ +34 964 342 559, fax: +34 964 340 082, reservas@eurohotelcastello.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 06:00-12:00. Has an onsite fitness centre and restaurant which can accommodate special meals by request. Free Wi-Fi, parking €12/day. Doubles from €54, breakfast €10. (updated Nov 2017) 3 Hotel del Golf Playa, Avda del Golf, 2, ☏ +34 964 280 180. Check-in: 14:00-24:00, check-out: 07:00-12:00. Well-situated by the Pinar de Castellón Beach, near the Costa Azahar Golf Course and the port area. Has an outdoor pool, fitness centre, onsite bar/restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Doubles from €64. (updated Dec 2016) 4 Hotel H2 Castelló, Carrer de Carcaixent, 3, ☏ +34 964 723 825. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Has an onsite restaurant, fitness centre, nonsmoking rooms, and free Wi-Fi. Pets permitted on request. Doubles €60, including breakfast. (updated Nov 2017) 5 Hotel Intur Castellon, Carrer d'Herrero, 20, ☏ +34 964 225 000, fax: +34 964 232606, castellon@intur.com. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Has an onsite restaurant, fitness centre, and nonsmoking rooms. Free Wi-Fi, parking €12/day. Doubles €71, including breakfast. (updated Nov 2017) 6 Hotel NH Castellón Mindoro, Carrer de Moyano, 4, ☏ +34 964 222 300. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Centrally located, next to the theatre and city hall. Facilities include a fitness centre, onsite bar/restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Private parking €13.75/day. Doubles from €61, breakfast extra. (updated Dec 2016) == Connect == As of June 2022, Castellón has 4G from MasMovil/Yoigo and Vodafone, and 5G from Movistar and Orange. == Cope == === Consulates === Romania, Avenida de Valencia 144 (esquina con Rambla de la Viuda), ☏ +34 964 206 764, castellon@mae.ro. == Go next ==