10 Must Visit Places in Castellón
By Two World Backpackers
Being from Castellón, I had to talk to you about my city sooner or later.
Are you thinking of traveling to Castellón? Do you want to know what you cannot miss from this city?
Here are ten must-visit places that you should add to your list:
Table of Contents
The Main Square
In the main square of Castellón, right in the center of the city, you will find the most emblematic monuments such as the Town Hall, the Cathedral of Santa María, the bell tower known as El Fadrí, and the Central Market.
The town hall is from the 18th century, built in a classic Italian style that has two floors and a large and beautiful marble staircase inside. The central balcony located on the first floor, is where it takes place one of the most important events in the city, the announcement of the end of the Magdalena festivities.
Santa Maria Cathedral is located opposite the Town Hall. The three access doors and some details of the church are original, but the rest were built again after the Spanish Civil War based on the original.
In this square, you will also find the symbol of the city known as the Spanish tower of Pisa, El Fadrí. You can visit it for free from Tuesday to Thursday from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and enjoy the views of the city from the top.
Tapas in St. Claire's Square
It is the tapas place of the city par excellence.
Its name comes from the fact that in this square, there was a convent of nuns from the Order of Saint Claire long time ago. Here are also held plenty of different events.
Right in the centre of the square, there is a large sculpture that was built to commemorate important characters and events in the history of the city.
The Theatre
Located in Plaza la Paz, where the well-known “La Panderola” railway used to circulate, which ran from the municipality of Onda to El Grao de Castellón.
Formerly there was a big natural pool under the theater, which made it have a unique and special acoustics.
The Old Royal Casino of Castellón
Located in Puerta del Sol street, this old 17th-century palace has two floors formed by the ground floor, and a squared tower on the second floor.
Here is where the city’s gentry used to meet, and still do, to have a drink accompanied by a cigar, talk, play poker, etc. However, its terrace is currently free for anyone who wants to have a drink, watch live performances of blues, jazz, or fashion shows.
Mail and Telegraph Building
Located on the busy and renowned avenue of Rey Don Jaime I.
It was built in the modernist Valencian style, and it is divided into three floors.
The ground floor is set aside for the customer service; the first floor is where the offices are, and the second floor, where the employees’ homes are.
Anti-Aircraft Shelter
Although there are more than 300 shelters scattered throughout the city, there is only one restored in Plaza Tetuán next to the Post Office and Telegraph building. It can be visited for free from Tuesday to Saturday from 4pm to 7pm and Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Ribalta Park
It is the most important park in the city. In the middle of the park there is a music band where every Sunday at 12:00 noon, free concerts are offered in the open air by the municipal band of Castellón.
The Park is declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and also a historical-artistic complex next to the Independance Square, popularly known as La Farola for the large sculpture in the middle of the square.
Basilica of the Virgin of Lidon
Located at the end of the avenue that holds the same name.
In this basilica is placed the patron saint of the city, the Virgin of Lidón.
As a curious fact, we will tell you that when entering the basilica, on the right side, there is a room with approximately 40 different coloured capes for the Virgin that use to change her capes on dates such as Christmas, Easter, Magdalena Festivities, etc.
The Hermitage of La Magdalena and the Castell Vell
This place is known as the origin of the city.
The Castell Vell (Old Castle) is located on the Magdalena hill or castle hill a few kilometers away from the city, and in the heart of the Desierto de las Palmas Natural Park. So denominated not because it is a desert full of sand like the ones we usually know, but because those mountains are so silent that the ancient Benedictine monks used it as a place of spiritual retreat. Plus, the nickname of “the palms” is for the type of plant most popular that there is in the park, the palm heart.
The hermitage of La Magdalena, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), was actually a tank where taxes were collected, and it is also part of the castle.
In the Magdalena festivities, people celebrate the founding of the city with the transfer from the mountains to the plains where it is currently.
Grao de Castellón
Just 4km from the city, we find this maritime neighborhood where you can enjoy the delicious gastronomy of the province, such as its rice and fish. The port area stands out with plenty of restaurants, cinemas, hotels, a casino, and even the original lighthouse that illuminated the coasts of Castellón in the past until it was replaced.
Along the main avenue and maritime promenade, there is the Planetarium, which can be accessed free of charge to the temporary exhibitions on the ground floor.
On the same avenue but on the opposite side, you will find the large Parque del Pinar where many families gather on Sundays to have barbecues and paellas.
If someone wants to do a day trip to the Columbretes Islands (a natural site and biosphere reserve) that is only 50 miles away from Castellón, they can hire a boat from the same port dock next to the restaurants.
What do you think? Have you ever been to Castellón? Let us know in a comment down here. We’ll be happy to read you!
