Living in Costa Blanca - Regional Breaks in Castellon

When you buy a home in the Costa Blanca it becomes a fantastic base from which to explore more of Spain’s beautiful coastline and travelling north past Valencia you can easily reach the region of Castellón and the Costa Azahar in just a couple of hours. This makes this an excellent area to take a short break and get to know another part of this wonderful country.

Explore the capital of Castellón

The province capital is Castellón de la Plana and is located on the coast just an hour north of Valencia. This charming city dates back to Roman times and the old town, known as “El Grao”, is full of traditional architecture and a lively atmosphere. The Castell Vell fortress is a medieval defence for the town and overlooks the city providing wonderful views of the coast and also giving visitors a glimpse into the history of the area. TheMuseu de Belles Arts de Castellón will entrall art lovers with works by Goya, Veláquez and Sorolla as well as exhibiting a collection of contemporary art from both talented local and international artists. It really would be a shame to be so close to this fascinating city and live in the Costa Blanca without ever visiting this region.

The Orange Blossom Coast

The Costa de Azahar also known as the Orange Blossom coast and is a wonderful place for those who live in the Costa Blanca to visit because it is so close by. Surrounded by mountains, forests and wetlands the landscape is stunning and the beaches are clean and perfect for swimming and sunbathing and perhaps less commercial and busy during the summer months than those in the more famous Spanish Costas. Along the coast there are several interesting and charming historical towns with well-kept medieval centres, ancient architecture and traditional Spanish feel. Food in the area will feel very familiar for those who have made their home in the Costa Blanca because it includes both Mediterranean and Valencian traditions with plenty of fresh seafood. The perfect time for a visit is during Spring when the air is full of the fragrant scent of orange blossom from the abundance of these fruit trees in this region, giving the coast its name.

Peñiscola

Is a town well worth visiting, set on a peninsula jutting out into the azure Mediterranean Sea and just a three-hour drive from home for those living in Costa Blanca, it is full of beauty and its quaint streets and pristine beaches are overlooked by the Medieval castle. Take advantage of a relaxing boat trip to the Islas Columbretes, small volcanic islands off the coast which is a natural and marine reserve making it very popular for diving and snorkelling trips too.

Benicassim

Slightly closer to the Costa Blanca is the popular seaside town of Benicassim which is known for have a lively atmosphere as well as beautiful beaches, take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the delicious seafood dishes served at the beachfront restaurants. In the summertime, starting on the second Tuesday in July, you can enjoy a concert or two at the Festival Internacional de Benicassim, often abbreviated to FIB there will be pop, rock and electronic artists in addition to short films, fashion shows and art exhibitions.

Inland treasures

Sometimes it can also be enjoyable to have a complete change of scenery from the beaches and seaside towns we are blessed to call home living in Costa Blanca and travel inland to explore the mountains, countryside and traditional villages. Located just a short way from the coast is Vila-real, an historic city definitely worth exploring. 

En-route home those who love ornaments might wish to make a detour to visit the Lladró Museum in Valencia exhibits the makers exquisite porcelain figurines. The delicate ornaments created by Lladro which have captivated the world was founded in 1953 by three brothers from Valencia and these beautiful pieces have become renowned for their quality and desirability.

Conclusion - Living in Costa Blanca

Our love of Spain has drawn all of us to make our home in this beautiful country but, once you are settled and living in Costa Blanca do take time to explore other areas of the Peninsula, with in easy driving distance of our homes there is so much to see and experience. What are you waiting for? Pack up the car and take a trip to the beautiful orange blossom coast!