‘Charming’ Spanish city is a lesser-known gem with new £40 flights and ‘hardly any tourists’

We’re all familiar with the beaches of Barcelona, the vibrant culture of Madrid — and the crowds that flock to these Spanish hotspots every year.

But there’s another city in Spain, an hour from Valencia, where you can get authentic vibes and relaxing beaches, without the tourist hordes.

And Castellon de la Plana just got easier to reach.

Ryanair has just launched a new direct route from London Stansted for as little as £44 return, if you fly in the first week of May.

The city, on the Costa del Azahar, has been a pleasant surprise to those who’ve visited.

One popular TikToker (@destinationlocator) said: ‘Walking through the charming squares with barely any tourists felt like a secret discovery.

The hidden gem offered a refreshing contrast to the usual crowds.’

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Temperatures reach the low 30s in the early summer months, making it the perfect place to top up your tan.

But don’t just take our word for it, here’s everything on offer.

Things to do in Castellon de la Plana

There’s a whole lot to see and do, starting with the iconic central market at the epicentre of the city, which has been welcoming people since 1949 on an almost daily basis.

The market is housed in its dedicated building, the Mercado Central, which has a bustling atmosphere where locals and tourists browse the more than 80 stalls on offer.

You could easily spend two hours sampling the city’s finest produce and soaking up the flavours of the Valencia region.

After, why not head to the nearby Town Hall – a stunning Baroque building from the 17th century – before admiring the Santa Maria la Mayor Church, which dates back to the 13th century, although it had to be rebuilt after it was demolished in the Spanish Civil War.

You can take in the El Fadri gothic bell tower, which is a major landmark in the city, although reviews suggest climbing to the top is slightly anticlimactic.

Then, make a pit stop in Ribalta park to recharge before heading further from the centre to visit the castle ruins atop a hill, the Hermitage of Santa María Magdalena.

In March every year, this place is visited by locals carrying green ribbons for the Las Cañas Pilgrimage, to express their devotion to the Virgin Mary and commemorate the city’s founding.

If a museum is more up your street, there are plenty to choose from.

The Museu de la Ciutat de Castelló will teach you all about the traditional trades and professions in the city, or the Fine Art museum has some gorgeous paintings.

Beaches in Castellon de la Plana

This city really has the best of both worlds.

The largest of the three beaches on offer is the sandy El Pinar Beach, which stretches 1,750 along the coast.

It’s next to a lush green park (El Pinar Park) and focuses on preserving native birds and plants in its dunes.

It’s a great place to spend the day with showers, games for children, and areas for volleyball and football.

There’s also lots of parking and dining options nearby – including Restaurante La Goleta which has ‘lovely calamari and paella’ according to Google Reviews.

Gurugú beach boasts similar facilities with several beach bars nearby for those who like a tipple.

Close by there’s the Grao de Castellon, with restaurants and bars to stop you going hungry.

What to eat and drink in Castellon de la Plana

For ‘genuine and unpretentious’ tapas, you can head to Restaurante Saboritja in the city centre, or if you fancy some paella try Entrefogones by JR.

If an all-day affair is your vibe, then try Nudo Beach Club, where you can indulge in food and drink all day while you lounge by the pool, next to the ocean.

Getting to Castellon de la Plana

Flights start from £44 direct from the UK to Castellon de la Plana, but you could also fly to Valencia and make a twin-city break out of it.

If you’re flying into Castellon, you’ll need to go from London Stansted, while Valencia flights operate out of Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, as well as Manchester and Birmingham.

A taxi is around £34 to £44 from Castellon de la Plana airport to the city centre, and the drive takes about 45 minutes.

The cheaper option is to get the airport bus service to the city centre, which costs £10 each way, while children under four go free.

When it comes to accommodation, the average price of a centrally located rental apartment is around £63, based on travel dates for September 2026.

Some well-rated options can be found on Airbnb, here and here.

If you prefer hotels, a stay at an ‘excellent’ rated property on Booking.com will cost you about £68 per night.

Prices fluctuate with the most expensive month being July, and the cheapest April.

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.