Holidays to Costa de Azahar

Top attractions

The Costa de Azahar is packed full of things to see and do. While you could happily spend your whole holiday hopping from beautiful beach to beautiful beach, you will find plenty of other activities to do too.

If you love to soak up some local history, visit the 15th century Torre del Rey in Opresa and enjoy spectacular views from the top. Admire the Moorish castle at Peniscola, or head into the hills for a trip to the medieval town of Morella. The area’s capital city, Castellon, is a beautiful city for sightseeing and its architecture showcases everything from Gothic to Renaissance styles.

Take to the seas with a boat trip to the Columbretes Islands. Famed for the horseshoe shape the island make, this spot is a wonderful place for scuba diving or simply taking in the amazing views.

Costa de Azahar is famed for its idyllic mountains and off-road trails. Whether you love biking or hiking, you can’t beat an exciting afternoon of exercise before dinner.

If you are on a family holiday in Costa de Azahar be sure to take the children to the Castellon Planetarium for daily shows, exhibitions and a stunning replica of the night sky.

Beaches

Holidays in Costa de Azahar offer countless beaches to choose from, and you will be spoilt for choice when staying on the beautiful coast. The entire stretch of golden coastline boasts heavenly sand beaches, from lively spots, to small tranquil coves.

At the top of the list for families with children is the pretty town of Peniscola with its shallow waters and friendly atmosphere. Games and amenities are all on offer to create a fun, but relaxing place for everyone to let loose.

If you prefer a quieter spot, try Playa del Pebret in the Natural Park of Sierra de Irta with its vast sand dunes and gorgeous surrounding scenery. If you are more into water sports, the El Pinar Beach offers a fantastic array of options for all ability levels. Feel the need for speed with some jet skiing or take things slow with some leisurely snorkelling. For the best beachfront bars, head to the festival-style vibe of Benicassim, where you can kick back with a cool cocktail.

Eating out

Each city, town and village located on the Costa de Azahar has its own fantastic restaurants that serve up the cuisine of the region. There is no place better than Valencia when you search out the best food fare on your holiday in Costa de Azahar. The coast is well stocked by the seafood of the Mediterranean, so finding a great fish dish won't be hard. One classic dish to seek out is all-I-pebre, a soup that combines garlic, paprika, freshly caught eel and potatoes.

Paella is always one of the favourite meals for tourists to eat on a Spanish holiday, and the Costa de Azahar combines the traditional rice dish with great seafood like sea bass. But you can also try it with rabbit or snail. Rice is a very popular part of dishes in the region, and many local recipes call for the grain.

Of course, the coast has tapas bars that dot its towns and villages, so hopping from one to the next won't be difficult. Whether it is sausage or calamari, you can fill up on small tasty treats while drinking a cool cocktail.

If you find yourself in Valencia, and you need a refreshing drink after sightseeing in the sun, head for Horchateria de Santa Catalina for a cool, milky horchata. Grab a farton, a local pastry, to go with it as you prepare for more sightseeing fun.

Nightlife

Holidaymakers will find the best nightlife on the Costa de Azahar in Castellon. The city is full of trendy bars, restaurants and nightclubs waiting to be discovered. The fun takes place nearly all year round in Castellon, but for the resorts of Benicassim and Burriana, summer sees the best nightlife come out. All three towns have nightclubs that stay up until the early hours of the morning, and Las Villas – located in Benicassim – is a vibrant hotspot of fun that only stops when the sun comes up.

Spanish nightlife culture is one in which partygoers and nightclub hoppers don't arrive until late into the evening. So, don't expect the music to be pulsating by 9pm. The later opening means the clubs will stay open until dawn, and the party only ends when it is time to get some sleep, or some breakfast. Don't miss out on the world famous Spanish nightlife on a holiday in Costa de Azahar.

Family holidays

Castellon is home to a gorgeous marina and waterfront. Families can discover the area or hire a yacht to sail off the shore of the Costa de Azahar. While at sea, cast your line into the deep blue waters to catch your own seafood dinner.

Valencia has the most historical and architecturally important buildings on the coast. It may take a day or two to explore the city; if you can get away from the beaches. The 15^th century built La Lonja de Seda is the home to Valencia's silk trade, and the building's tower offers families a view of the city. Valencia's Torres de Serranos is another must-see landmark. The gates are the symbol of the city, and the top of the towers give tourists a spectacular view.

If you need to cool off, but want to spend the day slipping and sliding, head for Benicassim's Aquarama. The park is one of the highest rated in the region, and there are rides for everyone, no matter their age.

Couples holidays

There are more than 100 kilometres of shoreline on the Costa de Azahar. Couples can find beach after beach calling their name, and a full day of fun in the sun is right at a holidaymaker's fingertips. Many of the beaches have restaurants and bars located nearby, so once you and your loved one leave the beach, you can refuel with a tasty snack or cool cocktail. If some of the beaches get too crowded, couples can find some secluded spots to spend some quiet time together down the coast.

Once you have finished your day at the beach, discover the art museums and shopping of Valencia, or take part in some rugged hiking outside the cities. For a unique experience, jump on a yacht in Castellon's marina and sail out into the Mediterranean to watch the sunset over the Costa de Azahar. Back on land, find yourselves some traditional tapas and sangria before hitting the nightclubs in one of the holiday hotspots on the coast.

Action & Adventure

Spain is home to many of the top golf courses in Europe, and the Costa de Azahar has several great courses to play. Whether its nine holes, 18, or you just want to get some lessons from the club pro, you can find it at Panoramica Golf, Costa Azahar Golf Club or Club de Campo del Mediterraneo.

With so much coastline, you will want to spend most of your day chilling out on the sands. There, you can find endless amounts of water sport activities from jet skiing to windsurfing. If a family day is what you are after, the Aquarama Water Park in Benicassim and the Castellon Planetarium are perfect. Get a little speed and challenge your fellow travellers at Benikart Go Kart Track; and if you aren't afraid, try the adult and expert tracks at the course for a real challenge.

Culture

The Costa de Azahar averages 320 days of sunshine a year, which means your holiday will be soaked in sunlight. Thanks to the weather, the entire region celebrates festivals throughout the year, and visitors cannot only take part, but learn about the local culture on their holiday.

Valencia is home to the Fallas Festival every March. The religious festival features a parade with large floats created from papier mache. The floats are later burned at the celebration's climax. Peniscola is home to the Ancient and Baroque Music Festival in Augusts, but two months before that event is the International Comedy Film Festival. Both are very entertaining and offer plenty of things to do for visitors. International Indyrock Festival brings together music lovers from all over the world and they descend on Benicassim in July - a must-visit festival for fans of the music genre.

Beaches, festivals, food and more, that is what you can find on a holiday in the Costa Azahar, and it’s calling your name, so make it your holiday destination in 2018.