Essentials

Castelló de la Plana is full of history and culture. During your time in the city, you simply have to visit Plaza Mayor and gaze at the monuments and sights that proudly stand there, such as the council building, el Fadrí belltower, the central market and Concatedral de Santa María.

The co-cathedral dates back to the early 13th century, though the building you will see today is not the original. Back in the 15th century, the co-cathedral was rebuilt following a fire and it was also later demolished during the Spanish Civil War. After its latest reconstruction, only three of the Gothic doors remain. The oldest is located on calle Arcipreste Balaguer.

The floorplan of the church in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves topped with rib vaults. The interior is bursting with artistry. You can see an 18th century image of La Inmaculada and Baroque paintings, among many other pieces.

Santa María co-cathedral is listed as a Site of Cultural Interest and has also been declared a National Heritage Site and Cultural Site by Generalitat Valenciana. The perfect place to soak up art, culture and heritage both in its interior and exterior.

Montán is located close to the river Mijares in inland province of Castellón. The village sits in the embrace of lovely scenery where you can enjoy mountain pursuits like climbing, cycling and hiking. It is also home to a priceless archaeological site.

The Monte Calvario site in Montán has revealed the remains of an Iron Age settlement. Experts date the ruins to the 7th century BC. Excavations have discovered a settlement with a central street, town walls and a gate that served as an entrance to the town. It is believed that it could have been an area used to distribute commerce in inland province of Castellón. The site also proves that the Phoenicians inhabited the area and left their mark here.

The layout of the settlement is well defined. There are houses on the upper part of hill and storage constructions a little further down. Part of the site is open to the public. A signposted tour has been designed so you can take a look around safely and read interesting information panels that provide context and fascinating facts. A trail starting in the high part of Montán has been created so you can enjoy a circular trail, starting and ending in Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Make the most of the opportunity to come to Montán and explore its historic heritage.

Jijona is the perfect place to discover inland Alicante and savour its sweet treat par excellence: turrón (nougat). But there’s much more to discover in the village, in particular its fascinating history.

If you turn your gaze skywards, you’ll see the remains of Jijona castle, also known as Torre Grossa castle.

Torre Grossa castle was built by the Almohads between the late 12th and early 13th centuries. After it was seized by the Christians in the 13th century, the main building and castle wall were constructed. The fortress played a key role in defending the border of the Kingdom of Valencia. At its feet, the village of Jijona started to grow. Over time, the castle started to deteriorate. During the War of the Spanish Succession, it was attacked by the Austrian troops who practically razed it to the ground.

Architecturally, the imposing fortress extends along almost the whole of the hilltop where it perches. There castle is defined by two fortified stone areas, dominated by the northern tower, Torre Grossa, an impressive defence tower.

Nowadays, you can still see different parts of the walls and old defence towers around the perimeter of the castle.

If you’re interested in visiting the castle, there are two ways to get there. Coming from Tibi, you’ll find yourself in front of the castle as soon as you arrive in the village, however if you're coming from Alicante, you’ll have to follow the directions in the village to get to the fortress.

The streets of Villajoyosa are brimming with history. As you wander around, you will come across many treasures of the past, such as Cruz de Piedra. Historically this wayside cross marked the intersection of roads that date back to Roman times.

Villajoyosa is home to two Roman crosses, known as Creueta and Creu de Pedra. Both still emanate a sense of the holy and sacred; the Romans created Lares Compitales here, small monuments to the gods asking for protection.

The cross points southwards towards the Foradà trail and the centre of the town northwards towards Torre de Dalt, eastwards to San Antonio Abad chapel and westward to Santo Argil bridge.

The monument was repaired at the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 and is listed as a Site of Local Interest.

Over three thousands species of trees populate Jardín Botánico de València, a botanic garden dating back to the 16th century which has grown exponentially over the years while creating the perfect environment for the plants that call it home.

Jardín Botánico de la Universitat de València is thought to have originally been used to cultivate medicinal plants for the Faculty of Medicine. By 1778, however, its very own area of research had been established.

Nowadays, Jardín Botánico is an enchanting botanic garden where you can poke your head into tropical glasshouses, marvel at collections of carnivorous plants and gaze at water lilies soaking up the sun. Beyond this, the garden runs a wide range of events and activities designed to offer locals and visitors an opportunity to enjoy some culture.

València’s botanic garden is situated close to the bed of the river Turia, which is now a spectacular park, and the historic centre of the city. Torres de Quart is also just steps away, reminding you that València was once a walled city, and providing you access to El Carmen district, whose streets will lead you to the cathedral and Miguelete.

Jardín Botánico de València is a little oasis of tranquillity in the heart of the city where you can enjoy a gentle stroll among the plants and visit exhibitions about the world of plants and the research being undertaken at Universitat de València. Don’t miss it.

Plaza de Toros de Ondara, Ondara Bullring, located in the county of La Marina Alta in Alicante, is a true emblem of the town and a unique architectural feat inspired by Mozarabic art.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, Ondara Bullring not only hosts bullfights. It is also a fantastic venue in which there is always an eclectic array of concerts and theatrical performances held. It’s no surprise it’s a popular venue as the acoustics are sensational!

The bullring’s past is intertwined with the Valencian raisin culture, whose thriving economy led to the construction of the building. In addition to visiting Ondara Bullring, we recommend peeking inside the Clocktower, Casa Fuerte on Dénia and Sol street, and the Minims Convent, now serving as the Town Hall.

The old wash house is also worth checking out, and keep an eye out for the traditional azudes, old dams that cleverly divert some of the river into fields for irrigation. The riverbanks and lush greenery create the perfect picturesque setting for a stroll or picnic, so make Ondara Bullring the starting point of your tour around this lovely town and its surroundings and end with some downtime in nature.