Explore the Costa del Azahar and beyond...

Beaches

We are just 15 minutes drive from the nearest beach, Playa del Fortí in Vinaròs, one of the many beautiful blue flag beaches of the Costa del Azahar.  Unspoilt and less crowded than those of the Costa Blanca, kilometres of white sand and interspersed with hidden coves, they are perfect any time of the year.

Peniscola is home to award winning beaches. Playa Norte - 5km of beach in a spectacular setting, with the Papa Luna Castle as its backdrop. Playa Sur  - Near the fishing port, this smaller fine sandy beach is characterised by its calm waters - here you can practice sailing, windsurfing and other water sports. Playa del Pebret - South of Peñiscola in the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Irta, is the perfect place to relax among the dunes and spot sea lilies in the ever-moving sand. Throughout the whole nature reserve you can find small and hidden coves, some of which are clothing-optional and popular with naturists.

Vinaros is the capital of the comarque, Baix Maestrat, and is a popular seaside destination. Playa del Fortí, the main beach in Vinarós, is a blue flag beach with golden coarse sand, set against the backdrop of the promenade with its palm trees, red metal sculptures, and plenty of bars and restaurants.  Playa del Fora del Forat is like a continuation of Playa del Fortí, if you walk north, and is smaller than the main beach, it is very pretty with a mixture of palm trees and pine trees behind it. The third beach that is in the town centre is Playa del Clot this semi circular beach is quiet with shallow waters. Playa Riu de la Senia and is a remote pebble beach used by nudists.

Benicarlo - Just before the port, you’ll find the blue flag Playa de Morrongo, with its 300m of golden sand and good selection of bars and restaurants. For a more rustic feel there is the pebble beach of Playa Norte o Playa del Mar Chica. Then Playa de la Caracolaia another sandy beach which connects Benicarlo by coast to Peniscola.

Alcossebre - Playa de las Fuentes is a beach of fine sand, located north of the Las Fuentes Marina, and it owes its name to the springs of fresh water that flow from the seabed to the sand.

Delta de L'ebra Nature Park - La Marquesa is one of the most magical beaches of the Ebro Delta that culminates with the imposing Fangar Lighthouse on the El Fangar peninsula. It has miles of almost virgin sand and the dunes are some of the best preserved in the Delta. 



Towns

The Valencian community, and more specifically the province of Castellon, are littered with towns oozing traditional Spanish character with cobbled narrow streets and pretty architectural features, many set against dramatic mountain backdrops. Must visits are Peniscola, Villafamés and Morella which all feature in Spain's official 'Most Beautiful Towns List' - for more details on these towns see Castles & Churches below.

Traiguera - a typical rural Spanish town surrounded by an abundance of olive trees, almond trees and orange groves. The culture of Traiguera can be easily absorbed wandering around the town, with its natural stonework and pottery tradition. Just outside the town is the beautiful, historical Font de la Salud – Fountain of Health - and the the highly rated Casa dels Capellans restaurant.

Sant Mateu - is the historic capital of the Maestrat region and has been declared an object of cultural interest. The town still has its medieval walls and has a pretty main square with fountains and many restaurant. Sant Mateu has a number of palaces and religious buildings of interest.

La Salzadella - Famous for its cherries, the little town of La Salzadella can be traced back to Iberian and Roman times. This town is perfect for those who wish to go hiking and explore nature as it is located on the Via Augusta, route of the millennial olive trees and the route of the water. Within the town itself there are historic buildings of interest, as well as a Mexico Square (Plaza México).

Vinaros & Benicarlo - local seaside towns, with working ports, to visit throughout the year with fresh food markets, seafood and tapas bars, and good mixture of traditional architectural buildings of interest. With everyday shopping needs such as banks, supermarkets and boutique fashion stores.

Castles & Churches

Castellon is the smallest of Valencia’s three provinces, but the area is steeped in history: medieval hill towns and beautiful castles pepper this relatively undiscovered region.

Traiguera - Royal Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Salud in Traiguera, an architectural jewel of the 16th century. It shows a past of splendour and the passage of religious orders of Montesa and the Hospitalarios. One of the most outstanding monuments of the province of Castellón. The sanctuary is formed by a set of buildings of Gothic origin, with Renaissance and Baroque extensions and transformations.

Peñíscola - has a privileged location on the Spanish Mediterranean. The old town - crowned by a 14th century castle-fortress that was once the home of Pope Benedict XIII - stands on an imposing rock that rises 64m above the azure seas.

Morella - a medieval city, surrounded by an amazing wall that's 1,500 metres high. Passing over the wall is like passing through time to a town with gothic and renaissance buildings with narrow cobbled streets. Preserved houses and its old bullring are unforgettable, but the jewel in the city's crown has to be the castle.

Villafames - The true highlight of the town is the old part, which is embraced by the remains of the walls, whose construction can be dated back from around 1375. A must is to see the 'Big Rock'.

Ulldecona - Towering in Majesty over Sierra Godall’s southeast slope, lies the Ermita de la Pietat. It is a fine chapel, and well worth a visit both for culture and spirit. The Neolithic Era cave paintings of Ulldecona are a declared UNESCO World heritage site. To see both locations you’ll need to walk on a mountain path, but the views alone are worth it.



Capture the Natural Surroundings

With a wealth of fauna & flora, wildlife, architecture and mountainous & coastal scenery there is more than plenty of subjects to be caught on camera or canvas, with an abundance of different subject matters for artists and photographers to capture their experience of the Costas del Azahar. As well as birds of many varieties, native or migrating for birdwatchers to admire.

Parc Natural de la Serra d'Irta is located south of Peñiscola. The mountains reach up to the sea, alternated by deserted bays. It is a reserve of pure nature with small game, many migratory birds, archaeological sites and ruins, like the castles of Alcalá and Magdalena de Pulpis, both built by the Moors. From the castle of Alcalá, you have a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean.

Millennial Olives - in Maestrazgo county where we can find the highest density of olive-tree specimens exceeding two thousand years old, according to the latest datings… It is simply stunning!  In Traiguera, the ancient Thiar Julia’s Roman village, the oldest olive tree in town, called "L'Olivera del Xano". Also here you can see the 'Sinfo’s Olive Tree' which won Best Monumental Olive Tree of the Mediterranean by RECOMED.

Delta de L'ebra Nature Park - La Bassa de les Olles, with 54 hectares, is the smallest lagoon in the Ebro Delta Natural Park. Communicating with the Fangar Bay, among rice fields and dunes, this lagoon is the result of one of the oldest mouths of the Ebro River. The visit, which can be started from L'Ampolla, is a must, since we can find flamingos, royal ducks, jackals or kingfishers.


Deltebre i Sant Jaume d'Enveja, three protected natural areas of great importance: The Garxal, Sant Antoni island and Buda Island. The two islands have the restricted access and to enter, you must request authorization at the Natural Park administration. Garxal beach, on the other hand, is an area that can be visited walking or with the bike. Several explanatory panels of the fauna and flora of the area have been made available, as well as viewpoints of birds that allow to observe the birds living there.

Parc Natural de la Tinença de Benifassà stretches between the regions of Els Ports and El Baix Maestrat, in Castellón. The ancient possessions of the Benifassà monastery extend across a mountainous area of great ecological value.  The fauna found here includes the Spanish ibex, wild boars, vultures, Bonelli's eagle and the booted eagle. There is a network of signposted hiking routes enabling visitors to experience the rare delights of this well-conserved nature area, also interesting villages such as El Boixar.

Casa De Olivos itself is spoilt by wonderful scenery, as the olive terraces and gardens offer many picturesque subjects to inspire a painters palette. From its elevated position you also have stunning landscape views, or venture into Traiguera and discover hidden rural Spain in the narrow cobbled streets.

If you have a sense of adventure, a love of dramatic and unspoiled scenery, and a curiosity to observe and absorb the charms of rural Spain then this could be the perfect setting for you to independently roam at your own pace and create your Spanish story in pictures.