The #1 Costa Azahar Travel Guide

Costa Azahar Travel Guide
Costa Azahar

The Costa  Azahar, meaning "the orange blossom coast", is located in the province of Castellon, to the north of the city of  Valencia. It lies between Catalonia in the north and the Costa Blanca in the south.

This picturesque coastline is around 115 kms long and is full of rugged mountain backdrops, nature parks and first-class beaches. Some of the best beaches on the Costa Azahar can be found at Benicassim, Castello-Grao, Alcossebre, Peniscola, Oropesa, Torreblanca, Benicarló y Vinarós.

There are many Costa Azahar festivals to enjoy in towns all along the orange blossom coast including San Antonio in Benicassim held in January, the Vinaros carnivals in February, the Magdalena during March in Benicassim, and the Peníscola festivals are held between the 7th to the 16th of October each year.

Top Costa Azahar Cities, Towns & Resorts

» Peniscola
» Gandia
» Benicassim
» Alcossebre
» Vinaros
» Castellon de la Plana
» Oropesa del Mar
» Benicarlo
» Almenara Casetllon
» Torreblanca
» Borriana
» Cabanas
» Alcala Xivert

Top Attractions on the Costa Azahar

Valencia Oranges
Valencia Oranges

The Costa Azahar landscape offers wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, mountainous surroundings, orange groves and a memorable and pleasant climate. It is ideal for holidaymakers who like both cultures and for those who are looking for relaxation and serenity. Filled with many green spaces, secluded places, beautiful coastal views, as well as historic sites and monuments, this part of Spain is less crowded than its busy neighbour on the Costa Blanca.

The Costa Azahar countryside is certainly an area where visitors can relax while walking through the orange and lemons groves or through the parks and nature reserves.  There are also plenty of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, rambling, rafting, sailing, water skiing, canoeing, yachting and more.

Oceanographic Centre
Oceanographic Centre Valencia

Valencia, the largest city of Costa Azahar, has gained fame as one of the most dynamic Spanish Cities. The main focal point is the outstanding Arts and Science Centre La Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias, built by the famous architect Calatrava.

A short drive north of Valencia is the coastal town of Castellon de la Plana, which has some gorgeous beaches and a historic town hall building.

A short drive north from Castellon de la Plana is the picturesque town of Oropesa, which still preserves the Tower of the King, built as a defence against pirates. Oropesa is a charming town to explore with its narrow lanes. The town boasts several fine beaches and unspoiled coves located around La Concha and Morre de Gos. There is also a modern yacht harbour with around 700 berths offering full marina facilities and well worth visiting to check out all the impressive luxury yachts.

Other coastal towns worth visiting include Morella, enclosed by 14th-century walls and the town of Benicassim which boasts an imposing 10th-century Moorish castle. Add to the list of tourist attractions that deserve a visit: the Planetarium of Castellón, Segobriga Park and Cova Negra Caves and Nature Park

The town of Calig is set inland from Vinaros and Benicarlo and is a tranquil village offering an ideal blend of modern and traditional. There is good nightlife, a decent smattering of shops and easy access to all other facilities. The annual fiesta in Calig is celebrated during August with a 10-day fest…. not to be missed.

Vinaros – is the first town you come across when entering the Costa Azahar. This ancient town offers a fine beach at El Forti which runs from the port to the mouth of the River Servol which is famous for its langostinos ( prawns). For fiesta lovers, the two major ones are the San Antonio in January, the festival of San Sebastian, and the carnivals held in February each year.

Peniscola

Peniscola Costa Azahar Travel
Peniscola Costa Azahar

This historic city is replete with medieval architecture and has a fine monumental heritage. Located in the northern part of the Costa Azahar, Pensicola has some amazing beaches and a superb choice of Leisure facilities.

The medieval fortification gives the town a real historic feel with the castle dating from the 13th and 15th centuries. Built originally by the Knights Templar it was completed by the Montesianos in the 14th century.

The castle was particularly famous for being the home of Pope Benedicte XIII, Pedro de Luna from 1411 to 1423 and is a fine example of military architecture dating from the early Middle Ages. A visit here is highly recommended as much of it still remains including the stables, a grand hall and a beautiful interior plaza.

And if you are looking to buy some holiday gifts, there are plenty of shops along its long promenade to please everyone as well as plenty of nice bars and restaurants to enjoy the local dish of Paella Valenciana.

Gandia

Gandia Seafront

Located 65 kilometres south of Valencia on the Mediterranean with its vast, golden beaches, it is one of the main tourist destinations in Spain.

It has a Mediterranean subtropical climate with mild, warm winters and hot summers.  Temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees Celcius.  During August, some days may reach 40 degrees, but the gentle sea breezes cool you down.  The sea remains warm in October, enabling you to enjoy a quiet swim.

Best beaches on the Costa Azahar

Gandia Seafront
Gandia

Here are the top picks of beaches on Costa Azahar:

Playa de la Concha: This stunning beach is located in the charming town of Oropesa del Mar and boasts crystal-clear waters and fine golden sand.

Playa de Morro de Gos: This beach is located in Alcossebre and is a great spot for water sports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Playa del Pinar: Located in the town of Castellón de la Plana, this long and wide beach is perfect for families with children and features plenty of amenities.

Playa de la Garrofera: This beach, located in the town of Gandía, is surrounded by sand dunes and pine forests and is a great spot for a peaceful getaway.

Playa de Benicassim: A long and wide beach located in the town of Benicassim. Perfect for chilling out and sunbathing and is located in the town of Benicassim.

Playa del Arenal: This top-notch urban beach is located in the city of Burriana and features restaurants, bars, and water sports activities.

Playa del Fortí: Located in the town of Vinaròs,  is perfect for a peaceful and romantic stroll along the water's edge.

Playa de Moncofa: This long and wide beach is located in the town of Moncofa and is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and natural landscapes.

Playa de la Renegà: This unspoiled beach is located in the town of Alcalà de Xivert and is a great spot for snorkelling.

Playa de Almenara: This beach, located in the town of Almenara, has stunning views of the Mediterranean and is surrounded by sand dunes and pine forests.

Getting Around the Costa Azahar

Barcelona Airport

The largest airport that feeds the Costa Azahar is Valencia Airport. It is well-connected to all the major cities in Spain and Europe and offers flights operated by a range of national and international airlines.

Once you arrive at the airport, the best way to reach the resorts located along the Costa Azahar is by renting a car. There are several car rental companies located at both Valencia and Barcelona airports, making it easy to hire a car and hit the road.

The A-7 motorway runs along the coast and is the main artery of the region, making it easy to access all of the towns and beaches on the Costa Azahar. The A7 is a toll-free coastal highway but can get very busy during the summer months. If you are strapped for time it's better to use the AP7 toll motorway as it is usually pretty quiet and will cut your travel times by half on most occasions.

If you prefer public transportation, there are several bus and train services available. The RENFE train service connects Valencia with other major cities in Spain, including Barcelona and Madrid. There are also several local train services that run along the coast and stop at many of the smaller towns on the Costa Azahar. Check out the Renfe website for train times and fair prices.

In addition to trains, there are also several bus services that operate in the region. The main bus operator is ALSA, which offers several routes that connect the towns and beaches of the Costa Azahar. Buses are a great option if you want to explore the region on a budget, as they are cheaper than trains or car hire.

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