Spain is filled with beautiful destinations, but are often packed with tourists — but now Brits can fly to one Spanish city without fighting through the hustle and bustle
Castellón de la Plana is an unspoilt gem that captures true Spanish life without too many tourists(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A breathtaking Spanish city could be yours to discover — for just the cost of a £13 flight.
Spain has a slew of destinations that are filled with amazing history, phenomenal beaches and great natural trails. However, this often comes at the cost of being inundated by tourists trying to capture their own private moment.
But now, a new destination has opened up for Brits to explore the glorious Spanish sun, without the need for wrangling through swathes of holidaymakers trying to take the perfect picture. The hidden gem also sits right on the Mediterranean coast, making it an unspoilt beauty, but still close to other holiday hotspots.
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Castellón de la Plana is a small city sitting just inland of Spain’s Costa de Valencia. With a population of just over 174,000 people, the city is often dwarfed by its popular neighbours, including Benidorm, Valencia, and even Barcelona further along the coast.
However, the city is brimming with culture and history, being the fourth-largest city in the region. The town has been mentioned in history books as far back as 1233, when it was taken over by a Spanish king, and has since built up an impressive history, filled with castles and stunning panoramic views, all with 30 °C temperatures at the height of summer.
Being located close to the sea, the city boasts access to the stunning Islas Columbretes Natural Park, where tourists can take in the amazing natural landscapes. With huge sea stacks and rock formations coming out of the sea, the panoramic views are like no other in Spain itself.
Back on dry land, travellers looking to get stuck into the hustle and bustle of daily life can get lost strolling through the Mercado Central, filled with locals selling their best produce. Seafood is in plenty of supply, with customers often queuing around the markets to get fresh quality goods, including food and drinks.
But if the market chaos is too much, the city also boasts a number of quiet, peaceful plazas that show how locals live their lives. Places such as the Plaça Major offer spots for people-watching, whilst taking in the breathtaking architecture of the local cathedral and other prominent buildings.
Beaches are also dotted around the city, with the songs such as the Playa del Pinar and Playa El Gurugu being the perfect spots to catch the sunrise over the horizon of the Med.
Food and drink are also staples of the city’s thriving life, as there are a host of bars and restaurants offering traditional meals for a reasonable price. Modern history is also covered, with the Refugio Antiaereo air-raid shelter now serving as a museum, adding an extra quirk to the Spanish diamond.
British tourists are now able to catch a flight to Castellón de la Plana, after Ryanair officially connected London Stanstead Airport to Castellón Airport, based some 30 kilometres away from the city itself. The cost of the flights themselves are also incredibly cheap, with the cheapest one-way flight to the Spanish getaway coming in at £13 this month.
The airport can also serve as a great gateway to the rest of the Valencia region, with holiday hotspots such as Valencia City, Alicante, and Benidorm easily accessible. The price of flights also do not fluctuate that much, meaning a cheap flight to Spain is always guaranteed.