Making the most of Castellon de la Plana
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port lies about 6 km from the centre of town.
Castellon is fairly small, making its orange-tree-lined streets pleasant to explore on foot. Do not miss the old quarter around Plaza de Santa Clara, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de la Pescadería and the neighbouring streets, where Gothic and Renaissance architecture survives. Avenida Rey Don Jaime offers a different view of the city through its modern buildings and shops, while Ribalta park is where local people stroll or spend time. Another popular meeting point is Plaza de la Paz beside Teatro Principal. A visit to the Fadri should not be missed...
El Fadri is an octagonal bell tower dating from the 16th century. Standing 58 metres high between the Cathedral and the Abbey, this city symbol chimes every hour and also announces important local events.
Plaza de Santa Clara is both an open square and the marketplace. Modern arches run around its perimeter, and it also contains a contemporary sculpture by Llorenç Poy.
Nearby places
A visit to Morella feels like travelling back in time. This small settlement sits on a rock overlooking the Mediterranean sea, 1.072 m above sea level, with its imposing castle crowning the hill and ancient walls surrounding the village. Quiet streets, a strong historical and artistic atmosphere and the historic walled quarter reward exploration, while the castle commands exceptional views. Other notable buildings include the Arciprestal Church, Royal Cloister and San Francisco Convent.
Food and shopping
Excellent tapas can be found around Plaza de Santa Clara and its adjoining streets. The Grao district near the port also has some very good restaurants and tapas bars.
Money
The currency is the euro.
A euro consists of 100 cents. The eight coin values are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent, together with 1 and 2 Euro; seven bank notes are available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euro.
Staying connected
Spanish is the official language across the whole country, although certain parts of Spain have additional languages: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular Catalan variety on the Balearic Islands.
For an emergency, dial 112 free of charge anywhere in Spain. The service operates in Spanish, with English, French and German also offered in some tourist areas.
Opening Hours and
Typical opening hours for shops and businesses are Monday to Saturday, 9.30 h to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h.
Large shopping centres and department stores open continuously from 10.00 h until 21.00 or 22.00 h; some of these larger stores also trade on Sunday.
Shops in coastal cities often stay open beyond 22.00 h during the high season.
Pharmacies normally trade from 9.30 to 13.30 h and 16.30 to 20.00 h. Pharmacies operating 24 hours are available in every major city, and the rotating late-opening rota is printed in newspapers and posted at all pharmacies.