Oropesa del Mar and Benicàssim
Oropesa del Mar has the most villas on this coast. La Concha is its sheltered town beach, with longer sands to the north, and a small old quarter sits on the hill above. The Vía Verde del Mar, an old railway line turned coastal path, runs south to Benicàssim, which has a long promenade and a big music festival each July. Castellón airport is around half an hour away and Valencia around an hour and a quarter.
Best for: Families who want sandy beaches and a short airport transfer
Not for you if: You want an old village: much of Oropesa is modern apartment blocks and the large Marina d'Or resort.
Peñíscola
Peñíscola's walled old town fills a rocky headland, topped by a castle once home to the antipope Benedict XIII, known locally as Papa Luna. A long sandy beach runs north from the rock towards Benicarló, lined with hotels and apartments. South of town, the Serra d'Irta natural park has a coastal path and small coves with no road access. Castellón airport is about 45 minutes away, Valencia around an hour and three-quarters.
Best for: Couples and families who want a castle town above a long beach
Not for you if: You want quiet evenings in August: the old town and seafront are packed.
Vinaròs, Benicarló and Sant Jordi (north)
Vinaròs is a fishing port known for its prawns, with rocky coves to the north and a busy market. Benicarló, next door, grows the artichokes that carry its name and has a marina and town beaches. Sant Jordi lies a few kilometres inland among orange and olive groves, and has a golf course. The Ebro delta's rice fields and birdlife are about half an hour north, and Reus airport is around an hour and a quarter away.
Best for: Food lovers and anyone wanting working towns rather than resorts
Not for you if: You want long sandy beaches on the doorstep: much of the shore here is shingle and low rock.
Alcocéber, Alcossebre and Torreblanca
Alcossebre (Alcocéber in Spanish) is a small resort of coves and short sandy beaches on the southern edge of the Serra d'Irta, with walking and cycling tracks along an undeveloped coast. Torreblanca, just south, is a farming town with a quiet beach strip and the Prat de Cabanes wetland behind it. There is less choice of villas here. Castellón airport is around 30 to 40 minutes away.
Best for: Couples and walkers who want a smaller resort
Not for you if: You want lively nightlife: Alcossebre is low-key and many places close in winter.
Castellón and the south (El Grao, Almassora, Burriana, Moncofar)
Castellón de la Plana is a working city with shops, tapas bars and a harbour district, El Grao, with a long beach to the north. Almassora, Burriana and Moncofar line the coast to the south, among citrus groves, with plain sandy beaches used mostly by Spanish families. Valencia is around an hour by car or train. Villas here are few and scattered.
Best for: Visitors who want a city within reach and Spanish seaside life
Not for you if: You want scenery: this stretch is flat, with orange groves and housing behind the beaches.
