Costa Azahar

What Burriana is really like: the wide Arenal beach, a lively marina, orange-growing heritage and the summer Arenal Sound festival on the Costa del Azahar.

What Villarreal is really like: ceramics heritage, the Yellow Submarine football club, orange groves and a planned old town near the Costa del Azahar.

Seaside town of about 12,640 in Castellón: 12 km of coast, Morro de Gos beach (2,000 m), a hill castle and the Vía Verde to Benicàssim. Valencia is 72 km away.

Guide to Santa Magdalena de Polpís — a quiet Castellón hill village with castle ruins between the Sierra de Irta and the Costa del Azahar beaches.

Beach town of about 20,500 in Castellón: 51 catalogued villas, Els Terrers beach (1,700 m) and the Desert de les Palmes park. Valencia airport is 80 km away.

Town of about 8,800 on the northern Costa Azahar: Papa Luna castle and old town on a rock, 5.5 km of Playa Norte, the Sierra de Irta park next door and a station in Benicarló.

What Vinaròs is really like: the famed langostino king prawn, the fortified old-town church, the fish market and the coves at the top of the Costa del Azahar.

Guide to Burriana — the orange-export port of Castellón: Arenal beach, marina, orange heritage museum, fallas festival and practical travel tips.

Guide to Torreblanca — quiet Costa del Azahar town with Playa Torrenostra, the Prat de Cabanes wetlands, cycling routes and low-key beach life.

Provincial capital of 183,711 people with a Gothic bell tower, a 1949 market hall and three beaches in El Grao, about 5 km away by tram.