El Grao

The maritime neighborhood of Castellón de la Plana, El Grau, opens to the sea and is only four kilometers from the city center. There are two the main roads that access the Grau: Avenida del Mar (Sea Avenue) and Avenida Hermanos Bou (Avenue Bou Brothers). Both are equipped with a a bike lane or sidewalk that permits access by foot or bicycle to this maritime center of great attraction. The Plaza del Mar (Sea Square) stands out on this area; it is a meeting place for locals, "graueros" (neighborhood residents) and visitors. It could be said that this square is the nerve center of the Grau, along with the Real Club Náutico (Royal Yacht Club), the fishing port's docks and the commercial port. Restaurants, stores, pubs, cinemas and hotels are concentrated near this square.

The fishing and commercial ports along with the Yacht Club satisfy our marine recreation options. From here, there are ships that take visitors on excursions to the Columbretes Islands or to see the coast. And, of course, if we want to try the local cuisine, it is in the Grau where we can taste the flavors of the sea. Fish like the gilt-head bream, tuna, or European sea bass are grilled, cooked in their juices or salted and are worthy delicacies for the best of palates. And with regards to tapas, small squid, steamed mussels, clams or anchovies are a good option. Neither should one miss the great variety of typical rices of this area (paella, arroz a banda (rice with seafood), wet rice, etc.) or fideuà, which is made with noodles that are cooked in fish broth and that prepared similar to paella.

Next to the Grau, you will find the Pinar (Pine forest) of Castellón de la Plana. It is slightly more than 370,000 square meters of pines and is an ideal place to relax. It is equipped with play areas for children, sports facilities, a picnic area and and a golf course. Next to the Pinar is the Planetarium. A statue by the famous artist Ripollés, La Hembra del Mar (Female of the Sea) welcomes us. The other emblematic image of this center is the Pendulum of Foucalt, which is found inside. In the Planetarium, cultural activities, courses and workshops, exhibitions and film projections are carried out . And for sea lovers, there is nothing better than the more than eight kilometers of beaches located between the Grau and Benicàssim, the majority of them honored as blue flag beaches for several years already. Next to the Grau, we find something peculiar; the Serradal beach, which harbors a micro reserve of the Kentish plover and abundant vegetation in its dunes.