The province of Castellón, often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours, holds some of the peninsula's best-kept secrets. Dotted across its mountains and coastline are Castellón's medieval towns, which feel like they've been lifted straight from a history book, with ancient walls, cobbled streets and imposing castles.
Morella
Perched on a hilltop and wrapped in over two kilometres of stone walls, Morella is a vertical maze of narrow streets spiralling up towards its magnificent castle. This fortress has been a strategic stronghold since the Neolithic era. Its history is incredibly rich, having been fought over by legendary figures like El Cid.
Morella is officially one of 'Spain's Most Beautiful Villages', and it lives up to the title. Beyond the history, it’s known for its gastronomy, particularly the prized black truffle. The Gothic Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, with its unique raised choir, is another highlight you shouldn't miss.
Peñíscola
Rising from a rocky headland on the Mediterranean coast, Peñíscola is instantly recognisable. Its Templar castle, one of the most famous castles in Castellón, was once home to the exiled 'Papa Luna', Antipope Benedict XIII.
More recently, you might recognise its fortified walls and winding lanes as the city of Meereen from Game of Thrones. The old town is a tangle of whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters and balconies draped in bougainvillaea, offering glimpses of the sea at every turn.
Vilafamés
With its roots in the Islamic period, Vilafamés is built on a hillside, its streets twisting between houses made of distinctive reddish stone. The old quarter is a designated Site of Cultural Interest, but the town’s most curious feature is the Roca Grossa, a huge slab of rock balanced precariously in the middle of a street.
At the top of the village sits its Arab castle, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The town is also home to a contemporary art museum housed within a 15th-century Gothic palace.
Culla
Deep in the Alt Maestrat region, Culla is a beautifully preserved medieval village with a dramatic past. Once a formidable stronghold of the Knights Templar, its historic centre is a labyrinth of stone arches and weathered doorways.
The ruins of its castle and the 13th-century church of El Salvador speak of its former importance. From its high vantage point, the views over the rugged landscape are spectacular, giving you a sense of why this strategic spot was so fiercely protected.
Mascarell
Mascarell is the only village in the entire Valencian Community to be completely encircled by its original medieval walls. Stepping through one of its two historic gates feels like entering another era. The 13th-century layout remains perfectly intact within the brick ramparts.
Surrounded by orange groves, the village is tiny and can be walked from end to end in minutes. It’s a quiet, perfectly preserved example of medieval town planning, with low-slung houses, a small church and an old town hall at its heart.
Sant Mateu
Once the historical capital of the Maestrazgo, Sant Mateu was the seat of the powerful military Order of Montesa. This legacy is visible in the town’s grand Gothic palaces and noble houses that line its streets. The heart of the village is its lovely arcaded main square, the Plaza Mayor, which is still the centre of local life.
The Archpriestal Church is a masterpiece of Valencian Gothic architecture, reflecting the wealth and influence the town once held. A stroll through Sant Mateu is a journey back to its 14th-century heyday.
Ares del Maestre
Clinging dramatically to the top of a rocky outcrop, Ares del Maestre boasts breathtaking views and ancient history. Its castle ruins seem to grow out of the rock itself, a testament to its past as a defensive bastion. The village itself is a cluster of houses that almost seem to tumble down the steep hillside.
What truly sets Ares apart are the nearby prehistoric cave paintings in Cova Remigia and the Gasulla gorge, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Segorbe
Located in the fertile Alto Palancia valley, Segorbe is a town rich in both monuments and traditions. It's particularly famous for its spectacular medieval aqueduct and its remaining defensive walls and towers. The Cathedral-Basilica, with its peaceful cloister, is another of its architectural gems.
Every September, the town hosts the 'Entrada de Toros y Caballos' (Entrance of Bulls and Horses), one of Spain's more unusual festivals, and an event of national interest.