Vinaroz, also known as Vinaròs in Valencian, is the most northerly town in the Region of Valencia, almost bordering Catalonia. For centuries, the port of Vinaròs has been one of the most important on our coast, and its valuable fishing industry has driven the life of a vibrant city that always surprises us with something new.
If you're thinking of a holiday in the area - the beautiful village of Peñíscola with the iconic Hotel Papa Luna is just 20 minutes away - don't miss this article and discover what to see and do in Vinaròs. Let's start!
The Colon Promenade runs along the waterfront in the central part of the municipality and is, without a doubt, the nerve center of the city, the meeting point for locals and visitors alike, and a perfect place to enjoy the summer atmosphere, the best restaurants, and Vinaròs' most famous beaches.
Separated by breakwaters that guarantee good sea almost all year round, Fora del Forat Beach and Fortí Beach are the favorites of Vinaroz residents for their white sand and clear, warm water. They also have all kinds of services!
And if you go to Vinaroz, there's nothing like seeing and being seen on its promenade. You'll instantly be infected with its Mediterranean essence.
The most outstanding monument in Vinaroz is its Arciprestal Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Located in the heart of the historic center and surrounded by delicious bakeries and pastry shops that are also worth a stop, this beautiful church with Gothic roots and later Baroque influences, can boast of a outstanding artistic and historical interest due to the singularity of its architecture.
Although at first glance the building may seem sober and simple due to its use as a fortress in the 16th century, recent restorations have recovered the monumental paintings on its exterior walls that create optical illusions and false volumes, something unusual and very rare in the art of the area. It is worth visiting its works of art!
In the northern part of the municipality, crossing the Cérvol river, the landscape becomes wilder and more natural, giving us a beautiful space to disconnect. Although unknown to the general public, Vinaròs has a string of small coves connected by walkways and trails that skirt postcard-worthy red cliffs.
La Foradada is the most famous cove and also one of the widest, but there are endless corners to discover in this area. Next to these beaches it is easy to park and in just a few steps you can find a piece of paradise formed by the sea and the rocks, ideal for enjoying a summer afternoon. Are you in?
The Vinaròs Municipal Market is a temple of gastronomy. Every day, the boats from the area unload the best fish and seafood, and anyone can access a freshly caught product of superb quality. Can there be a greater luxury? But, in addition, Vinaròs is also a land of orchards that can boast of the best tomatoes and artichokes or sausages prepared following ancestral recipes. Your mouth will water just walking through its stalls.
In addition, the market will also conquer you with its architecture. Built in 1928, it is located on the site that once occupied the Convent of San Telmo and responds to the Mediterranean modernist aesthetic that was so successful in the Valencian region in the early 20th century, standing out for its luminosity and the use of iron that would still be so relevant today.
The Calle Mayor is the main artery of the city, connecting the sea with the Arciprestal Church, and where the city's most prominent shops have always been located. The Main Street is always lively, and it's no wonder that when you visit, you might suddenly find yourself in the middle of a parade or celebration that will invite you to learn more about its personality.
Don't miss its modernist buildings such as the Casa Giner or the Casa Sendra. Nor the Casa de la Vila, the former town hall of Vinaroz, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city that have survived to this day. And at the end of the street, in the Plaza Parroquial, the current town hall. This is how you will get to know the most urban side of Vinaròs!
If there is one party that shakes up Vinaroz, it is Carnival. When February arrives, the streets of the city are filled with joy, glitter, feathers, and music to the rhythm of the more than 30 comparsas that make up these carnivals that have been declared a Regional Tourist Interest Party.
During the days leading up to the Carnival weekend, there are many events that take place always related to costumes and music, but if there is one appointment that is essential, it is the great parade of comparsas that takes place on Saturday and Sunday at dusk through the main streets of the city. A whole festival of magic and fun!
If fishing is a fundamental activity to understand the day-to-day life of Vinaròs, a good part of it is due to its famous prawn with protected designation of origin. And the Vinaroz prawn is one of the most valued in the world for its appearance, texture, and, of course, its flavor.
In Vinaròs, they are so proud of this exceptional product, they have even dedicated a monument to it in one of the town's squares! At the end of May, the city celebrates the prawn fair, where you can taste it in almost every corner of Vinaròs. But don't worry, whenever you visit this wonderful fishing village, you will always find it in its restaurants. And you will repeat!
The “Puig de la Misericordia” is a small hill located six kilometers from the center of Vinaroz. There, since the 15th century, there has always been a hermitage that has been a place of pilgrimage for the locals.
The current building was built in the 18th century and consists of the hermitage, whose altar is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the hermit's house, and a hostel. All of this around a beautiful square with trees and two wells where during the summer and on some holidays it is customary to gather to eat or have dinner outdoors. From here you can contemplate the most beautiful sunsets in Vinaroz!
Have you been looking forward to visiting Vinaròs? We are sure that the next time you visit this part of the province of Castellón you won't miss a visit to this fantastic city full of interesting places to see and do. See you soon!
Do you want to know the most beautiful town in the province of Alicante? If you travel to Benidorm, you will have no excuse to miss it. And it is that less than half an hour from your hotel you can enjoy this little corner of unsurpassed beauty: Guadalest.
The picturesque old town full of attractive museums, a beautiful castle and a spectacular reservoir surrounded by unspoiled nature are just some of the reasons why it will steal your heart. An immense lake with turquoise waters ideal for walking and even taking a bath.
