Getaways from Castellón de la Plana: day trips and destinations close by.

Between the sea and the inland ranges

Castellón sits on the Plana, between the sea and the inland ranges, and each road leads to a different kind of day. The AP-7 or the N-340 to the north lead in about 75 kilometres to Peñíscola and, continuing along the coast, to Catalonia: to Tarragona and, via Reus, to the crag of Siurana and to Prades. The CV-10 and the N-232 climb to the northern interior, to Morella, 101 kilometres away, and beyond, already in Aragón, to the Matarraña of Valderrobres. The CV-20, via Onda, enters the sierra as far as Montanejos, about 65 kilometres with bends at the end.

To the south, the motorway drops to Valencia and continues to Xàtiva; before that, at Sagunto, the A-23 leaves for Teruel and Albarracín. Chulilla, in the Turia gorges, is west of Valencia.

Without a car, almost everything is hard. The Castellón to Morella bus runs only Monday to Friday, and Montanejos, Peñíscola and the Matarraña call for a car. The train serves what is on the line: Teruel has a station at the foot of the Escalinata, with a train from Valencia, and Xàtiva, Cercanías C-2 from València Nord.

Montanejos and Peñíscola, an hour each

An hour away are Castellón's two Sunday exits. Montanejos, at 60 minutes, for the Estrechos trail above the Mijares and a dip at the Fuente de los Baños, and Peñíscola, at 60, with the Papa Luna castle, the Bufador and a trip on a golondrina boat around the rock.

Between one and two hours is the interior: Morella, at 80 minutes, with its walls, arcaded street and castle, and Chulilla, at 85, with two suspension bridges over the Turia. Xàtiva is at 95, with the Seu, the upside-down Philip V and oven-baked rice. At 115 minutes is Teruel, for a Sunday of Mudéjar towers and the Lovers or, with children, Dinópolis and the Plaza del Torico.

Between two and three hours a night starts to pay off. Valderrobres is 124 minutes away, with the castle and the Parrizal walkways, and so is the Matarraña in two nights, with a 4x4 route through the Puertos. At 140 minutes is Albarracín and the Rodeno; at 158, Siurana and the Priorat, and at 165, Prades and its night of stars.

Almost four hours away, only for autumn, the Montseny of mushrooms and beech forests, at 235 minutes.

Morella is cold in winter, but it is truffle season

In winter, Morella is cold at a thousand metres, but it is truffle and long-table season. In Montanejos the Fuente de los Baños is still at 25 °C and steaming, and Teruel can be visited on any Sunday of the year. Peñíscola is quiet, although the castle closes at 17:30: go in the morning.

In spring and early autumn the coast and the interior are at their peak. It is the season for Peñíscola and the Sierra de Irta, 60 minutes away, with the Badum tower and the unspoilt coast on Sunday; for Chulilla, arriving before nine to avoid queuing at the bridges, and for the Sunday in Valderrobres and the Parrizal, with a €10 entry at weekends in mid-season.

For summer, it pays to go up or get wet. Montanejos has a capacity limit at the Fuente and the ticket is bought days ahead; Dinópolis is in its high season. Peñíscola fills up and the castle opens until 21:30. Xàtiva is not recommended in July and August, and Chulilla only if you set out first thing.

In October and November the vineyards of the Priorat around Siurana turn yellow, and the Montseny has the Santa Fe beech forest in gold and mushroom outings with the park guides.

Towers, basilica and truffle in Morella

• In a day, inland: Morella, walls, castle and truffle. 80 minutes along the CV-10 and N-232: Sant Miquel towers, the basilica before Mass, a Morella lunch and the castle in the afternoon. Avoid Mondays.
• In a day, on the coast: Peñíscola, castle, boat and rice. The Templar castle first thing, half an hour on a golondrina boat and rice before heading back.
• With one night: Montanejos with rafting and a thermal bath. Rafting or kayaking on Saturday, the Fuente de los Baños at sunset and the Estrechos on Sunday, an hour from home.