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City Cards · Castellón province, Valencian Community · Castellón
City Card No. 17 · VALENCIA REGION
Castellón
An affordable coastal capital with trains to Valencia and its own beach district.
GUIDE FOR THE VALENCIA REGION
Population
184,000
Airports
Castellón (CDT), small; Valencia (VLC) about 50 minutes
To Madrid
About 3 hours by fast train
University
Universitat Jaume I
The short version
Valencia-region life at much lower rents, with a beach district of its own.
Castellón de la Plana is a provincial capital that most visitors drive past, which is exactly why rents are so reasonable. The city centre is compact and practical.
El Grau, the port and beach district, is a short bus or bike ride away, and trains reach Valencia in under an hour. The Magdalena festival in spring is the highlight of the year.
Castellón suits you if
- You want Valencia-region life at lower cost
- You want a calm, practical city for family life
- You want a beach close by, not on your doorstep
Look elsewhere if
- You want a large international community
- You fly often (Castellón airport has few routes)
Money
What living here costs
| Item | Typical cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Flat of 60 m² | €580 a month |
| Family flat of 90 m² | €870 a month |
| Utilities and internet | €110–170 a month |
Flat sizes use asking rents on idealista for September 2026 (Castellón €9.7 per m²; Spain average €15.1). Signed rents are often a little lower, and furnished, sea-view or new-build homes cost more. Other figures are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes.
Where people live
Two parts to choose between.
City centre
Shops, schools, markets and the university nearby.
El Grau
The port and beach district, quieter in winter.
The trade-off
Quiet and not very international.
You will use Spanish (and see Valencian) every day. That is the price of the value.
Guides for this area
Spain Move Kit €12.99
Weighing Castellón?
Castellón or Valencia?
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