As tourists continue to flock in ever-increasing numbers to the iconic Spanish cities of Barcelona and Madrid each year, it’s no surprise that many are now on the hunt for other cities in the country without the crowds. Last year, the Spanish capital experienced its best year for tourism, with a record-breaking 11.2 million visitors – a 5.5% increase compared to 2023 – while Barcelona welcomed just under 12 million.

However, with such high volumes of tourists, visitors are no longer able to enjoy everything these cities have to offer. Luckily, there is another city in Spain, just an hour from Valencia, which has everything Madrid and Barcelona has to offer, with the added bonus of far fewer tourists. Castellon de la Plana is located on the Costa del Azahar, with return flights from Valencia available from just £68 this summer.

Castellon de la Plana is the capital city of the province of Castellón, located in the east of the Iberian Peninsula by the coast. The town inherited its name from the impressive Moorish castle which sits on top of the hill of Magdalena – the Castle of Fadrell – which served as the original settlement for the city’s founders before they moved to the plains below.

Most of the historical buildings that should feature on your bucket list while visiting Castellon de la Plana are located in the old town, around the Plaça Major (Main Square). These include the Concatedral de Santa Maria, which has been reconstructed on several occasions, and the free-standing bell tower of the procathedral, known as El Fadrí (the single man), built in the 15th century.

The iconic central market at the epicentre of the city takes place on almost a daily basis, which has been welcoming people since 1949. It is housed in a dedicated building, Mercado Central, allowing tourists and locals to browse over 80 stalls selling the city’s finest produce.

Once you’ve had your fill of the urban scene of the city, you can head to one of three impressive sandy beaches, such as El Pinar Beach, which lies next to the green El Pinar Park.

Recent visitors have taken to Tiktok to share their praises of Castellon de la Plana, with @destinationlocator calling it “the perfect Spanish getaway, and it’s not Barcelona”.

“[It completely surprised me,” they said. “Walking through the charming squares with barely any tourists felt like a secret discovery. The hidden gem offered a refreshing contrast to the usual crowds.”

According to Skyscanner, you could be flying to Valencia (VLC) for as little as £68 for a return flight with Ryanair this July, flying from Stansted. A taxi is then typically around £21 from Valencia airport to the city centre, with the drive taking about an hour.

“[Placa Major] square is beautiful,” said one visitor on Tripadvisor. “It’s the home of the Town Hall, Cathedral, Market and the Fadri Tower. Right next to the tower you can find the Tourist Information office with its lovely friendly staff.”