Towns and day trips near Alcossebre

Once you've covered things to do in Alcossebre on foot, the surrounding area offers several more days of trips. To the north is the Baix Maestrat, with Peñíscola, Benicarló and Vinaròs on the coast; inland, the walled town of Morella; and to the south, the Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca wetland and Oropesa del Mar. The distances in this guide are road estimates calculated with OSRM (OpenStreetMap) from Cargador beach, without traffic.

Distances from Alcossebre

Peñíscola: Papa Luna's castle

Peñíscola is the most popular trip from Alcossebre: it's about 32 km, around 35 minutes by road. According to Turisme Comunitat Valenciana, its castle is a Templar fortress completed in 1307 that was the residence of Pope Benedict XIII, the name taken by Pedro de Luna (the "Papa Luna"). It stands on a rocky peninsula and, at its feet, the old town is a maze of narrow, steep streets with white houses.

• The walls, the Portal Fosc and the Portal del Papa Luna.
• El Bufador, a hollow in the rock where the sea bursts out on stormy days.
• The Baluarte del Príncipe and the Parque de Artillería.

To plan your visit (castle, beaches, parking or where to sleep if you stay a night), see the Peñíscola guide on hotelpeniscola.com.

Peñíscola and Alcossebre are also linked along the coast of the Serra d'Irta Natural Park, by the coastal track that runs past its coves (the Cranc route, 13.2 km, by bike or on foot).

Benicarló: town centre, museum and harbour

Benicarló, about 31 km (30 minutes) away, is Peñíscola's neighbouring town. According to the official Turisme Comunitat Valenciana guide, these are worth a stroll:

• The Renaissance town hall, Casa Bosch, with its modernista façade, and the Baroque mansion of Casa del Marqués.
• The church of San Bartolomé and the remains of the old town walls.
• The MUCBE (Benicarló City Museum), in the former convent of San Francisco.
• The marina and fishing harbour, ideal for an evening walk.

Vinaròs: fortress church and market

Vinaròs, about 40 km (35-40 minutes) away. Its tourist office highlights the fortress church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the municipal market and the remains of the Iberian settlement of Puig de la Misericordia. You can combine it with Benicarló on the same day.

Morella: the walled town

Morella, inland, about 95 km and 1 h 25 min away, deserves a full day. According to Turisme Comunitat Valenciana:

• Its historic centre is surrounded by about 2 km of walls; those that survive today date from the 14th and 15th centuries.
• The castle, built into the natural rock, overlooks the town from above.
• Inside the walls is the basilica of Santa María la Mayor.

Xivert Castle and Santa Magdalena de Pulpis

Without leaving the Serra d'Irta there are two castles with Templar history, very close to Alcossebre:

• Xivert Castle: in the hills, above Alcalà de Xivert. According to the Serra d'Irta Natural Park, it's of Muslim origin (late 12th century), passed into Christian hands in the 13th century, was altered by the Templars and was abandoned in 1609. Remains of the alcazaba, the albacar and the aljama survive. The park's official route no. 3, "Castillo de Xivert - Assagador de la Serra" (7.7 km, moderate), passes it.
• Pulpis (Polpís) Castle, in Santa Magdalena de Pulpis, about 19 km (20 minutes) away: an Arab castle handed to the Templars around 1277, whose keep survives. You can walk up from the village on the park's yellow route (1.5 km).

If you'd prefer something more relaxed, Alcalà de Xivert, 12 minutes away, has a 68-metre octagonal bell tower and a market on Friday mornings: we cover it in things to do in Alcossebre on foot.

Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca and Oropesa del Mar

To the south, the landscape changes:

• Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca Natural Park: a narrow coastal strip of marshland between Torreblanca and Oropesa del Mar, which Turisme Comunitat Valenciana describes as one of the least altered wetland habitats in the Valencian Community. It's a good place to watch migrating birds: the park's bird guide lists 237 species recorded. From Alcossebre to the Torre la Sal area it's about 20 km (27 minutes).
• Oropesa del Mar, about 25 km (26 minutes) away: its best-known monument is the Torre del Rey, built in 1413 on the orders of Fernando de Antequera, king of the Crown of Aragon, to protect the coast from pirates. In 1568 it was bought by Philip II, after whom it is named.

Group day trips from Mare Nostrum

From the centre of Alcossebre you're quickly on the N-340 and the AP-7 (exit 44), so Mare Nostrum makes a good base for these trips. If there are eight of you, you'll usually need two cars, and in high season it's worth setting off early to park without stress. More ideas for getting organised in group apartments in Alcossebre.

Check availability at Mare Nostrum