Highlights include the Plaza del Mar, a meeting point for the inhabitants of Castelló, Grau’s neighbours and visitors. It is probably the main social activity center of the maritime district, along with the Real Club Náutico, the docks of the fishing port and the commercial port. Restaurants, shops, pubs, cinemas and hotels are concentrated next to this square.
The fishing and commercial port make an excellent leisure option on maritime matters.
From here depart some of the boats that allow you to make excursions to the Columbretes Islands or routes to get to know the coast. And, of course, if we want to know the local gastronomy in depth, it is in El Grau where we can taste the best flavors of the sea.
We can not forget the great variety of typical rice dishes of our area (paella, arroz a banda, arroz al horno, arroz caldoso…) and the fideuà, made with dried noodles and cooked in fish broth, which has a similar preparation to the paella.
For sea lovers, there is nothing better than the four kilometers of beaches located between El Grau and Benicàssim, all of them awarded with blue flag and other quality badges. As a curiosity, Serradal beach sites a micro reserve of the skateboarding plover and abundant vegetation in its dune area, which currently enjoys a special protection.
Next to El Grau is the Parque del Pinar, a pine forest of more than 370,000 square meters ideal for relaxing. It offers children’s attractions, sports facilities, a picnic and a playing area as well as a 9-hole golf course.
Very close to the Parque del Pinar we find the Planetarium with its characteristic and impressive white dome. This astronomical observatory was inaugurated in 1991 and on its premises there is the Interpretation Center of the natural landscape of the Columbretes Islands. In addition, it has an annual astronomical conference that has become an important meeting point for amateur astronomers at national level.
And concerning lids, the small squids, the rock mussels (to the steam), the clams or the kinds of anchovy are a good option.
It they cannot also be absent the great variety of typical rices of this zone (paella, rice to band, weak, …) and the fideuà realized with dry noodle that is cooked in broth of fish and which has a preparation similar to the paella.
Next to the Grao you can find the Pine Forest of Castellón de la Plana. A little bit more than 370.000 square meters of pines which are perfect to relax. It contains childish attractions, sportive facilities, picnic and games zone and a golf field. Next to the Pine Forest you can find the Planetarium.
