Almenara between Coast, Lagoons and Cultural Heritage

Almenara features a landscape with many different facets: it encompasses mountains, the Marjal wetlands, lagoons and beaches on the Mediterranean. As a result, a stay combines coastal scenery, nature watching, walks and historical experiences. If you want to weigh up days at the beach, trails through the landscape and cultural activities, Almenara offers several clearly distinct themes for this. Your choice of accommodation can also be based on these focal points.

Coast and Protected Nature

The Platja d’Almenara Flora Micro-Reserve covers 5.39 hectares and occupies approximately the southern half of Playa de Almenara. It was established to protect Otanthus maritimus and Silene cambessedesii. The breeding of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) has also been confirmed at Playa de Almenara. The species is classified as endangered on the Valencian list of endangered animal species and is subject to special protection. This makes the coast not only a destination for the beach, but also a specific point of interest for travellers interested in sensitive habitats and wildlife observation.

Fortress, Walls and Historic Religious Buildings

Castillo de Almenara is a Muslim fortress built in the 10th century on the remains of Roman structures. It is flanked by the two towers of L'Agüelet and L'Agüeleta. Of the six towers originally built in the second half of the 16th century as part of the walls of Almenara, two remain, along with restored sections of the wall that surrounded the former settlement. The historic architecture also includes the Iglesia Parroquial de los Santos Juanes. It was built between 1721 and 1728, has been classified as a Bien de Relevancia Local since 2007, and was constructed on the remains of Almenara’s former local shrine, dating from 1528.

The History of Rice at Molí d’Arròs

Molí d’Arròs began in 1753 as a straw storehouse serving the troops stationed in Almenara. In 1914, it received permission to install machinery for rice production and became the rice mill known today. The museographic collection at Molí d’Arròs displays machinery used in rice production. Guided tours at the Museo del Molí d'arròs explain the traditional rice-processing process from the arrival of the rice through to packaging.

Trails by Lagoons, Fields and the Castle Hill

The trail ascending to Castillo de Almenara is an approximately 4-kilometre circular route that reaches the castle summit in less than two hours. Ruta dels Estanys is a 1.5-kilometre circular route of low difficulty through the dels Estanys natural area. From the 29-metre-high Penya de l’Estany, the panoramic view extends across the three lagoons. L’Ullal is an opening through which underground water emerges from the Sierra de Espadán. Ruta Verda runs for 5 kilometres through the agricultural fields of the municipality of Almenara and can also be completed by bicycle. The varying lengths and landscapes help you compare walks and excursions according to your own timeframe.

Sightseeing, Festivals and Orientation

The Conjunt Memorial de Darrere del Castell offers guided tours one weekend per month of various defensive elements in the Almenara area. The tours provide information about the conflict and the historical heritage of Almenara. The Fiestas patronales de Almenara include processions through the streets of Almenara; they are celebrated at the end of September in honour of the Santísima Virgen del Buen Suceso and San Roque. The Tourist Information Office Almenara Playa provides comprehensive tourist information, assistance and guidance for Almenara and the entire Valencian Community. It is located at Plaza de la Mar, S/N, by Playa de Casablanca.

Other places in the same region: Cinctorres, Alcalà De Xivert, Cabanes, Onda, Puebla De Arenoso, Argelita, Chóvar, Portell De Morella

For the higher-level travel overview: Castellon.