Spain is an amazing destination for spring. It's sunny and warm, although not too hot, and this time of year you'll see smaller crowds and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.

What's great about Spainis that there are just so many places to explore, and one city has managed to fly under the radar for years despite having stunning historic architecture, long sandy beaches, a stylish port area, and hiking trails nearby. Best of all, it's just two-and-a-half hour flightfrom the UK, so it's perfect for short breaks.

In March, you can fly from London-Stansted to Castelló de la Plana in Spain's Valencia region on Ryanair from just £15.66 one way. Flights depart on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, meaning you can opt for a weekend or a midweek break. As of June 1, Ryanair will also operate seasonal flights from Manchester, opening up this underrated city to more Brits.

Castelló de la Plana is full of historic buildings, and as you wander its streets you'll find town squares with cobbled pavements and cooling fountains. Many structures were built in natural stone, giving the city a warm colour palette, and you'll see lots of impressive Baroque stone carvings from centuries gone by.

Castelló Co-Cathedral stands out with its dramatic archways and neo-gothic architecture. Next to it stands El Fadrí, a bell-tower that stands 190ft tall, and has a spiral staircase that leads visitors to the top. If you feel like braving the 200 steps, you can explore the old bell-ringer's house and enjoy panoramic city views at the top.

One of the city's more modern buildings is the Museo de Bellas Artes de Castellón. While grey and blocky outside, inside it has a bright, open galleries full of huge oil paintings, sculptures, and archaeological exhibitions, and includes many impressive works from Spanish masters.

The Grau de Castelló neighbourhood is the perfect place to stay if you want a beach break. It has a long promenade with palm trees and a wide sandy beach. The promenade has vast green spaces, so while the beach is close to the city, it doesn't feel crowded or overdeveloped.

Take the eight-minute train from the centre of Castelló de la Plana to nearby Benicàssimif you want an even wider choice of beaches. Most Brits have heard of Benicàssim as it hosts a huge annual music festival, and 2026 is no exception. From July 16 to 18, there will be an impressive line-up of artists to enjoy from The Prodigy to Biffy Clyro, The Kooks, and Kaiser Chiefs, with early bird tickets from €55 for the entire event (just under £50).

Outside of the festival weekend, Benicàssim is a lively beach town with a water park, huge sandy beaches, large hotels, and family-friendly fun.

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Many hikershead for the Castelló de la Plana area to explore the vast network of mountain trails just outside the city. There are over 400 trails, from gentle beginner walks to the tougher Tossal Gros loop which takes about five hours but pays off with its spectacular mountain views. Spring is a great time to hike as you avoid the high temperature peaks that summer can bring.

Finish the day with a walk through the Port of Castelló de la Plana. It has shops and restaurants with views across the water, and you can watch yachts and cruise ships arriving and departing as the sun goes down.

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