Explore Costa del Azahar
Orange groves, sandy beaches and seaside towns set a relaxed Mediterranean pace.
About Costa del Azahar
The Costa del Azahar, the "orange blossom coast", runs along the provinces of Castellón and Valencia. It is a coast of wide sandy beaches, orange groves and holiday towns where mainly Spanish families spend their summers. Fewer international buyers come here than to the Costa Blanca, so it feels more Spanish and prices stay lower.
Valencia, Spain's third city, is the largest place on this coast, with an airport, high-speed trains to Madrid and its own beaches. Further north are Benicàssim, known for its villas and summer music festival, Oropesa del Mar, popular with families, and Peñíscola, with its castle on a rock in the sea.
Prices are close together: Valencia asks €3,485/m², and Oropesa del Mar, the cheapest, €2,135/m².
What to know first
- A more Spanish coast, with fewer international buyers than the Costa Blanca
- Valencia, a large city with beaches, an airport and fast trains to Madrid
- Prices from €2,135/m² in Oropesa del Mar to €3,485/m² in Valencia
- Wide sandy beaches and family-friendly holiday towns
- Benicàssim and Oropesa del Mar have their own train station
Asking prices compared
Ranked on asking price per m². Municipalities and sub-municipal entries are listed apart, because a district cannot be ranked against the municipality that contains it.
| Place | Asking price / m² | Population | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole municipalities | |||
| Valencia | €3,485/m² | 841,558 | Mid |
| Benicàssim | €2,797/m² | 20,586 | Mid |
| Peñíscola | €2,432/m² | 8,748 | Budget |
| Oropesa del Mar | €2,135/m² | 12,483 | Budget |
How the prices spread
Valencia is the most expensive place on this coast, but asks far less than its size might suggest. Benicàssim follows, then Peñíscola, with Oropesa del Mar the cheapest. The differences are small, so the choice is more about the kind of place than the price.
The table shows average asking prices, not sale prices. Within one town, prices can vary a lot from one area to the next.
Who each part suits
City life by the sea
A large, lively city with beaches, culture and fast trains to Madrid.
By train and by the sea
Both have their own station, so you can reach Valencia and Castellón without a car.
History and views
An old town and castle on a rock in the sea, with long beaches on both sides.
Families on a budget
The cheapest town here, with wide beaches and plenty for children.
Cities in Costa del Azahar
Browse properties by city
Valencia
Costa del Azahar
€3,485/m² · Population 841.558
Peñíscola
Costa del Azahar
€2,432/m² · Population 8.748
Benicàssim
Costa del Azahar
€2,797/m² · Population 20.586
Oropesa del Mar
Costa del Azahar
€2,135/m² · Population 12.483
The case for
- Lower prices
Cheaper than the Costa Blanca and far below the Costa del Sol.
- Authentically Spanish
Most visitors and residents are Spanish.
- Wide sandy beaches
Long, family-friendly beaches along the whole coast.
- Valencia within reach
A large city with an airport and fast trains to Madrid.
- Trains along the coast
Benicàssim and Oropesa del Mar have their own station.
The case against
- Quiet outside the season
Many holiday towns are much quieter in winter.
- Less international
Fewer services in other languages than on the Costa Blanca.
- Peñíscola has no station
The station called Benicarló-Peñíscola is in the neighbouring town of Benicarló.
- Cooler winters than further south
Milder than northern Europe, but cooler than the Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol.
- Flood risk in low-lying areas
Check the flood maps before you buy, especially around Valencia.
Questions buyers ask
- Where is the Costa del Azahar?
- It runs along the provinces of Castellón and Valencia, north of the Costa Blanca.
- How is it different from the Costa Blanca?
- It is quieter, more Spanish and cheaper, with fewer international residents and services.
- Does Peñíscola have a train station?
- No. The nearest station, Benicarló-Peñíscola, is in Benicarló, a few kilometres away.
- How do I get there?
- Valencia airport has the most flights; Castellón has a smaller airport. High-speed trains run from Valencia to Madrid.
- Where is it cheapest?
- In Oropesa del Mar and Peñíscola.
- What taxes do I pay when buying?
- On a resale home, 9% transfer tax, with a higher rate above one million euros. New builds pay VAT instead of transfer tax.
Where you might be better off elsewhere
If you want a more international coast with more services in your own language, the Costa Blanca is just to the south. If you want warmer winters, look at the Costa de Almería or the Costa del Sol. And if you want a lively coast near a big city in the north-east, the Costa Dorada near Tarragona and Barcelona is worth comparing.