Alcossebre

The village of Alcossebre is administratively part of the municipality of the neighbouring inland town of Alcalà de Xivert. Traditionally sons would inherit fertile lands around Alcala, while daughters inherited less valuable property on the seafront. Today however the daughters are the winners of this arrangement, as beginning in the 1980s the tranquil fishing village began to develop into a seaside resort.
The village has largely kept its Spanish identity, however, by maintaining its charming historic centre with narrow alleys and romantic shops and cafés, and by avoiding the worst of the over-development and mass tourism common in other areas of the Spanish coastline. In the summer, its winter population of 5,000 doubles, with mostly Spanish and French visitors as well as a few Germans and Dutch.

• Oficina de Turismo

  phone: +34 964 412 205
  address: Passeig de Vista Alegre, s/n

By train

• Estació d'Alcalà de Xivert

  address: Passeig dels Herois del Marroc
  Medium-distance Renfe trains connecting Valencia with Castellón, Peñiscola, and Barcelona stop here. To reach Alcossebre from this point travelers will need to take a bus or hire a taxi.

By bus

Autos Mediterraneo runs a daily bus connecting Castellón directly with Alcossebre; a bus route and schedule can be downloaded here.
The same company also runs multiple daily buses between Castellón and Alcalà de Xivert, stopping at the train station and at a near the football pitch on Carrer del General Cucala. As an alternate option, and provided you do not have too much luggage, you can then transfer at either of these stops to the local bus service, detailed below in 'get around'. A bus route and schedule can be downloaded here.

By bus

Autos Mediterráneo (tel. +34 964 220 054) operates a route connecting Alcossebre with Alcalà de Xivert and points in between. On weekdays, buses run every 15 min from 07:15-22:00, and on weekends and holidays every couple of hours; a schedule is available at the tourist office or can be downloaded here.

By taxi

• Taxi Antonio

  phone: +34 629 634 003

• Taxi Millan

  phone: +34 608 569 178

• Taxi Bassi

  phone: +34 608 127 974

• Taxi Alcalà-Alcossebre

  phone: +34 649 083 183

• Ermita de Sant AntoniThe small, simple chapel was built in 1773 on the site where in 1690 an image of Saint of Padua was found on the beach.

• Viveros Alcossebre Garden Center

  phone: +34 964 414 923
  address: Ctra CV-142, km 2
  The garden center has the unusual addition of a small petting zoo – go through the nursery and out the back. The animals are kept outside in enclosures, and include ornamental chickens, turtles, goats, a peacock and goose, and there is also a small aviary.

Beaches

With the exception of Tres Platges, the following are designated as blue-flag beaches.

• Platja de les FontsThe smaller, arc-shaped beach has clear, ice-cold water which is fed by groundwater from the nearby mountain nature reserve. Facilities include a lifeguard and first aid station, toilets, showers, volleyball nets, snack bars, and disabled access. Jetskis can be rented here. There are a number of restaurants and snack bars immediately adjacent to the beach, and a nearby bus stop and paid carpark.

• Platja del CarregadorAt 720 m this is Alcossebre's largest beach. Has lifeguard and first aid stations, toilets, showers, volleyball nets, paddleboat rental, disabled access, and a playground. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent, and there are a number of restaurants and snack bars immediately adjacent to the beach. There is a nearby bus stop and paid carpark.

• Platja RomanaThe second-largest beach is separated from Carregador by protected sand dunes. There are lifeguard and first aid stations, toilets, showers, disabled access, volleyball nets, and rental facilities for a variety of water sport. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available to rent (in high season €5/day), as are paddleboats (€15/hr). Plenty of restaurants and snack bars are nearby, as well as a bus stop and free parking (usually full in high season)

• Platja del MoroThe much smaller beach is separated from Platja Romana by a pebble beach and a quiet bay, and is surrounded by picturesque red sandstone cliffs. It has a lifeguard station and showers. There is a nearby small park with pine trees and lookout tower, as well as a bus stop and free parking.

• Tres PlatgesHas several nudist areas.

• Platja de Manyetes

Natural pebble beaches stretch further south of this point with water clear enough to see fish, and caravans are permitted to camp here. Noteworthy is the kilometre-long nudist beach of (Playa Serradal); dogs are permitted on the beach near the dry mouth of the . The next beach, (Playa Cap y Corp), terminates near the Disco Tunel nightclub (described below under 'drink'), where there is a footpath to the (Playa de Terrenostra, in the neighbouring village of Terrenostra), with good surfing and few people.

Hiking and biking

• Parc Natural de la Serra d'IrtaThe combined mountain park and marine reserve offers good opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, and has several sights of historic and architectural interest. The park can be also be accessed from Peñiscola; the Peñiscola tourist office has an online list of hiking trails with trail descriptions in English; an official trail map (in Spanish) can be downloaded here.

• Castell de XivertThis Muslim fortress was built in the tenth and eleventh centuries atop Bronze Age remains, and surrounded by a small fortified settlement. In 1264 the castle and settlement were conquered by the Knights Templar, who modified the castle, and allowed the Muslim residents to remain. In 1609 Felipe III ordered the expulsion of all Moriscos, and the town and castle were subsequently abandoned. The castle offers excellent views of the surrounding area.

• Ermita de Sant Benet i Santa LlúciaAccessible via a serpentine road from the neighbourhood of El Pinar, or from a signed footpath beginning on the Les Fonts road, this small white-washed chapel dates from the 17th century and has been recently restored. Also in the complex are an old pilgrims' hostel, a stable, two wells, and the remains of a 16th-century watchtower. At an elevation of 315m, the site offers excellent views of the Costa de Azahar as far south as Oropesa de Mar, and on clear days it is possible to see the volcanic Columbretes Islands without binoculars, some 50-60 km distant. It is especially lovely at sunset and twilight. A number of picturesque signposted hiking trails lead directly from the complex into the mountains.

• Far d'IrtaThe lighthouse was built in 1985, and can be accessed from Platja de les Fonts.

• Torre EbríThe watchtower from the 16th century was built as part of a defensive network of coastal forts and towers against Barbary pirates.

Diving and snorkeling

• Parc Natural de Illes Columbretes

Festivals

• CarnavalFeatures parades for children and adults. Most noteworthy is the Saturday evening parade, in which all the town participates with floats and elaborate costumes.

• Fiesta Patronal Alcalà de XivertHeld annually in honor of San Juan Bautista (St John the Baptist), the fiesta features a musical and Spanish films shown for free outdoors in the main plazas. A schedule of events (in Spanish) can be picked up at the tourist information office, or downloaded from the Alcalà de Xivert website.

• Fiesta Patronal AlcossebreThe village's annual fiesta features live music, parades, street markets, running of the bulls (with no bullfights!), etc. There is also a village chess competition for kids and adults, and other similar events.

• Reunión de Harley y Custom AlcossebreHundreds of bikers converge with their Harleys in the village and park their bikes for display on the seaside promenade. During the weekend there is live music with local bands, and market stalls selling all sorts of leather biking gear.

Most shops, with a few exceptions, close for the midday siesta, which lasts from 14:00/15:00 until 16:00/17:00.

• Mercadillo

  address: Passeig Marítim and Carrer del Camí de l'Atall
  A weekly street market for local produce and other goods, including clothing, street food (like churros), toys, and imported art.

There are many restaurants and cafés, both for sit-down meals and takeaway, which run the gamut of Turkish to Chinese to pizzerias. Especially along the beach promenade of Platja del Carregador there are a number of cafés and tapas bars.

• Restaurante Can Roig

  phone: +34 964 412 515
  address: Platja de Manyetes, s/n
  In a country house near the beach, the restaurant serves modern Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on rice and seafood.

• Restaurante Sancho Panza

  phone: +34 964 412 265
  address: Carrer Jai Alai, 3
  Serves classic Spanish seafood dishes.

• Restaurante El Pinar

  phone: +34 964 412 266
  address: Carrer Isla Mancolibre, 4
  The highly-regarded restaurant serves classic Spanish Mediterranean cuisine, in a mountainside setting with great views.

Groceries

• Consum

  phone: +34 964 410 644
  address: Camí el Aljub, s/n
  Has fresh fish, meat, and an on-site bakery.

• Supermercado Crisdan

  phone: +34 964 414 539
  address: Zona Campamento
  Has a good assortment of food, along with a selection of newspapers and magazines in English, German, French, and Russian.

• Súper Isver S.L.

  phone: +34 964 414 007
  address: Camí de l'Atall, 29
  Has a fish, meat, and cheese counter.

• Panadería Manel's

  phone: +34 964 414 459
  address: Carrer de Joan Barceló, 6

There are just a few nightclubs in Alcossebre. The most well-known include (Les Fonts) and (Capicorb), a bit further away from the village centre.

Camping

• Camping Playa Tropicana

  phone: +34 964 412 463
  address: Carrer del Camí de l'Atall, s/n
  Has plots to accommodate tents, campervans, and caravans, as well as apartments and bungalows. Facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, restaurant, supermarket, laundromat, beauty salon, and playground. There are refrigerators for rent, and Wi-Fi is available. Dogs permitted in the campground, but not in rental apartments or bungalows.

• Ribamar Camping & Bungalows

  phone: +34 964 761 601
  address: Partida Ribamar, s/n
  Has plots to accommodate tents, campervans, and caravans, as well as bungalows. Facilities include two pools, a restaurant, shop, library, and playground. Pets are permitted in both the campground and in bungalows for an extra fee.

Hotels

• Complejo Eurhostal

  phone: +34 964 412 426
  address: Carrer Jai Alai, 2
  A large complex with full-service holiday apartments, some with disabled access. Has a pool and large cafeteria.

• Gran Hotel Las Fuentes

  phone: +34 902 230 044
  address: Avinguda de les Fonts, 26
  Open from Easter week until October. Has non-smoking rooms, an onsite restaurant, pool, and spa.

Holiday rentals

There are many private holiday villas, townhouses, and apartments available for rent, most with private pool and garden. The most upscale and popular neighbourhoods are the areas around Marcolina, Les Fonts (Las Fuentes), and the Puerto (port).
Burglary rings are active in more upscale neighbourhoods, including Marcolina and especially Les Fonts. Don't leave valuables on the terrace or balcony table for even a short time. Most houses have alarm systems and security systems, but break-ins are still a frequent occurrence, and on checking in to your villa do not be surprised to see evidence of recent attempted break-ins even at the front door.