Xilxes: Beaches, Nature and Local History

Xilxes brings together coastal landscapes, nature watching and local history. When planning your trip, beaches, wetlands and historic sites can offer different focuses: along the coast, you will find both protected natural areas and a circular trail between two beaches. In the town, fountains, a church and a washhouse tell different chapters of the past.

Beaches and Coastal Landscapes

Playa Les Cases is a shallow cove protected by a breakwater and suitable for swimming with children. A signposted and fenced micro-reserve for plants lies on the beach. Sea lilies and Silene cambedesii grow there. This means that a bathing cove and protected vegetation sit side by side along this stretch of beach.

Playa La Marina stretches for approximately one kilometre. Its landscape is characterised by dunes, reed beds and heathland. The beach is usually not very busy, although visitor numbers depend on the season and weather. If a quieter beach experience is important to you, take this seasonal variation into account when planning your visit.

Playa El Cerezo includes a wetland protected for its ecological value. The beach is adapted for visitors with different mobility needs and can be reached by intercity bus. Check the seasonal availability of the bus service before travelling. El Cerezo therefore offers access not only to the beach but also to a protected coastal landscape.

Trails and Nature Watching

The Ruta dels Sentits de Xilxes is a 5.91-kilometre circular trail between Les Cases and El Cerezo beaches. The stated duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes. The distance and time provide two concrete points of reference for planning your day, without requiring you to infer anything about the difficulty level.

The Marjal de Xilxes is part of a coastal wetland complex that extends for several kilometres along the coast of Castellón province. The Marjal is suitable for walking, cycling, birdwatching and nature photography. The protected rice fields and marjales are also habitats: they provide shelter for resident and breeding waterbirds. The coastal dunes are home to distinctive flora as well.

A self-guided birdwatching trail lets the public observe birds in different habitats at strategically selected locations. The trail description dates from 2023; check before your trip whether the interpretive materials are up to date. In 2022, a short circular trail through the hills was opened to visitors at the Vestigios bélicos of Xilxes. Information panels and a signposted route guide visitors along the trail.

Church, Cemetery and Local History

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora was built in the late 17th century and combines Baroque and Neoclassical features. The church contains the altar of the Santísimo Cristo de la Junquera, the town’s patron saint. The construction period, architectural features and altar offer different points of connection as you explore local religious history.

The Necrópolis Cristiana de Xilxes includes cemetery remains dating from the 13th to the 18th century. Six disc-shaped grave stelae can be seen in a glazed display area. The Necrópolis also contains three significant coin assemblages, as well as funerary objects such as rosaries, medals and crucifixes.

From 1916, the Font de la Unió was the first source in Xilxes to supply residents with drinking water. It was funded and built through contributions, voluntary labour and the use of residents’ working animals. The Antiguo lavadero municipal dates from 1924. Laundry was washed there before drinking water was introduced into local homes. The fountain and washhouse thus illustrate two different aspects of the former water supply.

The Ermita del Santísimo Cristo de la Junquera was rebuilt in 2000 at the place where the image of Christ had been found on 18 January 1625. During the Romería, the route runs from the parish church to the Ermita on a Sunday close to 18 January. Check the exact date of the Romería before your trip so you can plan for the right day.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Eslida, Caudiel, Cirat, Nules, La Pobla Tornesa, Calig, Montán, Geldo.

Return to the main travel overview: Castellon.