SC&C: A weekend to enjoy the Escala a Castelló 2026

Saturday 11^th – Monday 13^th April 2026

Members will be free to do as much or as little as they want in Castellón de la Plana, visiting the Escala a Castelló Festival 2026 in their own time and at their own pace.

With 7 historic ships, craft workshops, daily music and various activities, the 9^th edition of Escala a Castelló 2026 (coinciding with the San Vicente Ferrer holiday weekend) promises to be a meeting point where the sea, history and culture come together in the heart of Grao de Castellón de la Plana.  This year sees the addition of three new historic vessels: the Danish brig Phoenix, the Italian brig Florette, and the Portuguese caravel Vera Cruz. With these additions, the total number of participating ships will rise to twelve. All the ships can be visited docked at the Muelle de Costa and the Muelle de Levante.

Among the confirmed vessels are also the Nao Victoria, La Grace, Pascual Flores, Santa María Manuela, Tirant Primer, as well as a Navy ship, a Civil Guard vessel, a Maritime Rescue ship and a Customs ship.

The Escala a Castelló 2026 will feature a wide programme, designed to highlight maritime traditions, with a greater presence of traditional maritime dances, as well as the continuation of emblematic events such as the maritime jousts, with at least two performances daily, parades featuring cultural associations and crews, the cannon displays and the traditional fish auction. The Casino area will host musical performances and on Saturday, April 11, starting at 4:30 p.m., the maritime parade, one of the most anticipated events of the festival, will take place.  There will be historical reenactments, tradition and leisure. The traditional crafts market will feature at least five stalls where artisans will demonstrate techniques such as blacksmithing, glassblowing, stonemasonry, pottery, and wood carving, all dressed in period costumes.   Meanwhile, the food area will once again be a popular meeting point for visitors, with up to 20 stalls offering local artisan products (cheeses, sweets, cured meats, breads), decorated with a nautical theme and staffed by people dressed in traditional attire. Among the most anticipated activities will be the free tasting of the monumental cuttlefish sandwich, which this year stretches for approximately 150 metres. The festival will close with the departure of the boats on Monday, accompanied by a pyrotechnic show fired from the sea.

Programme

09.00 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, Javea Arenal.

09.15 hrs: Departure from Interiors, opposite side of the road, Javea port.

09.35: Pick up at Mas y Mas, N332, if required.

Refreshment break enroute.

12.15 hrs: Arrival at the 3* Hotel Silken Turcosa (2 nights accommodation with full buffet breakfast included); take luggage to the store room; free time.

There is no restaurant at the hotel for lunch or dinner, but the hotel is only a few minutes from the Grao district which is a vibrant and lively area – opposite the marina, bars, cafes and restaurants. The hotel is also close to the city’s historic centre, where you can stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town.

Check in is from 15.00 hrs and there are 3 categories of room available (allocated on request in order of booking and payment):

Standard rooms – equipped with either a queen bed or two twin beds,  air conditioning, Sleep Better mattresses, a flat-screen TV, terrace.

Standard Deluxe rooms – the same amenities as the Standard Room, but with sea view.

Junior Suite Deluxe – the same amenities as the other categories, with sea view and much larger room.

Members will be free to do as much or as little as they want in Castellón de la Plana, visiting the Escala a Castelló Festival 2026 in their own time and at their own pace.

Monday 13^th April

Breakfast.

Checkout and leave luggage in storage room (before 12.00 hrs).

15.30 hrs: The coach will be at the hotel to load luggage/return journey to Javea.

Comfort stop en route.

18.30 hrs: Approximate time of arrival in Javea.

What is included

Coach transport to/from Castellón de la Plana.

2 nights accommodation in the 3* Hotel Silken Turcosa with full buffet breakfast (supplement for Standard Deluxe / Silk Club Deluxe rooms; and rooms for sole occupancy)

Gratuities.

€2 pp contribution to the Javea U3A travel fund

Price: will be confirmed soon.

Group Leader: Angela Chantry

spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com