Logbook · 7 places

What to see and do in Vila-real

What to see and do in Vila-real (La Plana Baixa, Castellón): 7 places across monuments, nature, activities and curiosities, with a photo and a Google Maps location.

1 Villages · 2 Monuments · 1 Activities · 2 Historical milestones · 1 Food and drink

When to go to Vila-real: festival calendar

May: Festivities of San Pascual Baylón (around May 17)

How far each place is from the centre of Vila-real

Basilica and Royal Chapel of San Pascual Baylón 400 m

Towns near Vila-real

What to see in Almassora 3.3 km · 8 places
What to see in Les Alqueries 4.7 km · 2 places
What to see in Borriana 5.6 km · 5 places
What to see in Castelló de la Plana 7.6 km · 10 places
What to see in Betxí 8.2 km · 5 places
What to see in Nules 10 km · 12 places
What to see in La Vilavella 11 km · 2 places
What to see in Borriol 12 km · 5 places

Spain › Valencian Community › Castellón › La Plana Baixa › Vila-real

What to see and do in Vila-real

Vila-real
Village
Vila-real is a municipality in the comarca of La Plana Baixa, in the province of Castellón, with 53,623 inhabitants (INE 2025), the second most populous in the province, located 7 kilometres south of the provincial capital, on the right bank of the lower basin of the River Mijares. Its traditional Spanish name, Villarreal, was official until 1938, when it was renamed Villarreal de los Infantes to distinguish it from places of the same name; since 2006 its sole name has been the Valencian Vila-real. Its economy rests on the ceramics industry since the mid-20th century and on citrus growing. It is known for Villarreal Club de Fútbol, the least populous municipality to have won a European title, the 2020-21 Europa League. Founded in 1274 by James I, the municipality is today home to Villarreal CF.
Basilica and Royal Chapel of San Pascual Baylón
Monument
The sanctuary of San Pascual Baylón, popularly known as El Sant, brings together in Vila-real the international eucharistic votive temple, proclaimed a minor basilica by John Paul II, the Royal Chapel with the saint's tomb, the Pouet del Sant museum and the enclosed convent of Poor Clare nuns. The convent, from the 16th century, owes its fame to the fact that San Pascual Baylón lived, died and was buried there; the original 17th-century baroque Royal Chapel, considered the first monument of Valencian baroque, was destroyed by a fire during the civil war, in 1936, and the current one was inaugurated in 1992 in the presence of King Juan Carlos I. Its two 50-metre bell towers house a carillon of 72 bells and a set of 12 swinging bells, among them the largest in the world.
Torre Motxa
Monument
The Torre Motxa is the last visible remnant of the defensive bastions that protected the medieval town of Vila-real, founded in 1274. It stands at the south-eastern corner of the old rectangular fortification that surrounded the urban centre. It was rebuilt around 1424 and underwent a thorough restoration in 1988, which allowed it to be preserved as one of the few standing testimonies of the town's medieval wall.
Festivities of San Pascual Baylón
Activity
Patron saint festivities of Vila-real in honour of San Pascual Baylón, with ten days of processions, parades and popular events. Devotion to the saint dates back to the 18th century, although the festivities became firmly established when he was declared the city's patron saint in 1917. On 16 May, the eve of his feast day, a bonfire is lit preceded by a flower offering in front of the basilica; over the ten days the city changes character with open-air dances, shows, sports and bull-related events such as the bou per la vila and the bou embolat. On the Monday of the festive week the xulla is held, a neighbourhood dinner based on grilled lamb ribs.
The founding of Vila-real by Jaime I
Historical milestone
The king founded from scratch in 1274 a royal town of orthogonal layout in the middle of the plain, with grid streets and a central square, to secure Christian control of the territory and of the road between Borriana and Onda.
The death of San Pascual Bailón
Historical milestone
The humble Franciscan friar, a shepherd of Aragonese origin, died in 1592 in the town's convent of El Rosario; his tomb became a center of pilgrimage and ended up receiving the royal patronage of Charles II.
The Sant Pasqual chops
Food and drink
Lamb chops over embers eaten at the May festivities dedicated to the patron saint; in July, the pilgrimage to the spot known as el Termet is traditionally accompanied by tiger nut horchata and fartons.