A new tourist season has kicked off in Castellón with a bold announcement: the city is becoming Spain’s epicenter of astronomical tourism. At the international Fitur 2026 fair in Madrid, local officials unveiled ambitious plans to attract visitors from across the country and Europe. Their main trump card is a total solar eclipse expected on August 12. This event is already being called a unique opportunity for the region to make its mark on the world map.
City authorities are going far beyond standard tours and beach holidays. In the lead-up to the eclipse, Castellón is launching a wide range of events aimed at different audiences. The program includes science exhibitions, solar observations through professional telescopes at the city planetarium, as well as educational lectures and workshops. Special attention is being paid to safety: certified eclipse glasses will be available for everyone interested in witnessing this rare phenomenon.
Astronomy for Everyone
The local government is focusing on education and youth engagement. Special educational kits will be distributed to schoolchildren and students, while the planetarium will host interactive sessions. In the days leading up to the eclipse, Castellón will hold a series of six popular science lectures featuring renowned science communicators. Among them are Javier Santaolalla and Josep Calatayud, who will provide live commentary on the eclipse for everyone gathered.
A key part of the program will be the premiere of the Full Dome 3ECLIPSE film, which will be shown simultaneously in all the country’s planetariums. This approach highlights Castellón’s aim not just to entertain, but to give visitors a chance to learn more about space and astronomy. Organizers are confident such initiatives can attract not only science enthusiasts to the city, but also families with children and tourists seeking unique experiences.
Record-breaking results
Castellón’s tourism sector is already producing impressive results. From September 2024 to August 2025, the number of hotel and apartment overnight stays in the city exceeded half a million, up 15.86% from the previous year. The most notable trend is the growing interest in renting tourist apartments, whose share of overall overnight stays continues to rise.
Local authorities emphasize that this success is the result of close cooperation with private businesses and industry associations. The city is actively developing not just beach tourism, but also cultural, gastronomic, and sports tourism. This approach allows Castellón to remain attractive for a wide range of travelers.
A focus on variety
Castellón offers much more than just an astronomical event. Throughout the year, the city hosts gastronomic festivals, sports competitions, and cultural events. It presents itself as an ideal family destination where everyone can find something they enjoy. Authorities emphasize sustainable tourism, ensuring the preservation of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
An influx of visitors is expected ahead of the eclipse, which will put the city’s infrastructure to the test. However, organizers assure that Castellón is fully prepared to welcome large numbers of tourists, and all events will adhere to modern safety and comfort standards.
Looking to the future
The total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026, is set to become not only a scientific but also a social phenomenon for Castellón. The city anticipates a wave of astronomy enthusiasts, as well as heightened attention from the media and the scientific community. Authorities believe that such events can transform the region’s image and elevate it to a new level in the tourism sector.
Already, Castellón is showing its ability to surprise and set new trends. The city is becoming a platform for innovation and new leisure formats, where science and entertainment go hand in hand. It remains to be seen how Spain’s tourism map will change after this summer.
