Whichever way you drive to Alcocéber, the last stretch is always the same: the AP-7 motorway, exit 44 (Alcossebre-Torreblanca), or the N-340, which runs parallel to it. From the N-340, the CV-142 takes you down to Alcocéber and the coast. That's the route given on the official Alcossebre tourism website.
Driving distances and times
These are the approximate road distances to Alcocéber (Cargador beach). They're our own estimates calculated with OpenStreetMap, without traffic or stops: allow extra time in summer and on bank holiday weekends.
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Castellón de la Plana | ~50 km | ~45 min |
| Valencia | ~120 km | ~1 h 30 min |
| Barcelona | ~240 km | ~2 h 50 min |
| Zaragoza | ~255 km | ~3 h 30 min |
| Madrid | ~465 km | ~5 h 15 min |
| Bilbao | ~565 km | ~6 h 45 min |
From Zaragoza and Aragón
Zaragoza is the main starting point for Alcocéber: about 255 km and around 3 h 30 min. It's just the right distance to leave in the morning and have lunch by the sea. When you reach the coast, look for exit 44 of the AP-7 or carry on along the N-340 to the Alcossebre turn-off.
From Madrid
From Madrid it's about 465 km, some 5 h 15 min of driving. It's worth planning a stop halfway, especially if you're travelling with children. The final approach to Alcocéber is via the AP-7 (exit 44) or the N-340.
From Bilbao, the Basque Country, Navarre and La Rioja
From Bilbao it's about 565 km and around 6 h 45 min. It's the longest journey, so it's best to set off early or split it in two. If you're leaving from Pamplona or Logroño, the drive is a little shorter than from Bilbao; check your route on a sat nav before you go, as it depends on where you join the coast.
Tips for the drive
- Avoid the Saturday rush in July and August, when arrivals and departures for the weekly rentals coincide.
- Ask about parking before you book: in the directory of complexes we show which ones have free parking (Madeira, Jardines del Puerto).
- Time your arrival so you can collect the keys during office hours.
- In summer, to drive to the Serra d'Irta coves you need to book a parking space in the official GVA Parcs Naturals app. The dates change every year: check them on the Natural Parks website.
Without a car: bus, train and plane
- Bus: according to the tourism website, Alcossebre is served by HIFE buses (from Castellón, Valencia and Zaragoza), Avanza (from Madrid) and AMSA.
- Train: the nearest station is Alcalà de Xivert, about 10 km away, with regional (Media Distancia) trains to Valencia and Barcelona. Benicarló-Peñíscola station is about 31 km away.
- Plane:Castellón airport is about 22 km away (around 25 min) and Valencia about 123 km (1 h 30 min). Reus (~145 km) and Barcelona (~230 km) are also within easy reach.
Day trips by car from Alcocéber
Having the car during your week lets you explore the Baix Maestrat area. These are the approximate distances from Alcocéber:
| Destination | Approx. distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Alcalà de Xivert (the town) | ~9 km | ~12 min |
| Torreblanca | ~9 km | ~15 min |
| Santa Magdalena de Pulpis | ~19 km | ~20 min |
| Benicarló | ~31 km | ~30 min |
| Peñíscola (by road) | ~32 km | ~35 min |
| Vinaròs | ~40 km | ~35-40 min |
| Morella | ~95 km | ~1 h 25 min |
In Alcalà de Xivert it's worth going up to see the church of San Juan Bautista, with a 68 m octagonal bell tower, one of the tallest in the Valencia region. And between Alcocéber and Peñíscola stretches the unspoilt coast of the Serra d'Irta, some 12 km without any development.
Once you're in Alcocéber
Once in town, almost everything is just a few minutes away: the marina and Las Fuentes beach to the north, the Cargador in the centre and Playa Romana to the south. If you haven't chosen an apartment yet, start with the guide to renting apartments in Alcocéber or see how to rent by the week or fortnight.