El Desierto de las Palmas is a mountainous spot in the natural park of the same name, in the Plana Alta, north of Benicàssim and very close to Castelló de la Plana. Although it is documented here as a viewpoint, in reality the interest of the visit point comes from its elevated position on a coastal mountain range that dominates the coast and the immediate interior. The area is associated with the palmetto, one of the most characteristic plants of the Mediterranean environment, and the Carmelite toponym of "desert", used for places of spiritual retreat. From this point there is a wide panoramic view of the coastal strip of Benicàssim, Castelló and the Mediterranean Sea, with the mountains closing the horizon to the west. It is a particularly useful place to understand the relationship between mountain and coast in this stretch of the Valencian coast, where the Mediterranean vegetation and the gentle but abrupt reliefs create a very recognizable landscape. The site is protected as a natural park and often appears in guides and hiking trails in the province. It is also associated with the Carmelite monastery of Desierto de las Palmas, one of the cultural landmarks of the enclave. Visibility is usually better on clear days and, for photography, early morning or low light in the afternoon, when the coast gains depth and contrast.
