Gandia

Sandwiched between the inland mountains of the Valencian Community and the Mediterranean Sea, Gandia is perhaps less well known than other places on Spain’s south-west coast but certainly no less interesting.

It is a ducal town with an illustrious past, forged by the noble Borja family, traces of which can be found in the pretty historic centre.

Gandia will also delight nature lovers, with its wild beaches and hiking trails that allow you to explore beautiful landscapes between sea and land. If you prefer a comfortable holiday, go no further than the town‘s well-equipped beaches.

In the evening (but why not lunch too!) indulge in the pleasures of good food, sampling the delicacies that have made Gandia’s culinary tradition famous.

Things to do in Gandia

In the upper part of the town of Gandia, on the banks of the Serpis river, is the Ducal Palace of Gandia, also known as the Palace of the Borja. This impressive building has its roots in the 14th century and is today one of the most important and emblematic examples of civil architecture in the Valencian architectural heritage.

Rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, the palace was the official residence of the Borja family. Each of the eleven dukes of Gandia made modifications according to the taste of their era, which is why the palace mixes so many different styles.

Another impressive building in the city centre is the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Catalan-Aragonese Gothic style, the construction of which began in the 14th century and was not completed until two centuries later.

Absolutely not to be missed is the Fallero Museum, the only museum of its kind in the Valencian region. This interactive exhibition will let you discover the secrets of the ancient and much-followed tradition of Las Fallas, the long work that goes into the construction of a falla, and the ingenuity and irony behind this much-loved popular festival.

The surroundings of Gandia are criss-crossed by numerous hiking trails, almost all of them very easy and suitable for any level of physical fitness. Following circular or linear routes you can see caves, springs, waterfalls, peaks, fields and lagoons: the landscape is truly extraordinary and varied.

Beaches of Gandia

Gandia, like all towns along the west coast of Spain, boasts a good number of beautiful beaches with fine sand and clean sea. Many of these beaches are equipped and offer the possibility of practising water sports. There is no shortage of the legendary chiringuitos of Spanish beaches, where you can have a copa while enjoying the sun or a beautiful sunset.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Gandia area include:

• Playa Norte: the town beach, with 300,000 m2 of fine sand where you can lie and sunbathe, all the necessary services and the inevitable pedestrian promenade.
• Playa de L’Ahuir: to the north of the city, between the urbanised area and the Vaca river lies this sand and dune beach, with a wild atmosphere. Some areas, specially marked, are reserved for nudists.
• Playa de Rafalcaid: if you do not want to be completely isolated but want more tranquillity than a city beach, choose the semi-urban beach of Rafalcaid, bordered by a line of small dunes and Mediterranean vegetation. Excellent for kitesurfing.
• Playa de Venecia: a small sandy beach on a wind-protected cove south of the Club Nautico and the harbour.
• Playa Can: a pet-friendly beach where you can sunbathe with your four-legged friend.
• Playa Varadero: not a beach but an artificial solarium: it is a floating terrace built in the harbour area, where you can relax day and night lying on hammocks and sofas.

Food and wine tourism

Gandia‘s rich gastronomic tradition, typical of the Valencian region, is one of the town’s great attractions.

The typical dish of Gandia is Fideuá, a variation of fish paella. According to legend, this dish was invented by a group of fishermen from the town who wanted to cook a paella while they were out at sea with their boats. When they started cooking, they realised they had no rice and decided to use fidelini, a kind of very fine spaghetti, instead.

Today, fideuá is served in all the restaurants in Gandia and once a year there is an international competition organised by the Gandia Fideuá Association in which national and international chefs compete for victory by preparing a traditional fideuá and a creative dish.

Gandia also excels in patisserie: try typical pastries and cakes such as ‘el tortell‘ and ‘la delicà di Gandia‘.

Shopping

With more than 1,000 commercial buildings, including small family-run shops and large retail giants, Gandia is a true shopping paradise.

The main shopping areas of Gandia are: the historical centre; República Argentina, in the western part of the city close to the centre; Corea, an area well served by public transport; Roís de Corella y Esclavas, a new shopping area in the south of the city; Grau and the beach area, where shops cater mainly to tourists, selling mostly beach items.

For a more authentic experience visit one of the weekly district markets and the traditional fish market in Grau.

Traditional festivals

Traditional fiestas are still very much felt in Spain and experienced with intense emotion by all the inhabitants of the town where they take place.

In Gandia, the main traditional fiestas are:

• Fallas de Gandia, from 16 to 19 March
• Semana Santa
• Corpus Christi
• Noche de San Juan, night between 23 and 24 June
• Virgen del Carmen, from 14 to 16 July
• Fira i festes, days before 3 October

Where to stay in Gandia

Essentially, to sleep in Gandia you have two options: stay in the historic centre, located a few kilometres from the sea, or choose the coastal area. Advantages and disadvantages for both solutions, since in the centre you can enjoy shopping and a typical Spanish atmosphere, as well as a myriad of tapas bars and restaurants, while choosing to sleep near the sea… well, you’ll be by the sea!

The choice of where to stay in Gandia therefore depends on the type of holiday you want to take. Keep in mind that, on average, hotels by the sea are more expensive but are also better equipped in terms of amenities, many being large facilities with swimming pools, parking and even spas.

Recommended hotels in Gandia

We offer a selection of hotels at Gandia to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Gandia, sorted by number of reviews.

Apartments and vacation homes in Gandia

If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Gandia. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Gandia are in high demand.

How to reach Gandia from Alicante

Gandia is located 100 km from Alicante and 65 from Valencia. The easiest way to get to Gandia from Alicante is to rent a car and drive north on the AP-7 motorway: allow 1½ hours to get there.

By public transport it is much more complicated because you will almost certainly have to change means of transport once or more. If you are lucky enough to catch the direct train, you will arrive in Gandia in two hours and ten minutes.

Gandia Weather