Gandia- City of history and culture

Here in the Marina Alta, we are spoilt for choice for places of interest to visit. Beaches, bustling coastal towns, “picture postcard” Spanish pueblos and stunning mountain and valley scenery, are all withing easy reach. If you want a destination where the beach meets history and culture, we have the perfect place to visit.

Gandia is a Spanish city and a municipality of Valencia with a population of around 200,000. Situated 65km south of Valencia and 110km North of Alicante, it is a town of two halves. 

The Gandia Beach area is very popular with tourists and holiday makers. The area attracts predominantly Spanish visitors, particularly from Madrid, to the stunning beaches, Valencian gastronomy and busy nightlife. The beaches are simply stunning. A wide expanse of soft white sand and shallow sea with crystal clear water. Although the beaches are busy in summer, visitors never have to feel like they are sitting on top of one another. 

The Gandia City area is a 2km walk from the promenade. This keeps the two areas quite separate and the locals prefer it that way. The city has an amazing buzz about it, it is a very important centre for culture and commerce, as well as education, being an important Spanish University city. As well as its literature, art and music scenes, there are some fine, architecturally significant buildings and several museums.

The history of Gandia dates back to the paleolithic age from the excavation of caves. In addition there are Roman and Iberian artifacts in the Museo Arquiológico de Gandia.

A Brief History

The city of Gandia became a bustling Medieval town in the 14th century, with agriculture, trade and crafts, drawing merchants and tradesmen from all over Spain and Europe. It was the 14th century that saw the start of the dynasty that Gandia is most famous for. In 1485 the Duchy of Gandia was bought by Cardinal Rodrigo de Borja for his son Pedro Luis, making him the 1st Duke of Gandia. This was the dawn of an era, The House of Borgia, famously known for excess, splendour and, some say unfairly, secrets, scandal and intrigue! 

The second Duke of Gandia was assassinated in Rome in 1497 and his wife, Maria Enriquez, assumed control until her son came of age. In the space of a few years she made major reforms, cleaned up the books, became a great Patron of the Arts, paved the way for the sugar cane production industry and led Gandia into a great cultural and economicaly successful era. Gandia was home to many intellectuals and aspiring musicians, poets, artists and novelists. The city became one of the richest in Spain and a major power for Spanish nobility. Notably, San Francisco de Borja was canonized after his death in 1572.  By the end of the 1500´s the family began to decline and by the 1800´s they are no longer in the history books.

What to see when you visit Gandia.

There are many fine examples of Gothic architecture, the best being the Palau Ducal dels Borjas, or the Borgia Palace, which was the formal residence of the Duchy of Gandia. The residence is now a museum which exhibits the lavish lifestyle of the family and the extensive art collection, much of which was produced in the residence.

The magnificent Insigne Colegiata De Gandia ( The Distinguished Collegiate Basilica of Gandia ) was commissioned by the widow of the 2nd Duke of Gandia, Maria Enriquez. It was the parish church of the Borgia family.

The City of Gandia is full of surprises. Ancient history, Gothic architecture, opulent interiors with priceless art, all gave way to the “Modernist movement” from the late 19th and 20th centuries. The city is a melting pot of classic and contemporary culture and, nowadays, the city has a fantastic cosmopolitan vibe.

There are many guided tours available by several different tour operators- eg. The Route of the Borgias, The Route of the Valencian classics and the Route of the Valencian Monasteries. Research, as always, is key. A search of reviews will give you an idea of the best ones.

Furthermore, Gandia has an excellent shopping centre with beautiful cobbled streets, regular weekly markets, department stores and boutique style shops. There is a multitude of great places to eat, both in the city area and along the beach promenade and the port areas, do some research to get the best "Paella Valenciana".

The city of Gandia is easily accessible by road, the N332 is a minor road that passes through the smaller towns along the coast. The AP7 is the motorway and it is a 35 minute drive from Benissa to Gandi

Here at Jacaranda Spain, we highly recommend Gandia for; a day trip, a weekend break or even a holiday. When you feel the pull of city life- Gandia has the vibe of a big city and all of the trappings, and yet it is never spoilt by mass crowds and long queues.