Gandia Valencia, Spain
Gandia, with population over 77,000, is a city in the Safor area in the Comunidad Valenciana. It is located on the Costa del Azahar, 65 km south of Valencia and 96 km north of Alicante.
Gandia can easily be accessed via the N332 coastal road and the A-7 motorway. The nearest airport is Valencia, which can be reached by rail and metro from Gandia.
While it is generally thought that Gandia did not exist as a town much before 1240 when Jaime I took control of the region from the Moors, there is evidence of human activity going back to the Palaeolithic Era (artefacts and remains found in the caves of Meravalles and Parpalló). The area was also settled by Iberians (an early race of Spanish peoples) and later by the Romans, before the Arabs (Moors) invaded in the Eighth Century. The urban development of Gandia appears to have started in the 14th Century, as commerce and agriculture flourished in this growing town. The 1st Duke of Gandia (Marti L’Huma) was so declared in 1359 and he made great advancements for the town including some important architectural works which began at about this time including the Palau Ducal (Duke’s Palace), the Convent of San Jeronimo de Cotalba and the collegiate Church of Santa Maria (a fine example of Valencian Gothic architecture).The late 15th Century saw the arrival in Gandia of the Borja (Borjia) family, a name inextricably linked to the town from this time onwards, with the arrival of the Borjas, Gandia’s growth increased in pace, and did so right up until the 18th Century. Rodrigo Borja who came to Gandia in 1485 later became the notorious Pope Alexandro VI.
The port of Gandia was inaugurated in 1886 and 7 years later in 1893 the railway line to Alcoy was opened bringing more trade and commerce to the town. The port was once the major export point for Valencian oranges and while it is not considered to be quite so important these days, the port of Gandia still has a busy fishing fleet.
Today, Gandia is one of the largest coastal towns and a thriving centre of commerce and tourism in the region. There are two main zones, Gandia City, which has all the historical monuments, commercial activity, and shopping, and Gandia beach, where all the apartments and summer residences used during the summer season are to be found. The beach and town are actually some 2 km apart which succeeds in separating summer tourism from day-to-day living.
Gandia Beach
The beach area of Gandia, which is separate from the main town, is extremely popular with Spanish tourists and the restaurants, bars and shops there are mostly Spanish, unlike many other Costa Blanca resorts, which have a more international flavour. The beaches are golden and sandy and are without doubt some of the best beaches along this coastline. Playa Nord stretches for some 3.5 kilometres and is lined with shops, bars and restaurants. There are lots of other beaches, which in all extend for about 20 kilometres. The MTV reality series “Gandia Shore” is filmed in the Playa de Gandia area.
The bars and nightclubs are concentrated in the beach area. As is normal for Spain, nightlife does not take off until well after midnight.
The large Saturday market draws visitors from as far away as Benidorm and Valencia.
There are a number of interesting places that are worth visiting. The previously mentioned Palau Ducal (Duke’s Palace) is an impressive Gothic palace, it was acquired by the famous Borja family in the Fifteenth Century and was extended and improved over subsequent centuries, the palace is mostly renowned for its shimmering ceramic tile mosaics. The Palau Ducal situated in Calle Duc el Vell. Also certainly worth a visit are the Church of Santa Maria and the Museo Archeológico (Archaeological Museum).
There are many shopping centres and boulevards in and around Gandia. The Calle Mayor is the traditional shopping area of the city. It is part of the historical centre of Gandia. This street is close to the townhall.
On the outskirts of Gandia is the large supermarket, Carrefour, and two shopping Malls, La Vital and the Plaza Mayor.
The Plaza Mayor is a shopping centre between the city and the beach. The big white round roof on the top makes the building look very interesting. It has many shops and restaurants, including a Hollywood American restaurant.
La Vital is one of the newest shopping centres of the city. It is named from the orange juice industry that was situated there previously. The last remains of the factory is the big chimney at the entrance of the new building. La Vital has many shops, restaurants, and bowling. There is also a 10 screen cinema in La Vital, with over 2000 seats, and capable of showing films in 3D.
The main fiestas for Gandia are:
The Fallas from March 16th to 19th
The Holy Week / Semana Santa (March and April, it’s the week before Easter)
Seafaring Fiesta to celebrate Virgin Carmen (July 16th)
San Juan night June 24th
Great Gandia Fiesta week – to celebrate St. Francesco from Borgia from September 29th to October 3rd
UK TV in Gandia – how to receive UK TV in Gandia
The Sat and PC Guy installs and maintains Digital Satellite Television Systems, for reception of UK TV in Gandia.
Reception of satellite TV channels from the BBC an ITV can be achieved using a minimum of a 110x120cm satellite dish or the recommended 125x135cm satellite dish.
We install Digital Terrestrial Television, TDT, Spain Freeview for Spanish TV reception in Gandia. Depending on your location to the TDT transmitters, you can receive around 30 digital television channels, with the option change the language on many programmes into English.
The Sat and PC Guy can supply and install Satellite and TV systems, and help solve reception and signal problems in and around Gandia. We cover areas including Playa de Gandia, urbanisations of Monterey and Marxaquera, and all the surrounding town and villages like Ador, Alfauir, Almiserà, Almoines, L’Alqueria de la Comtessa, Barx, Bellreguard, Beniarjó, Beniflà, Benirredrà, Castellonet de la Conquesta, Daimús, La Font d’En Carròs, Guardamar de la Safor, Llocnou de Sant Jeroni, Miramar, Oliva, Palma de Gandia, Palmera, Piles, Potries, Rafelcofer, Real de Gandia, Ròtova, Villalonga and Marxuquera.