Zafira Spain

Oliva
Oliva was once a village populated by 52 Christian families and dedicated to growing Muscatel grapes and raisins. The villagers built a beautiful late-Gothic church in honour of the patron saint, St Catalina.
Prehistoric man, the Iberians and especially the Moors (Benimeit, Benimarco and Alcasar are rural sections of Oliva) all left remains in this coastal area. Oliva became a walled village that was located slightly away from the coast for fear of Berber pirate attacks. As the village was near the coast, it was also a fishing village but today both agriculture and fishing have given way to the tourism industry.
The original section of Oliva town is a picturesque village located approximately 6km inland. Wander in the shade of olive trees, where vineyards lie alongside plantations of oranges and almonds, and the heady aroma of pine sap emanates from the abundant pine trees typical of this idyllic region, and you could quickly lose yourself in the beauty of the surroundings.

Whenever you go walking around Oliva, you will always pass by the Riu-Raus. These are arched constructions where the locally picked raisins are laid out to dry. The dried fruit is used, amongst other things, to make the sweet local drink Moscatel. If you were to suddenly see a donkey and cart accompanied by a farmer with a straw hat pass by a Riu-Rau, you would feel sure that you had stepped back in time.
Explore the town’s back streets and learn about its rich Roman and Moorish past through the museums, churches and monuments which proliferate in the old Christian and Arab quarters. In Calle Santisimo in the town centre you can see the remains of a Roman kiln from the first century AD, it was once part of a pottery which produced ceramics and building material.
The archaeological museum, a 16th century former manorial home of historic and architectural interest in itself, houses exhibits from prehistory to the 16th century charting the region’s domination by the Iberians, Romans and Moors.
At the junction of Calle La Abadia and Calle Las Torres you’ll find the 16th century tower which formed part of the old defence wall which once surrounded the town. And dominating the town from the summit of the Santa Ana mountain is the old castle (an impressive sight when lit up at night).

Murcia
The Region of Murcia is a beautiful area of Spain, locally known as the ‘Market Garden of Spain’ as the rich soil, irrigation techniques and warm climate makes ideal conditions for growing all types of salad vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, rice and of course grapes.
Located between the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, Murcia has many unspoilt beaches along the Costa Calida (warm coast). The region boasts 320 days of sunshine per year and average temperatures of 17 degrees in the winter and 27 degrees in the summer months
The Region is also rich with towns and cities with historic buildings, some dating back to the Romans and before. They also have modern shops, street markets and leisure facilities to offer the visitors. The Spanish culture of Cuisine, Fiestas and Siestas remains unspoilt, as the tourist trade in this area is largely made up of Spanish visitors.
Murcia City with a population of around 358,000 people, is known as the “Baroque capitol of Spain” for its wealth of fine buildings and is a fantastic place to explore. It is shopping heaven with many up market shops and department stores and you can wander through the pedestrianised areas to beautiful squares which are just waiting to be discovered. Often described as one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the country Murcia owes much of its heritage to the Moors (Arabs), who founded it in 825AD; naming the city Mursiya. The impressive city walls are a fine example of this, as are the 20 (former) mosques within them. Murcia was re-conquered by native Spaniards in 1243 and went on to prosper; enriched by the silk industry and agricultural prosperity.
Amongst the famous visiting points for any traveller is the Cathedral de Santa Maria, finished in the 15th century the cathedral is the most impressive monument of Murcia. The city is divided by the Segura River and is known for its beautiful Baroque Cathedral, Almudi Palace and the castle of Monteagudo (where the Arab influence can be well appreciated), a fortress from the 11th century, the Market de Veronicas, the Malecon Garden, the University of Murcia and the Museum Ramon Gaya. The Museum Ramon Gaya, dedicated to the artist with this same name and native of Murcia, is found in Casa Palarea in the Catalina Square. It was inaugurated in 1990 when the artist was 82 years old and also includes other works of art from other artists.
Right outside the Cathedral de Santa Maria you will find the city hall and the Palacia Episcopal, the residency of the Bishop of Murcia. There is a variety of museums, from the archeological to the museum for water systems, to the museo de bellas Artes which shows art from Ballester and Gaya amongst others.
The summers here are hot and the winters mild. This coupled with the irrigation provided by the rivers Segura, Murdo and Sangonera make for ideal citrus fruit growing conditions. The region exports many tons of oranges and lemons; much of it to the German market. To a lesser extent olives and vines are also grown.
Murcia is a university city, with large numbers of national and foreign students attending. Indeed the building itself is of huge proportions and well worth closer inspection. The student population here does much to add a youthful vibe, and a number of lively bars and restaurants can be found in the vicinity of the university compound.

Moraira
Moraira is on the coast below Javea and it has grown from being a small fishing village to an attractive holiday and retirement town. Moraira is still small and compact, ideal for the older person and the buildings are all low-rise which is nice and probably because of this it retains it’s unique charm.
Rather than the tacky fish and chip type eateries of many resorts, Moraira is blessed with a wide selection of stylish cafés within its pleasant streets notably ‘Deli’ on Calle Calatayud which serves up an interesting selection of home cooked dishes including inventive salads, curries from many nations and quiche dishes. For more authentic Spanish fare try the shaded Las Gaviotas in the main square which lies in the shadow of the town’s church. The main fish restaurants are located on the front overlooking the small port and fish market (La Lonja) where fish auctions take place every morning at 10am except Sundays.
For shopaholics Moraira’s weekly market takes place on Fridays and there’s another one every Wednesday in nearby Teulada. Teulada is actually the old town of Moraira and is well worth a visit to see Santa Catalina Church and the Divina Pastora Chapel amongst others. You can also sample some of the regions wines at the San Vicente Ferrer wine cellar. The Moscatel Festival in early September is another good time for a tipple!
The beach in Moraira is sandy but not quite as nice as other beaches in Costa Blanca such as Benidorm, Javea, Denia or Calpe. Platja de l’Ampolla is Moraira’s only beach within comfortable walking distance of the centre lying just 500m from the fish market but there is a hidden gem just round the corner  called El Portet, its almost like a Caribbean bay, the water is turquoise, the road to it is winding, the hills are alive with pine trees and the waters are very calm and safe for children. Beaches immediately south of Moraira are rocky rather than sandy but are excellent for snorkelling.
Moraira’s marina is very nice and swanky, this area contains some amazing restaurants, it’s a great area for eating outside. The main street is small and colourful with an excellent variety of local shops, there is a superb market on Friday morning.

La Manga
The La Manga Strip is a unique location in Europe, it is a strip of land 21 Km long and 300 metres wide (average). La Manga means ‘sleeve’ and it is a strip of land which separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor (Small Sea). Along it’s coast on both sides, there are beautiful ‘Blue Flag’ beaches with white sands, ideal for family holidays, even in the height of the season, they never get ‘packed’ and claustrophobic.
Until 1863 this strip of land belonged to the state, but was then sold by public auction, by a government which was trying to pay off its debts. The area remained unspoilt until the 1960’s when La Manga was discovered by the tourist industry.
The Mar Menor is the largest lagoon in Europe and has a surface area of 130 sq km and a maximum depth of 8 metres. The crystal clear waters are warm, calm and rich in salts and minerals, in fact the temperature never falls below 18degrees. In certain areas of the Mar Menor the therapeutic clays can be found, these are a favourite with the Spanish tourists, who cover themselves with the clay and then bake in the hot sun. It is said to be good for skin complaints, rheumatism and arthritis etc.
Essential for any holiday is a large variety of restaurants and bars, La Manga offers the tourists a wide range to choose from, including, Spanish, Greek, Indian, Chinese, Mexican (even a Burger King!). The Tomas Maestre Marina comes alive at night with its many bars and restaurants and you must sample the local fish and shellfish fresh from the sea, prepared on hotplates, or as ingredients in the locally famous Paella, a typical rice dish of the fisherman.
There is an open air market, throughout the year, every Sunday at Cabo de Palos, where you can buy luxury leather goods at ridiculous prices and ‘Rolex’ watches for a few Euros.
La Manga is also world famous for the La Manga Club which is a 1400 acre residential and sporting paradise nestling among the low hills which separate the Mediterranean from the Mar Menor. Through the last 3 decades nearly 20 different communities have grown within the La Manga Club compound, all with their very own style and character and often their own village-like centre.
The resort hosts numerous international and corporate golfing tournaments and offers wonderful restaurants, leisure and shopping facilities. The five-star resort boasts 3 great golf courses, each with its own unique style and terrain, but all offering tranquil surroundings and many outstanding views. In La Manga Club you’ll find one of Europe’s finest outdoor tennis facilities which has 20 clay courts, 4 artificial grass courts, 4 hard courts, 2 paddle tennis courts and a squash court.
La Manga also has one of the best soccer training centres and tournament venues for professional clubs in Europe, and offers a first-class, year-round practice facility in an ideal climate.
For the less active there is also a world class spa, located at the heart of La Manga Club and managed by Hyatt International, Spa La Manga Club is a stylish and spacious spa facility where sunlight, space and harmony blend exquisitely with refinement, attention to detail and superlative service. The first-class wellness facilities include jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, fun showers and a relaxation area, as well as a large gymnasium and fitness studio and 25-metre indoor swimming pool.
Other activities can include swimming, diving, equestrian, mountain biking, cricket and bowls.

Javea or Xabia as the locals call it is a gem of a town situated on the Northern Costa Blanca, it’s rugged coastline is indented with secluded coves and sandy beaches and these hidden caves and bays were once used by pirates and smugglers in the Middle Ages but are now used by sunbathers, snorklers and scuba divers.
Situated on the most easterly point of mainland Spain about 100 kms from Valencia and 90 kms from Alicante, Javea has been voted environmentally near perfect by the World Health Organisation and boasts 320 days of sunshine a year.
New building developments in Javea are subject to height restrictions which mean there are no high-rise buildings unlike Calpe and Benidorm and is split into three districts.
There is the Old Town of Javea where you can wander down ancient narrow streets and visit the local market on a Thursday, built with original Tosca sandstone it’s rich in medieval history and the Gothic fortified church of San Bartolome dominates the centre of town. This building dates back to the 15th century. At the side of the church is a beautiful building which houses the indoor market where you can buy local fresh produce daily.
Many people’s favourite area of Javea is the port which has a fascinating charm factor hard to define. Whitewashed houses surround the bay and you can watch the fishermen bring in their fresh catches, watch the sailing boats set off from the marina or just sample the fantastic fresh food at the many seafood restaurants.
There are also many excellent shops, bars and cafes and the Port area has a real Spanish feel, this is an area where locals live and work in harmony with the tourist elements. The landmark of the Port area is the church of Our Lady of Loreto with a roof which imitates the hull of a ship.
The bustling Arenal area is basically the sandy blue flag beach which is surrounded by shops, bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to walk along the promenade in the evening and being very touristy it is the least Spanish part of Javea but nevertheless a crucial part. During the evening in the summer there are various stalls here selling a variety of handmade crafts and many of the bars have live music and there are several discotheques.
The Arenal is very good for families as the beach is large and very wide and the water is very shallow and calm as it is in a sheltered bay. This is the place where you can eat tapas, paella but also fish and chips and English breakfast. The great thing about Javea is the choice of the three very different parts. It’s almost like visiting a theme park and entering different worlds!
Surrounding Javea are beautiful green hills peppered with very expensive villas. Javea has a huge expat population, mainly English but also a substantial German contingent. It’s very much a place where you can feel you are in Spain but where you can feel reminders of home. There are many English and German supermarkets, lots of clubs and societies and people who speak your language.

Jativa (Xativa)
Xativa (Jativa) is a handsome and comfortable Spanish town, famous for its orange and lemon orchards, and excellent vegetables and fruit. Xativa is at the Southern edge of the fertile area bordering te River Turia, with its Castle high on a limestone ridge, guarding the road and valley up from the South of Spain since well before Roman times. From this Castle you can see north, across the fertile and green “Huerta” to Valencia and the mountains beyond, west to the mountains which lie along the coast, and South and East into unspoilt hills and mountains.
Xativa is a welcoming and historic City. Hanibal watered his elephants here. And Neolithic people, the Romans and the Moors have all made use of the strong defensive position now occupied by the superb castle. This dominates the town, and repays the walk up, through lavender, olive and pine. The old city walls enclose both the lively old town, the remains of the roman city higher up, the EU Bioreserve on the slopes to the Castle, and the Castle itself. Within the old town, you have the classic mediterranean complex of narrow streets, old churches, little squares and, it is said, 1000 fountains! There is a large Cathedral, built by the Borgias, Spain’s only Popes, who came from Xativa.
As befits its role as a regional centre, Xativa’s pedestrianised streets are lined with traditional, family run shops selling everything from hats, wedding dresses, and fans, to wonderful cakes, fresh bread, local vegatables, superb meat and fish. There is also a great selection of traditional and modern cafes and small restaurants, many offering superb value “menu del dias”.
But its the tradition of festivals and fiestas which really makes Xativa special. Most months one parish or another in the City will celebrate their Saints Day, with street parties, fireworks and music. And the whole City takes to the streets for the big events. These are: Fallas 15-19 March (processions, parties, great bonfires of giant satirical statues, bands and massive fireworks), Easter, with processions on the days up to Good Friday, when everyone turns out, Corpus Christi around 13 June, and Christmas and the procession of the Three Kings on 6 Jan. But the biggest event is the annual Fira - 15 to 20 August. This includes concerts, plays and exhibitions, as well as street markets, street music, agricultural displays, bull fights and barrages of fireworks.

Jalon Valley
The Jalon Valley (also known as Vall de Pop) is situated inland from the coastal towns of Denia, Javea and Moraira. With some areas on the Costa Blanca coast becoming somewhat built up and overcrowded the Jalon Valley attracts a more discerning visitor and resident who appreciates more of a country feel although the coast and it’s beautiful beaches are still only 30 minutes drive away.
The Jalon Valley has some of the best scenery in Spain, there are magnificent mountains which surround the plains of olive trees, orange groves, vineyards, raisins and almonds. Peppered in the Jalon Valley are unspoilt villages including Alcalali, Jalon, Lliber and Parcent.
The Jalon Valley is a walker’s paradise ranging from a very gentle stroll to a six hour walk around the Sierra Bernia mountains to the south of Jalon. In late January and early February the whole of the Jalon Valley is covered with pink and white almond blossom and is the best time to see it.
The village of Jalon is at the heart of the Jalon Valley, at the Old Square there is a fountain around which there is an open market held on Tuesday mornings. Seen from the square is the famous Jalon Church with its blue dome and roaming around the many small streets, you will find an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants. Jalon is very famous for its local wines and there are many bodegas (wine cellars) where you can sample the various types before buying.
Jalon was under Arabic domination for over five hundred years. The Arabians built two castles, one for the Solana (the Aixa) and another in the Bernie. Both fortresses controlled the Jalon Valley and the numerous settlers. The Arabians left behind the typical house style, for which Jalon is famous today, i.e. houses of stone and old bricks with large wooden doors as well as decorated walls.
The Arabic culture influenced life in Jalon up to its final displacement in the year 1609. After that the trade with raisins became the major economic activity. Many farmers from Majorca settled in Jalon in the 18th and 19th centuries and started cultivating the land, concentrating on grapes and raisin production.

Guardamar
Guardamar is popular amongst holiday makers, ex pats, and Spaniards, but has managed to remain untouched by package tourism. However, the town’s population does increase considerably during the summer months. Guardamar is a pretty town, and lower rise than others along the Costa. There are small touches that make it stand out from the rest; like the decorative streetlamps that line the central streets, and pine tree covered parkland separating the town from its infamous coastal sand dunes.
Guardamar’s beaches are some of the best on the Costa Blanca, extending in total to almost 14 kilometres. Although popular, compared to other parts of the coast overcrowding is not really an issue here. Each of them made up of fine golden sand, the beaches are all pretty deep and sun beds/other facilities are available in most places. Cuisine in Guardamar also features highly, with most restaurants serving traditional Spanish fare alongside international alternatives.
The area around Guardamar del Segura has been popular throughout the ages. This is largely due to its proximity to the River Segura, which allowed seafaring vessels to penetrate the mainland with relative ease. Iberians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs have all settled here; some to a greater degree than others.
Although most of Guardamar’s ancient remains have been long since lost, an element has been preserved. The remains of the Rabita Califal (a medieval castle) dates back to between the 9th and 10th century, and is unique to the west. An archaeological site, this has been declared of cultural interest. In addition the centrally located Casa de Cultura (House of Culture) houses many artefacts explaining much of the town’s history.
Guardamar del Segura has been populated since pre-history, with artefacts found in the Bajo Segura providing evidence of Neolithic  (9,000 - 2,000 BC) settlements. During the 8th - 6th Centuries BC the area was much influenced by the Phoenicians who brought Greek and Phoenician objects to the region in trade. There is evidence of a Phoenician harbour town in the area now called “La Fonteta”. It was a fortified town with an enormous wall and was well placed to support Phoenician shipping routes along the Mediterranean, it was a very important town in these times.

In what is now known as the Iberian Period (6th - 2nd Centuries BC) several villages were built around the mouth of the Segura, some large and fortified. Skills were learnt and the making of iron developed along with writing and sculpture. There was a village known as Cabezo Lucero where a bust of a lady was uncovered in later years, now known as the “Dama del Guardamar” (Lady of Guardamar).

With the arrival of the Romans in the 2nd Century BC a cultural change swept over the whole region - the Latin language was compulsory for everyone. Trade and commerce thrived and the area, as was typical in Roman times, became wealthy. New villages appeared together with improved facilities for the exploitation of fishing and salt. A salt works appeared just south of Guardamar del Segura at La Mata.

The Guardamar region seems to have remained stable up until the late Roman period (5th - 8th Centuries AD) when the decadence of the Roman Empire led to much vulnerability and invasions from the east of Europe caused instability throughout the whole area.

The 9th Century witnessed the conquest of the peninsular by the Arabs and the Islamic religion and culture swept over and finally devoured the Christian way of life. Around the middle of the 10th Century AD by command of the Caliph Omeya Abderraman III some religious buildings were constructed close to the mouth of the River Segura, amongst these was a fortified monastery (Al - Monastir) known as “La Rábita”, remains of this can still be seen today.

The Arab occupation lasted up until the 13th Century when Christian troops under Jaume I came from the north. Peoples from Aragon and Catalonia settled the area and co-existed with the Muslim population. In 1271 Alfonso X founded Guardamar del Segura as a town on the site of the castle. In 1305, by way of the Treaty of Elche, Guardamar and the region east of Murcia became part of Valencia under the Crown of Aragon.

Due to its strategic position Guardamar del Segura was prone to constant insecurity. In 1331 the town was burnt down by Muslims from Granada and most of its inhabitants deported. The town was burnt down again in 1358 by “Peter the Cruel” (Peter II of Castille) as a punishment for weakness shown by the town during the wars between Aragon and Castille. During these times the commerce of the town depended mainly on fishing and salt, although there was some agriculture and cattle. Towards the end of the 15th Century agriculture became more important and the irrigation of vast pastures owned by the town, resulted in a growth of population throughout the 16th Century.

In 1558 the walls of the town were reinforced by Joan Baptiste Antonelli to resist artillery attacks from barbary pirates.

In 1829 the old town of Guardamar del Segura was destroyed by a huge earthquake that devastated the whole region of the Vega Baja and left 3,000 people homeless. The engineer for the region at that time, Joachin Larramendi planned the construction of a new village. The new town was designed in a  neo-classical style with straight perpendicular streets, set north to south in 3 symmetrical squares. The houses were designed to withstand earthquakes, single storey and with large yards. The site of the old castle and town was used as a quarry to provide materials for the new town.

The population however soon discovered that the chosen location, closer to the sea, was not ideal as strong winds from the east were dragging enormous sand dunes towards the town. Cultivated areas were engulfed by the sand and even some of the northern streets of the town were being submerged by the moving sand. The problem reached its peak in 1896 when it was realized that a solution had to be found. The regions mountain engineer Francisco Mira Y Botella came up with a plan to plant trees along the sand dunes to slow down the movement of sand. He did much research to find suitable species of trees for the terrain, to endure the strong east winds and for drought conditions. He settled on pine trees (of various species), palm trees and eucalyptus trees, together with some creeping species of plants.

The planting began at the beginning of the 20th Century and continued for over 20 years, the people of Guardamar del Segura took part in the planting and were paid a salary for doing so. The plan worked perfectly and so the town was saved from disaster. The resulting forest still exists today and still keeps the sands from moving. The area is now known as “La Pinada” and covers an area of 840 hectares, now declared an area of natural interest. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna to be found here and it is a popular place for an afternoon stroll in the shade of the trees.

King Alfonso XIII visited Guardamar del Segura in 1923 to open a canal from Guardamar to Elche, built to provide much needed irrigation for the fields of Elche. The town continued to grow and still relied largely on agriculture for its income.

From the 1950’s tourism started to become important in Guardamar del Segura as holidaymakers from Madrid and the rest of Europe descended on the town during the summer months. So began the housing development of the town - mostly houses for summer use.

Guardamar’s main income now comes from tourism and housing development, including the sale of land for building. The only industry of note is a battery factory built at the end of the 1970’s.

There is some confusion as to the origin of the name of the town. Some say it translated as “Guardian of the Sea” but a more likely theory is that it derives from the Arabic “Guald - al - Amar” (River of Sand).

Places of interest in the area are the Parque Reina Sofia (Queen Sofia Park), a fine place for a picnic, La Gola, where the river meets the sea - perfect for water sports,and the Parque Natural de Laguna de La Mata, which includes the La Mata salt lake and is a popular area for horse riding, cycling and walking. Many also choose to bathe in the salt water and enjoy its healing effects. A trip would not be complete without a visit to the bustling town of Torrevieja with its fine promenade, busy shops and restaurants and its huge Friday market. Important festivals are the Moors and Christians (July), L’Encanta and the Fogueres de Sant Joan.

Guardamar del Segura has many fine beaches including Los Viveros, Playa Centro, El Monacayo and of course not forgetting its naturist beach Los Tusales. Also worth a visit is the Casa Cultura (House of Culture) which houses many historical artefacts from Guardamar’s past

Guadalest
Surrounded by the Aitana, Serella and Xorta Mountains the village is widely recognised as being a historically important site, as well as one of great beauty. Once a military stronghold of great strategic importance, Guadalest is the site of several ancient fortifications. Dating back to 715AD the town is of Islamic origin. It was relied on heavily by the Moors in their bid for control of the region, and again by European forces in the war of Spanish succession.
Sitting on top of a mountain Guadalest appears to be perched on a tiny pinnacle rising into the sky making it look truly absolutely amazing. This gives beautiful views of the green valley with many other mountains in the background.
Famous for two buildings, the first is Guadalest castle built by the Moors over 1,300 years ago (Castell de Guadalest) which can only be accessed by walking through a 15 foot long tunnel carved out of the rock. This is known as the Portal de San Jose. When you get through the tunnel you see the old village houses and it feels like you have entered an ancient time, you can visit the restored house of the Orduna family to get an idea of what it used to be like living in ancient times in Guadalest. The streets of Guadalest are cobbled, there are little squares, a school and an old jailhouse.
Make sure you look to the right of Guadlest and you will see beautiful views of the valley which contains a dam and reservoir - the Embalse de Guadalest, built between 1953 and 1963.
The other famous building that you will often see photographed or on postcards is the white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala which rises up seemingly precariously perched on the mountainside.
The village of Guadalest only has about 200 inhabitants and needless to say most of these work in tourist related jobs, you will find many shops selling souvenirs, crafts and local produce such as honey, wine, handbags etc. Guadalest also has a number of small museums many of them converted from little caves in the mountainside.

Gandia

Gandia is a town of two halves. The main commercial town, actually a city of nearly 60 000 inhabitants, is located 65km south of Valencia, a few kilometres inland. Four kilometres away on the coast is the other Gandia, the Playa de Gandia.

Playa de Gandia is a truly beautiful and very Spanish resort, the long, broad, sandy beach fringed with palm trees and a well-kept promenade is perhaps the best on the whole Costa Blanca. There is a busy fishing port or Grau and a large marina. Many people from Madrid and the north of Spain have second homes in Gandia and in nearby Cullera, both of which attract a number of French visitors.
Gandia Playa Nord is its northern beach which stretches for 3.5km from the sailing club. This whole stretch is lined with medium rise hotels and apartment blocks interspersed with eateries and bars. There aren’t all that many hotels as apartment blocks seem to be the chosen accommodation of most visitors.
Gandia was once home to the infamous Borja, or Borgia, family and the Palacio Ducal de los Borja, or Ducal Palace, is a magnificent building of major historical interest. The home of the Duque Francisco de Borja dates from the fifteenth century and contains an impressive collection of the Duc’s belongings. One-hour guided tours in Spanish are offered with an accompanying leaflet in English.
A particularly interesting part of town is Passeig de les Germanies, a tree lined promenade with fountains and benches where the local pensioners gather to put the world’s problems to right. The bridge at the eastern end of this street crosses the dry river bed and takes you over to the weekly Saturday morning market. For more shopping opportunities wander along the lively c/Major where there are plenty shops and cafés keeping the pedestrianised street abuzz with locals most mornings.
Fideuá, a noodle-based variant of paella, was reputedly invented in Gandia. Every June Gandia hosts the Concurso Internacional de Fideuá y Gastronomía.