Spain – Gandia (En)
We went to Gandia because there was a motorhome area near the beach and to see its old town, full of monuments like the Ducal Palace, the Mayor Square, and the Basilica. We really enjoyed it, because it had a great atmosphere with bars and restaurants.
Where to stay
We went to the Dunes Motorhome Area (38.969827, -0.144837 lat, long), but when we arrived on Sunday, it was full. The attendant told us to park on the next street, and he would let us know if someone was leaving, and we could get in that day. There were more motorhomes waiting on that street. In the end, we couldn’t get into the area on Sunday, and stayed on the street, where we slept quite well.
On Monday morning, the employee came and told us we could enter the campsite. The place is great for the price you pay per day: €10 without electricity and €14 with electricity. The campsite has everything you need, including places to empty grey and black water tanks and a fresh water tank next to our pitch. The toilets have toilet paper and seats, and the showers are fine. There’s a washing machine, dryer, and dishwashing area. My only complaint is that the water is only warm if a lot of people are washing dishes or showering at the same time. It’s better to shower when there’s no one else around. There’s a small lounge with a microwave, refrigerator, and books. They make paella on Fridays; it’s €8 for a plate of paella and a glass of sangria. The baker also comes around 8:30 in the morning, and there’s a butane truck if you need it. So, the place is fantastic, just a 10-minute walk from the promenade, the beach, bars, restaurants, and a supermarket. It’s a 5-minute motorbike ride to the centre of Gandia and about 15 minutes by bicycle. I recommend it.
What to see
Since we were right next to the Daimus seafront promenade, we walked there. The tourist office, as well as bars and restaurants, are located on the promenade. The beach has golden sand and is very beautiful.
Another day, we went to visit the old town of Gandía. We parked the motorbike next to the tourist office, where there’s an old train, and the super-friendly employee told us what to see and where to start our route. Following her advice, we went through some alleyways to see some statues.
A short walk through the town centre leads to the Collegiate Church. The Bell Tower is a prominent feature, its original structure dating back to the 14th century. The current tower was designed and rebuilt by a monk in 1756. Also noteworthy are the Apostles’ Gate, adorned with Renaissance sculptures, and the Gate of Saint Mary, a Gothic example.
From there, you reach the Mayor’s Square, where the Town Hall is located. The square is surrounded by popular bars offering daily menus. From the square, there are beautiful views of the Collegiate Church.
We wandered through the streets until we reached the Gothic-style Ducal Palace. The entrance gate and the vestibule stand out as the oldest elements of the building.
We walked along the Germanías Avenue until we reached the House of Culture, an old palace, also known as the Marchioness’s House, built at the end of the 19th century. Its carved wooden doors are particularly noteworthy. It has a lovely garden, with a bar and a terrace.
We went to see the old market, now full of food stalls. We finished our tour by passing by the Serrano Theatre, where the modernist façade, built in 1921, stands out, and by the Central Library.
Our next destination is Benicasim, on the Costa del Azahar, famous for its music festivals and golden beaches, which you can see in the next blog post.
