Gandia, Coastal municipality in Valencia Region, Spain
Gandia is a coastal municipality in the Valencia Region on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, spreading across an area between mountains and a five-kilometer sandy beach. The historic center sits roughly two kilometers inland from the beach zone and includes old structures, markets and shopping streets.
The settlement began during Roman times and later grew as a notable town under Arabic rule. During the 15th century it expanded as a center of ducal power for the Borja family and retained its importance across several centuries.
The name Gandia traces back to an earlier Arabic settlement whose influence remains visible in some street patterns of the old quarter. The town celebrates several festivals throughout the year, with locals wearing traditional clothing and playing music in the squares.
The old quarter is easy to explore on foot, while the beach zone can be reached by bicycle or car. The best time for a visit falls between spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant and beaches are not overcrowded.
The old quarter preserves narrow streets from Moorish times where houses stand close together and courtyards with fountains lie hidden inside. Some of these courtyards remain invisible from the outside and open only behind heavy wooden doors.
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