Nobody

Hi everyone
My fiancee and I are planning our honeymoon to Spain next year and we are lucky enough to have a friend who has a nice beach house in Gandia and will let us stary there for free for three weeks. Our interest in going to spain includes the history, architecture, sitting outside in small restaurants in more authentic spanish villages/towns and a place to be able to feel like we are in Spain and not in a major city in any country. Will we get this here or is it close enough to places that we could visit that we could use this place as a base to explore for these things we want. Thanks for any advice you could give.

Riffic

I was in Gandia in 1997, back when I lived in Valencia, and I think it fits the bill--as far as your requirements go. IMO, just about any coastal town with a nice beach will have its fair share of holiday goers and an expat retirement community, but Gandia is far less touristy than most other spanish villages on the coast. Take this forum, for example...I do not think many people will reply to your question because they've never been there or heard about it. That should give you a good idea that it's less "discovered" than other towns, especially those on the costa del sol. Also check out puig (sp?) and sagunto as a town to visit for history and architecture.

Nobody

Thanks Riffic

I was wondering why I had no responses for so long and a question about umbrellas gets 79 responses??. You made me feel better that this is a good thing cause I really don't want to be around large tourists crowds. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Italiaphile

Gandia is a very pleasant, authentically Spanish town. The beach is lovely and not as crowded as the popular tourist beaches. You'll have to drive a bit to get to interesting sights though, as there's not much in the immediate area. (From Gandia you can get on the motorway quite easily, which helps). Approx 1 hr to Valencia (the cathedral is worth a visit); 1 hr south to Alicante (interesting castle) but 4 hrs or so to Madrid and Barcelona, for example.

lincasanova

gandia is a great base. also good trains to valencia like a shuttle.
very cheap to buy monthly pass.
also nice hiking trails in mountains in interior.
lovely bed and breakfasts also in that area in the hills.

valencia has a lot more to offer than the cathedral.
largest historic section in europe.
many free museums..and great restaurants.

you will find many ways to fill your days there. good location. and the price is right.