MILES OF BEACHESThis area of the coast has endless sandy beaches, with shallow calm waters, frequented by families in search of fun and sun. Market garden towns such as Tavernes de la Valldigna, Xeraco, Xeresa, Miramar, Guardamar, Piles and Diamús, have all developed beachfronts and residential areas that provide facilities for a large number of holidaymakers each year. Towards the interior, the beach gives way to croplands and orchards that climb the skirts of the nearby mountains on man-made terraces, having conquered the Mediterranean pines. The landscape is dotted with whitewashed 19th-century farmhouses and summer villas.
LOOKOUT OVER THE MEDITERRANEANCullera is a backdrop for both beaches and mountains, scuba diving and sailing, fishing and hiking, ancient monuments and modern discotheques. The old town centre nestles at the foot of the mountain called Muntanya de l'Or, also known as Les Rabosses, a solitary rock spur near the mouth of the Júcar river, which provides a navigable stretch a few kilometres inland. There are various freshwater lagoons and over 15 kilometres of spectacular beaches and cliffs that attract a stream of tourists. From north to south the beaches are: Mareny, with a nudist area; Dosel; El Faro (under the lighthouse) suitable for diving and fishing; El Racó; San Antonio, in front of the seafront promenade; Escollera; Marenyet, with an ancient watchtower; l'Estany and El Brosquil. Between the lighthouse and the port, the Bay of the Oranges provides excellent tourist apartments and facilities. The Estany part of Cullera, south of the river, is a site for fishing at the lagoon and tasting traditional cooking, with rice and fish as the basic fare.
SIGHTS WORTH SEEINGFun and sun tourists can also see some outstanding examples of the local historic and artistic heritage here. The castle is from the Middle Ages and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Castle is on the highest point of the mountain, offering a spectacular view over the surrounding district. Since this is the only highpoint for many kilometres around, it was a strategic position for safeguarding the territory in olden days. The Sanctuary was built in the Neo-Romanic style, and is reached via a whitewashed calvary route on which the chapel of Santa Ana and the Tower of the Moorish Queen are located. On the northern end of the mountain, next to the lighthouse overlooking the sea is the Dragut cave, dating back to the days of the pirate of the same name who laid seige to the town in 1550. The parochial church of Los Santos Juanes, in the centre of town, was remodelled in the 17th century and only preserves a chapel in its former Gothic style.
SIGHTSCastle (13th C), Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Castle, Parochial Church of Los Santos Juanes, Town Hall (18th C), Marenget Tower (16th C)
MUSEUMSMunicipal Museum of History and Archeology, Fallas Museum and Rice Museum, Tel.: 96 173 26 43. Dragut Cave Museum, Tel.: 96 174 67 00
FIESTASFiesta of Our Lady of the Castle (first Sat. after Easter)
GANDIA, THE DUKE'S RESIDENCEThe dukedom of Gandia is a compendium of contrasts serving as the seat of the La Safor district. Sea and mountain, beachfront district on the shore and ancient town centre located inland, with lots of history and lots of nightlife and action. Its beauty captivated King Jaime I and Alexander VI, one of the Borgia popes, who helped to incorporate this city into the mainstream of 15th-century European culture. Members of the Borgia dynasty, conspirators in temple and palace, were famous all over the Mediterranean.
NAUTICAL SPORTS FOR SEAFARERSThe sea is one of the attractions for all visitors. In the 'Grao de Gandia', the port district, the broad beach stretches north for over five kilometres. The seafront promenade is full of attractions for all tastes, with hotels, apartments, residential areas, campgrounds, restaurants, cafés and terraces, ideal for holidaymakers and nightowls. The port of Gandia, which was once the most important link in the European fruit trade, still has an active fishing fleet. There is a seawall that protects the Royal Nautical Club from the sea winds, providing space for a full lineup of sports activities for sailing, windsurfing and scuba diving enthusiasts.
FIESTAS AND CULTUREA stay in Gandia may provide opportunities for enjoying the local festivities. The Fallas are from 15 to 19 March, then comes Holy Week in March/April, both declared as being of Interest to Tourists. The Sailors feast in honour of Our Lady of Mt Carmel is on 16 July, and the Night of St John, celebrating the summer solstice, is on 24 June. Then comes the Fair and feast of Gandia on 29 September to 3 October to honour San Franscico de Borja. Gandia keeps up culture-wise with a Summer University, annual literary awards, an International Classical Music Festival (July and August), and other artistic events held throughout the year.
HISTORY AND ARTThe inland Town centre of Gandia offers visitors fine examples of its rich cultural heritage. The monuments include the Duke's Palace, the Collegiate Church, the Ancient University,the Convent of Santa Clara, the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall), the Archeology Museum and the town's parks and boulevards.
SIGHTSPalacio Ducal (14th-15th C), Colegiata (14th-15th C), Hospital of St Mark (15th C), Church of Santa Clara (15th C) and of San Roque.
MUSEUMSArcheology Museum, Tel. 96 287 29 88Palace of the Borgia Duke, Tel. 96 287 14 65
NATURE AND MONUMENTSThis town has lots of attractions for visitors - ten kilometres of beaches where the sea and the sun can be enjoyed. Clean beaches with fine sand and shallow waters, bordered by sand dunes that separate the shore from the market gardens and orange orchards further inland. The old town centre is well preserved, with a 'Christian' quarter and an older 'Morisco' quarter. Among the monuments are the home of Gregorio Mayans and noblemen's residences from the 17th and 19th centuries along Calle Tamarit. The Pego-Oliva Marshlands Nature Park is an important wetland area with abundant fauna and vegetation now protected for posterity. The Oliva Nautical Club and marina provides moorings, and offers various possibilities for marine sports and windsurfing. There is a river for fishing and the nearby mountains are good for hiking. Within the municipal district is an 18-hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros, and a wide range of accommodation, enabling visitors to have a magnificent holiday next to the Mediterranean.
SIGHTSArchpriest's Church, Convent of Rebollet, San Roque (18th-19th) and ruins of the castle of Santa Ana Tower of the Comare (15th-19th C)
MUSEUMSParochial Museum of Santa María Tel.: 96 296 30 62, House of the Mayans Tel.: 96 285 02 55, Archeology Museum Tel.: 96 285 46 28
FIESTASMoors and Christians (July), Holy Week
The inland valleys of la SaforThe inland valleys of La Safor - cooled and protected from inclemencies by the colossal peak of Montdúver (841 m) - and the northern stretch called the Valldigna, offer lots of attractive routes for excursions and hikes, just a short drive away from the beautiful beaches of the district.From Gandia and Tavernes de la Valldigna the tranquil valleys of the interior can be easily accessed all the way to the peak of Montdúver. From its top visitors can command a magnificent and detailed view of the Gulf of Valencia and all the district's plains and smaller mountains along the coast of La Safor.The mild climate of this zone has made it ideal for summer residences and country villas. This area has been populated since time immemorial, according to archeological findings made here. The 'Cueva de Parpalló', whose mouth is visible from the road through the mountains, is renowned for its portable paleolithic art on stone plaques. The cave's ideal location on a southerly mountainside with its back to the sea offered safety and convenience for Stone Age inhabitants whose traces date back some 25,000 years before the present.Also worth seeing in the area are the Monastery of Santa María de la Valldigna (14th C), in the municipal area of Simat de la Valldigna, which was cared for by the Cistercian monks for many centuries.
GASTRONOMYRice and fish form the basis of the gastronomic delights in this area. In Cullera, traditional Valencian cuisine can be tasted: arròs negre (with squid), arròs a banda (rice in fish stock), paella, arròs amb fessols y naps (with turnips and beans)... In Gandia fideuà (noodle paella) is the speciality. In Oliva, coquetes a la calfó (pizza-like pastries with toppings), pebreres farcides (stuffed peppers) and figatells (meatballs) are the things to order. For dessert, oranges are the best choice.