Valencia Costa Blanca is a source of tourist information and guides about the Valencia area of the Costa Blanca.
From hotels, places, cinemas, theme parks, weather, Formula One, we hope the site is a useful resource of information to visitors to this wonderful area of Spain.
Gandía / Gandia, Valencia, Spain looked very different on this spring morning, with haze and smoke from inland agricultural fires drifting across the coastline.
The day began with soft light over Playa de Gandia and the marina, creating muted colours and an unusually misty atmosphere along the Mediterranean coast. Early walkers shared the beach with tractors preparing the sand for the day ahead, while boats sat quietly in the calm waters of Gandía Port.
As the morning progressed, the smoke slowly cleared and the familiar blue skies returned. By midday, the beach had completely transformed, with swimmers, walkers, and visitors enjoying the sunshine along one of the most popular beaches in the Valencia region.
The contrast between the hazy sunrise and the bright midday coastline made for some unique drone footage of Gandía Beach and Port.
One of the most interesting free events recently held in Gandía / Gandia, Valencia, Spain 🇪🇸 was the impressive Model Railway Exhibition organised by the Club Ibérico de Módulos H0 (CIMH0).
Held at Espai Baladre near Playa de Gandía, the exhibition featured detailed miniature railway layouts with moving trains, realistic stations, tunnels, bridges, and landscapes built in H0 scale. Railway modelling enthusiasts from across Spain came together to showcase their incredible creations, attracting families, hobbyists, and curious visitors throughout the event.
The level of detail on display was remarkable, with carefully weathered locomotives, realistic scenery, lighting effects, and fully operational rail systems bringing the miniature world to life. The exhibition also highlighted the long-standing interest in railway history and modelling culture in Spain.
Over the years, Gandía has become far more than just a beach destination. Alongside its popular coastline and marina, the city continues to host a growing number of cultural and family-friendly events throughout the year, helping attract visitors outside the busy summer season.
I visited the exhibition and filmed some of the incredible miniature trains and layouts on display.
Every spring, the seaside town of Daimús lights up with fire, fireworks, drums, and crowds running through the streets during the traditional Correfoc festival.
A Correfoc, meaning “fire run”, is one of the most spectacular traditions in eastern Spain. Performers dressed as devils carry fireworks through the streets while crowds follow beneath showers of sparks. What may look chaotic to visitors is actually a long-standing Valencian tradition with roots going back to medieval celebrations and performances.
The Correfoc in Daimús has become one of the highlights of the local fiesta calendar. Filmed here from start to finish, the event moves through the streets before ending with a huge fireworks finale. The close streets and local atmosphere make it feel far more immersive than larger city events.
Although Daimús was once a small fishing village, it has grown into a popular Mediterranean holiday destination, especially during the summer months when many visitors arrive from Madrid looking for beaches and warmer weather. Located close to Gandía / Gandia, the town combines traditional Valencian culture with a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
The Correfoc is one of the best examples of how local traditions continue to thrive alongside modern tourism on the Spanish coast.
Saturday mornings in Gandía / Gandia, Valencia, Spain have a very different atmosphere compared to the busy summer afternoons around the beach areas. Early in the day, the historic centre is still calm, with cafés opening, locals beginning their day, and the city slowly coming to life.
This walking video begins in Plaça Major, home to Gandía’s Town Hall and Collegiate Basilica, before passing the historic Ducal Palace of Gandía, once home to the famous Borja family, also known as the Borgias.
The route continues through the Casa de Cultura gardens and Plaça del Prado before reaching the Passeig de les Germanies, the city’s main tree-lined boulevard. As the walk continues, the atmosphere gradually changes as more people arrive for Gandía’s popular Saturday street market.
The market stretches along the western end of the paseo and features stalls selling fruit, vegetables, clothes, plants, and household goods, offering a real glimpse into everyday life in Spain.
The 2026 edition of the ALE Cycling Gandia will once again showcase one of the standout amateur cycling events in the Valencian Community, bringing hundreds of riders to Gandía for a demanding Gran Fondo experience. The event will cover a challenging route of around 130 km through inland regions such as La Safor and La Vall d’Albaida, combining scenic landscapes with tough climbs and over four hours of sustained effort. With a strong international turnout and a high level at the front of the field, the race will build towards a fast and competitive finish back on the coast.
However, it will be the finish line moment that defines the 2026 event. After hours of racing, one rider will appear to have secured victory and begin celebrating just before crossing the line — only for two rivals to continue sprinting and surge past in the final metres. What looks like a certain win will instantly turn into third place, creating a dramatic and unforgettable ending. This moment will highlight one of cycling’s most important lessons: the race is never over until the line is crossed.
The 2026 Carnival celebrations in Gandia will once again bring colour, music, and energy to the streets, with the Intercultural Parade set to be one of the standout events. As part of Spain’s wider carnival season — traditionally held in the weeks leading up to Lent — the parade will showcase a vibrant mix of cultures, costumes, and performances, reflecting the diversity of the local community. Carnival across Spain is known for its lively atmosphere, with parades, music, and street celebrations forming a key part of the festivities.
The Gandia Intercultural Parade will feature groups from different nationalities and backgrounds, each bringing their own traditions, dance styles, and colourful displays to the event. Expect a lively procession through the town, with music, costumes, and community participation creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere. Like many carnival events across the region, it will be designed to be family-friendly and accessible, offering both locals and visitors a chance to experience the multicultural spirit of Gandia in a fun and engaging way.
The Triatló Ciutat de Gandia 2026 returned to the coast with another full day of swim, bike, and run action, centred around the Grau de Gandia and its surrounding beach area. Set against the backdrop of the port, marina, and long stretch of sandy coastline, the event once again highlighted why this part of Gandia has become a regular host for endurance sports in the Valencian Community.
The race followed the classic sprint triathlon format, starting with a 750-metre swim in the harbour waters near the port, close to the Moll dels Borja. Athletes then moved quickly through transition and out onto the bike course, taking on a 21.5 km route along the flat, open roads around the Grau, including sections near the seafront and beachside avenues. The race finished with a 5 km run along the paseo marítimo, where the wide promenade and views along Gandia’s main beach provided a scenic but exposed final stage.
Although the course is generally considered fast and relatively straightforward, the conditions on the day made it more demanding than usual. Gusty winds coming in from the coast and light rain left the roads damp, especially around corners and roundabouts. This made the cycling section particularly technical, with riders needing to stay controlled rather than push flat-out, especially in more open stretches near the beachfront where crosswinds were strongest.
Even with the unsettled weather, the event attracted a solid turnout, with hundreds of athletes competing across multiple categories. As is typical, the women’s race set off first, followed shortly after by the men’s race, with both groups tackling the same course and dealing with the same shifting conditions along the Grau and beach area.
The Travesía a Nado in Gandía (Gandia) is an exciting open water swimming race held along the city’s Mediterranean coastline, attracting participants of all levels. Swimmers take on a marked course in the sea, typically around 2,200 metres, running parallel to the shoreline with both the start and finish on Playa de Gandía.
The event forms part of the local sporting calendar and continues to grow in popularity, with hundreds of participants expected each year. Competitors navigate the open water conditions, often wearing wetsuits, while spectators gather along the beach to watch and support.
More than just a race, the Travesía highlights the region’s strong connection to the sea, combining sport, community spirit and the scenic backdrop of Gandía’s coastline.
The Good Friday Holy Burial Procession (Procesión del Santo Entierro) in Gandía (Gandia) is one of the most solemn and moving events of Semana Santa. Taking place in the evening, the procession brings together numerous brotherhoods who carry large, ornate floats (pasos) depicting scenes from the Passion and burial of Christ.
Participants dressed in traditional robes and hoods walk slowly through the historic streets, accompanied by the sound of drums and mournful music, creating a deeply reflective atmosphere. Candles and silence among the crowds add to the sense of reverence and emotion.
Recognised as a major highlight of Gandía’s Holy Week, the procession draws both locals and visitors, offering a powerful blend of tradition, faith and cultural heritage.
This relaxing walk through the marina, port and beach area of Gandía (Gandia), Valencia, Spain, showcases one of the most vibrant coastal settings on the Mediterranean. The route begins around the marina, where boats, yachts and harbour activity create a lively atmosphere, before continuing along the breakwater towards the lighthouse with open sea views on both sides.
As the walk progresses, it connects seamlessly with Playa de Gandía, a wide sandy beach known for its long promenade lined with cafés, restaurants and seaside views.
Combining harbour life, coastal scenery and beachside energy, this walk offers a complete experience of Gandía’s waterfront—perfect for relaxing, exploring or simply enjoying the Mediterranean atmosphere.
This atmospheric walk along the marina in Dénia (Denia), Spain, captures the coastline under windy conditions, offering a very different perspective of this usually calm Mediterranean setting. As strong gusts sweep through the harbour, waves ripple across the water and boats sway gently against their moorings, adding movement and energy to the scene.
The walk follows the marina promenade and breakwater, where open sea views and the sound of wind and waves create a more dramatic coastal experience. Despite the conditions, the marina remains a lively and scenic area, known for its mix of waterfront views, restaurants and relaxed walking routes.
This dynamic drone footage captures an unexpected surfing session at Playa de Venecia in Gandía (Gandia), showing a different side of the Mediterranean coastline. While the area is usually known for calm waters, the right conditions—wind, swell and coastal shape—can produce surprisingly good waves that attract local surfers.
From above, the video reveals the patterns of the incoming waves and how surfers position themselves to catch the best breaks, offering a perspective not visible from the shore.
Playa de Venecia itself is a smaller, more peaceful beach near the port and the mouth of the Serpis River, making it a unique and scenic setting for moments like this.
Overall, the footage highlights how even typically calm Mediterranean beaches can transform into lively surf spots under the right conditions.
The Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) procession in Gandía (Gandia) marks the official beginning of Semana Santa, one of the city’s most important religious celebrations. The day centres around the blessing of palm leaves and olive branches, followed by a large procession through the streets featuring local brotherhoods, music and religious figures representing the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Participants and spectators alike carry decorated palms, creating a colourful and symbolic display that blends tradition with community involvement.
The Tamborrada in Gandía (Gandia) is one of the most powerful and atmospheric events marking the start of Semana Santa (Holy Week). As the parade begins, the city’s historic streets fill with the deep, echoing sound of drums, performed by members of local brotherhoods dressed in traditional robes or Roman-style attire.
Hundreds of drummers play in synchrony, creating a steady, thunderous rhythm that reflects both mourning and devotion during the Easter period.
The event usually gathers in central locations such as Plaza de las Escuelas Pías before continuing through the streets, drawing large crowds of locals and visitors.
More than just a performance, the Tamborrada is a deeply rooted tradition that brings the community together and signals the emotional beginning of Gandía’s Semana Santa celebrations.
The Fallas Gandía 2026 festival guide provides a complete overview of one of the most vibrant celebrations on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Held from March 15 to March 19, the festival transforms the city with colourful monuments, daily events and a lively street atmosphere.
Key highlights include the Plantà, when the fallas monuments are installed, the powerful mascletàs, lively parades such as the Cabalgatas, and the emotional Flower Offering (Ofrenda). The celebrations build towards the grand finale, La Cremà, where all monuments are burned in a spectacular display symbolising renewal.
With a mix of tradition, art, music and fireworks, Fallas in Gandía offers visitors a full cultural experience, combining community spirit with one of Spain’s most unique and unforgettable festivals.
The cremà of the Falla Mercat in Gandía (Gandia) is one of the standout moments of the final night of the Fallas festival, combining fire, spectacle and emotion. Taking place late on March 19, the monument is set alight as part of the scheduled burns across the city, with Falla Mercat typically among the earlier major fallas to ignite.
The event begins with fireworks and anticipation before flames rapidly engulf the structure, lighting up the surrounding streets and drawing large crowds. The intense heat, crackling materials and dramatic collapse create a powerful visual and sensory experience.
As with all Fallas events, the cremà symbolises renewal—bringing months of artistic effort to a fiery conclusion and marking the end of the celebrations in Gandía.
