Gandia, Valencia: A Beautiful Beach… With Not Much Going On

I spent five days in Gandia at the start of June, and I’ll be honest from the outset - it wasn’t for me. Still, if you’re considering a trip there, this breakdown will help you decide whether it’s your kind of place.

The beaches are long, the atmosphere is calm, and the sun is strong… but beyond that? Well, let’s get into it.

Arriving in Valencia & First Impressions

I travelled from Madrid to Valencia, then hopped on the metro to the airport to meet my family. Pro tip: don’t lose your metro card. I did, and the staff initially told me I’d need to buy another. Thankfully, the man at the barrier took pity on me and let me through.

Naturally, my first meal had to be paella. We went for seafood, but I had every intention of trying the traditional version later - the one with chicken and rabbit. It didn’t disappoint.

Day 2: Cockroaches, Sunbeds & The Search for Transport

We woke up to cockroaches. Every. Single. Morning.
I know it’s common on the Spanish coast, but it’s still not what you want on holiday.

My sister and her boyfriend rented sunbeds while Mum and I wandered off for ice cream and stumbled across a local market. The bigger challenge of the day? Finding transport. No Uber. No Cabify. Taxis existed, but where they came from was a mystery.

Lunch was simple - calamari and chips - and the evening ended with a great salad and pizza at La Bonita del Puerto.

Day 3: Mosquitoes, Paella & Big Man Juan

I barely slept thanks to a mosquito that treated me like an all‑you‑can‑eat buffet.
The sunrise made up for it, though - warm, bright, and peaceful.

Later, I finally got my traditional paella. Worth the wait.

Transport-wise, we found a business card for a local taxi driver named Juan - who I saved in my phone as Big Man Juan. He didn’t speak English, but he agreed to take us to Gandia town… as long as we only called him when we were ready. No pre‑booking allowed.

He dropped us off around 6 p.m. and told us not to call too late for the return trip.

Gandia Town: Windy, Quiet & Hard to Reach

The town itself? Windy. Very windy.
We wandered aimlessly, realised we were walking the wrong way, turned back, and eventually found the palace. The courtyard was beautiful, but after seeing the town, we all agreed we wouldn’t be returning.

When we tried calling Big Man Juan to get home, he declined twice and then ignored my message. So we found a bus, paid in coins, and made it back to the seafront.

Dinner was Mexican - good food, but they did not have the license to show the England match. Thankfully, my sister streamed it on her phone.

Day 4: Exploring the Seafront (Because There’s Not Much Else)

Determined to find something new, I walked the entire beachfront.
There are restaurants, a kids’ play area, a few bars, and long stretches of sand… but not much else.

The wind picks up every afternoon, and when it does, the beach empties fast.
Shops randomly close - even midweek - and some areas feel a bit run‑down.

Still, it’s relaxing. Safe. Quiet. Almost too quiet.

A Few Useful Items I Wish I’d Packed

Since the wind and heat were constant companions, two things would’ve made life easier:

• Volkswagen 4‑Pole Red Beach & Camping Windbreak
  https://amzn.to/4rahp9L
  Perfect for Gandia’s relentless afternoon gusts. And a bonus if you like Volkswagens!
• Warmco 5000mAh Portable Stepless Turbo Fan
  https://amzn.to/4r3T0T2
  Since the wind in Gandia is unpredictable, a portable fan is handy when the air suddenly goes still.

We ended the day with cocktails (mine non‑alcoholic) and another great dinner at La Bonita del Puerto.

Day 5: The Worst Meal of the Trip

Google Maps insisted a restaurant we wanted to try was closed. It said the same the day before. In true Gandia fashion, nothing made sense, so I walked over to check. Closed again.

Lunch that day was the worst of the holiday. My dish arrived without the vegetables it clearly stated. My sister and her boyfriend’s burgers were raw. We complained, and they still tried to charge us for both burgers.

The place was called Chiringuito.
Avoid it.

Later, I kept exploring - wooden walkways, long stretches of beach, and eventually the point where the nudist beach begins. Not ideal for a family trip, so I turned back.

Dinner redeemed the day: a perfectly cooked steak and chips at Restaurante Ripoll.

Leaving Gandia

My family flew back to the UK while I headed into Valencia to meet friends.
Before leaving, I realised I’d forgotten my aftershave in the Airbnb. The host sent it to Madrid via MRW — a tiny box that cost €20 to ship. A fitting end to a very Gandia‑style trip.

Would I Recommend Gandia?

Honestly… no.

It’s relaxing, but there’s not much to do, a lot is closed, and prices are similar to Madrid. You’re better off staying in Valencia city or heading toward Alicante for more variety and better infrastructure.

I still had a great time because I was with my family - but we could’ve been anywhere.