A long weekend is not a holiday. But three days by the Mediterranean, well planned, go much further than you might think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your long weekend, moment by moment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Whether you arrive on Friday evening or Saturday morning, a long weekend works better planned by moments than by timetables:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Arrival:<\/strong> open the window, walk down to the beach and leave the first afternoon free.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mornings:<\/strong> the Palau Ducal and the old town, at an easy pace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Afternoons:<\/strong> the Grao, the harbour and the Marjal wetland, never far from the sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- At the table:<\/strong> rice dishes and fideu\u00e0, in the place where it was born.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Goodbye:<\/strong> one last walk by the sea before heading home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Arrival: a first afternoon with no plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The best thing to do on the first afternoon is nothing in particular. Drop your bags, open the window and head out for a walk along the beach or the promenade as the light fades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playa Nord is Gand\u00eda’s main town beach, with forty consecutive Blue Flags behind it. To the south, the wooden boardwalk along the coast, awarded a Blue Trail (Sendero Azul) distinction, lets you walk alongside the dunes.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Sunset](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/PHOTO-2026-06-11-21-54-33.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA morning at the Palau Ducal dels Borja<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Palau Ducal dels Borja is Gand\u00eda’s most iconic building and has been a listed heritage site (Bien de Inter\u00e9s Cultural) since 1964. It was the home of the Dukes of Gand\u00eda, of the Borja (Borgia) family, and visiting it is the best way to understand why the town’s name is tied to theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It fits nicely into any morning of your long weekend. Just check opening times and guided tours before you go, especially if your visit falls on a public holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Planes-culturales-en-Gandia-Palau-Ducal.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nA stroll through the old town<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From the Palau, the old town is easy to explore on foot. Next to the Town Hall stands the Collegiate Church of Santa Mar\u00eda, the town’s most important church. A few steps away are Plaza del Prado and Calle Mayor, the old town’s main shopping street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Plaza de las Escuelas P\u00edas, five bronze sculptures depict the best-known Borjas: Popes Callixtus III and Alexander VI, Cesare and Lucrezia, and the fourth Duke of Gand\u00eda. Finish on Paseo de las German\u00edas, home to the Casa de la Marquesa and the Teatro Serrano.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Interior](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Colegiata-Gandia.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Grao and the harbour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Grao is Gand\u00eda’s seafaring neighbourhood, right by the harbour. The Moll dels Borja is one of the newest areas of the beach and a pleasant walk at any time of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Head out to the harbour breakwater for one of the best views of Gand\u00eda’s coastline. It is especially worth it at sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Fishing](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/grao-de-gandia.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Marjal: nature next to the beach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Marjal de Gand\u00eda is a protected wetland, ideal for birdwatching and cycling. At the Ullal de l’Estany alone, more than 200 bird species have been recorded among reed beds, open water and marshland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a perfect plan for a quiet afternoon, and highly recommended if you are travelling with children. Find out more in our guide to the Marjal de Gand\u00eda<\/a>. If you feel like walking further, take a look at our nature routes in Gand\u00eda<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Path](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/descubre-la-marjal-de-gandia.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAt the table: rice dishes and fideu\u00e0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On a long weekend in Gand\u00eda, a lunch with no eye on the clock is almost compulsory. Rice dishes are excellent here, but the town’s signature dish is fideu\u00e0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The story goes that it was born aboard a fishing boat from the Grao. The cook ran out of rice for the paella and used thin noodles instead. Gand\u00eda has held a contest dedicated to this dish since 1974. To choose where to try it, see our selection of where to eat in Gand\u00eda<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Seafood](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/donde-comer-la-mejor-fideua-en-gandia.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGoodbye: a last morning by the sea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There is no need to fill the last day. A slow breakfast, a walk along the shore and one last look at the sea before you load the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is how a short break becomes something more: the wish to come back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A long weekend in every season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gand\u00eda works as a short break all year round, but each season has its own rhythm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Spring and autumn:<\/strong> good weather for exploring the old town, the Grao and the Marjal, with a quieter beach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Winter:<\/strong> the beach for walking, and rice dishes and fideu\u00e0 indoors. For December, see our ideas for the December long weekend in Gand\u00eda<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Summer:<\/strong> the beach at its best. Book your table ahead and plan visits early in the day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Is your long weekend 4 days?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If the calendar gives you an extra day, you can add more nature or another morning at the beach. It is all planned out in our guide to 4 days in Gand\u00eda<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where to stay in Gand\u00eda Playa for a long weekend<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On a short break, where you stay makes all the difference. Staying just steps from Gand\u00eda beach means you can arrive, open the window and start unwinding from the very first minute. The old town and the Grao are only a few minutes away.<\/p>\n\n\n
- Winter:<\/strong> the beach for walking, and rice dishes and fideu\u00e0 indoors. For December, see our ideas for the December long weekend in Gand\u00eda<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mornings:<\/strong> the Palau Ducal and the old town, at an easy pace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bright](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/001-37-scaled.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"apartamentos](\"https:\/\/apartamentos-gandia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/aiguablava-terraza-apartamentos-gandia-playa-1-1024x680.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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