Xativa
The town of Xativa is located in the autonomous community of Valencia on the right bank of the River Albaida, about a 40 minute drive from the city of Valencia and a 30 minute drive inland
from the coastal area of Gandia.
As you approach the handsome Spanish town you are immediately met with the magnificent medieval castle, and on arrival you find yourself in authentic Spain, rather than what one becomes
used to with so many of the coastal towns.
Xativa is famous for being the birthplace of the Spanish painter El Espanoleto and two popes from the Borgia dynasty.
Around town
The town itself is delightful with its charming boulevards and streets lined with lush trees providing a natural canopy for the numerous fashionable shops, cafes and bars.
There are a wealth of historical attractions around town, and one should definitely visit the Seu
Cathedral, the churches of Sant Feliu and Sant Pere, the Palace of the Marquis of Montortal and the Alarco palace, as well as stopping to admire the many ancient fountains dotted around the town.
The castle itself is a mix between an Iber-Roman fortress and a Moorish stronghold; with its 30 towers and four fortified gateways, it is magnificent, yet foreboding at one. Take a trip
to the Almodi Museum to see the upside down portrait of King Felipe V, which is hung upside down as tradition, because after the king won the battle of Alamansa in 1707, he expelled the townsfold and set a torch to the town.
Just outside of town you will find the Cova Negra (Black Cave), which when unearthed revealed relics from over 30,000 years ago.
Eating out
There are some excellent traditional Spanish restaurants and bars around town, where you can sit outsideand enjoy some tapas whilst soaking up the authentic atmosphere. One of the loveliest restaurants in Valencia can be found here at the Hotel Restaurant Mont Sant, which is surrounded by orange groves and palm trees.
Climate
Xativa enjoys a mild climate, with warm dry summers and temperate winters. Ideal for all year visits.