Thirty minutes from Oliva Nova we can find the wicker market in Gata de Gorgos.
In the heart of the Marina Alta area, less than half an hour’s drive from Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort, lies Gata de Gorgos. This is a must-see destination for anyone seeking authenticity, tradition and unique experiences during their time on the Costa Blanca.
Gata de Gorgos is known for its handicrafts. Its weekly market, held every Friday morning, turns the town centre into a bustling open-air showcase of creativity and traditions. Here, visitors can discover and purchase handmade products from local artisans, whether it’s wicker baskets and raffia beach bags or palm hats, cane furniture or decorative objects evoking the area’s Mediterranean character.
Wandering around the market means immersing yourself in the essence of Gata: family-run stores and workshops open their doors to demonstrate the art of weaving plant fibres, a skill passed down from generation to generation. Handcrafted hats are one of the most prized items, made with top-quality materials and designs that are both practical and stylish. As for the wicker baskets, these are the perfect accessory for going to the market, the beach, or simply as a decorative detail at home, taking a piece of local charm with you.
This area is so well-known for these crafts that the town hosts annual fairs such as the Fira Gata al Carrer street fair, where live workshops on cane and palm weaving or chair-making are held, and you can see artisans themselves working with clay or shoeing horses, recovering traditional trades and passing them on to new generations.
To round off your visit, there can be nothing better than a tour of the Ethnological Museum, where you can take a closer look at the region’s rural life and customs. Housed in a traditional 19th-century dwelling, it boasts a carefully curated collection of antique objects, agricultural tools, household utensils and handicrafts that show us the evolution of local society from prehistoric times to the present day.
A walk around its rooms reveals what everyday life used to be like in the Marina Alta, paying special attention to traditional trades and the importance of agriculture and crafts in the region’s economy and culture. The building, with its neoclassical architecture and homely atmosphere, is itself a gem of heritage inviting you to travel back in time and understand the identity of Gata de Gorgos.
Admission to the museum is free of charge, making it ideal for families, groups or individual travellers wishing to enrich their cultural experience during their stay in the area.
Don’t forget to visit the millenary sights.
Your visit to Gata de Gorgos can be topped off nicely by dropping in to one of its bars or restaurants to sample the local cuisine, such as the region’s cocas (savoury pastries), artisanal cured meats or almond sweets. The natural environs are also an invitation for you to explore places like the Fuente de la Mata natural area and the millennial olive tree of Gorga, a treasure beside the Sierra de Aitana in the natural area known as Racó de Felip. The tree is over 2,000 years old, still thriving in an olive grove in the heart of the Travadell Valley.
Firms that blend craft and design
Gata de Gorgos, the artisanal epicentre of the Marina Alta area, is home to prestigious brands that combine tradition with design. Point, founded in 1920, is an international leader in rattan and wicker furniture. Their iconic “Alga” armchair—designed in 1928—is a classic that has been revamped over time. The firm has also collaborated with renowned designers such as Francesc Rifé, Gabriel Teixidó, Ximo Roca and Vicent Martínez. It has also worked with international figures such as Mario Ruiz (the Heritage collection) and the Frenchman Christophe Pillet, creator of the Long Island, City, and Summer series. Point’s most significant acknowledgements include the 2019 National Innovation and Design Award.
Zahati, relaunched in 2015 by Sandra Mira, has revived the century-old family workshop to create palm hats and handbags used by celebrities like Blake Lively. Also prominent in the Gata de Gorgos area are companies such as Vigar, with a wide range of household items, and Artesanía Rosario, which has been around since 1965 with baskets, lamps and accessories.
The designer Alicia Sarrió works with suppliers from Gata to launch the “Posidonia,” “Ottoman,” and “Ocean” collections, using palm and raffia in Mediterranean-inspired handbags.
The Fira Gata al Carrer fair attracts a variety of artisans from all over the Marina Alta region.
The plaza in Gata de Gorgos is the main spot for some of the Fira Gata al Carrer fair’s activities.
The natural environs of Gata de Gorgos invite you to escape the urban hub and visit places of great environmental interest.
