Hola! Gandia is a hidden gem coastal town in Valencia region that offers an amazing mix of rich history, golden sandy beaches, and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Whether you’re looking for a day trip from Valencia or thinking about a longer beach getaway, Gandia might just be the place for you. It’s one of the most underrated destinations on the Valencian coast, ready to steal your heart! Vamos, let us show you amazing things to do in Gandia, Spain.
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Gandia, Spain FAQ
Gandia is a Spanish coastal town located in the Province of Valencia on the Mediterranean coast known as the Costa de Valencia. It’s located just 60 kilometres south of Valencia, and 110 kilometers north of Alicante.
Gandia is a great spot for a relaxing beach holidays or a cultural day trip from Valencia. If you want to experience Spanish coastal life without overwhelming crowds and with interesting landmarks to explore, Gandia definitely should be on your radar.
Gandia is best known for its wonderful holiday-perfect beaches that stretch for over 5 kilometers, and the impressive Ducal Palace of the (in)famous Borja family. The town is also famous for its traditional Valencian cuisine, especially fideuà and paella.
You can easily see Gandia main highlights and enjoy some beach time in just one day, making it a great option for a day trip from Valencia. However, if you want to fully enjoy the beaches, explore the surrounding areas, and soak up the relaxed coastal vibe, staying for a couple of nights will be a wonderful idea.
Things to do in Gandia, Spain
Gandia Old Town
Gandia old town is well-preserved, filled with charming narrow streets, traditional Spanish architecture, and lovely squares where locals gather and chat. It’s mostly a quiet and authentic residential area that feels worlds away from the modern beachfront. Strolling around old town streets gives a real feel for Spanish daily life, far from the typical tourist path – doesn’t it sound like one of the best things to do in Gandia? It sure does!
Among Gandia old town streets you’ll find points of interest like the impressive Ducal Palace, lively Plaza Mayor with Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria and Town Hall, main shopping street Carrer Major, San Roque Church, Archaeological Museum, tree-lined Passeig de les Germanies boulevard, viewpoint Mirador del Serpis, and vibrant Plaza del Prado. Of course, there are also many restaurants, cafes, tapas bars, and small shops.
Gandia Tourist Office is located on Avinguda del Marqués de Campo, just a 5-minute walk from the Ducal Palace. It’s a great place to pick up maps and get helpful sightseeing tips.
You’ll need about 3 hours to explore all that Gandia old town has to offer. Now let’s take a closer look at the most important places there.
Ducal Palace of the Borgia
Exploring the magnificent Ducal Palace of the Borgia (es. Palau Ducal dels Borja) is an unquestionable number one thing to do in Gandia. This 14th-century palace was once home to one of the most influential and powerful families in European history – the Borgias. Yes, we’re talking about the same family that produced two popes (Alexander VI and Callixtus III) and later inspired countless historical dramas, including the popular “The Borgias” TV series.
The Ducal Palace is an architectural masterpiece that showcases different architectural styles accumulated over seven centuries. As you wander through its grand halls, you’ll discover the Golden Gallery with breathtaking Baroque decorations, the Crown Hall with stunning Mudéjar style, and the room where Saint Francis Borgia was born.
Entrance to the Ducal Palace of the Borgia costs €8 for a normal ticket, €7 for a reduced one, and is free for children under 6 years old (April 2026). The price includes an audio guide available in a few languages. You can buy tickets either at the ticket office or online in advance. For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit the palauducal.com website.
And if you want to learn more about the history of the palace and discover the best-kept secrets of the Borgia family, you can also choose to take part in a guided tour.
Whether you’re a history lover or just curious about the town’s past, a visit to the Ducal Palace of the Borgia is an absolute must-thing to do in Gandia. We found the entire place captivating, but it’s the Golden Gallery that completely stole the show!
Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria
Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria (es. Colegiata de Santa Maria), also known as La Seu, is one of Gandia’s most important religious buildings. It was built between the 14th and 16th centuries in a Gothic style. While its exterior is rather simple and austere, step inside and you’ll find a peaceful space filled with religious art, chapels, and subtle architectural details.
Entrance to the Collegiate Basilica of Santa Maria costs €6 for a normal ticket, and €4 for a reduced one (April 2026). You can also try to quickly visit for free during hours around masses. For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit the shop.articketing.com website.
Museums in Gandia Old Town
If you like visiting museums or are just in the mood for a dose of culture, Gandia has something for you too! All of the mentioned museums are located in the old town.
In the Archaeological Museum of Gandia (MAGa), you’ll find interesting exhibits showcasing the area’s most important discoveries, from prehistoric Paleolithic times onward.
Right next to MAGa is the Santa Clara Museum, home to a collection of religious artworks preserved by Franciscan nuns, along with paintings and sculptures donated mainly by the influential Borja family.
Another cultural gem is the Fallas Museum, where you can dive into the world of a unique and vibrant Fallas festival, explore traditional costumes, and admire some of the ninots that were saved from the flames.
Beaches in Gandia
We think that no one needs to be convinced that Costa de Valencia is a summer beach paradise. And one of the best things to do in Gandia is definitely hitting one of its amazing beaches!
Along Gandia’s 5-kilometer-long coastline, you’ll find some fantastic beaches, perfect for soaking up the sun and taking a refreshing dip in Mediterranean waters. The choice of sandy spots is wide, from lively family-friendly shores to quieter, more secluded spots.
Platja de Gandia is the town’s main beach – wide, long, and with plenty of space for everyone, even during summer months. The waters are calm and crystal clear, perfect for swimming and family fun. The beach is well-maintained and offers plenty of amenities, including showers, toilets, lifeguards, beach bars, volleyball courts, or children’s playgrounds.
Just behind Platja de Gandia, there’s also a lovely 2-kilometer-long promenade, perfect for morning jogs, evening strolls, or simply admiring Mediterranean views. Searching for the picture-perfect giant Gandia sign? You’ll find them here too! At one end of the promenade, there’s also a small marina and port area to explore.
If you’re looking for even more peaceful beaches in Gandia, take a look at Playa de L’Ahuir (with a nudist section), Platja dels Marenys de Rafalcaid, or Playa de Venecia.
How to get to Gandia, Spain?
Gandia is located about 60km from Valencia, 70km from Benidorm, 35km from Denia, and 30km from Cullera. The most convenient way to get to Gandia is by car or train.
Where to park in Gandia?
If you’re traveling by car, you can choose from parking lots in the area, both paid and free ones. In Gandia’s old town, we recommend leaving the car in this paid underground parking lot located just a few steps from the Ducal Palace of the Borgia and other landmarks. Close to Platja de Gandia beach, you can choose this free parking lot.
Airports near Gandia
The closest airports to Gandia are located in Valencia (80km away) and in Alicante (120km away). From both airports, first you can take public transport to the city center and then catch a train or bus to Gandia. You can also rent a car for a faster and more comfortable journey. You can check connections that might interest you on the rome2rio.com website.
To Gandia by public transport
The fastest way of getting to Gandia by public transport is by train. You won’t have any problem with that from nearby places like Valencia, Cullera, or Xativa. Gandia train station is located only about 10 minutes on foot from the Ducal Palace.
To check out a map of available connections, visit acprail.com, and to learn more about routes that might interest you, visit the rome2rio.com website.
As for bus connections, it looks like there are some direct connections from nearby places like Valencia, Denia, or Javea. To check out connections, visit the ALSA bus service or rome2rio.com website.
Camping Gandia
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Camper Park Km Zero or Dunes Área Camper might interest you. They are located in Gandia.
Things to do in Gandia, Spain – Summing up
And that’s a wrap on our choice of things to do in Gandia. It might not be as famous as Valencia or Alicante, or even other nearby coastal towns, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a place where you can relax on the beach without crowds, explore an impressive palace, taste authentic Valencian flavors, and enjoy a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. We hope you’ll have an amazing time in Gandia, no matter if you visit for a beach holiday or a day trip from Valencia!
Our opinion about Gandia
For us, a visit to Gandia was a half-day trip from nearby Cullera, where we lived for a few weeks. We visited it in March, and during that time, the town was very peaceful, with just a handful of other visitors around and a lot of locals going on peacefully with their lives. Exploring everything we wanted in Gandia old town took us about 3 hours, and then we also spent some time on the beach and strolling the promenade.
Overall, we found Gandia to be a pleasant destination, especially for beach holidays. Its old town may not be the most spectacular, but it’s charming enough to wander around for a little while and explore all it is hiding. Without a doubt, the Ducal Palace of the Borgia steals the show, and it’s absolutely worth visiting Gandia just to see its magnificent Golden Gallery.
As for beaches, they are indeed amazing! Long, wide, sandy, with calm waters and less busy than the other ones nearby… Holidaymakers’ dream! Even during a short visit, Gandia gave off a wonderfully relaxed vibe, making it a perfect choice for a longer beach getaway.
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Gandia?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Gandia:
