The Guide to Spain | Denia Costa Blanca

Denia is situated north of Javea and is regarded as the very northern part of the Costa Blanca coastline. The sun is said to shine here 320 days a year. Denia and Javea are divided by the Montgo mountain - said to resemble a sleeping elephant. The mountain is certainly spectacular and offers a number of walking routes.

Denia is right on the coast and the 20 km of beaches are of very high quality with lots of brightly coloured restaurants and bars by the sea. Denia's beaches are very wide with great watersports such as windsurfing. Every year the beaches are awarded the European Blue Flag for their water quality and clean fine sand.

To the north of Denia there are the fine sand beaches of Les Marines. To the south of Denia the rocky area of Les Rotes with its spectacular coves of transparent waters which are ideal for those who enjoy diving or snorkeling.

The town of Denia is large with a real Spanish feel. It's a working town unlike Javea (for example) which is very much more a tourist town. The main street in Denia has shady plane trees, loads of cafes and designer shops. It's almost like being in a big city. Denia's facilities are excellent - a modern hospital, spas, two high quality golf courses in La Sella and Oliva Nova.

At night Denia buzzes with nightlife, not necessarily discos but more with the hundreds of bars, live entertainment and restaurants, many of which are right on the sea front. There is charm and atmosphere.

Many parts of Denia are quite industrialised, this is not your typical fishing village turned tourist resort however it does appeal to some people because of this. Whereas many other towns empty for the winter with many restaurants and bars shuttered up, Denia hustles and bustles all year round with a good variety of amenities and facilities.
Another significant landmark in Denia is the old 16th century castle right in the middle of Denia on the hill which gives spectacular views.

Denia has a large and cosmopolitan port and a large marina. From here you can get to the Baleric islands such as Ibiza.
The name Denia came from the Romans, who named the coast Dianum and developed it as an important base on the way to North Africa. Around the 5th century the cathedrals, which were dedicated to Western Gods were removed. Around 713 the followers of Islam took power and re-named it Deniya. In the year 1036 it was recovered by the Spanish and was given the name Taifa de Deniya. When Jaime I seized the city in 1244, he named it Denia.

Denia experienced a major upswing in the middle of the 19th century for the manufacturing and processing of raisins. When dealing with raisins was no longer as profitable, Denia turned its focus to tourism, which has been its main industry since the early 1960’s.

For sightseeing head up to the town hall (ayuntamiento) building from Marques de Campo and visit the Iglesia de la Asuncion church with its fine dome. Then continue up the steps following the signs for the castle which overlooks Denia Bay. The castle closes for lunch between: 1pm and 3pm from October to March, 1.30pm and 3.30pm in April and May, 1.30pm and 4pm in June and September and between 1.30pm and 5pm in July and August. All the old houses that surround the base of the castle have been nicely painted in different colours adding to what is already a rather atmospheric place to wander around.

Denia is close to the A7 motorway and is about midway between Alicante airport and Valencia airport - travel time approx. one hour 15 minutes to each.
There are daily Denia to Ibiza Ferry services (you can see Ibiza on a clear day) and Mallorca. There are also full and half day mini cruise options along the coast which visit other resorts including Javea, Calpe and Altea. The ferry terminal in the town centre lies only about 300m from the town's train station which is convenient for services south to Alicante (if you're headed north to Valencia you'll need to take a bus to Gandia and catch the train there). Near the Denia train station is the very helpful tourist information (Glorieta del Oculista Buigues, 9)where you can get a town map and stroll along to Marques de Campo. This lively street is lined with open air restaurants which are nicely shaded by trees. The surrounding streets are great for shopping. A tourist train runs from the tourist information office to the castle. Check times on the noticeboard outside.
From the castle make your way to El Port which consists of a line of attractive restaurants facing the port area. Most of them tend to specialise in local rice based dishes as well as Fideua which is a noodle based paella. Often paella recipes allow for large quantities of meat and seafood. Don't expect too many ingredients in these dishes at El Port where it is the rice or noodles which are key to the dish.