What to do and see in Denia
What to do and see in Dénia
Denia is one of those destinations on the Costa Blanca that will not leave you indifferent. It has around 20 kilometres of beach, an incredible place for long walks, alone or in good company. Among its kilometres of coastline, you'll find fine sandy beaches, white pebble beaches and rocky coves with caves and natural treasures.
In addition to its well-known beaches, Denia is located at the foot of the Montgó, a natural park that separates Jávea from Denia and where you can do all kinds of hiking routes. You can climb the famous Creueta del Montgó and enjoy the incredible views from the top of the mountain, or simply take a pleasant stroll along the Colònia path.
But not only that, Dénia has a great historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage. Since 2015 Dénia has been chosen by Unesco as a Creative City of Gastronomy.
Below we offer you all the information you need to get the most out of this beautiful town, the best beaches, the most emblematic places, where to enjoy the best Dénia gastronomy and much more, and remember that you can book your trip from Alicante airport to Denia with Myskybus, the easiest and most direct way, our transfer bus service on demand with only 5 stops each way is your best option to get to know Denia and its surroundings.
DENIA BEACHES
With more than 20 kilometres of beaches, Dénia is the perfect place to enjoy the sea in all its splendour.
The beaches of Las Marinas:
If you are travelling with your family, the beaches of Las Marinas will be your best option. It is the beach area located in the northern part of the city where you will find kilometres of sandy beach where you can enjoy a nice swim in the Mediterranean while your children play quietly in the sand.
During the summer months, there is a bus service every half an hour to all the beaches of Denia. In winter the frequency is less frequent, but the service is still available.
Playa Punta del Raset:
The first beach in this area is Punta del Raset, the closest to the town, just 10 minutes from the town centre. It is one of the most spacious, with an average width of 75 metres. Being so close to the town, it has all kinds of services. Restaurants within a few minutes' walk, beach bar, sun lounger rental service, lifeguard service, bathing facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility, playgrounds for children, sports area, jet ski hire, etc....
It is also a perfect place to stroll at dawn and enjoy the peace and quiet of the sea before the bathers arrive.
Les Albaranes beach:
This is followed by Les Albaranes beach, which you can reach if you continue walking along the Punta del Raset beach and where, as well as enjoying the beach, you can enjoy the different sports activities available. It has a net for volleyball and beach football.
Again, you will find all kinds of services to make the most of your days at the beach.
Les Bovetes Beach:
This is followed by Les Bovetes beach, again a fantastic beach for families. It is a little further away from the town, so it is less crowded than the previous ones. It also has several services, both water sports rental and beach bars and restaurants on the beach where you can enjoy a good rice dish after a day's swimming.
Playa dels Molins:
The next enclave is Playa dels Molins. It is very popular with locals as it is not very crowded, has fine sand and crystal clear waters and enjoys fantastic views. In addition, thanks to its orientation, it is a fantastic place for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
During the summer months, there is usually live music at sunset at the beach bar. A magical moment to enjoy the sunset and the small pleasures of life.
Playa de les Deveses:
And lastly on this side, you come across Playa de les Deveses. The longest of the marinas, it is almost 3 kilometres long. It is the furthest from the town centre, more than 10 km away, and also the most unspoilt in terms of construction. It is usually full of kitesurfers and windsurfers. On summer evenings it's easy to look out to the horizon and find the sky full of sails and kites.
Las Rotas Beaches:
The coastal area known as Las Rotas or Les Rotes to the locals, is situated at the southern end of the coastline of Dénia. Except for the first beach near the port, Marineta Cassiana, the others are known for their stony surroundings and small coves with crystalline waters, giving this coastal strip a unique attraction within Dénia.
La Marineta Casiana:
The first beach you come across is La Marineta Cassiana. It is the closest beach to the village in the south. It is the only sandy beach in this area, it is the beginning of the promenade that will take you to the end of Las Rotas and, as in the northern area, it has a beach bar, an area adapted for people with reduced mobility and, during the summer months, different options for exercise in this unique enclave.
The Trampolines:
The trampoline, named after a wooden trampoline installed on the rocks which is enjoyed by young and old alike. It is a tiny, rocky beach, perfect for a swim in the middle of the promenade. You can dive in this area, but you must apply for a permit at the Regional Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Water of Alicante (Tel. 012/ 963 866 000).
Punta Negra:
Punta Negra, of inestimable beauty, is one of the favourite spots for locals due to the quality and clarity of its waters. To practise professional diving, prior permission must be requested, as is the case with the diving board.
Arenetes:
Arenetes, located at the end of the promenade, is one of the most photogenic beaches in the town. In addition to the beauty of the beach and its caves, it has views of the Cabo de San Antonio and the Torre del Hierro. It is a perfect place for bouldering in Denia.
The nudist beach
La Cala, is within the Arenetes area. The road from Barranc del Monyo to Arenetes ends at a small viewpoint, where a path begins that we will follow on foot and a few metres away, hidden away, we find the cove, for naturist use and surrounded by pine trees and clear waters.
Known as the nudist beach, it is a very discreet cove of virgin rock: access to it is on foot, down some steps.
Along this area of Denia you can find a range of restaurants (the classics of Denia) where you can enjoy the gastronomy with spectacular views. If what you are looking for is a good rice dish with quality raw material, you cannot miss El Pegolí, Sendra Restaurant or El Faralló. Three classics that never fail. You will also find at the end of Las Rotas, the restaurant Ca Nano, in a privileged location.
WALKING ROUTES IN DENIA
Hiking also has its place in Dénia, as the Montgó Natural Park and the rugged coastline bathed by the Mediterranean Sea are close by. Many routes are short and easy, which can even be done with children.
In addition, some of these routes run close to the sea or next to it, so we can complete the day with a swim or even explore the seabed with our snorkelling equipment.
Here are some of them:
1. The Dénia Greenway
Very close to the town centre of Dénia, to the northwest, we can reach the starting point of the Green Way of Dénia, which we can cover on foot or by bicycle, reaching the neighbouring town of El Vergel, located about 6 kilometres from the starting point.
It is an easy route, suitable for families and children, which runs through numerous agricultural fields, especially orange groves.
2. The Iron Tower
At the southeast of Dénia and next to the coves of Les Rotes is the curious Torre del Gerro, whose base can be reached by a wide asphalted road, although it is a little steep.
Like so many other towers on the coast of Alicante, the Gerro Tower was built around the 16th century as a coastal surveillance system against possible attacks from the sea, especially from Barbary pirates.
It should be borne in mind that parking space in the coves of Les Rotes is very limited, and that some roads are for the exclusive use of residents. It is advisable to get up early or, alternatively, avoid weekends in high season.
The route is quite simple and there is no possibility of getting lost, as all we have to do is walk up the Via Láctea street, uphill, until we reach the spectacular viewpoint of the Torre del Gerro (Gerro Tower).
After a first stretch of ascent along this street, we come to the control hut and access path to the Cova Tallada, which we can visit later (by prior reservation in high season). We now ignore this path and continue uphill along the asphalt until we reach the Torre del Gerro.
3. The Cova Tallada
Also from the coves of Les Rotes we can reach the fascinating Cova Tallada, located in the municipality of the neighbouring town of Xàbia - Jávea, but with quicker and easier access from Dénia.
As we have already mentioned in the previous route about the Torre del Gerro, we can visit both places in the same day, as they are very close to each other. In high season it is necessary to book telematically to access the Cova Tallada. Please make a reservation.
3. The Pare Pere Hermitage and the Cova de l'Aigua (Water Cave).
From the curious Ermita del Pare Pere, located in the shady area of the Montgó Natural Park, we can go on one of the hiking routes in Dénia where we will see more vegetation and rugged landscapes.
This modest hermitage was built in the 20th century next to an old stone shelter, dating back to the 17th century. It is said to have been used by Fray Pedro Esteve (Pare Pere) for his spiritual retreats.
You can park next to the hermitage, in a housing estate. From this point we can climb up to the signpost for the start of this route along the Montgó, as shown on the Wikiloc map below, which is marked in yellow and marked with the number 3.
Both at the beginning and at the end of the route we walk along a forest track, i.e. a wide dirt track. The rest of the route to reach the Cova de l'Aigua and then to go to the Racó del Bou runs along a path, somewhat steep at some points.
In the Cova de l'Aigua (or water cave) remains from the Iberian, Roman and Islamic periods have been found and, in fact, at the entrance there is a deteriorated Roman inscription, whose origin seems to date back to the year 238 A.D., as Dénia was already a Roman municipium in the 1st century, as Dianium.
THE TOWN OF DENIA
A place for everyone. Dénia is not only a beach destination, it is a joy to stroll through its streets, its old town, the fishermen's quarter, the castle and the great variety of restaurants and bars, make it a magnificent place to live and enjoy a holiday both in summer and winter.
Not to be missed:
Dénia Castle:
The castle of Dénia is one of the main attractions. It is on top of a hill, right in the centre of the city, and its origins date back to the period of Arab domination. It still conserves some of its towers, gates and walls.
Inside you will find the Archaeological Museum, with objects from the Roman, Muslim and Christian eras. There is also a bar where you can have a drink and enjoy the views and the peace and quiet while you let your imagination run wild and travel back in time.
Thanks to its location, it has fantastic views of the city's harbour, the sea, the mountains and the historic centre - not to be missed!
Access to the castle is only on foot via Calle San Francisco, although if you have accessibility problems you can ask about getting to the top by car. Admission costs 3 euros per person, with discounts for children and senior citizens, and includes admission to the Archaeological Museum. You can check the information and opening hours here.
Dénia Castle Tunnel:
The tunnel under Dénia Castle. It was created between 1937 and 1938, while Spain was experiencing one of the worst events in its history, the Civil War. Its purpose was to protect the civilian population from aerial bombardments.
The tunnel crosses the castle hill from below, connecting the north and south of Denia. So once the war was over, this shortcut was kept open so that the population on foot did not have to walk all the way around the castle to get from one point to another in the town.
Baix La Mar:
It is essential to stroll and lose yourself among its narrow pedestrian streets in the seaside neighbourhood, or as it is known in Dénia, Baix la Mar. Located just below the castle, between the castle and the port, it was home to sailors and fishermen for many years, until it was transformed into a lively gastronomic area.
The low, picturesque and colourful houses of the district give the sensation of going back in time. You must make a stop along the way to have a drink and a bite to eat in Magazinos, its gastronomic market with a great variety, the terraces of Sant Antoni or Creu squares...
If you go to Dénia with children, the sculpture of a pirate Playmobil located in the neighbourhood is an obligatory stop for a photo. A tribute to the film Captain Jones shot in the town.
The centre of Dénia:
You can walk around the historic centre, practically pedestrianised, in a few hours while stopping to enjoy its surroundings and gastronomy. It starts in the Plaza de la Constitución or better known as Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with the Church of Nuestra Señora de Loreto and the Town Hall building. A few metres away is the traditional Denia Municipal Market, where many local people go to buy meat, vegetables and fish. It is worth observing its daily hustle and bustle, and having lunch or a snack in its bars. Nowadays it has many gourmet stalls where you can enjoy fresh, high quality produce at reasonable prices.
Calle Loreto begins at the Plaza de la Constitución. It is pedestrianised and very busy due to the large number of shops, bars and restaurants.
Nearby, the Les Roques neighbourhood harks back to the Muslim era. Located at the entrance to Denia castle, you can see the old colourful houses on Calle San Francisco which go up to the very entrance to the castle.
Don't miss a stroll along Calle Marqués de Campo, the city's main shopping area. This street is closed to traffic, allowing you to enjoy the terraces of the bars and restaurants in total comfort and tranquillity if you go with children. You can also visit the Toy Museum, in an old train station. A very curious place to enjoy with the little ones and travel back in time through the toys manufactured throughout the 20th century.
Another obligatory stop is the Denia marina, which is not only the place where ferries leave for Ibiza, Formentera or Palma de Mallorca. It is a place where restaurants and bars, some of which even have a swimming pool, converge on both breakwaters. In short, an essential place to visit in Denia if you are travelling as a couple.
Ideal for a drink or a local delicacy, it has a terrace area where you can watch the sunset by the sea. One of the favourite places is the Zensa bar.
WHERE TO EAT IN DENIA
Denia has been named a creative gastronomic heritage site by Unesco, and with good reason. If you are passionate about good food, in Dénia you can get your boots on and enjoy yourself to the full.
Its well-known red shrimp is present in the menus of many restaurants, although there are two places where you can try it in its best versions. One is the restaurant El Faralló, considered by many to be the temple of this crustacean. The best way to eat them? Boiled in seawater. They also prepare croquettes or an excellent Faralló rice dish. The other, El Pegolí. To Pepe Piera, now deceased, we owe the fact of having put this delicacy and Dénia on the gastronomic map. It started out as a beach bar by the sea, and has become an essential place to visit if you visit this town.
El Baret de Miquel:
El Baret de Miquel, by chef Miquel Ruiz, who left his Michelin-starred restaurant to set up a bar that reinvents typical Valencian cuisine. Another option to consider is Tasta'm, a place to eat the Mediterranean with original creations, such as a carbonara of squid, bacon, cuttlefish figatell and cured egg.
Casa Federico:
The rice dishes of Casa Federico, the fish of Peix & Brases and, of course, the gastronomic space Els Magazinos, a market that hosts both local and travelling cuisine stalls and cultural proposals: live music, exhibitions...
Casa Federico is a Denia classic and a safe bet. Open since 1980, it still maintains the gastronomic offer that has made it famous. Cuisine based on fresh products, well treated by the fishermen in the daily fishing in the bay and acquired in the daily auction at the Denia fish market.
Restaurant Noguera:
Noguera, one of the restaurants with the best terrace on the beachfront of Denia as it is located in a privileged setting, in the bay of Punta de l'Estañó. In addition to the restaurant, it has a Lounge Bar called "A Vora Mar Lounge Bar" where you can have breakfast with brunch, a snack or a drink while enjoying the most spectacular sunsets.
El Estanyo
Very close to the Noguera restaurant, Estanyó has a terrace also very close to the sea. Traditional Mediterranean cuisine fused with signature cuisine, giving it an exotic touch. Its traditional Valencian dishes range from seafood and molluscs to meat and fish, as well as rice dishes of all kinds, fideuàs and calderetas (casseroles). The "Suquet de lubina, monkfish and clams", "La caldereta de lubina y bogavante" or the "chipirones a la plancha con fritura de sus tentáculos y americana de su tinta" are a "must".
Agua de Mar:
Agua de Mar is one of the best restaurants to enjoy Dénia's haute seafood cuisine accompanied by the best views of the marina. Its gastronomic proposal is based on local seafood, especially the "Denia prawns", grilled or boiled, the "Sea anemones in tempura on seaweed mayonnaise" or the "Steamed mussels".
Casa Benjamín:
Bodega Casa Benjamín. Barratapeo, wines and spirits in bulk, Valencian gastronomy, live flamenco, evenings, tastings... All this and more awaits you in the oldest tavern in Dénia.
Restaurant Pont Sec:
Restaurant Pont Sec, famous for its cocas, a very popular dish in the Mediterranean area. A classic in Denia if you want to try traditional food. Both the rice dishes and the starters are made with the best quality produce from the garden.
And now that you know the most special corners of Dénia, you're probably wondering how best to get from Alicante Airport, because this is where MySkyBus comes in, providing a premium transfer service between Alicante Airport and the Costa Blanca's star destinations such as Dénia, Jávea and Benidorm among many others. With MySkyBus, you can travel in style, comfort and affordability, while taking in the beauty of the coastal scenery from one of our modern, comfortable buses. So, when planning your next Denia adventure, don't forget to book your transfer with MySkyBus, we're waiting for you!
Frequently asked questions about your visit to Dénia:
What is the closest airport to Denia Spain?
The closest airport to Denia, Spain, is Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC), located about 100 kilometres south of Denia. This airport offers a range of domestic and international flights, making it a convenient entry point for travellers heading to Denia.
How to get to Dénia from Alicante Airport?
The best way to get to Dénia from Alicante Airport is with Myskybus, our bus transfer service will allow you to get to your destination in the easiest and most economical way.
How far is it from Denia to Alicante, and to Valencia?
Between Denia and Alicante there is a distance of about 92kms, while to Valencia the distance is about 105 kms approximately.
Is it worh visiting Denia?
Visiting Denia in Spain is a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy a mix of sun-soaked beaches, rich historical sites, and a vibrant culinary scene. Its extensive coastline features both sandy beaches and rocky coves, ideal for various water activities. The town's centerpiece, Denia Castle, offers a historical journey and panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Additionally, Denia's reputation as a gastronomic hub, especially for seafood and traditional Valencian paella, makes it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
Is Denia nice for a holiday?
Denia is indeed a delightful destination for a holiday, offering a unique blend of scenic beaches, historical charm, and exquisite gastronomy. Its beautiful coastline, encompassing both sandy and rocky beaches, caters to a variety of seaside activities. The historic Denia Castle provides not only a peek into the past but also stunning views of the Mediterranean. Furthermore, Denia's culinary scene, famed for its seafood and authentic Valencian paella, adds to its allure as a holiday spot.
Is Denia a party town?
Denia, while known for its lively atmosphere, is not typically classified as a "party town" in the same vein as some other Spanish destinations like Ibiza or Marbella. It offers a more balanced mix of attractions, including historical sites, beautiful beaches, and a rich culinary scene. That said, Denia does have a vibrant nightlife with a variety of bars and clubs, especially in the summer months, catering to those who enjoy evening entertainment and socialising. However, its appeal is broader, making it suitable for families, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers, in addition to those seeking a lively night out.