Don’t you know yet what to see in Dénia (in Valencian)? Denia (in Spanish) is a city in the province of Alicante where you’ll find everything you need to spend the best vacation of your life, or just relax for a few days. A gem to see on the Costa Blanca, pure Mediterranean charm, sun, beach, leisure all day long, sports, and many activities. It’s estimated that about 42,000 people live there, but in summer there can be up to 200,000. As always, we offer you to stay in one of our bungalows and take a day trip, just 35 minutes away from the campsite.
Don’t you know yet what to see in Dénia? With this article, we show you the main points of interest that you can visit for quality tourism. This town in Alicante doesn’t just live off the coast and the Montgó massif.
Index
Baix la Mar
First, we have “Baix la mar”, the most prominent neighborhood in the city; it has a rich history behind it, closely linked to the sea and sailors (which is why it’s still known as the “sailor’s neighborhood”).
History tells us that in the past it was occupied by the Arabs. Back then, Dénia was divided into 4 quarters, and this was the most important one.
As soon as you enter this place, it will be like taking a trip back in time that will take us to the past.
Bous a la mar Festival
If you’re on vacation, this is what you should see in Dénia, a very popular festival celebrated in the second week of July and considered one of the most important. It simply consists of running in front of the bull and jumping into the sea.
In case the animal also falls, there’s a specialized team that will save it if necessary.
The Castle, a must-see in Dénia
The Dénia Castle is the main monument of the city and is today a very important cultural and historical center. It houses the Archaeological Museum and, moreover, it is the point from which the oldest streets with Muslim style begin to spread throughout the city. In the museum, we will find the evolution of the city from its origins to becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The castle, along with the Montgó Massif Natural Park and the Marina, is one of the elements of greatest interest in this town on the Costa Blanca.
At the marina, we can take a boat to the Balearic Islands, to Ibiza. Experts say that sailing to Ibiza is a unique navigation experience.
Beaches of Dénia
As we have already mentioned, this town on the Costa Blanca is very famous for its sandy beaches. Marineta Cassiana and the marine reserve of Cabo de San Antonio, between Dénia and Jávea, stand out. Here we have prepared a list of the 5 best beaches in Dénia:
- Punta Negra: Located on the Carretera del Barranc del Montgo to Les Arenetes and has an extension of 1400 meters. It features crystal clear waters and all kinds of water sports can be practiced here.
- Marineta Cassiana: Sandy beach that has received the Blue Flag award (symbol of great quality) on several occasions. It is not too deep and is accessible to everyone.
- El Trampolí: Located in the Les Rotes area. This rocky beach has this characteristic name due to the presence of a wooden diving board located on its rocks.
- Punta del Raset Beach: This beach is also not very deep, making it a good option for children to learn to swim.
- La Cova Tallada. This cave is located on the border of the town with the municipality of Jávea. It is a cliff that offers spectacular views.
The best way to enjoy it in all its splendor is through a canoe or kayak, for example. If you want to discover other beaches to the south, we recommend our post on Beaches in Alicante that you can’t miss.
PHOTOS OF THE BEACHES YOU MUST SEE IN DÉNIA
Torre del Gerro
The Torre del Gerro comprises a pleasant route that extends along the rocky coast of Les Rotes. It is a very popular place that can be traversed both on foot and by vehicle. Its length is 5km with a certain elevation; on foot it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to complete, while by bike it takes 40 minutes.
Among its main attractions, we discover that the promenade connects with the Marineta Cassiana beach, with warm and very shallow waters. In addition, it has a bathing area for summer and areas adapted for people with reduced mobility.
A City Famous for its Gastronomy
Since December 11, 2015, Dénia was declared a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.
Therefore, if you’re going to eat in Dénia, you’ll have countless restaurants where you can enjoy all kinds of products. The most valued are those from the sea and their charismatic rice dishes.
You can’t leave there without trying the characteristic red prawn: an indescribable delicacy.
PHOTOS OF DÉNIA
Chef Quique Dacosta
The famous “Red Prawn of Dénia”
After eating, to Senza
Best Restaurants to Visit in Dénia
Since we’re talking about gastronomy, let’s highlight the main restaurants in the destination:
- La Seu: This place is located in the heart of the historic center. Creative cuisine with a spectacular design that will leave no one indifferent. On their website LaSeu.es you can book a table and see some dishes.
- El Paellers: We assure you that you will never have tried a paella like this. It’s a venue located in a chalet in the Las Marinas area. It’s known for its friendly service and its rice dishes cooked over a wood fire. They even have a swimming pool for us to use whenever we want. They are open between March 15 and October 1, approximately. Until June 15, they have reduced hours. You can find their contact information on the Els Paellers website. Here you’ll eat authentic Valencian Paella. Please don’t confuse it with Alicante rice dishes.
- Quique Dacosta Restaurante: This is probably the most important restaurant. It has 3 Michelin stars and offers interesting dishes such as an innovative version of beetroot, ash-cooked mushrooms, seafood corals, and of course, we can enjoy red prawns and their rice dishes. Prepare your wallet, but it’s worth it. Reservations on their official Quique Dacosta website.
- Casa Federico: We also recommend trying this place. It’s located on the border between Las Marinas and Dénia, right on the beach. Although they have a long list of dishes, their specialty is rice dishes (such as ‘arroz a banda’ or lobster rice). It’s so popular that you need to book well in advance. Casa Federico website.
Adventures at Sea
Dénia is also a place that will greatly please lovers of more adventurous activities. Here we can practice adventure sports, both water and aerial.
We can take a Ferry to visit Ibiza and enjoy the best views of the town.
We can even take advantage of our visit to catch a boat and reach the Balearic Islands (to Formentera or Palma de Mallorca, for example).
Visit the Montgó
And if you want to enjoy the best views of the city, don’t hesitate for a moment and climb the Montgó massif (declared a Natural Park since 1987).
OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST ACCORDING TO TRAVELERS
Following people’s opinions on the internet who have traveled here, you can also visit this list:
- Cape San Antonio
- Príncipe de Asturias Ecological Promenade
- Church of San Antoni de Pàdua
- Arenal Promenade
HOW TO GET TO DÉNIA – MAP
Distances to reach Dénia by car:
- Jávea / Xàbia: 10 km, 22 minutes.
- Valencia / València: 100 km, 60 minutes.
- Benidorm: 47 km, 32 minutes.
- Altea: 38 km, 28 minutes.
Now you know all the basics you should see in Dénia, that small treasure in the province of Alicante. Whether from the beaches of Dénia, the marina, or the archaeological museum, leave us your rating (preferably 5 stars) if you liked or found this post useful.
