Travel Guide Spain: Dénia

The city of Dénia is the heart of the Valencian Community, located on the east coast of Spain between the cities of València and Alicante, surrounded by a beautiful landscape.

Museums and buildings inspire Dénia's visitors as much as the 20 km long sandy beach, which changes into rocky coast at the Las Rotas district. Nature lovers and hikers will also find the Montgó Nature Reserve a wonderful destination for excursions. A visit to the charming coastal town is definitely worthwhile.

Profile

Name
Dénia

Founded in
around the 1st century B.C.

Location
On the east coast of Spain

Size
approx. 66 km², about 42,200 inhabitants

Accommodation
Numerous types of accommodation, from hotels and hostels to chalets, apartment buildings and boats

Activities
Various shopping facilities, bars and restaurants, relaxing on the numerous beaches, diving, horse riding, tennis, sailing and boat trips, hiking, climbing, cycling

Best travel time
April to end of October

Highlights
Culturally, there are numerous museums, the castle of Dénia as well as Roman, Moorish and Spanish ruins in the vicinity of the town; the numerous beaches and the Montgó Nature Reserve are also very attractive.

Visiting Dénia

Location

Dénia is located on Spain's Costa Blanca, in the east of the country, 100 km between València and Alicante. The town has two large ports, a picturesque old town, an old fishermen's quarter, a beautiful market hall and offers various possibilities for shopping and eating out.

Accommodation and activities

Dénia's accommodation portfolio is diverse and has something for every taste and budget. Hotels, from simple to luxurious, are available in large numbers. If you are looking for an inexpensive alternative that also allows you to make social contacts, Dénia also has a small selection of hostels. For those who want a little more independence and privacy, there are also numerous holiday flats and houses, chalets and private rooms available. Those who prefer not to leave the sea at all can also rent a boat in the harbour.

Travel time for Dénia

The Spanish Costa Blanca can be visited all year round, but the months between March/April and the end of October are particularly recommended. Those who are sensitive to heat should focus especially on the spring months, as these are usually pleasantly warm. In summer, temperatures then rise to 30°C or more and fall only slightly until autumn. The average temperatures in winter are still quite mild, but swimming in the sea with a temperature of around 14°C is certainly only an attractive option for brave ocean lovers.

Highlights in Dénia

Both culture and nature lovers will find Dénia a worthwhile destination. The town's landmark is undoubtedly the castle. Built in the eleventh and twelfth centuries AD, it rises in the heart of the city on a hill of almost seventy metres. Today it houses the Archaeological Museum of Dénia, which offers visitors exciting historical insights. And the views from the top of the hill over the city and the Mediterranean Sea are just fantastic.

Buildings such as the churches Iglesia de la Asunción and Iglesia de San Antonio, the Convent de las Augustines or the Gothic Town Hall are also interesting historical sites. The many shops in the boulevard Marqués de Campo invite you to stroll around, while the bars, cafés and restaurants invite you to linger.

If you are drawn to the sea, a visit to the port is not to be missed. It is the second most important port on the Costa Blanca after Alicante. You can find your favourite place to swim on the almost 20 km long sandy beach, starting in the south with a rocky coast and turns into fine sand towards the north.

Idyllic landscapes can be enjoyed on the one hand in the southern area of Las Rotas which is characterised by remote, beautifully rocky bays with crystal clear water. On the other hand, the Parc Natural del Montgó also attracts lots of visitors. The Montgó mountain south of Dénia and its surroundings were declared a Natural Park in 1987 because of their scenic beauty and unique flora and fauna. During wonderful walks, more than 650 species of plants, numerous birds and small mammals can be discovered here surrounded by beautiful scenery.