Denia

Town · Valencian Community, 🇪🇸 Spain

Dénia is a port town on the northern Costa Blanca, in the province of Alicante, below a castle on a rock and at the foot of the Montgó massif. It is a ferry port for the Balearic Islands, and it is known for its seafood, particularly the red prawn (gamba roja), and for its beaches.

UNESCO named Dénia a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015. It is a relaxed place to spend several days, with a long sandy beach to the north and rocky coves to the south.

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When to visit

Late spring and early autumn are the best times, with warm weather and calm seas. July and August are hot and crowded, with Spanish families on holiday. Winters are mild and quiet, though some beach businesses close.

The Bous a la Mar festival in July brings bulls to the harbour, and there are fireworks and festivals in other months.

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Good

15° (feels like 11°) · extremes 6°–20°
10° at night
6 rainy days
15 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
15°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in February

Good

15° (feels like 12°) · extremes 6°–19°
10° at night
6 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in March

Good

17° (feels like 14°) · extremes 8°–22°
11° at night
7 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
14°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in April

Great

19° (feels like 16°) · extremes 10°–22°
13° at night
6 rainy days
18 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

22° (feels like 20°) · extremes 13°–26°
16° at night
5 rainy days
21 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
18°C · cool for a dip
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in June

Great

26° · extremes 17°–30°
20° at night
2 rainy days
24 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Light breeze
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in July

Great

29° (feels like 30°) · extremes 20°–32°
23° at night
2 rainy days
26 sunny days
12 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in August

Great

29° (feels like 31°) · extremes 21°–32°
23° at night
4 rainy days
23 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
26°C · warm for swimming
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in September

Great

26° (feels like 27°) · extremes 18°–30°
21° at night
8 rainy days
17 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Light breeze
25°C · warm for swimming
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 14°–27°
18° at night
8 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Light breeze
22°C · cool for a dip
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in November

Great

18° (feels like 16°) · extremes 9°–23°
14° at night
8 rainy days
13 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
19°C · cool for a dip
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in December

Good

16° (feels like 12°) · extremes 7°–19°
11° at night
7 rainy days
12 sunny days
5 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Light breeze
16°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5 · 1996–2025

Top sights

The Castell de Dénia is a fortress on a hill above the town, of Moorish origin, with a small archaeological museum and views of the port and the sea.
The Museu de la Mar (Maritime Museum) tells the story of the town's links with the sea.
The old town and the Carrer Loreto, the main street, have cafés and shops.
The Montgó Natural Park is a limestone mountain with marked walking paths, to the south of the town.
Les Marines is a long sandy beach north of the harbour, and Les Rotes is a rocky coast with coves to the south, good for snorkelling.
The port has ferries and boat trips to the Balearic Islands and along the coast.

Featured Lists

Joanbanjo / Public domain

Dénia's Absolute Essentials

Dénia blends its maritime heritage with deep historical roots. The city is anchored by its 11th-century castle and the ancient Iberian ruins of Alt de Benimaquia. Culinary highlights range from the traditional Mercat Municipal to the three-Michelin-starred innovation of Quique Dacosta. The port serves as a gateway to the Balearic Islands, while local museums and seasonal craft markets showcase the region's 19th-century raisin trade and contemporary craftsmanship.

11 places

What to experience

Eat red prawns and rice dishes at the port.
Climb to the castle for the sunset view.
Hike a trail in the Montgó Natural Park.
Snorkel or kayak in the coves at Les Rotes.
Take a day trip by ferry to Ibiza or Formentera.

Tours & Activities

Denia — Map

Day trips

Jávea (about 25 km): a coastal town with a historic center, a port and coves.
Altea (about 55 km): a white hilltop town above the sea.
Benidorm (about 60 km): a large beach resort.
Valencia (about 100 km): the third-largest city of Spain.
Ibiza (by ferry): the island of Ibiza.

Where to explore

Other places nearby:

Costa Blanca: Altea, Benidorm and Alicante.
Nearby cities: Valencia.
Islands: Ibiza and Mallorca.

Getting there

By air: Alicante-Elche airport is about 90 km away, and Valencia airport about 110 km.
By train: A narrow-gauge tram-train (line L9) runs from Dénia to Benidorm and Alicante, and is slow but scenic.
By bus: Buses run to Valencia, Alicante and Madrid.
By ferry: Ferries run to Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca, mostly in summer.

Getting around

On foot: The port, old town and the beach near the harbour are flat and easy to walk.
Bus: Local buses reach Les Rotes and Les Marines.
Bike: Flat in town, and with paths along the coast.

Driving

Is a car worth it?: Useful for Jávea, the coves and the mountains. The town itself is easy on foot.
Parking: Paid and free car parks are available around the port. It is crowded in summer.
Roads: The AP-7 motorway and the N-332 run past.

Food & drink

Dénia is known for its gamba roja (red prawns), caught offshore and served simply boiled or grilled. Also look for rice dishes such as arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish stock), arroz al horno and suquet de peix (fish stew), and fresh fish at the port.

UNESCO named Dénia a Creative City of Gastronomy.

Breakfast

Churros Churros con ChocolateFried dough sticks served with a thick, dark hot chocolate for dipping — a classic Spanish breakfast or late-night snack.

Lunch

Paella ValencianaA saffron-scented rice dish cooked in a wide, shallow pan. The traditional Valencian version uses chicken, rabbit, and green beans — best eaten at midday.

GazpachoA cold, blended soup of raw tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar, originally from Andalusia. Served as a drink or a starter, especially in summer.

Dinner

Pulpo a la GallegaBoiled octopus sliced onto a wooden board and dressed with olive oil, coarse salt, and smoked paprika — a signature dish of Galicia.

Snacks & street food

Jamón IbéricoDry-cured ham from acorn-fed Iberian pigs, sliced paper-thin and eaten on its own or with bread. The finest grade, jamón ibérico de bellota, is one of Spain's most prized products.

Tortilla EspañolaA thick potato and egg omelette, served warm or at room temperature, found in virtually every bar in Spain. Often eaten as a tapa or a quick meal.

Patatas BravasFried potato chunks served with a spicy tomato sauce or aioli — one of the most common tapas across the country.

PintxosSmall snacks anchored to slices of bread with a toothpick, the Basque Country's answer to tapas. Found in bar counters across San Sebastián and Bilbao, often with elaborate toppings.

CroquetasCrispy breaded cylinders with a creamy béchamel filling, typically made with jamón, bacalà (salt cod), or mushrooms.

Drinks

Rioja Wine Vino de RiojaSpain's best-known wine region produces full-bodied reds from Tempranillo grapes, aged in oak. The crianza, reserva, and gran reserva labels indicate increasing age and complexity.

Safety & health

Dénia is a safe town. In summer, use sun protection and drink water. Check the sea conditions before swimming, and take care on rocky coves. On Montgó, bring water and avoid walking in the midday heat.

History

Dénia was founded by the Greeks and became the Roman town of Dianium. It was an important Moorish city and the capital of a taifa kingdom in the 11th century, when its castle and port were developed.

It later became a fishing and raisin-trading port. Tourism developed in the 20th century, and in 2015 UNESCO recognised its food culture.