Dénia

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Other places nearby:

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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