All about Denia - A Beautiful Coastal Escape

🌟 All About Denia – A Beautiful Coastal Escape - Dénia is a vibrant seaside town just 51 km north of Benidorm, about a 45-minute drive. It sits on the northern edge of Alicante province, backed by the impressive Montgó Natural Park.

🗺️ A Town Full of History

Dénia lies directly on the Greenwich Meridian line, the same one passing through London. Throughout its history, Iberians, Romans, Muslims, and Christians have all left their mark here.

🏰 What to See and Do in Dénia

✅ Dénia Castle – Overlooking the marina, this ruined castle offers stunning panoramic views of the sea, town, and mountains.
✅ Montgó Natural Park – Hike and explore over 650 plant species and diverse wildlife.
✅ Torre del Gerro – A 16th-century watchtower with amazing coastal views.
✅ Dénia Marina – Stroll along its beautiful promenade lined with cafes and restaurants.
✅ 20 km of coastline – From sandy beaches to rocky coves ideal for diving and fishing.
✅ Old Town – Wander narrow streets filled with colourful houses, wrought-iron balconies overflowing with flowers, and charming squares like Plaza de Sant Antoni.
✅ Shopping on Calle Marques de Campo – The main tree-lined street with great shops, bars, and restaurants.

Denia main street, Calle Marques de Campo

As you wander through Dénia’s town centre and the historic fishermen’s quarter (Baix La Mar), you’ll discover monuments from different eras, reflecting the town’s rich and varied history.

The streets in Baix La Mar are especially charming, with their brightly coloured houses and vivid flowers spilling from wrought-iron balconies, creating a truly picturesque atmosphere.

Turn a corner and you’ll come across typical Spanish squares, like Plaza de Sant Antoni and Plaza de la Creu, where lively bars serve traditional food, and the warm, bustling ambience makes you feel part of authentic local life.

🏝️ All about Denias Beaches in Dénia

🌊 North of town – Fine sandy beaches with shallow waters, perfect for families. Popular spots include Les Marines, L'Almadrava, Les Deveses, Les Bovetes, and Els Palmars.

🌊 South of town – Smaller rocky coves along Les Rotes, loved by snorkellers, divers, and fishermen.

🐬 Dolphin & Whale Spotting

Dénia is the coastal town with the highest number of dolphin and whale sightings in the Valencian region, especially around the Cabo de San Antonio Marine Reserve.

🏰 All about Denia Castle – History, Views, and Museum

Dénia Castle is one of the town’s most iconic landmarks. Perched on a gentle hill right by the sea, it dominates the skyline and offers spectacular views over the marina, coastline, and Montgó Natural Park.

🏗️ A Castle With Centuries of History

• Built between the 11th and 12th centuries, during the Muslim Arab occupation of Spain, the castle was originally designed as a defensive fortress.

• After the Christian Reconquest, it was adapted and expanded under orders from King Jaime I and later modified in the 16th century to include Renaissance bastions to protect against pirate attacks.

• Over the centuries, it has served as a military fortress, royal residence, and strategic lookout point.

All about Denia

🎫 Visiting the Castle

When you visit today, you can explore:

✅ The Archaeological Museum, located within the castle, showcasing artefacts from Iberian, Roman, Muslim, and Christian periods. Highlights include pottery, coins, and tools from the Roman Dianium settlement.
✅ Bastions and ramparts you can walk along, enjoying panoramic views of Dénia’s coastline, port, and the Balearic Islands on clear days.
✅ Historic gateways and towers, like the Governor’s Palace remains, which offer insight into medieval military architecture.
✅ Picnic areas and scenic spots, ideal for resting while soaking in the history around you.

🕘 Opening Hours

• November – March: 10:00 – 18:00

• April – May: 10:00 – 19:00

• June: 10:00 – 21:00

• July – 15th September: 10:00 – 20:30 (night visits until 00:30 except concert days)

• 16th – 30th September: 10:00 – 20:00

• October: 10:00 – 18:30

⚠️ Note: Only card payments are accepted for entry.

💶 Entry Prices

• Adults: €3

• Children (8–14): €1

• Pensioners & Students: €2

• Groups (min. 10 people): €2 each

🚶 How to Access the Castle

Pedestrian access is near the Town Hall on Calle Hospital.

1. Walk up the stairway beside the Town Hall.

2. Follow another stairway section to the left onto Cuesta Madre Amparo.

3. This leads directly to Calle San Francisco, where you enter the castle grounds.

🎶 Special Events at the Castle

In summer, the castle hosts “Music at the Castle” concerts, creating a magical atmosphere under the stars with the ancient walls as a backdrop.

🏛️ All about Denia Museo Etnológico

Discover Dénia’s rich cultural history in this 19th-century bourgeois house. Exhibits include raisin trade history, luxury clothes, jewellery, and period furniture.

🕘 Hours: 10:30–13:00 & 16:00–19:00 (Closed Sunday afternoons & Mondays)
🎟️ Entry: Free
📍 Location: Calle Cavallers

🧸 Toy Museum

On Calle Calderon, showcasing wooden and tin toys, dollhouses, and trains made locally in the early 20th century.

🕘 Hours: 10:00–13:00 & 16:00–20:00
🎟️ Entry: Free

🛍️ Markets in Dénia

• Monday Market: Torrecremada Esplanade, 8:00–13:30

• Friday Flea Market: La Vía street, 8:00–13:30

• Spring & Summer Night Market: Maritim esplanade (Mid-March–June weekends & daily Mid-June–Mid-Sept), 18:00–midnight

• Jesus Pobre Riurau Market: Sundays (Sep–Jun 9:00–14:00 / Jun–Sep 18:00–23:00)

• La Xara Market: 2nd & 4th Sunday each month, 9:30–14:30

🛳️ Dénia Ferry Port

Connects to Ibiza, Formentera, and Palma de Mallorca. Fast ferries reach Ibiza in just 2–3.5 hours with Balearia.

🐟 Dénia Fish Market

Watch the fishing boats arrive from 3:30–6:00 PM and see fresh catches auctioned from 5:00 PM Monday to Friday. Expect prawns, lobsters, octopus, anchovies, and more.

Photo by David Elsworth, Benidorm Seriously Member

🏌️ Golf

Play at Club La Sella, an 18-hole course designed by José María Olazábal, near the town.

Gerro Tower

This 16th-century Renaissance watchtower was part of the coastal defence against pirates. Its name comes from its unique pitcher (“gerro”) shape.

📍 Access: From Les Rotes Road near Restaurant Mena, walk east 50m up Via Làctia Street.

🏞️ Montgó Natural Park

Rising 753m above sea level, Montgó is rich in:

🌿 Plants: Kermes oak, red lavender, maritime fennel, Valencia rock violet, palmetto and more.
🦅 Birds: Yellow-legged gulls, Audouin’s gulls, Bonelli’s eagle, royal owls, kestrels, peregrine falcons.
🦊 Wildlife: Foxes, rabbits, badgers, genets, reptiles, and amphibians.

🏡 Montgó Interpretation Centre

✅ Guided excursions year-round
✅ Accessible exhibitions with audio guides in five languages

📍 Address: Camí de Sant Joan, s/n. Finca del Bosc de Diana, 03700 Dénia
📞 Tel: +34 966 467 155 / +34 679 196 461

🚉 Getting to Dénia from Benidorm

✅ TRAM – scenic coastal route
✅ Bus (Alsa): from €9
✅ Car: via N332 (58.4 km) or AP-7  (51.3 km)

🌸 Jardín de l'Albarda

While in Dénia, visit Jardín de l'Albarda in Pedreguer – a beautiful Mediterranean garden and one of the best-kept secrets in Marina Alta.

Visit Denia and the Gardens of L’Albarda with Round Town Travel 

Photos by David Elsworth, Benidorm Seriously Member

Calle Loreto, Tapas Alley "Day time view, very busy in the evening. Prices are very reasonable due to the competition."

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🌟 Have you visited Dénia?
Let us know in the comments below – what was your favourite part of this beautiful coastal town? 🏰🌊