Things to do in Dénia

Local guide

About Dénia

Dénia looks out to sea from its castle. The fortress occupies the highest part of the town, its layout dates back to the Islamic period, and remains of Roman Dianium, the name from which the current place name derives, have been found on its slopes. From the top you can take in the whole town: the harbour below, the town spreading towards the coast and, in the background, the bulk of the Montgó, the 753-metre massif it shares with Xàbia, a natural park since 1987.

What sets Dénia apart from other coastal towns is how varied its coastline is in just a few kilometres. To the north open long sandy beaches such as Les Marines, more than three kilometres long and with a Blue Flag. To the south, in Les Rotes, the coast turns rocky and ends at the cliffs of Cabo de San Antonio, next to the Torre del Gerro, a 16th-century watchtower bearing the coat of arms of Charles I.

The town also has a very specific economic history: in the second half of the 19th century the raisin trade brought wealth, the railway and a middle class that left its mark on the town's layout. The Museo Etnológico tells the story of that era, and the Vía Verde uses the old railway line for walking or cycling.

Dénia is also the capital of the Marina Alta and a gateway to the Balearics: ferries leave its harbour for Ibiza, Formentera and Mallorca, and the fast crossing to Ibiza takes about two and a quarter hours. The TRAM ends its coastal route here, on line 9 coming from Benidorm.

The big moment of the year is the Festa Major de la Santíssima Sang in July, centred on the second Wednesday after San Pedro. And for everyday life there is a market almost every day: the Mercado Municipal on Calle Magallanes, the Monday street market in Torrecremada, the Friday fruit and vegetable market and the Mercat del Riurau in Jesús Pobre on Sundays.

Things to do

Must-see places

1. Castillo de Dénia: fortress of Islamic origin at the highest point of the town, with remains of Roman Dianium on its slopes.
2. Parque natural del Montgó: 753-metre massif, protected since 1987, shared with Xàbia.
3. Playa de Les Marines: Blue Flag sandy beach more than 3 km long, north of the town.
4. Torre del Gerro (Les Rotes): 16th-century watchtower next to Cabo de San Antonio, with the coat of arms of Charles I.
5. Museo Etnológico de Dénia: the town of the raisin trade in the second half of the 19th century.
6. Vía Verde de Dénia: walking and cycling route along the old narrow-gauge railway line.
7. Mercado Municipal: the food market at Calle Magallanes, 5.