Things to do in Denia

The castle of Denia dates back as far as the 11th century, set right in the heart of the town but towering above the rooftops on a 60m-high mound. A small museum in the tower recounts the castle’s history, while there are some spectacular panoramic views out to the Mediterranean from the old walls.

Previously housed inside the castle, the archaeological museum has now moved to a new location in Casa de la Marquesa, with displays covering the region’s history from its earliest days. A vital port, Denia has been a key site for trade across the Mediterranean for centuries, and the collections include Roman exhibits and information about the city which the Romans called Dianium, along with its role in the later Islamic kingdom of Taifa, and medieval and modern Denia.

Lose yourself in history, wandering through the pedestrian heart of Denia’s old town, with narrow alleys weaving past white-washed buildings and cafes lining shady streets. In addition to the castle, you’ll also find the 17th century Convento de los Agustines, which dates back to 1604 and is still a working convent today, as well as the Church of the Assumption.

Named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Denia is heaven for foodies, which means you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Mercat Municipal to join locals browsing for provisions on the stalls. Look out for Denia’s famous gamba roja, a red shrimp that’s popular across Spain at Christmas but found here year-round.

Another unmissable location for those who love food, Els Magazinos is a mix of food court and market, with around 20 different stalls and restaurants and plenty of outdoor seats just a stone’s throw from the castle. Pick up some tapas, try a few local specialities like cocas, a type of sweet or savoury pastry, then relax with a drink, before checking out the changing exhibition of local art.

You have a choice of several beaches in Denia, including the long golden sands and shallow waters of Les Marines beach, which stretches for around 2km. Or on the opposite side of town, Marineta Beach is another tempting stretch of golden sand which turns into Playa Las Rotas, continuing to the Roman watchtower, Torre del Gerro.

If you’re hoping for something more secluded, the unspoiled coast at Les Deveses is around a 20-minute drive north of the town. You won’t find many facilities here, but you won’t find many other people either, so you can enjoy the natural setting.

Or venture around 30 minutes’ south of Denia and you can find one of the best beaches in Spain at Javea, where the horseshoe-shaped bay of Playa La Granadella is known for its translucently turquoise water and pines shading the pebble beach.

Denia Marina

A short walk from Denia Old Town, the Marina is well worth a visit even if you don’t have your own yacht, with restaurants and bars lining the waterfront – settle back with a drink as the sun sets behind the headland for some of the best views. You’ll also find dolphin-spotting trips departing here, along with other boat trips. There’s even boat hire and sailing lessons if you feel inspired to learn.

In 1937, a tunnel was created under Denia Castle for residents to shelter from aerial bombing raids during the Spanish Civil War. Stretching from Plaza del Consell to Ronda de las Murallas, today it provides a free shortcut through the Old Town as well as being one of the most unusual things to do in Denia.

Denia was one of Spain’s biggest centres of toy production in the 20th century, and the town’s Toy Museum is the perfect place to journey through the country’s toy-making history. There’s a collection of vintage toys from the early 20th century, including metal and wooden toys, along with displays of everything from pedal cars and tricycles to games, sailing boats and more.

Set inside a 19th century house, Denia’s Ethnological Museum is set up like a traditional home from the late 19th and early 20th century, with original floor tiles and historic kitchen equipment showing what everyday life would have looked like. There’s also a chance to see period clothing, tools and more luxury items, plus more background on the raisin trade which brought wealth to many in the city.

Set around a Neoclassical villa not far from Javea, to the south of Denia, the Albarda Gardens are a wonderful mix of styles showcasing Mediterranean plants and flowers. You’ll find everything from more formal Renaissance styles to the Moorish influences of the Valencian gardens set around fountains. In total, more than 700 species are planted across five hectares, all with views of the nearby mountains; they’re particularly lovely in spring when the blossom is in bloom, as well as May to June when the roses are in flower.

One of the most unusual things to do in Denia, the Cueva de las Calaveras translates as the cave of skulls, after human remains were discovered inside. Located in the village of Benidoleig, around 20 minutes from Denia itself, the cave stretches for 300m and is filled with stalactites, stalagmites and fossils, along with information about the prehistoric humans who once lived in the cavern.

You’ll find a string of vineyards in the Costa Blanca, most across what’s known as the Alicante wine route, with grapes grown here since Roman times. And one of the best areas is near the pretty town of Jalon, approximately half an hour from Denia. With vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, the area looks even lovelier in early spring when the almond trees are in blossom during February and March. In the town itself, you can visit some of the bodegas for a tasting; look out for white wines made using moscatell grapes, as well as two local reds, Giro and Monastrell.

Discover another side to the Costa Blanca away from the coast itself at the hilltop village of El Castell de Guadalest, soaking up the views across the valley from the medieval castle. Once an important stronghold of the area’s Moorish kingdom, the village is also known for its lace and crochet, with craft workshops dotting the winding cobbled streets, plus some small museums to learn more about the local traditions.

This traditional fishing village is perfect if you’re looking for a taste of traditional Spain, away from the bigger resorts of the Costa Blanca. It has its own castle right on the seafront, with some great views out across the Mediterranean, and if you time your visit for Friday, you can explore the market, one of the largest in the area, with stalls piled high with local produce, crafts and souvenirs.

Known for having some of the best beaches in the area, Gandia is also famous for its links with the Borgia family, a byword for scandal and treachery during the Renaissance. With two Popes among their number, the family arrived in Gandia at the end of the 14th century, and later built their Palau Ducal here, a mix of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The Crown Hall (Saló de Corones) shows some of the different crowns used by the Borgias over the centuries, while you can also visit the Gothic chapel.

Amond trees, Mongo in Denia

The Costa Blanca is a wonderful place for a walking holiday, with pleasantly warm temperatures while northern Europe shivers, and a variety of different routes to enjoy. Wander along the coast past limestone rock formations and sandy bays to Denia’s lighthouse, or follow an old pilgrimage trail across an aqueduct and through groves of fruit trees. Other trails lead through valleys and hills, passing windmills and watermills, old monasteries and through peaceful pine forests.

Spain’s third-largest city is around 65 miles from Denia, with a mix of cutting-edge architecture and historic traditions, such as the fallas, huge papier-maché sculptures used in the city’s festival every March and displayed in the Fallas Museum throughout the year. Or stroll through Valencia’s old town, home to the cathedral and basilica, as well as the Mercat Central, one of the biggest indoor markets in Spain. Don’t miss the City of Arts and Science, with its eye-catching modern designs from Valencian-born Santiago Calatrava; home to the Palau de les Arts, the dramatic Ágora events space, the Hemisferic Imax cinema, the Science Museum and Europe’s largest aquarium, the Oceanogràfic, you can easily spend hours here.

Enjoy the mix of history and beach in Benidorm as you wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, visiting the castle and soaking up the panoramas over the sea from the Mediterranean Balcony viewpoint. Plan your visit for Wednesday and Sunday and you can browse the town’s street markets too, some of the largest in the whole Costa Blanca with around 2,000 stalls; trains run directly from Denia and takes around 90 minutes. Or if you fancy a night on the town, Benidorm Palace promises an evening to remember, with dancers, magicians, musicians and cabaret acts performing.

Pretty Alicante is well worth a visit for its attractive whitewashed Old Town, with winding narrow streets leading up to the medieval Santa Barbara Castle (or there’s also an elevator if you prefer). Once you’ve wandered through the city’s historic heart, head down to the waterfront where the mosaic promenade is made up of over 6.5 million marble tiles, stretching along the marina. Look out for the ornate Casa Carbonell too, one of the city’s examples of modernist architecture. Trains run from Denia to Alicante via Benidorm, taking around two to three hours each way, or around an hour by car.

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