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Denia is located 100 km (62 mi) south of Valencia, 8 km (5 mi) north of Javea and east of Ondara and is the northern most beach resort on the Costa Blanca. Situated at the foot of the majestic Montgo mountain, the area boasts some twenty kilometres of coastline which are regularly awarded by the European Blue Flag for their water quality, infrastructure and services. Denia's beaches to the north, Les Marines, Les Bovetes and Les Deveses are smooth and sandy, while the coast to the south rocky forming calas (tiny secluded inlets).
Denia's setting amidst orange and lemon groves is truly spectacular. It has a population of approximately 29 000 and grew initially from a seafaring town and is still a busy port today. The harbour has an important Ferry Terminal serving the Balearic islands and a new impressive modern yacht marina.  The town's history and culture is very much alive today with the many monuments and cobbled streets. The old fishermen's quarter, with its whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets and daily fish market is a fine example and well worth a visit. Having said that, Denia has banks, brand name shops, and the largest hospital in the area. Known as the gastronomic capital of the Costa Blanca, Denia is the ideal place to sample fresh Mediterranean seafood. The local restaurants in the area serve some of the best regional and international cuisine with some excellent tapas bars, seafood restaurants with mouth watering fresh produce from local waters. Try a plate of Picaetes de sepia y calamar (Squid and cuttlefish) or suquet de rape (stewed monkfish).
View live webcam of Denia When visiting Denia by car, it is a good idea to park just outside the town and take a walk through the tunnel under the castle. The castillo (castle) itself is well worth a visit, built in the 11th & 12th century provides for a fantastic view around the sea, the town and land beyond. The Palau del Governador (Governor's Palace), rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries, with its interesting archaeological museum, lies within the castle and is packed with rich information about the history of Denia.  The Montgo National park, a major landmark of the area, is home to a variety of species, which are unique to this ecosystem. Nature lovers are able to explore the area whilst adventurous hikers can climb to the top of Montgo Mountain some 753m above sea level and on a clear day the rocky silhouette of the island of Ibiza can be seen on the horizon. Incidentally, Denia has the closest ferry connection to the Balearic Islands. Balearia (www.balearia.com/) and Iscomar (www.iscomar.com/) make sailing to Ibiza and then onto Palma de Mallorca.
Slightly inland from Denia, is the Cueva de las Calaveras near Benidoleig, which was inhabited by prehistoric humans some 50,000 years ago. The Cave of Skulls has numerous animal and human bones from that period inside a magnificent cave along with stalactites and stalagmites reaching some 300 yards long. The Safari Park Vergal, also slightly inland from Denia, on the CV 700, has 145 species of animals, including lions and Bengal tigers, yaks, elephants and many exotic birds. Admission is 13.50 Euros and is open daily. Whilst there is massive demand for property in Denia, with huge construction schemes on the outskirts of the city, Denia has still managed to maintain its suburban flair. For details of Denia rental property click here. About 11 kilometres south lies the busy Benidorm where the holiday makers sunbathe all day and party all night. A little further south is the quiet town of Viilajoyosa, next is Alicante and then onto Torrevieja a preferred tourist destination for the British and Scandinavian and the place many visitors have decided to stay for good. Interesting articles on DeniaCastles, Raisins and Paella – Denia, Spain ;by: Shari Hearn I just love trips where I’m never bored. I mean, don’t you just hate to go to a destination where there’s really only one attraction? Only one type of architecture? One thing the place is known for? That’s why I love Denia, Spain, which sits on the Mediterranean Sea. It’s so… out of the ordinary. Denia can’t help but be out of the ordinary. Again, it does sit on the Mediterranean. And, take into account the many cultures that have dominated Denia in its history: the Roman, Greeks, Arabs, Moors. They all have had an impact on the culture, architecture and food of the region. After taking in the beauty of the Mediterranean, it’s good to begin your trip to Denia with a visit to the hill-top castle which dominates over the city. The castle was once an Arab fortress, and now houses The Archaeological Museum, which has a great number of remains of all the different cultures which has invaded this area. Then head on over to the Ethnological Museum on Cavallers Street for an exhibit on raisins. That’s right, raisins. Denia was once the premier raisin producer in the region. Though tourism now dominates Denia, raisins are still grown there and are quite the local delicacy. Okay, now that you have gotten acquainted with Denia’s culture and raisins, it’s time for a little fun in the sun. If you’re a scuba-diving enthusiast, you must head south to a coastal area call Les Rotes, which is known for excellent scuba diving and fishing. If you’re like me and you want to just relax in the sun, there are sandy beaches north of town. Els Palmars and Las Marinas are two wonderful beaches where the not-so-deep waters appeal to families with children (or, people who are just chicken of deep water, like me). After a day of sunning, scuba diving and visiting museums, it’s time to eat. And when I think of Denia and food I think Paella, a rice dish with fish, meat and vegetables. Rice is very common in Denia kitchens. There are actually over 200 ways that Denia cooks have found to prepare rice. Someday I plan to try all 200 variations. So, for something very much out of the ordinary, plan a trip to Denia, Spain. About The Author Shari Hearn is a writer and frequent contributor to The Traveler's Companion, where you can find all you need to travel well. Discovering Deniaby Robert Carlton Sitting on the Costa Blanca in the Alicante region of Spain, Denia is a city not often talked about, but rich with history and culture. When you look upon the area, you will see the Montog hills, and a towering castle. This is a former Arab fortress that was strategically placed on the Mediterranean Sea. The original name of the region was Dianium. The Romans named it. Around 6 B.C. the Greeks were in the area. They called it Hemeroscopeion. They were comfortable in the area because its climate was much like that of their home. But eventually, as has happened in many regions of Spain, the Arabs came in and called the area home. They began the real population of the region. When the Moors were expelled, the area fell with their leaving. The population suffered a severe drop and the economic situation became dire. But it did eventually make a comeback. Those still in the region started producing and exporting raisins to England. That kept the area doing well for a while, but in recent years even that industry has seen a down-turn in Denia and also in nearby Javea. Their next transformation was into a tourist region. Modern Day Denia While it has opened a new door for the tourism trade, Denia is also still an old city with the same charm it has had for centuries. Many areas of the city have been conserved in their ancient splendor to be enjoyed by those who visit the area. You can visit, The Baix la Mar which is in the fishermen's neighbourhood or stop by Plaza de la Creu where you can watch the rolling Mediterranean Sea as you enjoy a meal. If you are looking for variety in your dining, consider the Cervantes Promenade where there 'tapas' restaurants where you can try a number of small portions of meats, egg dishes or seafood. While some of these will be specific to the region, others will be dishes from nearby areas such as Altea, Benidorm, Torrevieja, Murcia and Calpe When you get thirsty; there are a variety of Spanish wines and beers to choose from. While food and drink are wonderful, people really head to this region for it's coves and beaches. Scuba divers swarm to the coves that are just south in an area called Les Rotes. Fishermen also are drawn to this area. But for beaches, there are a number of options to enjoy the sun and surf from Els Palmars or las Marinas. When it comes to culture, Denia has the well-known Fallas, and the Moor and Christian parade, as well as a special feast honoring their patron saint, Santisima Sangre. I you have always been interested in bullfighting, you may want to head to the area in the first two weeks of July for the ' Bulls into the water' event. No matter the time of year you plan to visit, doing a little research can make sure that you are in the city as something special is going on, to enjoy your holiday, but also learn about another area's culture and tradition. About the Author Robert Carlton pens for the most part for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web publication with information about holiday tips on denia and denia railway. You can see his publications on map of denia spain over at http://www.alicante-spain.com . |
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