Denia
Denia is known for its beautiful beaches and its old town in the heart of the city, where stands the Castle.
The proximity of the Montgo massif, declared Natural Park in 1987, overlooking the sea at Cape San Antonio makes the area an ideal place for activities directly related to nature, like hiking or scuba diving.
The daily fishing Denia provides the best of the sea for your gastronomic enjoyment, shrimp from Denia, one of the best in the world, and all sorts of seafood and fish.
Its waters, of a deep blue, sandy beaches, its natural sites of precious wealth and its cosmopolitan people, invite tourists to experience the beauty and good living of this town on the Costa Blanca.
Historiy
Denia's origins date back to the Iberians as witnessed by the archaeological remains found in the slopes of Mount Montgo, in the Punta de Benimaquia and Pico del Aguila, although various remains found in Cova Ampla and Cova del Aigua make us think that from the Neolithic the Montgo was inhabited by man.
In Roman times Denia was conquered by force so that its people were forced to pay taxes as punishment for his perpetual rebellion, passing later to get the status of "municipium, called" Dianium. The remains found make us to consider the possibility of that the port of Denia was an important location for trade so as to entry of the Roman armies by sea.
However, the most glory to "Daniya" arrived with the Muslim Kingdom of Taifa of Denia, one of the most important of Muslim Spain, extending to Murcia and the Balearic Islands.
In the Christian reconquest Denia becomes a marquis, which remains an important place in what was already the Kingdom of Valencia. The most famous hit was the 5th Marquis of Denia, the Duke of Lerma, a favorite of then King Felipe III.
In the nineteenth century the city's economy was based primarily on the passing trade that makes Denia grow culturally, urbanly and bourgeoisly living another golden age.
In the twentieth century raisin trade stagnates and gives way to citrus trade and toys, coming to our days in which tourism is also one of the most important revenue sources of the city.
Weather
Located at the foot of the Montgo Natural Park, of 753 meters, and next to the Marine Reserve of Cabo de San Antonio, Denia extends along nearly 20 km. of coastline.
The temperatures are pleasant throughout the year so take an average between 19 and 20ºC.
Beaches
About 20 km. includes coastal town of Denia with different types of beaches.
To the north we have the sandy beaches in the area of Las Marinas, with nearly 14 km. Sandy beaches such as Punta del Raset, Albaranas, Les Marines, Les Bovetes, Els Molins, Almadrava and Deveses.
The Port of Denia beach divides the two areas and in the south of it there are the area of Les Rotes, which begins with a sandy beach, Casiana Marineta to be giving way to rocky coves, cozy and clean, which clear waters give the place a breathtaking beauty. These beaches are: The Trampolí, Punta Negra, Arenetes and La Cala.
All beaches in Denia have international certifications of quality and environment, and blue flags. The wealth of the seabed of the area has to be classified as a Site of Community Interest, highlights the Marine Reserve of Cabo San Antonio, a protected area that has a high environmental value to the delight of the diving lovers.
The beaches of Denia are equipped with every faiclities for the visitor as walkways, foot baths, hammocks, umbrellas or skates and services such as rubbish bins, red cross service, lifeguards and cleaning services.
Many of them have facilities for beach volleyball or mini-football and some of them are especially recommended for the practice of windsurfing and kitesurfing with favorable winds, like Garbi or Llebeig, with strength from 3.5 to 7, suitable for the practice of these sports.
Fiestas
Denia has a large number of festivals throughout the year with a common denominator, fire, sea and gunpowder, the streets fill with people, laughter, music, color and joy .
The Ride of Kings, the Pilgrimage to the Hermitage of Santa Paula, Carnivals and Mig Any Moors and Christians are the first opportunities to enjoy the festivities of the city.
With the arrival of spring Denia burns with the Fallas monuments that will burn the night of March 19, the bonfires of San Juan in June, announcing the arrival of summer with fires in the shore of the beach.
The Major Fiestas are in July, festivities in honor of the Holy Blood, with very famous celebration, "Bous a la mar", a unique spectacle, considered Fiesta of National Tourist Interest, ending the celebrations with a parade of floats that animates the city streets with fanfare, lights and colors.
In August, Moors and Christians parade through the streets of Denia dressed in their finery. Classics of these holidays are the spectacular landing and the battle for Castle that delight visitors to the city. In late October, "La Fira de Tots Sants" does explore great for youth.
Gastronomy
In Denia merges the best seafood and the Valencian, resulting in a clear example of the variety and deliciousness of the Mediterranean diet.
Emphasizes the famous red shrimp from Denia, considered one of the best in the world, that can be prepared boiled or grilled and a great variety of rice specialties, highlighting the "Arroz a banda" and "Paella".
Other culinary specialties that combine tradition and quality are the "espencat" (grilled vegetables), the "llandeta", the "Creueta", the "Suquet de Peix" urchins, dry octopus or a "cocas" variety both sweet and savory.
To accompany dessert, sweet and aromatic "Mistela", a sweet wine made from the best Muscat grapes grown in the region.
In Denia are conducted several events with gastronomy as the protagonist, as the International Competition in "Arroz a Banda" that is held every year in March and can be considered one of the most important of those events that are made with rice as the main element and has become a must for industry professionals.
Ecodénia, Fair Food and Natural Health which coincides with the feast of 9 October is an event you can not miss, offering the best products in the area of the highly recommended Mediterranean diet.
Leisure and Sports
The Castle is a must if we are in Denia holidays. Inside we find the archaeological museum. Other museums are the ethnological and the toy museum. Another attraction of the city is to stroll through its streets and admire the rich history and artistic heritage of various civilizations that inhabited Denia million years ago.
A stroll through the picturesque old fishing village will allow you to disappear into its narrow streets and discover charming spots. You can not lose the spectacular views from lookout towers, the battlements of the castle or the Torres del Gerro at the foot of Montgo.
The Montgo extends forming the Cape of San Antonio overlooking the sea from a cliff about 160 meters. At the foot of the Cape is the Marine Reserve of Cabo de San Antonio, of great interest environmental, scientific and ecological value. Various hiking trails will allow you to go all the massif, where lovers of botany could see the approximately 600 plant species that coexist in the Montgo.
Denia allows us to enjoy a variety of sports, the beaches remain one of the most common scenarios for practice. We have the typical summer beach sports like beach volleyball or beach football, which we may practice in any of the beaches, since they all have adequate facilities.
The qualities of the beaches of Denia also allow us to enjoy other sports. The northern beaches, Las Marinas, are more open and windy, so they are ideal for windsurfing or kitesurfing. The southern, Les Rotes, have more intimate coves and over rocks, which are more suitable for such sports as diving, in that area boasts many natural underwater reserves worth seeing.
The practice of sailing is deeply rooted and the proof is the many races that are organized as "la Ruta de la Sal" in Easter, and "Diana de Oro" in July. The many golf courses that are designed in the area have made this sport one of the most important claims to Denia. Tennis, hiking or riding complete the sport schedule if you can not avoid the exercise even on vacation.
The leisure offer has an extensive cultural program, theater, cinema, music concerts, lectures, dances, etc... In summer, the Castle is the ideal setting to enjoy the concert of "Music at Castell", with ethnic and popular hosts a night. And when night falls, get to live the nightlife. Between the lights and bustle of the outdoor terraces feel the music and joy. Restaurants, pubs, clubs and terraces on the beach are waiting for you to finish the day with friends. Both day and night are intense and magical in Denia.
For further information on what activities to perform in Denia, sports, cultural and mixtures thereof, such as routes through the region, etc ... do not hesitate to visit our
Ocio en Denia page.
Useful Phones
- Radio Taxis - 966 424 444
- Coop. Diana Taxis - 965 786 565
- Touríst Information- 966 422 367 / 902 114 162
- Consumer Information Office - 965 787 940
- Local Police - 092
- National Police - 091
- City Hall - 965 780 100
- Emergency - 112
- Fire Department - 085
- Salvage - 900 202 202
