Blauverd : Denia : Alicante : Costa Blanca : Spain

Denia (Costa Blanca)

Located on the Southeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, to border the Mediterranean Sea. Situated in the province of Alicante, being one of its most important towns, because of its archeological findings ; its many Greek and Roman deposits a taster of its turbulent past. The city is found in a natural port on the skirt-line of Mount Montgó (753mts in altitude) and at the feet of a hill crowned by an ancient castle.

The port divides two types of coastline (20km of coast); the one to the north called “Les Marines”, a sandy beach of shallow waters with the odd splashing of stones from the river brooks and the one to the south “Les Rotes” a rocky beach that becomes the birthplace of Cape San Antonio with small water coves of very cold water which originate from fresh water springs of the Montgó.

It is a harbour city of great character with an approximate population of 37.800 inhabitants. Denia was a fortified city of great importante during Muslim occupation, its Arab past has added to its already diverse history, causing it to reach new heights of cultural splendour. Denia celebrates its varied history through many Fiestas (unique to themselves) every year that commemorate these events.

Denia offers a great variety of choices, both for the romantic architectural, archeological type or for the more activity striken person. Denia offers a first rate Yachting Club; and fishing, windsurfing, diving, scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing can be practiced almost all year round. There are five great golf courses and a stupendous Marina with moorings for over 1000 yachts and boats all sizes. Its vine cultivation should keep many wine connoisseurs and enthusiasts occupied. Denia was very well known for its export of raisins in the 19th century, moscatel production is what greatly contributed to its prosperity and its thriving economy and as a result led to and established a middle class (exporting its produce to England, Northern Europe and America. Before buying the wine you must visit the Bodega in Xaló in Sierra Bernia where not only can you taste great dry white wines made from the grape: Moscatel Romano but also the famous sweet wine Mistela dulce. If you visit on a Saturday you may also get to see the old flee market a unique experience in itself because of all the weird and wonderful objects you can find there.

There are great places to eat to savour its Mediterranean gastronomy where citrus-fruits, fish, vegetables and oil are the base foods for most of their dishes.(The fish and seafood is very fresh as they have a fish market that opens every day in town), rice is also a fundamental ingredient to most of their dishes as are sea urchins, lobster, the red prawn and octopus truly lavished by both the residents and tourists alike. To finish a great meal you can try one of their many home made puddings or fruit specials, as would be the home grown figs (higos de chumbera) or melon (melon d’Alger), enjoyed and accompanied by a sweet moscatel wine. Not surprising to find out that Denia has been officially recognised as one of the world’s healthiest places.

The port offers regular ferry travel (with daily exits to the Balearic Islands) and there are good highway communications (Nacional 332 and A-7 Freeway) at a distance of 95 km from both major cities of Alicante and Valencia, both with an international airport. There are also train services running , the Alicante-Denia line goes along the whole Costa Blanca surrounding the entire coast line.

The historical centre of Denia contains the symbol of the city its castle with remains of all Roman, Muslim and Christian eras - a very interesting visit which takes you through the entire history of the town.

Other places to visit are

Archaeological Museum
Ethnological Museum
Asuncion Church
Convent of the Augustines
La Lonja (Fish Market)
San Antonio Church
Town Hall
Les Drassanes
The Toy Museum (with varied other exhibitions throughout the year)
A Festivity not to be missed a fun filled event celebrated each year called Fiesta of Boy en la Mar (early July); where people dodge bulls on the quay until one or other falls into the sea.

Appeals to

The romantic: with its varied history, full of character and archaeological findings
The retired: good and healthy food and lifestyle. Yacht Marina, Golf courses, vineyards, fishing and restaurants.
The young at heart: scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.
The bohemian: with the flee markets, fish markets, art exhibitions and history filled town.
Sea lovers: Be it searching through the water coves, sunbathing on the beach or just looking out over the bay as the moonlight bounces off the waves…

Oficina de Turismo Dénia
Plaza Oculista Buigues, nº 9
3700 Denia, Alicante
Email: touristinfo.denia@turisme.m400.gva.es
Tel: + 34 966 422 367 / 902 114 162
Fax: + 34 965 780 957