Denia, the capital of the Marina Alta, is a modern cosmopolitan city offering both visitors and residents a range of services. It owes its current importance to its being the historical city of the region par excellence, a city that was known in medieval times as the Marquesado de Dénia. Its name derives from the Latin name Dianium which is the origin of the name given to its inhabitants, the ‘dianenses’; Daniya was its Islamic name. The city experienced its period of urban and cultural glory when it became an independent Taifa following the division of the Caliphate of Córdoba during the 11th century. The historical centre of Denia contains the symbol of the city, its castle. The commercial centre is located in the calle Marqués de Campos and the adjacent streets. Dénia is a coastal city located to the north of the province of Alicante and has a 20-kilometre coastline, made of small, beautiful coves. To the north there are the fine sandy beaches of Les Marines and Les Bovetes and the shingle beaches of Les Deveses and L’ Almadrava (shingled) beaches which are craggy and rocky; to the south is the Les Rotes beach. Though the beaches are long, they are not enormous and generally appeal to family-type tourism.
The mild temperature, the annual average being 18º C, means that it is a pleasant place to stay. A monument was erected to the climate in the eighties. Dénia is close to the sea, though some of its most characteristic features, such as the Mongó and the Natural Park, are situated on the border between Dénia and Jávea. In the surrounding area there are Gothic hermitages from the period of the Conquest and caves where potholing is carried out.
Dénia is known both for its gamba roja (red shrimps) and its local cuisine, which is predominantly fish-based. Such dishes include: suquet de peix, cruet, la Llandeta, Suquet de peix, l´Espencat, el Cruet, la Llandeta, coques (pizza-like pastries), tomacat and Porreta de Melba. These dishes can be found in all good restaurants. Please obtain information from the Tourist Office (96.642.23.67).
Castle, tower del Mig and Governor’s Palace.
The Archeological Museum (642 06 56) situated on the upper floors of the castle, in the Palacio del Gobernador, shows the development of the town since its origins in the 2nd century B.C. To the 18th Century, with
important collections of Roman and Andalusi periods, the 2nd Century balsamary of Mercury and the hiding of Islamic bronzes. The
Ethnologic Museum is situated in a building in the Calle Cavallers
(642 02 60). Here you can see exhibits of the methods of cultivation
of vines, and of the role of the Port of Denia in the process of
production and commercialization of the raisin.
Sombreros and palm baskets.
The most well known fiestas are those celebrated during the first half
of June in honour of the Blessed Blood with a Bous al Mar, an event
declared to be of special interest to Spanish tourists. This event,
a variation on the traditional ‘vaquilla’, takes place by the sea
during the course of the fiesta the bulls and/or the runners fall into
the sea. from the 14-16 of August, Moors and Christians pageants
are held in honour of St Roch. The ‘Fallas’ and ‘Hogueras’ in honour of
St John are held from the 15-19 of March. There is a pilgrimage in
honour of St Paula on the 26th of January and one in honour of
St Lucy on the 13th of December.
Dénia is extremely easy to reach, both by road and by train. There is
an exit from the A-7 and, from Ondara, a link road to N-332.
A narrow-gauge railway links Alicante with Dénia. Dénia is located
100km from Alicante and 58 km from Benidorm. There are boats that
leave daily for the Balearic Islands.
A good excursion leads to the Tallada Cove, between the Beach,
Les Rotes and Cape San Antonio. This area can be reached by either
sea or land and is a natural cavity, which is used as a quarry.
The Sierra del Mongó is another good place for excursions with caves
such as the Agua cave where there is an inscription made by the
VII Roman Gémina Legion; in the sierra del Mongó there is also the
Camell Cave and various hermitages constructed in a Gothic-conquest
style. From the summit you can see Ibiza, situated 70 kilometres
away.
There is a bridge club (96.578.77.60), a horse-riding club
(96.576.14.55), and La Sella golf club (96.645.42.52). Jet skis (96.578.43.20), sailing (96.578.09.89), scuba diving (96.578.24.15 - 96.578.13.53), mountain-bikes (96.645.63.51) and fishing
(96.578.02.63 - 96.578.43.20) are also on offer. For additional
information (96.642.23.67). You can windsurf on the beaches of
