Denia, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca, is one of the most easterly towns on the Spanish peninsula. In fact, on a very clear day, you can even see Mallorca! What was once a sleepy fishing town is now a bustling port full of excellent restaurants, people from around the world, and plenty of sites to see.
Denia is an easy day trip from Valencia and it’s also one of the main ports taking travelers from mainland Spain to the Balearic Islands. Whilst some people may be tempted to head straight down the coast to Alicante, you really should make a stop off in Denia to enjoy the beautiful history of the town and its incredible beaches.
Best Things to Do in Denia
There’s something for everyone to enjoy in Denia. Whether you fancy hiking for some of the best views of the Costa Blanca or lounging on a perfect beach with a great book, Denia offers something for every kind of traveler.
1. Montgó Natural Park
The Montgó is the iconic mountain that’s the backdrop of Denia. It’s also the natural border between Denia and Javea, the next town along the coast.
It’s a beautifully shaped mountain with lots of great hiking trails for all abilities and the perfect place to get some of the best views of the coast. Spring and fall are the best times to enjoy the Montgó Natural Park when the vegetation is starting to change and the temperatures are a little cooler.
2. Eat in The 14th Best Restaurant in The World
The Costa Blanca is well-known for its amazing food scene but did you know one of the best restaurants in the world is on this small Spanish coast? Quique Dacosta has a whopping 3 Michelin Stars.
It was also recently voted the 14th-best restaurant in 2024 on the list of 50 Best Restaurants in the World. It’s right on the seafront of this beautiful town, so it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Denia.
There are plenty of other incredible restaurants too, many of them serving up freshly caught seafood with both local and international influences. Peix & Brases is another top choice.
Be sure to make time of sunrises and sunsets in Denia.
3. Denia Castle
You can’t miss Denia Castle – it’s a beautiful building at the top of the hill in the middle of town. It takes around 2 hours to walk to the top and have a good look around and it’s the perfect spot for a great view out over Denia.
The fortress is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Denia which gives you a great overview of the history of the town.
4. Visit the Mercat de Denia
Markets are worth visiting in almost every Spanish town. It’s a great way to see and buy local produce and get a very good feel for the culture. Many markets also have amazing restaurants and bars, which is the case in the Mercat de Denia. It’s a bustling market full of friendly stalls and the perfect place to grab some tapas and a drink and watch the world go by.
5. Walk Along Calle Loreto
Calle Loreto is one of the most famous streets in Denia’s old town. It’s lined with popular restaurants and bars and the buildings are brightly colored, adding to its unique charm. Both locals and tourists mix on Calle Loreto and it’s one of the best places to enjoy an aperitivo as the sun sets over the Montgó.
6. Enjoy the Port and a Boat Trip
The port of Denia is really the heart of the town. It’s beautiful to wander along the promenade and watch the traditional fishing boats and luxury yachts coming and going. Although there are some amazing beaches in Denia, the coast is well-known for its coves and caves which are only accessible via boat.
There are lots of boat trips leaving Denia and they’re a great way to explore the nearby coastline such as Cabo de San Antonio, Cabo de San Martín, and Cabo de la Nao.
Explore the coastline while you are visiting Denia, it’s one of the most magical places to wander.
7. Walk Around The Baix La Mar Neighborhood
The Baix La Mar neighborhood is one of the best things to see in Denia. The old marine quarter is full of charm and it’s the perfect neighborhood to wander around and soak it all up. As you might imagine, there are many excellent seafood restaurants in this area.
If you can, order red shrimp from Denia, they’re famous throughout the region and, while they’re not cheap, they’re certainly worth it! When walking around Baix La Mar, make sure to stop off at La Lonja de Denia. It’s amazing to see all the fresh seafood arriving at the market.
8. Enjoy Playa Las Rotas
Playa Las Rotas (Les Rotes in Valencian) is a wonderful, unique, and rocky beach to the south of Denia. It’s one of the best places to enjoy the crystal clear waters and views along the coast.
It’s an excellent spot for snorkeling as it’s part of the local marine reserve, meaning boats aren’t allowed to sail there and it’s illegal to fish. There’s also a great walkway lined with restaurants and chiringuitos (Spanish beach bars).
9. Visit Cova Tallada
Cova Tallada is one of the must-see spots in Denia. It’s a little further along from Playa Las Rotas and isn’t the easiest cave to access as it does involve some scrambling over rocks.
It is, however, well worth it when you get there. It’s the perfect place to go snorkeling and swimming and you can easily explore the cave from the water. It’s best to bring some good shoes as some of the rocks can be sharp.
If you’re not up for walking but still want to enjoy the stunning water in the cave, there are plenty of boat trips to Cova Tallada.
Arches along the coast at low tide in Denia.
10. Visit the Lighthouse at Cabo de San Antonio
Whether you’re staying in Denia or Javea, you can’t miss the beautiful lighthouse at the top of Cabo de San Antonio. Its rotating lights illuminate both towns all night long as well as offering glimpses out across the dark sea. The views from the top of the cape are incredible and they’re some of the best you can get of both towns.
11. Take an Afternoon Trip to Another Village
There are lots of amazing villages and things to do near Denia. Jesús Pobre is a popular one on the southern banks of the Montgó mountain. It has lots of great markets and it’s a popular wine-growing area too.
Gata de Gorgos is another great little village close by that’s famous for its wickerwork. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs, furniture, and decorations.
12. Try Some Local Wine!
The Costa Blanca may not be as famous for wine as, say, Rioja, but there are lots of great wines to try in the area. Muscatel is the main grape variety grown in the area, so you can expect to try primarily white wine.
There are several restaurants and wine shops in Denia but, if you want to take a trip up into the hills, Bodegas Xaló is a lovely place to try Muscatel wine and see the growing process.
There are so many great hikes to enjoy while you are visiting this part of Spain.
13. Visit Els Magazinos
Els Magazinos is a fabulous cultural and gastronomic market and one of the most popular things to do in Denia. The building was previously the royal stables in the region and, before that, it was also a warehouse for raisins and other trade brought in by the ships.
Nowadays, it’s a thriving hub in central Denia and the perfect place to sample a local wine or beer as you wander around the stalls deciding what to eat. There’s everything from paella and red shrimp from Denia to pizza and Lebanese food.
They also put on several events per year, including those that celebrate wine, tomatoes, and olive oil, and some exhibitions.
14. Eat Fideua
If you didn’t realize it by now, Denia is famous for its food! But have you tried fideua? It looks a lot like paella but rather than rice, the dish is cooked using very thin pasta.
It’s usually served with seafood and is a favorite for many in the area. There are lots of great restaurants in Denia serving up traditional fideua, and one of the best is La Barqueta.
15. Walk Through The Castle Tunnel
There’s a tunnel that goes right through the center of Denia’s castle hill that leads to the historic neighborhood. It was dug out during the Civil War and used as an air raid shelter for local residents. As far as historical Denia attractions go, it’s one of the most impressive.
The beaches and waterfront are some of the best things to see and do around Denia.
Final Thoughts on What to Do in Denia
Denia is an amazing town and the perfect place to visit on the east coast of Spain if you’re traveling between Valencia and Alicante.
There are so many things to do in Denia, including hiking, trying new dishes, enjoying the beach, and visiting all the amazing historical sights there are to see. It’s not somewhere you should just pass by, it’s a town you should stop in for the weekend and enjoy everything it has to offer.