Denia Spain
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DENIA FACTFILE
LOCATION:- Denia is located on the Northern Costa Blanca, Spain, approximately 85 km north-east of Alicante within the Communidad de Valencia. Denia can be reached via the AP-7 motorway or by the much more scenic N332 coast road. It is situated between Gandia and Jávea (Xábia). Another way to travel to Denia is on the narrow guage railway which runs from Alicante to Denia by way of Benidorm.
OVERVIEW:- Denia is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Northern Costa Blanca with around 20 km of coastline to explore containing many beaches and rocky coves. Denia has a fine harbour (one of the best in the region) and is an important ferry port for the Balearic Islands in particular, (Ibiza is around a 2 hour trip).
Denia has a large fishing fleet and a fish market is held every day, fishing remains important for the economy of Denia along with tourism. Conditions in Denia are ideal for water sports and it has become a popular area for a wide range of water based activities including surfing, water skiing and wind surfing. Overlooked by Mount Montgó and surrounded by the Mount Montgó Natural Park it is an area of outstanding beauty with plenty to see and do.
The castle (castillo) in the centre of Denia dates from the 11th Century and was originally built by the Moors during the Arab Conquest (8th-13th Centuries). The Castle now houses the Archaeological Museum which outlines the history of Denia. The name Denia is thought by some to be of Arab origin, and taken from the arabic "Daniah" meaning low or near, and by others to be of Roman origin and taken from the Roman temple of Diana. Denia currently has a population of around 30,000 people though this increases hugely during the busy summer months.
DENIA CLIMATE:- Denia has a warm and temperate climate with a mean annual temperature of around 20° centigrade. Temperatures generally range from a low of around 5° C in the winter to a high of around 40° C in the summer months. Local residents expect to see over 300 days of sunshine each year. The beautiful Denia weather is one reason why it has become such a popular place for North Europeans buying a holiday home or even a new home in the sun.
DENIA HISTORY:- Though there is evidence of settlers in the area of Denia as far back as the Neolithic Era, signs of a Greek colony called Hemeroskopeion and remnants of a Roman occupation from the 3rd Century BC, the known history of Denia dates back to the Arab Conquest (8th-13th Centuries). Denia castle was originally built by the Moors during the 11th and 12th Centuries and later extended and re-fortified during the 15th, 16th and 17th Centuries. Denia was re-conquered by the Christians in 1244 during the reign of the Conquistador Jaime I.
Denia sided with Archduke Charles (pretender to the throne of Austria) during The War of Succession and was the first town to proclaim Charles as king of Spain (1705). However after a number of sieges Denia castle was taken in 1708 and the area suffered greatly as a result of the war. Denia became wealthy during the 19th Century due to the raisin trade which grew in importance in the area but was unfortunately ravaged by an outbreak of phylloxera in the early 20th Century which brought the industry to its knees and caused a period of economic decline. This decline continued until the 1960's when tourism began in Denia and the surrounding towns resulting in spectacular growth which has continued to this day.
PLACES TO VISIT:- Denia Castle - Originally built during the 11th Century by the Arabs it now houses The Archaeological Museum which tells the history of Denia from around 200 BC. Montgo National Park - Declared a Natural Park in 1987 the park contains a huge variety of flora and fauna with over 600 plant species. There are a number of marked out walking routes of varying difficulty. Cape of San Antoni Sea Reserve - An area of outstanding natural beauty, fantastic for scuba diving which can only be carried out with a special license obtained in advance from the Denia Tourist Office. The Ethnological Museum - Outlines the role of the raisin in the history of Denia and its importance in the economy of the area. The Toy Museum in Calle Calderon - Outlining the importance of toy manurfacture in Denia. La Lonja Fish Market - Located in the port, this is a very busy fish market, open every day for fish auctions. The Town Hall - Situated in the Plaza de la Constitutión. The beautiful Vall de Laguar. You could also take a trip to the resort of Benidorm, famous for its great theme parks (such as Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Terra Natura and Mundomar), Benidorm is also well known for its vibrant nightlife scene, pop into Villajoyosa and take a look at the colourful houses in the harbour or maybe visit the chocolate factory, or visit the spectacular Castell de Guadalest.
DENIA FIESTAS:- Well known for its large number of fiestas and festivals Denia is an excellent place to go to enjoy this great Spanish tradition. Fiestas include the Three Wise Men (January), the Falles bonfires (March), the Patron Saint Fiestas, the Bous a la Mar (July), the All Saint Attraction Fair (October) and of course the Moors and Christians (August).
DENIA BEACHES:- There are a large number of fine sandy (blue flag) beaches along the 20 km coastline of Denia. Some of the beaches are:- Les Deveses, Les Bovetes, Punta Raset, La Marineta Cassiana, Les Marines, Els Molins and El Trampoli. There are also some great Denia hotels in which you can enjoy your stay.
DENIA HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION:- Denia has a large selection of hotels to choose from, if you are looking for accommodation in the resort, among the more popular hotels are the Port Denia Hotel, the Hotel Daniyah, the Hotel La Racona and the Hotel Adsubia.
DENIA CHURCHES:- Ascuncion Church (Plaza de la Constitutión) 18th Century baroque, Convent of the Augustines (Calle Loreto) home to a closed order of Augustine nuns, San Antonio Church (Plaza del Convento) 18th Century convent and church.
GASTRONOMY:- Denia boasts a rich and varied cuisine centred mostly around fish and vegetables. Dishes include the famous Denia red prawn, espencat (grilled vegetables), suquet de peix and arrós a banda (a well known rice dish).
DENIA ARTICLE
Situated in the Northern Costa Blanca region of Spain is the popular town of Denia with its 20 km or so of fine sandy beaches, rocky bays and coves on the Mediterranean Sea, it is a huge draw for holidaymakers of all nationalities. Having a population of around 30,000 people, Denia was, up until the 1960's, just a small fishing town with some agriculture and toy manurfacture to help with its economy. The tourism industry exploded in the 1960's and Denia along with many other towns in the area underwent great changes to adapt to this new business.
The history of Denia however goes back much further, in fact there were settlers of Neolithic, Greek, Iberian and Roman cultures in the years BC. There is some evidence of a Greek colony called Hemeroskopeion and also of Iberian settlements in the Sierra del Montgo area. There are some remains of a Roman temple (Temple of Diana) and of a small town called Dianium, thought by some to be the origin of the name "Denia". Others attribute the name to the later and better documented Arab occupation and think the name comes from the Arabic "Daniah" meaning low or near.
The famous castle (castillo) of Denia was originally built by the Moors in the 11th Century but has been changed and remodelled many times over the centuries. The castle still remains today at the centre of the town and contains the Archaeological Museum where the history of Denia can be studied from those early times.
The Arab occupation of the region lasted from the 8th to 13th Centuries and Denia was re-taken for the Christians in 1244 by Pere Eiximen Carros under the reign of Jaime I (The Conquistador). Phillip III gave Denia the title of "town" in 1612, Denia was at this time controlled by the 5th Marquis, the Duke of Lerma (a favourite of Phillip III).
During the War of Spanish Succession Denia sided with the pretender to the throne of Austria, Archduke Charles and was the first to proclaim Charles as the legitimate king of Spain (17th August 1705) however the castle and town were taken in 1708 after a series of seiges and Denia suffered a severe setback to its population and ecomomy as a result. It took almost 200 years for Denia to fully recover.
The economic revival of Denia was due mostly to the humble raisin for which Denia became famous during the 19th Century and there were known to be a community of English raisin traders living in Denia right up until the 1930's. A booming raisin trade was the main reason for Denia's economic growth during the 19th Century and provided cash for the building of the railway line to Alicante and for many other projects to improve the town.
This economic revival however came to an end in the late 19th and early 20th Century when an outbreak of phylloxera devastated the grapevines (other areas of Spain and France also suffered) and Denia once again went into decline. Up until the arrival of tourism, Denia relied mostly on fishing, agriculture and a small toy making industry for its economic survival.
Since the 1960's Denia has grown rapidly due to tourism and in recent years due to property development (second homes for wealthy Spanish and holiday homes for North Europeans), there are a good range of apartments available and some luxurious Denia villas (see below). Denia is now a thriving town and there is plenty to see and do in and around Denia.
A visit to the castle is a must as it has played such an important role in the history of Denia, for nature lovers a trip to the Mount Montgó Natural Park is a very rewarding experience with its wide variety of plant and animal life and marked out walking routes for walkers of all capabilities, declared as a Natural Park in 1987 it rises to a height of 753 metres and covers an area of 2,150 hectares. Sun worshippers will love the miles of fine sandy beaches, all very clean and well cared for, and of course they will also love the climate - an average temperature of 20° Centigrade and over 300 days of sun every year.
Diners will find a huge selection of bars and restaurants offering local dishes together with those of many other nationalities. Be sure to take a look at the port and its busy, daily fish market. Whilst on a trip to Denia, don't forget to check if there is a fiesta occurring during your stay - Denia is renowned for its large number of fiestas and festivals.
Denia is located just off the AP-7 motorway and the N332 coast road between Gandia and Jávea.
Below you will find quick links to Denia local information - Click on images or links.
You can also find cheap flights to Denia, the nearest airports are Valencia and Alicante.
Denia airport driving distances: Alicante airport to Denia is a driving distance of 110 kilometres (68 miles), Valencia airport (Manises) to Denia is a driving distance of 113 kilometres (70 miles).
Denia Links: Denia Map - Denia Weather - Denia Spain Map - Denia Costa Blanca
Nearby Places: Moraira - Calpe - Oliva - Pego - Altea - Albir - Javea - Guadalest - Teulada - Benissa - Cumbre del Sol - Ondara - Benitachell - Xativa - Els Poblets
Attractions: Gallinera Valley - Penon de Ifach - Algar Waterfalls - Caves of Canelobre - Fuentes de Algar
FIND DENIA HOLIDAY RENTALS HERE ->>>> 
Golf Courses: Oliva Nova Golf - Ifach Golf Club - Real Faula Golf - Spain Golf
Resort Guides: Moraira - Calpe
Related: Murcia - Valencia - Alicante Weather - Alicante Transfers - Builders
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