This month we're heading to Denia, one of the
best-known places to spend the summer holidays.
Situated between Gandia and Javea, you can get
there on the N332, or if you're coming from
Alicante, the cheaper option is to get the bus.
With 20km of coast to its name, Denia has long
sandy beaches to the north, in the area known as
Las Marinas, and to the south you'll find Las
Rotas, which starts with a sandy beach and gives
way to rocky coves.
All the beaches in Dénia have been awarded International Iso certificates, and year after year, most beaches in D énia receive the Blue Flag award, a symbol of the clean seas of Europe, so unlike what you may be used to in Blighty, you won't emerge from the sea dripping with things that people have flushed down the loo.
Before you get all excited and pitch your parasol, take the time to check out the castle, and Mount Montgo Natural Park. Declared in 1987, it consists of a mountain and a cliff and lots and lots of flora and fauna in between. If you're into Valencian rock violets, you'll be in your element. Once you've had your fill of wildflowers, head to the Cape of Sant Antoni Sea Reserve, put on your fins and wetsuit and scuba dive your way through the coral colonies, caves and crevasses and take pictures of sponges, sea lobsters, groupers, and morays.
Once you've been let out of your decompression chamber by a qualified medical professional, spend some money. Denia's municipal market is on Magallanes street, and is open every day except Sunday from 7am til 2pm. All the usual fare is available, but if you're looking for fresh seafood, there's no better place than the Fish Exchange at the port. The ships arrive from around 3.30pm to 6pm, and from 5pm the fish auctions start, so get haggling for a great variety of sea products: D énia red prawn, lobsters, sea urchins and octopus could all be writhing around in your shopping bag by the end of the day. Putting sea urchins in people's shoes isn't clever or funny so just don't.
Wander down to the open air market on the Cervantes Esplanade between 7pm and midnight, stock up on bohemian clothes and jewellery, and you're set for dinner!
There are over 300 restaurants in Denia, ranging from international cuisine to local fare. We recommend Denia red prawns and suquet de peix (traditional fish stew - a lot nicer than it sounds, usually packed full of prawns, langoustines, mussels, along with whatever today's catch brought in.
Seeing as Denia is officially the party capital of Spain (well, it's the district with the most fiestas), it'd be rude not to join in the fun. The Moors and Christians festival kicks off on August 14th, and there'll be the usual cacophony of fireworks, parades, and battle re-enactments that accompany most festivals in the Valencian Community. This fiesta is a recreation of the driving out of the Moors from their castle in Denia by the attacking Christian forces in 1609.
The festival starts with the Christians arriving by sea dressed up to the nines and ends several days later on the 16th of August with the siege of the castle. In between times the Moors and Christians parade through the town accompanied by their drummers and musicians. Apart from combining the fiesta with some serious beach time (or diving, sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing to name but a few of the local activities), drop granny/the kids/your partner off at your hotel and catch the ferry over to Ibiza for a serious party! www.aferry.es often has discounted rates.
Speaking of hotels, if you're in Denia for the fiesta, it'd be prudent to find somewhere to stay. Check out the town's official website www.denia.net for recommendations. Enjoy your stay in Denia!
All the beaches in Dénia have been awarded International Iso certificates, and year after year, most beaches in D énia receive the Blue Flag award, a symbol of the clean seas of Europe, so unlike what you may be used to in Blighty, you won't emerge from the sea dripping with things that people have flushed down the loo.
Before you get all excited and pitch your parasol, take the time to check out the castle, and Mount Montgo Natural Park. Declared in 1987, it consists of a mountain and a cliff and lots and lots of flora and fauna in between. If you're into Valencian rock violets, you'll be in your element. Once you've had your fill of wildflowers, head to the Cape of Sant Antoni Sea Reserve, put on your fins and wetsuit and scuba dive your way through the coral colonies, caves and crevasses and take pictures of sponges, sea lobsters, groupers, and morays.
Once you've been let out of your decompression chamber by a qualified medical professional, spend some money. Denia's municipal market is on Magallanes street, and is open every day except Sunday from 7am til 2pm. All the usual fare is available, but if you're looking for fresh seafood, there's no better place than the Fish Exchange at the port. The ships arrive from around 3.30pm to 6pm, and from 5pm the fish auctions start, so get haggling for a great variety of sea products: D énia red prawn, lobsters, sea urchins and octopus could all be writhing around in your shopping bag by the end of the day. Putting sea urchins in people's shoes isn't clever or funny so just don't.
Wander down to the open air market on the Cervantes Esplanade between 7pm and midnight, stock up on bohemian clothes and jewellery, and you're set for dinner!
There are over 300 restaurants in Denia, ranging from international cuisine to local fare. We recommend Denia red prawns and suquet de peix (traditional fish stew - a lot nicer than it sounds, usually packed full of prawns, langoustines, mussels, along with whatever today's catch brought in.
Seeing as Denia is officially the party capital of Spain (well, it's the district with the most fiestas), it'd be rude not to join in the fun. The Moors and Christians festival kicks off on August 14th, and there'll be the usual cacophony of fireworks, parades, and battle re-enactments that accompany most festivals in the Valencian Community. This fiesta is a recreation of the driving out of the Moors from their castle in Denia by the attacking Christian forces in 1609.
The festival starts with the Christians arriving by sea dressed up to the nines and ends several days later on the 16th of August with the siege of the castle. In between times the Moors and Christians parade through the town accompanied by their drummers and musicians. Apart from combining the fiesta with some serious beach time (or diving, sailing, windsurfing or kitesurfing to name but a few of the local activities), drop granny/the kids/your partner off at your hotel and catch the ferry over to Ibiza for a serious party! www.aferry.es often has discounted rates.
Speaking of hotels, if you're in Denia for the fiesta, it'd be prudent to find somewhere to stay. Check out the town's official website www.denia.net for recommendations. Enjoy your stay in Denia!
